No description available.

Mixing in stirred tanks influences conversion of reactants for fast reactions, and the efficiency of a mixing process can be determined from the power consumption and mixing time, which are the two parameters that define homogenization energy. In this study, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) techniques were employed to study the effect of the Rushton turbine bottom clearance on the flow field, mixing time and power consumption in a stirred tank. Experimental and simulation studies were conducted in a tank with and without a draft tube where a conductivity meter and decolourization methods were employed in validating the mixing time simulation results. A good agreement between the experimental and simulation results for the flow field and mixing time was obtained. The results showed a reduction in mixing time and power consumption at a low impeller clearance, with reference to the standard clearance, and a further reduction of the same parameters was obtained for a system fitted with a draft tube. At the low clearance, there was an increase in mixing efficiency by 46%, for a system without draft tube and 61% for that with the draft tube.

Particle distribution and settling in suspensions with non-Newtonian liquids agi- tated with a Rushton turbine in a lab-scale tank have been studied. The rheology of the non-Newtonian liquids can be described by the power-law, Bingham and Herschel-Bulkley fluid models. The dynamics of the dispersed phase settling particles (size 0.65mm) is modeled by a Lagrangian tracking approach while the liquid phase is resolved by the lattice-Boltzmann method. Qualitative insight emerging from exploration of shear-thinning/thickening, New- tonian, yield-stress fluid models at Reynolds number, Re=6 103 , 8.5 103 and 1.25 104 indicate that bottom particle concentration is highest in power-law liq- uids than in Newtonian; while yield stress fluids had more uniform particle con- centration and least bottom concentration. Also, turbulent kinetic energy and vis- cous dissipation are highest in the Newtonian liquid. Extra viscous diffusion due to fluctuating non-Newtonian viscosity in the turbulent kinetic energy equation attributes to these differences. / Chemical Engineering

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The hydrodynamics of an agitated tank have been studied byphase-Doppler anemometry. The focus is on the impeller anddischarge region of a 45o pitched blade turbine (PBT). Thestudy includes agitation of pure water as well as of a dilutesuspension of process particles. A three-dimensionalphase-Doppler anemometer is used to measure local,instantaneous, three-dimensional velocities of the fluid and ofthe suspended particles. A shaft encoding technique is used toresolve the turbulent fluctuations from the periodic velocityfluctuation due to the impeller blades, and to provide moredetailed information about the variations relative to theimpeller blade. Velocity bias is corrected for by the total3-dimensional velocity. The mean flow field, the fluctuating velocities, and thecomplete Reynolds stress tensor, are reported for the liquidphase flow. The periodic fluctuations in the flow that aregenerated by the impeller blades are eliminated in theexamination of the turbulence. The anisotropy of the turbulenceis assessed by the invariants of the anisotropy tensor. Thetrailing vortex structure is demonstrated to be associated withhigh kinetic energy and strong anisotropy of the turbulence.The vortex is still observable 130-140 degrees behind theblade. It gradually moves down from the impeller blade but thelocation in radial direction remains essentially unchanged. Theinfluence of the periodic fluctuations is examined and it isshown that the turbulence appears more isotropic when theperiodic fluctuations are not eliminated. The solid particle concentration is low below the impellerand is high above the impeller tip. The particles diverge fromthe liquid flow mean direction, especially below the agitatorclose to the tip where the strongest turbulence is found.Periodic fluctuations in the particle concentration relate tothe variations found in the angle-resolved mean velocity andfluctuating velocity. The ratio of the maximum to the minimumconcentration is about 2.0 in the present study. The baffles influence on the conditions in the impellerregion, and this influence can be observed on the fluid meanvelocity field, the angle-resolved velocities, the kineticenergy, and on the behavior of larger process particles. In theimpeller region the highest kinetic energies are about 15%higher upstream of the baffle than at the middle plane betweenthe baffles. The highest energy level in the middle plane isactually the lowest value and is therefore not representativewhen rotation symmetry is assumed. Local energy dissipation rates have been investigated, andthe integration of the local energy dissipation rates overdifferent control volumes has been compared with macroscopicenergy balance calculations. The discrepancy is significant.Different reasons have been analyzed and recommendations forfurther investigation are given. I n the outflow region there is a significant variation alsoin the direction of the instantaneous velocity, which may leadto direction bias in the case of non-spherical measurementvolume. In order to account for this direction bias, amathematical model is developed to estimate the projected areaof the measurement volume in LDA or PDA. It is shown that theprojected area variation can lead to a significant directionbias in determination of time averaged values and localparticle concentration in a highly turbulent stirred tank flow.This bias is however negligible for an orthogonal optical setup, as is used in the present study. <b>Keywords:</b>Hydrodynamics, phase-Doppler anemometer,suspension, pitched-blade turbine, anisotropy, turbulence,Reynolds stresses, trailing vortex, kinetic energy, stirredtank

<p>The hydrodynamics of an agitated tank have been studied byphase-Doppler anemometry. The focus is on the impeller anddischarge region of a 45o pitched blade turbine (PBT). Thestudy includes agitation of pure water as well as of a dilutesuspension of process particles. A three-dimensionalphase-Doppler anemometer is used to measure local,instantaneous, three-dimensional velocities of the fluid and ofthe suspended particles. A shaft encoding technique is used toresolve the turbulent fluctuations from the periodic velocityfluctuation due to the impeller blades, and to provide moredetailed information about the variations relative to theimpeller blade. Velocity bias is corrected for by the total3-dimensional velocity.</p><p>The mean flow field, the fluctuating velocities, and thecomplete Reynolds stress tensor, are reported for the liquidphase flow. The periodic fluctuations in the flow that aregenerated by the impeller blades are eliminated in theexamination of the turbulence. The anisotropy of the turbulenceis assessed by the invariants of the anisotropy tensor. Thetrailing vortex structure is demonstrated to be associated withhigh kinetic energy and strong anisotropy of the turbulence.The vortex is still observable 130-140 degrees behind theblade. It gradually moves down from the impeller blade but thelocation in radial direction remains essentially unchanged. Theinfluence of the periodic fluctuations is examined and it isshown that the turbulence appears more isotropic when theperiodic fluctuations are not eliminated.</p><p>The solid particle concentration is low below the impellerand is high above the impeller tip. The particles diverge fromthe liquid flow mean direction, especially below the agitatorclose to the tip where the strongest turbulence is found.Periodic fluctuations in the particle concentration relate tothe variations found in the angle-resolved mean velocity andfluctuating velocity. The ratio of the maximum to the minimumconcentration is about 2.0 in the present study.</p><p>The baffles influence on the conditions in the impellerregion, and this influence can be observed on the fluid meanvelocity field, the angle-resolved velocities, the kineticenergy, and on the behavior of larger process particles. In theimpeller region the highest kinetic energies are about 15%higher upstream of the baffle than at the middle plane betweenthe baffles. The highest energy level in the middle plane isactually the lowest value and is therefore not representativewhen rotation symmetry is assumed.</p><p>Local energy dissipation rates have been investigated, andthe integration of the local energy dissipation rates overdifferent control volumes has been compared with macroscopicenergy balance calculations. The discrepancy is significant.Different reasons have been analyzed and recommendations forfurther investigation are given. I</p><p>n the outflow region there is a significant variation alsoin the direction of the instantaneous velocity, which may leadto direction bias in the case of non-spherical measurementvolume. In order to account for this direction bias, amathematical model is developed to estimate the projected areaof the measurement volume in LDA or PDA. It is shown that theprojected area variation can lead to a significant directionbias in determination of time averaged values and localparticle concentration in a highly turbulent stirred tank flow.This bias is however negligible for an orthogonal optical setup, as is used in the present study.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>Hydrodynamics, phase-Doppler anemometer,suspension, pitched-blade turbine, anisotropy, turbulence,Reynolds stresses, trailing vortex, kinetic energy, stirredtank</p>

In the bio/pharmaceutical industry, fermentation is extremely important in pharmaceutical development, and in microbial research. However, new fermentor designs are needed to improve production and reduce costs of complex systems such as cultivation of mammalian cells and genetically engineered micro-organisms. Traditionally, stirred tank design is driven by the oxygen transfer capability needed to achieve cell growth. However, design methodologies available for stirred tank fermentors are insufficient and many times contain errors. The aim of this research is to improve the design of production scale stirred tank fermentors through the development of dimensionless correlations and by providing information on aspects of fermentor tanks that can aid in oxygen mass transfer. This was accomplished through four key areas. Empirical studies were used to quantify the mass transfer capabilities of several different reactors. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to assess the impact of certain baffle and impeller geometries. Correction schemes were developed and applied to the experimental data. Dimensionless correlations were created from corrected experimental data to act as a guide for future production scale fermentor design. The methods for correcting experimental data developed in this research have proven to be accurate and useful. Furthermore, the correlations found from the corrected experimental data in this study are of great benefit in the design of production scale stirred tank fermentors. However, when designing a stirred tank fermentor of a different size, further experimentation should be performed to refine the correlations presented.

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / This thesis describes a study in which the aim was to develop an improved method for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling of gas-liquid flow in mechanically-stirred tanks. Stirred tanks are commonly used in the process industries for carrying out a wide range of mixing operations and chemical reactions, yet considerable uncertainties remain in design and scale-up procedures. Computational modelling is of interest since it may assist in investigating the detailed flow characteristics of stirred tanks. However, as shown by a review of the literature, a range of limitations have been evident in previously published modelling methods. In the development of the modelling method, single-phase liquid flow was firstly considered, as a basis for extension to multiphase flow. A finite volume method was used to solve the equations for conservation of mass and momentum, in conjunction with the k-epsilon turbulence model. Simulation results were compared with experimental measurements for tanks stirred by a Rushton turbine and by a Lightnin A315 impeller. Comparison was made between different methods which account for impeller motion. Accuracy was assessed in terms of the prediction of velocities, power and flow numbers, the presence of trailing vortices, pressures around the impeller, and the turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation rate. The effect of grid density was investigated. For gas dispersion in a liquid, the modelling method employed the Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid equations, again in conjunction with the k-espilon turbulence model. The correct specification of the equations was firstly reviewed. Different forms of the turbulent dispersion force were compared. For the drag force, it was found that existing correlations did not properly account for the effect of turbulence in increasing the bubble drag coefficient. By analysing literature data, a new equation was proposed to account for this increase in drag. For the prediction of bubble size, a bubble number density equation was introduced, which takes into account the effects of break-up and coalescence. The modelling method also allows for gas cavity formation behind impeller blades. Simulations of gas-liquid flow were again carried out for tanks stirred by a Rushton turbine and by a Lightnin A315 impeller. Again, the impeller geometry was included explicitly. A series of simulations were carried out to test the individual effects of various alternative modelling options. With the final method, based on developments in this study, simulation results show reasonable overall agreement in comparison with experimental data for bubble size, gas volume fraction, overall gas holdup and gassed power draw. In comparison to results based on previously published modelling methods, a significant improvement has been demonstrated. However, a number of limitations have been identified in the modelling method, which can be attributed either to the practical limitations on computer resources, or to a lack of understanding of the underlying physics. Recommendations have been made regarding investigations which could assist with further improvement of the CFD modelling method.

<p> This dissertation describes an investigation into the free radical polymerization of styrene in continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR's). The aim was to develop a steady state polymerization model which would accurately predict conversion and molecular weight distribution (MWD) up to high conversion. </p> <p> The dissertation is divided into three self-contained parts. Part I describes the testing and development of polymerization kinetics using a single CSTR. The single CSTR model is described. Theoretical and experimental conversions and MWD's are compared and discussed. </p> <p> Part II describes the development of a model for a system of CSTR's. It is based upon the single CSTR model and the kinetics developed in Part I. Theoretical and experimental results for a three reactor system are compared and discussed. </p> <p> Part III describes the development of gel permeation chromatography (GPC) for measuring MWD. Molecular weight and resolution calibration data are presented and discussed. Four methods of chromatogram interpretation that correct for imperfect resolution are compared. </p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Le chauffage par micro-ondes (MO) est employé depuis plus de 20 ans dans nombreux laboratoires pour l’activation de réactions en synthèse chimique. Il existe un débat sur l’existence d’effets MO sur la vitesse des réactions puisque des augmentations des vitesses des réactions ont été parfois observées. Des caractéristiques du chauffage MO peuvent être intéressantes pour l’intensification des procédés mais cette technique a rarement fait l’objet de productions à grande échelle. Peu de méthodes d’extrapolation de ces applications ont été proposées et celles qui existent sont purement empiriques. Nous avons voulu établir une méthodologie d’extrapolation de réacteurs MO en nous servant d’observations expérimentales fiables. La méthodologie des travaux a d’abord consisté au choix d’une réaction cible pour nos études : l’estérification de l’acide acétique avec le pentanol catalysée par une résine acide d’échange ionique. Nous avons conçu et construit un réacteur agité avec application monomode des MO. Des études dans le pilote ont montré le comportement hydrodynamique parfaitement agité du réacteur, la reproductibilité et la haute efficacité du chauffage. De plus, aucun gradient de température dans le réacteur n’a été mis en évidence. Des tests chimiques sous MO en réacteur fermé et en continu, ainsi qu’en milieu peu polaire ont montré que l’application des MO n’a pas eu d’influence sur la cinétique de la réaction cible. Finalement, nous avons développé une procédure d’extrapolation de réacteurs micro-ondes de type cuve agitée, qui est basée sur l’absence d’effet MO sur la chimie et sur le contrôle des zones chaudes dans le réacteur / Microwave (MW) assisted organic synthesis has been employed in many laboratories since more than 20 years. There is a controversy concerning the effects of MW on the kinetics of reactions since some enhancement of reaction rates have been observed. While MW heating advantages could be of interest for processes intensification, this technique has rarely been employed for large-scale productions. Scaling-up methods are rare and the existed techniques are generally empirical. The aim of our project is to propose a methodology for the extrapolation of MW reactors, using experimental reliable observations. Our research strategy has enabled us the choice of the target reaction to be carried out under MW irradiation: the esterification of acetic acid with pentanol over an acidic cation-exchange resin. A stirred reactor with MW single mode application was designed and constructed. Studies on the pilot have showed the perfectly stirred hydrodynamic behaviour of the reactor, the stability and the high heating efficiency. Moreover, no thermal gradients in the reactor have been observed. Tests in the reactor operated in batch and continuous mode, as well as in weak polar media, showed that there is no influence of MW heating on the kinetics of the target reaction. Finally, a guideline for the scaling-up of MW reactors was developed, based on the absence of MW effects on the reaction kinetics and on the control of hot zones in the reactor