CFD Modeling of Solid Suspension in a Stirred Tank: Effect of Drag Models and Turbulent Dispersion on Cloud Height

• Main Authors: Shitanshu Gohel, Shitalkumar Joshi, Mohammed Azhar, Marc Horner, Gustavo Padron
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2012-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Chemical Engineering
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/956975

Many chemical engineering processes involve the suspension of solid particles in a liquid. In dense systems, agitation leads to the formation of a clear liquid layer above a solid cloud. Cloud height, defined as the location of the clear liquid interface, is a critical measure of process performance. In this study, solid-liquid mixing experiments were conducted and cloud height was measured as a function operating conditions and stirred tank configuration. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were then performed using an Eulerian-Granular multiphase model. The effects of hindered and unhindered drag models and turbulent dispersion force on cloud height were investigated. A comparison of the experimental and computational data showed excellent agreement over the full range of conditions tested.