Solid-liquid flow in stirred tanks: CFD-grade experimental investigation

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of solid-liquid flows in stirred tanks are feasible with appropriate closure models. However, no systematic assessment of different models has appeared yet because of lacking validation data. The present study accumulates a CFD-grade database on solid-liquid two-phase flow experiments in a stirred tank (diameter = 90 mm), including single-phase flows for com-parison. The velocity fields of the liquid and solid phases are measured with Particle Image Velocimetry and Particle Shadow Velocimetry, respectively. The experiments cover a range of density ratios, particle diameters, solid volume fractions and impeller rotation speeds. The mean and fluctuating liquid and solid velocities are obtained by time-averaging and angle-resolved averaging, as well as the time-averaged local solid fraction. The experimental data for the single-phase flows is compared with CFD simulations which show reasonably good predictions. A systematic assessment of CFD models for solid-liquid flows will appear as a sequel. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study conducted solid-liquid two-phase flow experiments in stirred tanks and accumulated a CFD-grade database, including experimental data for single-phase flows. The experimental data covers a range of density ratios, particle diameters, solid volume fractions and impeller rotation speeds.