Models and Applications for Simulating Turbulent Solid–Liquid Suspensions in Stirred Tanks

Abstract

Solid-liquid suspensions in stirred tanks are common in many process industries. The complex flow characteristics such as two-phase turbulence and inter-phase interaction make the corresponding numerical simulations complicated and challenging. In this paper, we review the models dealing with both the continuous and the discrete phases and summarize the applications for simulating such flow phenomena, including velocity and turbulence components, solids concentration, just-suspended speed, cloud height, optimization of geometrical parameters, and particle shape and type. Some perspectives concerning different modeling approaches are presented, and the Eulerian-Lagrangian approach with resolved particles is highlighted to address the underlying suspension mechanisms in stirred tanks.