Experimental measurement and computational fluid dynamics simulation of mixing in a stirred tank: a review

Stirred tanks are typically used in many reactions. The quality of mixing generated by the impellers can be determined using either experimental and simulation methods, or both methods. The experimental techniques have evolved from traditional approaches, such as the application of hot-wire anemomet...

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Main Authors: A. Ochieng, M. Onyango, K. Kiriamiti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academy of Science of South Africa 2009-11-01
Series:South African Journal of Science
Online Access:https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10225
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author A. Ochieng
M. Onyango
K. Kiriamiti
author_facet A. Ochieng
M. Onyango
K. Kiriamiti
author_sort A. Ochieng
collection DOAJ
description Stirred tanks are typically used in many reactions. The quality of mixing generated by the impellers can be determined using either experimental and simulation methods, or both methods. The experimental techniques have evolved from traditional approaches, such as the application of hot-wire anemometry, to more modern ones like laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). Similarly, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation techniques have attracted a lot of attention in recent years in the study of the hydrodynamics in stirred tanks, compared to the empirical modelling approach. Studies have shown that the LDV technique can provide very detailed information on the spatio-temporal variations in a tank, but the method is costly. For this reason, CFD simulation techniques may be employed to provide such data at a lower cost. In recent years, both integrated experimental and CFD approaches have been used to determine flow field and to design various systems. Both CFD and LDV data reveal the existence of flow maldistribution caused by system design features, and these in turn show that the configurations that have, over the years, been regarded as standard may not provide the optimal operating conditions with regards to the system homogeneity and power consumption. The current trends in CFD studies point towards an increasing application of more refined grids, such as in large eddy simulation, to capture turbulent structures at microscales. This trend will further improve the quality of the simulation results for processes such as precipitation, in which micromixing and reaction kinetics are important.
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spelling doaj-art-5f2d5dc3282a4a52920e15dcd79c987f2025-08-20T03:08:47ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science1996-74892009-11-0110511/124214268406Experimental measurement and computational fluid dynamics simulation of mixing in a stirred tank: a reviewA. Ochieng0M. OnyangoK. Kiriamiti1Department of Chemical Engineering, Vaal University of Technology, Private Bag X021, Vanderbijlpark 1900, South Africa.Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Moi University, P.O. Box 3900, Eldoret, Kenya.Stirred tanks are typically used in many reactions. The quality of mixing generated by the impellers can be determined using either experimental and simulation methods, or both methods. The experimental techniques have evolved from traditional approaches, such as the application of hot-wire anemometry, to more modern ones like laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). Similarly, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation techniques have attracted a lot of attention in recent years in the study of the hydrodynamics in stirred tanks, compared to the empirical modelling approach. Studies have shown that the LDV technique can provide very detailed information on the spatio-temporal variations in a tank, but the method is costly. For this reason, CFD simulation techniques may be employed to provide such data at a lower cost. In recent years, both integrated experimental and CFD approaches have been used to determine flow field and to design various systems. Both CFD and LDV data reveal the existence of flow maldistribution caused by system design features, and these in turn show that the configurations that have, over the years, been regarded as standard may not provide the optimal operating conditions with regards to the system homogeneity and power consumption. The current trends in CFD studies point towards an increasing application of more refined grids, such as in large eddy simulation, to capture turbulent structures at microscales. This trend will further improve the quality of the simulation results for processes such as precipitation, in which micromixing and reaction kinetics are important.https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10225
spellingShingle A. Ochieng
M. Onyango
K. Kiriamiti
Experimental measurement and computational fluid dynamics simulation of mixing in a stirred tank: a review
South African Journal of Science
title Experimental measurement and computational fluid dynamics simulation of mixing in a stirred tank: a review
title_full Experimental measurement and computational fluid dynamics simulation of mixing in a stirred tank: a review
title_fullStr Experimental measurement and computational fluid dynamics simulation of mixing in a stirred tank: a review
title_full_unstemmed Experimental measurement and computational fluid dynamics simulation of mixing in a stirred tank: a review
title_short Experimental measurement and computational fluid dynamics simulation of mixing in a stirred tank: a review
title_sort experimental measurement and computational fluid dynamics simulation of mixing in a stirred tank a review
url https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10225
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