Computational fluid dynamics simulation of solid-liquid suspension characteristics in a stirred tank with punched circle package impellers

Abstract

Solid-liquid suspension characteristics in a stirred tank with four pitched-blade impellers, circle package impellers, and punched circle package impellers were studied via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. A classical Eulerian-Eulerian approach coupled with the standard k-ϵ turbulence model was adopted to simulate the solid-liquid two-phase turbulent flow. The effects of impeller speed, power consumption, impeller type, aperture size/ratio, solid particle diameter and liquid viscosity on the solid particle suspension quality were investigated. Results showed that the solid particle suspension quality was improved with an increment in the impeller speed. Punched circle package impeller could reduce the just suspension speed and improve the level of homogeneity for solid-liquid mixing process on the basis of four pitched-blade impeller and circle package impeller. The optimum aperture ratio and aperture diameter were 11.8% and 8 mm, respectively, for solid particles suspension process in this work. Smaller particle diameter led to smaller settling velocity and higher solid particle suspension quality. More viscous liquid was easier for sustaining the solid particles in suspension state. Meanwhile, punched circle package impeller can reduce the power consumption compared with four pitched-blade impeller and circle package impeller at the same impeller speed, and enhance the solid integrated velocity, turbulent kinetic energy, and turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate of solid-liquid mixing system at the same power consumption.