CFD simulation of floating particles suspension in a stirred tank

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to predict the floating particles suspension in a baffled tank stirred by a standard Rushton turbine. An Eulerian multiphase model and a standard k-e turbulence model with mixture properties were used in the CFD simulation. The impeller rotation was solved using a moving reference frame method. Flow pattern, power number and solid holdup distribution were obtained and compared with the results in literature. The effects of operating condition on floating particles suspension characteristics were studied. It indicated that the influences of impeller speed and solid loading on particle suspension varied with particle sizes. For small particles, the impeller speed and solid loading have no obvious effects on solid holdup distribution and suspension quality. For large particles, particle suspension quality becomes better first, and then keeps almost unchanged with enhancing of the impeller speed. Suspension quality is better for higher solid loading of large particles. Within the scope of the present study, solid loading has no great effect on suspension quality. Suspension quality becomes worse with increasing of the particle size. Large particles are easy to accumulate in the centres of the liquid free surface and the upper circular loop, and the vicinity of the shaft.