Models and applications for simulating turbulent solid–liquid suspensions in stirred tanks

Abstract

Solid–liquid suspensions in stirred tanks are common unit operations in many process industries. The complex flow characteristics of these systems, such as two-phase turbulence and interphase interaction, make the corresponding numerical simulations complicated and challenging. This paper presents a review of models dealing with the continuous and discrete phases of solid–liquid suspensions and summarizes the applications for simulating related flow phenomena, including velocity and turbulence components, solids concentration, just-suspended speed, cloud height, optimization of geometrical parameters, and particle shape and type. Perspectives concerning different modeling approaches are presented, and the Eulerian–Lagrangian approach with resolved particles is highlighted to address the underlying suspension mechanisms in stirred tanks.