CFD simulation of an unbaffled stirred tank reactor driven by a magnetic rod: Assessment of turbulence models

Abstract

A simulation of an unbaffled stirred tank reactor driven by a magnetic stirring rod was carried out in a moving reference frame. The free surface of unbaffled stirred tank was captured by Euler-Euler model coupled with the volume of fluid (VOF) method. The re-normalization group (RNG) κ-ε model, large eddy simulation (LES) model and detached eddy simulation (DES) model were evaluated for simulating the flow field in the stirred tank. All turbulence models can reproduce the tangential velocity in an unbaffled stirred tank with a rotational speed of 150 rpm, 250 rpm and 400 rpm, respectively. Radial velocity is underpredicted by the three models. LES model and RNG κ-ε model predict the better tangential velocity and axial velocity, respectively. RNG κ-ε model is recommended for the simulation of the flow in an unbaffled stirred tank with magnetic rod due to its computational effort.