运用粒子图像测速仪研究双层Rushton桨搅拌槽内湍流特性

Particle Image Velocimetry （PIV） has been used to investigate turbulence characteristics in a 0.48 m diameter stirred vessel filled to a liquid height （ H = 1.4T ） of 0.67 m. The agitator had dual Rushton impellers of 0.19 m diameter （ D = 0.4T ）. The developed flow patterns depend on the clearance of the lower impeller above the base of the vessel, the spacing between the two impellers, and the submergence of the upper impeller below the liq- uid surface. Their combinations can generate three basic flow patterns, named, parallel, merging and diverging flows. The results of velocity measurement show that the flow characteristics in the impeller jet flow region changes very little for different positions. Average velocity, trailing vortices and shear strain rate distributions for three flow patterns were measured by using PIV technique. The characteristics of trailing vortex and its trajectory were described in detail for those three flow patterns.
Since the space-resolution of PIV can only reach the sub-grid rather than the Kolmogorov scale, a large-eddy PIV analysis has been used to estimate the distribution of the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation. Comparison of the distributions of turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation rate in merging flow shows that the highest turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation are both located in the vortex regions, but the maxima are at somewhat different lo- cations behind the blade. About 37% of the total energy is dissipated in dual impeller jet flow regions. The obtained distribution of shear strain rate for merging flow is similar to that of turbulence dissipation, with the shear strain rate around the trailing vortices much higher than in other areas.     

Effect of impeller clearance on liquid flow within an unbaffled vessel agitated with a forward–reverse rotating impeller

For an unbaffled agitated vessel with an unsteadily forward–reverse rotating impeller whose rotation proceeds with repeated acceleration, deceleration, and stop–reverse processes, liquid flow was studied through visualisation and measurement using particle tracking velocimetry (PTV). A disk turbine impeller with six flat blades was used with varied height settings. The impeller clearance and its forward–reverse rotation cycle characterised the impeller region flow: the radially outward flow in the deceleration process for the larger clearance relative to the vessel diameter of 1/3, and the axially downward flow in the acceleration process for the smaller clearance relative to the vessel diameter of 1/8. The flow patterns within the vessel resulting from the impeller's larger and smaller clearances were outlined, respectively, by double loops and a single loop of circulation, resembling the pattern produced by unidirectionally rotating turbine‐type impellers. The discharge flow was revealed to contain a comparable level of periodic circumferential velocity component, irrespective of the impeller clearance.     

The effects of the azimuthal position of the measurement plane on the flow parameters determined by PIV within a stirred vessel

Two-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV) is usually used to determine the complex flow field in mechanically agitated vessels on the basis of measurements taken in a single vertical plane, thus, assuming axial symmetry. In this paper, we use 2D PIV to investigate the effects of the azimuthal position of the measurement plane in a fully baffled vessel agitated by a pitched blade turbine. Seventeen planes located at 5 degree intervals between two adjacent baffles are analysed. To maintain a high spatial resolution of ～1 mm when examining each plane, a two-block approach is employed combining data from two fields of view to reconstruct the whole flow field. Time-averaged velocity and turbulent kinetic energy fields are obtained under fully turbulent conditions as a function of the azimuthal position of the laser plane. It is shown that the assumption of axial symmetry for such Eulerian fields is not fully justified within a fully baffled vessel, as there are considerable differences between planes. The results also show for the type and size of impeller used here, the importance of including both the axial and radial discharge contributions for an accurate evaluation of the flow number, otherwise it can be underestimated by up to 60%. The three-dimensional nature of the PIV measurements has also enabled the mass continuity to be accurately verified throughout the vessel.     

锚式搅拌槽中高粘牛顿流体的流速分布及其粘性耗散

本文用照相法测定了锚式搅拌槽中高粘度流体的流型和速度分布.利用最小二乘法获得速度分布拟合方程以及槽中剪切率γ和耗散能Φ分布方程.比较了槽壁区域剪切率和全槽平均剪切率、Metzner常数k_S和搅拌器特性参数C_3,指出k_S是表征槽中高剪切区域剪切率大小的特征量,C_3表征了全槽平均剪切率的大小.对于均匀剪切场,两者是一致的.可以用单位体积剪切率分布系数φ_V来描述槽中剪切率分布的均匀程度.本文还研究了Re数对速度分布流型的影响,发现在低Re数下,流型是对称的.高Re数下,流型则不对称.     

Mixing of viscoelastic fluids with helical-ribbon agitators. I — Mixing time and flow patterns

Batch mixing of viscous fluids with helical-ribbon agitators in 2.4 liter and 13 liter vessels has been studied for agitator speeds up to 200 RPM. Seven different agitators of different dimensions were employed in this work. Mixing times were measured using a decoloration technique and circulation times were determined by the tracer bead method. In addition, velocity profiles were obtained from streak photographs using selective illumination of the vessel and PVC powder as tracer particles. It was found that the mixing times of Newtonian fluids, which agreed with previously published data, were considerably (3 to 7 times) shorter than those of the viscoelastic fluids. The mixing time was strongly affected by the fluids' elasticity; increasing as the fluid elasticity increased. The velocity profiles were qualitatively similar for all the fluids but showed decreased axial circulation and increased circumferential flow as fluid elasticity increased. However, mixing is not only a function of the axial circulation (impeller pumping rate) but also is a function of the perturbations superimposed on the main flow. A simple, first approximation model based on the impeller geometry and flow patterns is proposed to correlate the circulation capacity and mixing time data for the various geometries studied.     

双层翼型桨搅拌槽内流动特性的PIV研究

在直径0.476 m的搅拌槽内,采用粒子图像测速技术对双层三叶CBY翼型桨搅拌槽内的流场进行了研究,考察了层间距、浸没深度和离底高度等参数对流场分布的影响. 结果表明,层间距H2≤0.6T(T为搅拌槽直径)时,槽内可形成整体的轴向循环流动,H2≥0.7T时槽内将产生分区流动现象. 浸没深度对桨叶排出流区域的速度影响很小. 降低下层桨的离底高度能加强下层桨的径向流动,并增大上层桨叶轮区和循环区流体的轴向流动.     

聚合物溶解槽内双搅拌器流场特性的数值模拟

搅拌设备是目前海上油田实施聚合物驱油的配注系统的关键设备之一。利用计算流体力学方法对聚合物溶解过程采用翼型上推式搅拌器KCXU和锚式搅拌器MS的内外3种组合槽内流场进行了数值模拟,获得了搅拌器槽内的流场特性、循环流量及搅拌器的功率消耗。结果表明:在第1种混合状态时,KCXU搅拌器与转动的MS搅拌器组合时的流场变得更为复杂、无序。在第2,3种混合状态时,KCXU搅拌器与正转的MS搅拌器的组合形成的流场速度较大,加强了KCXU搅拌器的流动范围,并,且形成了最大的循环流量,其功率居中。     

Using positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) to study the turbulent flow in a baffled vessel agitated by a Rushton turbine: Improving data treatment and validation

Positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) is a relatively new technique allowing the quantitative study of flow phenomena in three dimensions in opaque systems that cannot be studied by optical methods such as particle image velocimetry (PIV) or laser Doppler anemometry (LDA). Here, velocity measurements made using PEPT in two sizes of baffled vessel (∼0.20 m and ∼0.29 m diameter) and two different viscosity fluids agitated by a Rushton turbine are compared for the first time directly in depth with some studies reported in the literature made by LDA for the turbulent regime in the equivalent geometry. Initially, the paper considers how the Lagrangian data obtained by PEPT can be converted into Eulerian in order to make the comparison most effective. It also considers ways of data treatment that improve the accuracy of both the raw PEPT data and the velocities determined from it. It is shown that excellent agreement is found between the PEPT and literature results, especially for the smaller vessel, except for the radial velocity just off the tip of the blade in the plane of the disc of the Rushton turbine. This difference is attributed to the very rapid changes in both magnitude and direction that occurs in that region and also to the different way of ensemble averaging in the two techniques. In addition, the results for the absolute velocities normalised by the impeller tip velocity for all the rectangular cross-section toroidal cells in each size of vessel and each fluid and a range of agitator speeds are compared in the form of frequency histograms. In this analysis, the velocities for each run are obtained from PEPT based on tracking a particle for 30 min and the mean and mode of the velocities each decrease slightly with decreasing scale and Reynolds number. The possible reasons for this variation in the mode and the mean are discussed. Overall, it is concluded that for the radial flow Rushton turbine the PEPT technique can be used to obtain accurate velocity data throughout the entire complex three-dimensional turbulent flow field in an agitated, baffled vessel except very close to the impeller in the radial discharge stream.     

新型行星式搅拌器开发及性能研究

介绍了新型行星式搅拌器的结构和设计原理。该新型搅拌器有一个传动轴和数个行星叶轮组成,行星轮自转的驱动力来自液体阻力,行星叶轮自转速度的大小与公转速度、公转半径和自转半径有关,而与行星叶轮高度无关;自转方向与公转方向相反。测试采用IKA EUROSTAR power control搅拌装置和Labword软件,试验介质为水和甘油。通过对搅拌器的搅拌性能试验研究发现,流体质点的轴向流线为高速螺旋线,主要流型为径向流和轴向流,因此,在主轴转速较低的情况下被搅拌液体亦可获得满意的混合效果。通过对试验数据分析处理,得到测试用行星式搅拌器的功率准数、混合时间数、排液量和循环量等搅拌性能曲线及经验公式。     

Liquid flow in impeller region of an unbaffled agitated vessel with an angularly oscillating impeller

The characteristics of a liquid flow were studied in the impeller region of an unbaffled agitated vessel with an angularly oscillating impeller whose unsteady rotation proceeds while periodically reversing its direction at a set angle. The measurement of the velocity of the liquid flow was performed by particle tracking velocimetry (PTV), abreast of that of the torque of the shaft to which the impeller was attached. When a disk turbine impeller with six flat blades was used with variations in operating conditions, such as the frequency and amplitude of impeller angular oscillation, a series of images obtained during one oscillation cycle were analyzed to characterize the internal and discharge streams inside and outside the impeller rotational region. Energy data were inferred on the basis of the circumferential and radial velocities of an internal flow. Results showed that although the total head provided to the liquid by the impeller blades is almost similar, independent of the amplitude of impeller angular oscillation, namely, the acceleration of its movement, the transformation of energy from the pressure head to the velocity head is more efficient at a larger amplitude. In addition, the discharge flow was characterized in terms of volumetric flow rates calculated from the radial and axial velocities. The operation at a smaller amplitude was shown to transform the flow more successfully from the radial direction to the upward and downward axial directions near the vessel wall.     

柔性Rushton搅拌桨的功耗与流场特性研究

基于传统的Rushton桨，开发了一种柔性叶片Rushton搅拌桨。采用数值模拟方法研究了柔性桨的功耗及层流和湍流流场特性，并分别采用扭矩测量法和粒子图像测速法进行了实验验证。结果表明，对于实验规模的搅拌容器，当介质黏度与甘油接近时，可用橡胶作为柔性桨叶制作材料。Reynolds数≤100时，柔性桨的功耗大于刚性桨；Reynolds数大于该值后，柔性桨的功耗小于刚性桨。柔性桨叶对被搅拌流体具有自适应特性，流固耦合作用下产生的变形增加了流体的径向流动能力。搅拌低黏度流体时，柔性桨能提升近桨区流体的速度，增加桨叶远端流体的循环流动能力；搅拌高黏度流体时，近桨区和桨叶远端流体的速度均大于刚性桨。就尾涡而言，柔性桨产生的涡量较小，耗能少。     

Impact of thixotropy on flow patterns induced in a stirred tank: Numerical and experimental studies

Agitation of a thixotropic shear-thinning fluid exhibiting a yield stress is investigated both experimentally and via simulations. Steady-state experiments are conducted at three impeller rotation rates (1, 2 and 8 s⁻¹) for a tank stirred with an axial-impeller and flow-field measurements are made using particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. Three-dimensional numerical simulations are also performed using the commercial CFD code ANSYS CFX10.0. The viscosity of the suspension is determined experimentally and is modelled using two shear-dependant laws, one of which takes into account the flow instabilities of such fluids at low shear rates. At the highest impeller speed, the flow exhibits the familiar outward pumping action associated with axial-flow impellers. However, as the impeller speed decreases, a cavern is formed around the impeller, the flow generated in the vicinity of the agitator reorganizes and its pumping capacity vanishes. An unusual flow pattern, where the radial velocity dominates, is observed experimentally at the lowest stirring speed. It is found to result from wall slip effects. Using blades with rough surfaces prevents this peculiar behaviour and mainly resolves the discrepancies between the experimental and computational results.     

最大叶片式桨在假塑性流体中的搅拌流场模拟

为研究最大叶片式桨在高黏假塑性流体中的搅拌流动行为,以黄原胶溶液为研究体系,采用计算流体力学方法重点研究了釜内流体的功耗特性、速率分布、剪切速率、表观黏度分布和总体流动状况。结果表明:最大叶片式桨具有与大多数径流桨相似的"双循环"流型结构,且预测的功耗特性与实验数据一致性良好。最大叶片式桨适用于高黏假塑性流体的混合,而对于高黏牛顿流体的混合则效果不佳。釜内的剪切速率分布较宽泛,且受转速影响较大。转速可作为该桨改善黄原胶体系混合效率的重要参数之一。     

Liquid flow circulating within an unbaffled vessel agitated with an unsteady forward–reverse rotating impeller

Liquid‐phase mixing is a common operation, often performed in vessels using mechanically rotating impellers. To enhance axial mixing the vessels are generally equipped with baffles; however, in industries where cleaning the vessel interior is a major concern, i.e. food and pharmaceuticals, and crystallization, where baffles can disturb particle growth, unbaffled vessels are preferred. One method of agitation in unbaffled vessels is an impeller that periodically changes either the direction or rate of rotation: so‐called unsteady rotation. For use in an enhanced agitation vessel, an agitation technology using an unsteady forward–reverse rotating impeller in an unbaffled vessel was investigated. Such unsteady agitation is expected to enhance mixing. However, knowledge of the liquid flows in such an apparatus remains elusive. Thus an aim of this work was to characterize the circulation flow in such a system. Circulation by a disk turbine impeller with six flat blades was studied through examination of tracer particle trajectories. Images showing flow patterns with the forward–reverse rotating impeller resembled those obtained with a unidirectionally rotating impeller in a baffled vessel. The pattern was characterized by a circulation loop whose pathway exits from the impeller rotational region and returns to that region past the wall and bottom of the vessel. Time‐series particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) images obtained during one forward–reverse rotation of the impeller showed that the flow near the vessel wall reduced the periodic fluctuation downstream and that a flow that was almost independent of time was induced near the vessel bottom. For the flow from the bottom to the impeller, unsteadiness was provided by proximity to the impeller. Based on the intensity distribution of the unsteady flow produced by this type of forward–reverse rotating impeller within the vessel, the unsteady flow was shown to have the potential to reach the region near the vessel wall. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

流体流变性对错位六弯叶桨流场特性的影响

利用计算流体力学(CFD)的方法,以高黏牛顿流体和假塑性非牛顿流体为研究对象,对错位六弯叶桨在层流域的搅拌流场特性进行了研究。结果表明:数值计算得到的功率值与实验测量值吻合较好,搅拌雷诺数对假塑性流体搅拌流场的量纲一速度和切应变速率影响较大,因此提高转速对改变流场的速度及切应变速率分布是一个有效的办法;而流体的流变性只对假塑性流体的量纲一速度有明显影响,对切应变速率影响较小,当流变指数n<0.3时与n基本无关。当流动由层流向过渡流转变时,搅拌桨的流量准数及泵送效率有显著提高;假塑性流体的流变指数降低时,其泵送效率显著下降。研究进一步认识了错位桨在不同流体中的搅拌流场特点,为高黏假塑性流体搅拌桨的设计、应用以及开发新型搅拌桨提供了参考。     

三叶后掠-HEDT组合桨搅拌釜内流场的模拟及实验

对应用于聚乙烯聚合反应中的三叶后掠-HEDT组合桨的搅拌釜内流场进行了模拟研究,分析组合桨的离底距C ₁、桨间距C ₂以及转速N的变化对搅拌釜内流场的影响,利用PIV实验对模拟结果进行了验证;将该组合桨与三叶后掠-六直叶圆盘涡轮组合桨进行了模拟对比研究。结果表明：当桨间距与釜内径的比为0.35时,釜内桨叶间的流体流动效果最好,该条件下能够改善搅拌釜上层流体的速度分布;当离底距与釜内径的比值为0.29时,组合桨下方出现了整体的环流,有利于釜底流体的混合;桨叶转速N=90 r/min时釜内流体速度分布均匀,同时上层HEDT桨叶产生的射流方向趋于水平。两种组合桨的对比研究表明：二者流型相近,但前者搅拌功率能够得到明显降低。研究结果可为三叶后掠-HEDT组合桨在聚乙烯聚合反应釜中的工程应用提供参考。     

油气水三相段塞流与滚动波流型的转变

Compared with gas-liquid two-phase flow,oil-gas-water three-phase flow is much more complex. There is immiscible oil-water,whose interaction and dispersion greatly affects the flow characteristics. The slug flow pattern of oil-gas-water three-phase and its flow pattern transition were studied in a 95 m long,51 mm i. d. horizontal pipe. The oil-gas-water three-phase slug flow pattern could be classified into five sub-flow patterns. The slug flow was W/O or O/W one during its transition to roll wave,which was three-layer flow pattern without mixed-phase on the interface. An even larger superficial gas velocity was needed for the transition boundary of slug flow and roll wave flow when the superficial liquid velocity is large. Besides,the region of roll wave flow pattern became smaller. The above-mentioned transition only happened when the water cut of liquid was between 30% and 70%. At the same superficial liquid velocity,there appeared a minimum superficial gas velocity corresponding to the transition of flow pattern when the water cut of liquid was between 40% and 50%.     

多叶片组合式搅拌桨釜内流动特性和混合性能研究

开发可适用于较宽黏度范围的搅拌桨，强化釜内的流体流动和混合过程对于搅拌釜的节能增效具有重要的意义。实验与数值模拟相结合，在大涡模拟层面研究了多叶片组合式搅拌桨（MBC桨）从层流到湍流状态下，釜内的功率特性、流场分布、湍流特性和混合性能。结果表明：预测的功率曲线与实验结果一致；层流状态下釜内以切向流动为主，随着Reynolds数（Re）的增大，釜内轴向和径向流动逐渐增强，当Re达到486时，速度场分布与湍流状态下基本一致；在相同的能耗水平下，MBC桨对高黏度流体的混合性能优于商业Maxblend桨。桨叶的分散组合布置，强化了釜内的轴向和径向流动，使得MBC搅拌桨在从过渡流到湍流状态下均可实现较大的轴径向流动，湍动能分布较为均匀，混合过程显著加快。     

Study on the flow characteristics and mixing performance of multi-blade combined agitator

Developing an agitator suitable for wide viscosity range is of great significance to the energy saving and efficiency improvement by the intensification of fluid flow and mixing process. The power characteristics, flow field distribution, turbulence characteristics and mixing performance of multi-blade combined (MBC) agitator under laminar to turbulent flow state were studied experimentally and numerically at the level of large eddy simulation. The predicted power curve is consistent with the experimental results. Tangential flow is the main flow in laminar flow. With the increase of Reynolds number (Re), axial and radial flows in the vessel gradually increase. When Re reaches 486, the velocity field distribution is basically the same as that in the turbulent flow. At the same energy consumption level, MBC agitator is superior to the commercial Maxblend agitator in mixing high viscosity fluid. The intensification of axial and radial flows is due to the dispersed arrangement of the blades, enabling the MBC agitator to achieve larger axial and radial flows from the transitional flow to the turbulence state. Moreover, the turbulent kinetic energy is evenly distributed and the mixing process is significantly accelerated.     

An experimental study of double-to-single-loop transition in stirred vessels

The velocity characteristics of the flows in a fully baffled vessel of diameter T = 290 mm stirred by a Rushton impeller of diameter D = T/3 were investigated by means of laser-Doppler anemometry measurements. The effects of clearance and rotational speed on the flow patterns in the vessel were studied. It was found that at impeller clearances from the bottom of the vessel (C) around 0.2 T the characteristic double-loop flow pattern undergoes a transition to a single-loop one with the impeller stream direction becoming partly axial and being inclined at around 25 to 30° to the horizontal. The impeller stream inclination varied with radial distance from the impeller, as well as with angular position between blades (blade angle). Impeller speed was found to have no effect on the flow pattern or the mean velocities and turbulence levels normalized by V_tip for C/T > 0.20 or C/T ≤ 0.15. The flow structure measured with C = 0.15T is described in detail and the implications of the data for fluid mixing in stirred vessels are discussed.