Particle suspension in top-covered unbaffled tanks

Just Suspended Speed Simulation in Torus Reactor Using Multiple Non-Linear Regression Model

In the chemical and water treatment industries, it is necessary to achieve maximum contact between the solid and liquid phase, thus promoting the mass and heat transfer, to obtain a homogeneous solution. Increasing stirring speed is the most recommended solution in different types of reactors: stirred tank, column, and tubular. However, this inadvertently increases the energy consumption of the industry. Determination of the minimum speed, labeled the just suspended speed (Njs) and crucial to attaining homogeneity, has been widely investigated. Numerous studies have been carried out to assess formulas for determining the solid particle speed in various reactor types. Given the limitations of the existing formulations based on a generalization of a unique equation for computing Njs for all soil classifications, it appears that most formulas can only approximate complex phenomena that depend on several parameters. A novel formula was developed, and the results given in this paper demonstrate the effectiveness of generating significant uncertainties for the estimation of Njs. The purpose of this study was the elaboration of experiment-based data-driven formulas to calculate Njs for different particle size classes. Nonlinear multiple regression (MNLR) models were used to generate the new formulas. The gradient descent optimization algorithm was employed to solve the hyperparameters of each novel equation, utilizing supervised learning. A comparison of the data indicated that the unique formulas presented in this study outperformed empirical formulas and provide a useful means for lowering energy consumption, while increasing the heat and mass transfer in torus type reactors.

Critical review of different aspects of liquid-solid mixing operations

Mechanically stirred slurry tanks are utilized in several industries to perform various unit operations such as crystallization, adsorption, ion-exchange, suspensions polymerization, dispersion of solid particles, leaching and dissolution, and activated sludge processes. The major goal of this review paper is to critically and thoroughly analyse the different aspects of previous research works reported in the literature in the field of liquid-solid mixing. This paper sheds light on the advantages and limitations of various particle concentration measurement methods employed to assess the suspension quality and the extent of solid suspensions in slurry reactors. Attempts are being made to identify and compare various mathematical models and methods to quantify particle dispersion and distribution in slurry reactors. It has been shown that various factors such as geometric configurations, agitation conditions, and physical characteristics of liquid and solid have pronounced influence on local suspension quality and power consumption. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling can be extremely useful in assessing the suspension of solid particles in slurry tanks. A critical review of different scale-up procedures employed for solid suspension and distribution in liquid-solid systems is presented as well. The findings of this review paper can be useful for future research works in liquid-solid mixing.

Determination of the just suspended speed for solid particle in torus reactor

With the considerable use of pipelines and reactors in the engineering industry, determining the deposition velocity enabling hydraulic transport is of utmost importance. This has been investigated throughout the years, scrupulously in several types of reactors used in water treatment and solid transport. The primary focus has been extended to torus reactors, due to their significant advantage in chemical, biochemical and mixing processes. In the present work, we have studied the solid-liquid suspension in a torus reactor. We elaborated an experimental method based on visual assessment SBAM (Steady Bed Angle Method), which enabled us to analytically determine the just suspended speed 'Njs' at which no solid remains stationary at the bed and further parametrically study the effect of several parameters including solid loadings, particle sizes and densities. The just suspended speed values obtained experimentally have been compared to a modified Zwietering's correlation.

Liquid Flow and Mixing in Bottom Regions of Baffled and Unbaffled Vessels Agitated by Turbine-Type Impeller

For a vessel agitated by the turbine-type impeller, the liquid flow and mixing in the bottom region were studied for comparison between conditions with and without baffles. Visualization of the flow and its measurement were done using particle tracking velocimetry. The flow along the bottom surface of the unbaffled vessel was observed to be more intensified than that of the baffled one. The related local energy dissipation was larger and the effective energy transmission was indicated for the condition without the baffles. For the unbaffled vessel, enhancement of micromixing near the bottom was demonstrated through a mixing experiment in a system involving chemical reactions.

Zwietering's Equation for the Suspension of Porous Particles and the Use of Curved Blade Impellers

The minimum speed for just-suspension,Njs, of porous palm shell-activated carbon (PSAC) particles has been determined in a 15 cm diameter cylindrical tank using a 6-curved blade (6CB) impeller, compared to a 6-blade downpumping mixed-flow (6MFD) impeller and a Rushton turbine (6DT). The particles size ranged from 0.75–1.00 mm, 1.00–1.40 mm, and 1.40–2.36 mm with concentrations between 0 and 5% by weight. The 6CB being a radial impeller performed similarly to 6DT in terms of speed and power requirement at just-suspension, and particles distribution on the base. The 6MFD, with power requirement 100% to 200% less than the radial impellers, was the most efficient for suspending the particles, as usually reported for the range of solid concentrations used here. Specific power per unit mass for all three impellers showed reduction towards minima as the concentration of particles increased. The geometric factor,S, values agreed reasonably with published data, when the particle density was adjusted taking into account water filling the pores of the submerged activated carbon. This result means that Zwietering’s equation can be used to predict suspension for porous particles with adjustment to the particle density.Svalues for curved-blade impellers are presented for the first time.