CFD Modeling of Solid Suspension in a Stirred Tank : Effect of Drag Models and Turbulent Dispersion on Cloud Height

Abstract EN

Many chemical engineering processes involve the suspension of solid particles in a liquid.

In dense systems, agitation leads to the formation of a clear liquid layer above a solid cloud.

Cloud height, defined as the location of the clear liquid interface, is a critical measure of process performance.

In this study, solid-liquid mixing experiments were conducted and cloud height was measured as a function operating conditions and stirred tank configuration.

Computational fluid dynamics simulations were then performed using an Eulerian-Granular multiphase model.

The effects of hindered and unhindered drag models and turbulent dispersion force on cloud height were investigated.

A comparison of the experimental and computational data showed excellent agreement over the full range of conditions tested.