Eulerian-Lagrangian simulation of dispersed liquid flow in turbulent stirred tanks

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2025.03.004

中国化学工程学报 ›› 2025, Vol. 83 ›› Issue (7): 182-190.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2025.03.004

Eulerian-Lagrangian simulation of dispersed liquid flow in turbulent stirred tanks

Jingchang Zhang^1,2, Xiaoping Guan^1,2, Ning Yang^1,2, Maximilian Lackner³

1 State Key Laboratory of Mesoscience and Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China;
2 School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
3 Circe Biotechnologie GmbH, Kerpengasse 125, 1210 Vienna, Austria

收稿日期:2024-12-05 修回日期:2025-03-05 接受日期:2025-03-10 出版日期:2025-07-28 发布日期:2025-07-28
通讯作者: Ning Yang,E-mail:nyang@ipe.ac.cn
基金资助:
The authors wish to thank the long-term support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China, China (2023YFE0106600), the National Natural Science Foundation of China, China (22421003, 22178354, 21925805). This project has also received funding from FFG (Austria) under project “ABATE” (903872), which is gratefully acknowledged.

Eulerian-Lagrangian simulation of dispersed liquid flow in turbulent stirred tanks

Jingchang Zhang^1,2, Xiaoping Guan^1,2, Ning Yang^1,2, Maximilian Lackner³

1 State Key Laboratory of Mesoscience and Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China;
2 School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
3 Circe Biotechnologie GmbH, Kerpengasse 125, 1210 Vienna, Austria

Received:2024-12-05 Revised:2025-03-05 Accepted:2025-03-10 Online:2025-07-28 Published:2025-07-28
Contact: Ning Yang,E-mail:nyang@ipe.ac.cn
Supported by:
The authors wish to thank the long-term support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China, China (2023YFE0106600), the National Natural Science Foundation of China, China (22421003, 22178354, 21925805). This project has also received funding from FFG (Austria) under project “ABATE” (903872), which is gratefully acknowledged.

摘要/Abstract

摘要： Liquid-liquid dispersion is often performed in stirred tanks, which are valued for their ease of operation, high droplet generation rate and effective droplet dispersion. Many relevant simulations use the Eulerian-Eulerian method, combining population balance equations with statistical models to forecast droplet breakage. Conversely, the Eulerian-Lagrangian (E-L) method provides precise tracking of individual droplets, which is crucial for simulating dispersion processes. However, E-L simulation faces challenges in integrating droplet breakage effectively. To address this issue, our research introduces a probabilistic approach for droplet breakages. It assumes that a longer time increases the likelihood of breakup; a droplet breaks if the calculated probability exceeds a random value from 0 to 1. Consequently, the simulated breakage frequency becomes independent of the Lagrangian time step. The Sauter mean diameter and droplet size distribution can be accurately predicted by this probabilistic approach. By closely monitoring droplet motion, we reveal the complexity of droplet trajectories and the detailed patterns of circulation in stirred tanks. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of liquidliquid dispersion dynamics.

关键词: Eulerian-Lagrangian method, Liquid-liquid dispersion, Droplet breakage, Stirred vessel, Turbulent flow, Computational fluid dynamics

Abstract: Liquid-liquid dispersion is often performed in stirred tanks, which are valued for their ease of operation, high droplet generation rate and effective droplet dispersion. Many relevant simulations use the Eulerian-Eulerian method, combining population balance equations with statistical models to forecast droplet breakage. Conversely, the Eulerian-Lagrangian (E-L) method provides precise tracking of individual droplets, which is crucial for simulating dispersion processes. However, E-L simulation faces challenges in integrating droplet breakage effectively. To address this issue, our research introduces a probabilistic approach for droplet breakages. It assumes that a longer time increases the likelihood of breakup; a droplet breaks if the calculated probability exceeds a random value from 0 to 1. Consequently, the simulated breakage frequency becomes independent of the Lagrangian time step. The Sauter mean diameter and droplet size distribution can be accurately predicted by this probabilistic approach. By closely monitoring droplet motion, we reveal the complexity of droplet trajectories and the detailed patterns of circulation in stirred tanks. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of liquidliquid dispersion dynamics.

Key words: Eulerian-Lagrangian method, Liquid-liquid dispersion, Droplet breakage, Stirred vessel, Turbulent flow, Computational fluid dynamics

Jingchang Zhang, Xiaoping Guan, Ning Yang, Maximilian Lackner. Eulerian-Lagrangian simulation of dispersed liquid flow in turbulent stirred tanks[J]. 中国化学工程学报, 2025, 83(7): 182-190.

Jingchang Zhang, Xiaoping Guan, Ning Yang, Maximilian Lackner. Eulerian-Lagrangian simulation of dispersed liquid flow in turbulent stirred tanks[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2025, 83(7): 182-190.

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Eulerian-Lagrangian simulation of dispersed liquid flow in turbulent stirred tanks

Eulerian-Lagrangian simulation of dispersed liquid flow in turbulent stirred tanks

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