CFD simulation of liquid-phase mixing in solid–liquid stirred reactor

Abstract

A comprehensive CFD model was developed to gain an insight into solid suspension and its implications on the liquid-phase mixing process in a solid–liquid stirred reactor. The turbulent solid–liquid flow in a stirred reactor was simulated using a two-fluid model with the standard k – ε turbulence model with mixture properties. The multiple reference frames (MRFs) approach was used to simulate impeller rotation in a fully baffled reactor. The computational model with necessary sub-models was mapped on to a commercial solver FLUENT 6.2 (of Fluent Inc., USA). The predicted solid concentration distribution was compared with the experimental data of Yamazaki et al. [1986. Concentration profiles of solids suspended in a stirred tank. Powder Technology 48, 205–216]. The computational model was then further extended to simulate and understand the implications of the suspension quality on liquid-phase mixing process. The computational model and the predicted results discussed here will be useful for understanding the liquid-phase mixing process in stirred slurry reactors in various stages of solid suspension.