Improving the accuracy of CFD predictions of turbulence in a tank stirred by a hydrofoil impeller

Stirred tank simulation using Partially-Averaged Navier-Stokes $$k_u-\epsilon _u$$ turbulence model

In the present study, simulation of a stirred tank using axial flow impeller has been studied numerically to see the behaviour of flow variables in the entire vessel. It is assumed that the flow is steady state, two dimensional, incompressible and axisymmetric. For simulation, Partially-Averaged Navier-Stokes (PANS) $$k_u-\epsilon _u$$ k u - ϵ u turbulence model has been taken into account. For discretization, control volume method along with upwind and power-law schemes have been taken. The solutions are obtained by using the SIMPLE algorithm. The boundary conditions for impeller are given by using the experimental data. The main objective is to investigate the influence of different filters width $$f_k$$ f k of the PANS $$k_u-\epsilon _u$$ k u - ϵ u model parameter on the characteristic flow variables. The predicted results of the PANS $$k_u-\epsilon _u$$ k u - ϵ u model for different $$f_k$$ f k have been compared with the experimental data at different axial levels of the stirred tank. It has been observed that the power-law scheme gives better agreement with the experimental data. Further, near the impeller region, PANS predicted results are better for smaller $$f_k$$ f k . Also, Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes Shear Stress Transport (SST) $$k-\omega $$ k - ω turbulence model has been tested for comparative study.

Numerical Simulation of Biomass Growth in OKTOP®9000 Reactor at Industrial Scale

Computational fluid dynamics is a powerful method for scale-up of reactors although it is still challenging to fully embrace hydrodynamics and biological complexities. In this article, an aerobic fermentation of Pichia pastoris cells is modeled in a batch OKTOP®9000 reactor. The 800 m³ industrial scale reactor is equipped with a radial impeller, designed by Outotec Oy for gas dispersion in the draft tube reactor. Measured N_p of the impeller is used in hydrodynamics validation. The resolved energy dissipation rate is compensated, and its influence on mass transfer is analyzed and discussed. Gas–liquid drag force is modified to simulate effects of liquid turbulence and bubble swarms. Resolved steady state multiphase hydrodynamics is used to simulate the fermentation process. Temporal evolution of species concentrations is compared to experimental data measured in a small copy of the reactor at lab scale (14 L). The effect of oxygenation on the P. pastoris cells cultivation is considered.