Modeling mixing dynamics in uncovered baffled and unbaffled stirred tanks

This paper presents results of measurements performed in uncovered baffled and unbaffled stirred tanks. The Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) set consists of a 300 mW argon-ion laser generating two pairs of blue and green beams. Additionally, three turbulence models are verified to simulate mixing dynamics in uncovered baffled and unbaffled stirred tanks. Simulations are performed using both the steady- and the transient-state approach. The unbaffled tank was modeled using both the single- and the multiphase approaches. The cited correlations of the central vortex depth are used to verify the multiphase calculations. In order to reduce the computational time, a simplified numerical model is proposed. It assumes a single-phase simulation without the central vortex. The flow fields below the central vortex level are compared between the single- and the multiphase approach. The simplified model can be used both to design and optimize the mixing process.

Automated summary

This paper presents the results of measurements in uncovered baffled and unbaffled stirred tanks, using Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) to simulate mixing dynamics. Three turbulence models were verified and simulations were performed in both steady- and transient-state approaches. A simplified numerical model without the central vortex was proposed to reduce computational time, which can be used for designing and optimizing the mixing process.