喷嘴射流在气固提升管内的扩散和混合行为

为获得不同形式射流在提升管内的扩散特征和气固混合行为,利用气体示踪技术,在大型提升管冷模实验装置中考察向上和向下倾斜两种射流的影响。通过引入射流特征浓度获得射流相在提升管内的分布特征,通过计算停留时间方差获得提升管内射流的局部停留时间分布特征,根据停留时间方差与操作条件及轴向高度的拟合结果计算射流影响区高度。结果表明,斜向下的射流进入提升管后沿径向分布更均匀,且可使混合流体在较短的距离内实现由近似“全混流”到近似“平推流”的过渡,与斜向上的射流相比,向下倾斜的射流可缩短射流混合区高度约50%。     

Numerical Investigation of Flow Patterns and Concentration Profiles in Y‐Mixers

The fluid flow patterns and associated concentration fields in Y‐mixers are investigated using lattice Boltzmann method‐based models. The focus lies on the impact of the mixing angle on the flow and concentration fields, with the mixing angle varying between acute (θ = 10°) and obtuse (θ = 130°) angles. Residence time distributions are determined to study the effect of the angles on the mixing and velocity patterns, in particular, different flow regimes, i.e., stratified laminar, vortex, and engulfment flow. The results from the simulations are validated with literature data and found to be in good agreement. Maximum mixing occurs in the 100° obtuse‐angle Y‐mixer, attributed to the extensive engulfment of flows in the mixing channel.     

CFD modeling of jet mixed tanks

Jet mixing is one of the simplest methods to achieve mixing. There have been a number of experimental studies concerned with jet mixing. Most of these studies end up in empirical correlations. In the past, there have been only a few attempts towards computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of jet mixed tanks. Further, these CFD models have not been validated by detailed comparison with experimental measurements. In view of this, the present work deals with development of a CFD model and a detailed comparison with experimental measurements. From the results, it is clear that the CFD model predicts overall mixing time fairly well. However, the concentration profiles as a function of time at various locations in the vessel are not predicted well. The reasons for this are explored and attempts have been made to improve the predictions of concentration profiles.     

Hydrodynamics of reactive distillation tray column with catalyst containing envelopes: experiments vs. CFD simulations

We have studied the hydrodynamics of a reactive distillation sieve tray column in which catalyst containing wire-gauze envelopes are disposed along the liquid flow direction. The gas and liquid phases are in cross-current contact on the tray. Experiments were carried out to determine the clear liquid height on the tray as a function of tray geometry and operating conditions. The transient gas–liquid hydrodynamics on the tray was simulated using CFD techniques. The agreement between the experiments and CFD simulations was found to be very good, suggesting that CFD simulations can be used for design and scale-up purposes.     

Optimising mixing and nutrient removal in membrane bioreactors: CFD modelling and experimental validation

Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) have been used successfully in biological wastewater treatment to solve the perennial problem of effective solids-liquid separation. The optimisation of MBRs requires knowledge of the membrane fouling, mixing and biokinetics. MBRs are designed mainly based on the biokinetic and membrane fouling considerations even though the hydrodynamics within an MBR system is of critical importance to the performance of the system. Current methods of design for a desired flow regime within the MBR are largely based on empirical techniques (e.g. specific mixing energy). However, it is difficult to predict how vessel design in large scale installations (e.g. size and position of inlets, baffles or membrane orientation) affects hydrodynamics, hence overall performance. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) provides a method for prediction of how vessel features and mixing energy usage affect the hydrodynamics and pollutant removal and subsequently allowing optimisation of MBR design and performance. In this study, a CFD model was developed which accounts for aeration and biological nutrient removal. The modelling results are compared against experimental results of two full scale MBRs for the hydrodynamics and against a modelling benchmark for the biological nutrient removal component of the model.     

Verification and validation of CFD models and dynamic similarity for fluidized beds

Claims and suggestions in the literature that verification or validation of CFD numerical models has been achieved for fluidized beds are shown to be inconsistent with objective criteria and accepted usage of terminology. Verification involves confirming the accuracy of the computational aspect of the model, for example by comparing results against known solutions, something that is virtually impossible in dense multiphase systems, except for trivial cases. Validation requires objective consideration of computational and numerical error, as well as comparison of model predictions and experimental data over broad ranges of conditions. More care is required in applying these terms, and in planning and conducting experiments to test the validity of fluidized bed numerical codes. Similar considerations apply to experimental attempts to confirm the completeness of sets of matched dimensionless groups used for dynamic scaling of multiphase systems.     

CFD simulation of flow and mixing characteristics in a stirred tank agitated by improved disc turbines

To reduce the power consumption and improve the mixing performance in stirred tanks, two improved disc turbines namely swept-back parabolic disc turbine (SPDT) and staggered fan-shaped parabolic disc turbine (SFPDT) are developed. After validation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model with experimental results, CFD simulations are carried out to study the flow pattern, mean velocity, power consumption, pumping capacity and mixing efficiency of the improved and traditional impellers in a dished-bottom tank under turbulent flow conditions. The results indicate that compared with the commonly used parabolic disc turbine (PDT), the power number of proposed SPDT and SFPDT impellers is reduced by 43% and 12%, and the pumping efficiency is increased by 68% and 13%, respectively. Furthermore, under the same power consumption (0-700 W·m^-3), the mixing performance of both SPDT and SFPDT is also superior to that of Rushton turbine and PDT.     

Development of an axisymmetric population balance model for spray drying and validation against experimental data and CFD simulations

An incremental model for spray drying, including a full droplet size distribution, has been implemented in a flowsheeting package incorporating tracking of distributed particle properties. Results were compared with expected trends based on standard theory and with results from a laboratory-scale spray dryer with a two-fluid nozzle for atomization. Predicted trends were as expected, with larger droplets giving substantially longer drying times and higher final moisture content. Predicted final moisture content was lower than measured values, as the very short residence times for fine particles were inadequately represented by first-order falling-rate drying kinetics. Dryer gas flow patterns were simulated by computational fluid dynamics. Calculated droplet residence times were much lower than for a plug-flow or fully mixed gas flow, because a high-velocity gas flow zone from the two-fluid atomizer persists down a substantial part of the dryer.     

Study of an Annular Photoreactor with Tangential Inlet and Outlet: I. Fluid Dynamics

Photochemical reactors tend to exhibit turbulent flow even with low Reynolds numbers. The k‐? model is not always appropriate in this situation. An annular photoreactor was designed with tangential inlet and outlet tubes to investigate this. The fluid flow was characterized by residence time distribution (RTD) experiments, which were reproduced by computational fluid dynamics considering four relevant turbulence models: the k‐?, the k‐ω, the shear stress transport, and the Reynolds stress models. Inlet effects induced helical flow throughout the reactor, switching to plug flow depending on the flow rate and the turbulence model. The k‐ω model properly deals with viscous effects and reproduces the experimental RTD curves with correlation coefficients greater than 0.9566, against 0.8705 from the k‐? model.     

An input/output approach to the optimal transition control of a class of distributed chemical reactors

An input/output approach to the optimal concentration transition control problem of a certain type of distributed chemical reactors is proposed based on the concept of residence time distribution, which can be determined in practice by using data from experimental measurements or computer simulations. The main assumptions for the proposed control method to apply are that the thermal and fluid flow fields in the reactor are at pseudo-steady-state during transition and that the component whose concentration is to be controlled participates only in first-order reactions. Using the concept of cumulative residence time distribution, the output variable is expressed as the weighted sum of discretized inputs or input gradients in order to construct an input/output model, on the basis of which a constrained optimal control problem, penalizing a quadratic control energy functional in the presence of input constraints, is formulated and solved as a standard least squares problem with inequality constraints. The effectiveness of the proposed optimal control scheme is demonstrated through a continuous-stirred-tank-reactor (CSTR) network and a tubular reactor with axial dispersion and a first-order reaction. It is demonstrated through computer simulations that the proposed control method is advantageous over linear quadratic regulator (LQR) and proportional-integral (PI) control in terms of control cost minimization and input constraint satisfaction.     

Determining axial dispersion coefficients of pilot-scale annular pulsed disc and doughnut columns

In this study, a computational fluid dynamics(CFD) method was adopted to calculate axial dispersion coefficients of annular pulsed disc and doughnut columns(APDDCs). Passive tracer was uniformly injected by pulse input at the continuous phase inlet, and its concentration governing equation was solved in liquid–liquidtwo-phase flow fields. The residence time distributions(RTDs) were obtained using the surface monitoring technique. The adopted RTD–CFD method was verified by comparing the axial dispersion coefficient between simulation and experimental results in the literature. However, in pilot-scale APDDCs, the axial dispersion coefficients predicted by the CFD–RTD method were approximately three times larger than experimental results determined by the steady-state concentration profile method. This experimental method was demonstrated to be insensitive to the variation of the axial dispersion coefficient. The CFD–RTD method was more recommended to determine the axial dispersion coefficient. It was found that the axial dispersion coefficient increased with an increase in pulsation intensity, column diameter, and plate spacing, but was little affected by the throughput.     

预分布管内流场的CFD模拟及实验验证(英文)

Liquid distributor is a very import internal for distillation columns. Pre-distributor is usually set on the top of distributor for initial distribution. Fluid flow in pre-distributor is a complex system of variable mass flow with many orifices and sub-branches. Consequently, the two phase modeling of pre-distributors was carried out and the homogeneous model with free surface model was applied. The numerical method was validated by comparing with experimental data. Using the simulated results for different pre-distributors, the impacts of inflow rate, location and orientation upon the outflow distribution were investigated. Furthermore, influences of the outflow distribution for pre-distributor on liquid uniformity in trough were also analyzed. The conclusions can be adopted for the struc-tural design of liquid distributor and pre-distributor of large scale.     

CFD simulation of mixing and reaction: the relevance of the micro-mixing model

The aim of this work is to understand the role of the micro-mixing model in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of fast reactions. Using CFD, in fact, the reactor is modelled through a computational grid and the governing equations are discretised using numerical methods. However, the mixing phenomena that occur at scales that are smaller than the grid size remain unresolved. This means that the probability density function (PDF) of all scalars is assumed to be a delta function centred at the mean value. In order to take into account micro-mixing effects a model must be added. In this work the finite-mode PDF approach is used to predict the selectivity of a parallel reaction in a Taylor-Couette reactor working in semi-batch conditions. Experimental data are compared with model predictions in order to investigate the relevance of the micro-mixing model. The case of precipitation is also discussed.     

CFD Modeling of Active Volume Creation in a Non‐Newtonian Fluid Agitated by Submerged Recirculating Jets

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models were employed to investigate flow conditions inside a model reactor in which yield stress non‐Newtonian liquid is mobilized using submerged recirculating jets. The simulation results agree well with the experimental results of active volume in the reactor obtained using flow visualization by the authors in a previous study. The models developed are capable of predicting a critical jet velocity (v_c) that determines the extent of active volume obtained due to jet mixing. The v_c values are influenced both by the rheological properties of the liquid and the nozzle orientation. The liquid with higher effective viscosity leads to higher v_c for a downward facing injection nozzle. However, an upward facing injection nozzle along with a downward facing suction nozzle generates enhanced complementary flow fields which overcome the rheological constraints of the liquid and lead to lower v_c.     

CFD modelling of a mixing chamber for the realisation of functionally graded scaffolds

Biological tissues are characterised by spatially distributed gradients, intricately linked with functions. It is widely accepted that ideal tissue engineered scaffolds should exhibit similar functional gradients to promote successful tissue regeneration. Focusing on bone, in previous work we proposed simple methods to obtain osteochondral functionally graded scaffolds (FGSs), starting from homogeneous suspensions of hydroxyapatite (HA) particles in gelatin solutions. With the main aim of developing an automated device to fabricate FGSs, this work is focused on designing a stirred tank to obtain homogeneous HA–gelatin suspensions. The HA particles transport within the gelatin solution was investigated through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling. First, the steady-state flow field was solved for the continuous phase only. Then, it was used as a starting point for solving the multi-phase transient simulation. CFD results showed that the proposed tank geometry and setup allow for obtaining a homogeneous suspension of HA micro-particles within the gelatin solution.     

Design of multiple impeller stirred tanks for the mixing of highly viscous fluids using CFD

The effect of multiple Intermig impeller configuration on hydrodynamics and mixing performance in a stirred tank has been investigated using computational fluid dynamics. Connection between impeller stages and compartmentalisation has been assessed using Lagrangian particle tracking. The results show that by a rotating the Intermig impeller by 45^° with respect to its neighbours, instead of a 90^° rotation as recommended by manufacturers, enables a wider range of operating conditions, i.e., lower Reynolds number flows, can be handled. Furthermore by slightly decreasing the distance between the lower two impellers, fluid exchange between the impellers is ensured down to Re=27.     

Numerical simulation of reacting plane mixing layer by particle method

This paper proposes a two-dimensional particle method for a plane mixing layer with a single-step and irreversible chemical reaction. The vorticity and concentration fields are discretized into the vortex and concentration elements, respectively, and the behavior of the elements is calculated with the Lagrangian method. The reaction is estimated through the calculation for the time rate of change in the strength for concentration element. The method is applied to simulate the reactive plane mixing layer. The simulation demonstrates that the mixing and reaction phenomena caused by the large-scale eddies are successfully captured. It is also confirmed that the effects of the Damköhler number and stoichiometric ratio on the reaction are favorably analyzed by the method.     

Effect of impeller type on the mixing in torus reactors

Torus reactors are characterized by a homogeneous fluid circulation without dead zones. Torus reactors were used for applications in biotechnology, food processing, polymerization and liquid waste treatments. The relatively simple extrapolation of performances, due to the absence of dead volume, is one of the main advantages of this reactor, with low shear stresses and an effective radial mixing allowing efficient heat dissipation. This study is based on the mixing in order to analyse the fluid circulation, mainly in turbulent flow regime, and to characterize the torus reactor with the axial dispersion plug flow model. The objective of this study is to characterize the flow and the mixing in the torus reactors in batch and continuous modes. The mixing analysis was made according to the flow parameters and to the geometrical characteristics of the reactor and impeller. The mixing in the torus reactor can be characterized by the Péclet number, Pe_D, defined with torus diameter. A representative model based on plug flow with axial dispersion and partial recirculation was proposed.     

CFD Simulation of Gas Distribution Performance of Gas Inlet Systems in Packed Columns

Packed columns are widely used in the chemical process industries. The optimum operation of these columns requires an even distribution of gas and liquid flows. This paper describes a method for modeling the flow pattern which develops above the gas inlet system using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. The uniformity of the gas flow through the packing is assessed by means of a maldistribution factor, M_F. Several factors which affect gas distribution, such as gas inlet type, gas inlet diameter and the distance between gas inlet and column bottom, were analyzed. It was found that gas distribution is more uniform as the inlet diameter and bottom distance are increased. Comparison of experimental data with a CFD simulation for several types of gas inlets, such as straight, slope and bend inlets, shows good agreement.