Study on Scale-Up of Anaerobic Fermentation Mixing with Different Solid Content

Abstract

The scale-up technology of anaerobic fermentation stirring equipment is worthy of attention. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were used to study the scale-up of anaerobic fermentation mixing under different solid content conditions. The applicability of different scale-up criteria was analyzed by investigating the relative parameters, such as the blade tip speed and the Reynolds number. On this basis, the scale-up index was optimized and verified. The results revealed the applicability of five common scale-up criteria under different solid content conditions. When the solid content is less than 5%, the anaerobic fermentation tank should be scaled up according to the same Weber number. When the solid content is between 5% and 10%, the anaerobic fermentation tank should be scaled up according to the same blade tip speed; it was especially suitable for anaerobic fermentation and other conditions that limit the shear rate. Scaling up according to the Reynolds number was not recommended due to the poor mixing effect. When the scale-up index x reached 0.75, there was no need to further reduce it. For anaerobic fermentation systems, the suitable scale-up indices selected for 5%, 10%, and 15% solid content were 1.1, 1, and 0.75, respectively.