CFD simulation of flow properties on the blade unit of a tridimensional rotational flow sieve tray with concurrent gas-liquid flow

Background: The blade unit of the tridimensional rotational flow sieve tray (TRST) makes the fluid form a rotational-perforated flow. The analysis of the flow properties of the unit is helpful to understand the hydrodynamic characteristics of TRST. Methods: The gas-liquid concurrent flow field was studied using the multi-fluid VOF method. The rotational and perforated flows at each section were analyzed based on the section rotational flow ratios. Significant findings: The section rotational flow ratio for the gas phase was between 0.6 and 0.85, and the transition section of the rotational and perforated flows of the liquid phase was z = 30 mm. The relationships between TRST and blade unit were clarified. The simulation performed for analyzing the mass transfer and structural optimization of the blade unit and TRST. (c) 2021 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study analyzed the flow properties of the blade unit of TRST using the multi-fluid VOF method, revealing that the rotational flow ratio for the gas phase ranged from 0.6 to 0.85, and the transition section of the rotational and perforated flows for the liquid phase was at z = 30 mm.