Structural optimization of a settler via CFD simulation in a mixer-settler

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2020.01.010

Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering ›› 2020, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (4): 995-1015.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2020.01.010

• Fluid Dynamics and Transport Phenomena • Previous Articles Next Articles

Structural optimization of a settler via CFD simulation in a mixer-settler

Sishi Ye^1,2, Qiao Tang¹, Yundong Wang¹, Weiyang Fei¹

1 The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China;
2 SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, Beijing 100083, China

Received:2019-04-15 Revised:2020-01-10 Online:2020-07-27 Published:2020-04-28
Contact: Yundong Wang
Supported by:
This researchwas carried out under the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2012CBA01203), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21636004) and the Specialized Research Fund for Doctoral Program of Higher Education of MOE of China (No. 20130002110018) in the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering of Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. The authors gratefully acknowledge these grants.

Structural optimization of a settler via CFD simulation in a mixer-settler

Sishi Ye^1,2, Qiao Tang¹, Yundong Wang¹, Weiyang Fei¹

1 The State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China;
2 SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, Beijing 100083, China

通讯作者: Yundong Wang
基金资助:
This researchwas carried out under the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2012CBA01203), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21636004) and the Specialized Research Fund for Doctoral Program of Higher Education of MOE of China (No. 20130002110018) in the State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering of Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. The authors gratefully acknowledge these grants.

Abstract

Abstract: This work is aimed at optimizing a settler structure in a mixer-settler. Two different aspects have been considered. Firstly, the flowcharacteristics of a settler have been examined by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation with various agitation speeds of the mixer, as well as organic phase volume fractions ranging from 0.075 to 0.6. The aqueous and organic phase turbulent flow fields were measured by particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique to verify the CFD simulation. Two organic phases with different physical properties were assessed in the CFD simulation to simulate the liquid-liquid systems related to rare earth element extraction, i.e., 0.072 mol·L^-1 P507/kerosene and 1.8 mol·L^-1 P507/kerosene. Secondly, the CFD simulation was carried out in a settler equipped with baffles. The effects of number and location of the baffle in the settler on flow features and entrainments of the aqueous and organic outlet were analyzed. Meanwhile, different settler/mixer volume ratios were also examined. By analyses and comparisons, an optimal design for settler was proposed. CFD can provide a significant guidance to better mixer-settler design.

Key words: Settler, Liquid-liquid, CFD RANS equations, Optimization

摘要： This work is aimed at optimizing a settler structure in a mixer-settler. Two different aspects have been considered. Firstly, the flowcharacteristics of a settler have been examined by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation with various agitation speeds of the mixer, as well as organic phase volume fractions ranging from 0.075 to 0.6. The aqueous and organic phase turbulent flow fields were measured by particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique to verify the CFD simulation. Two organic phases with different physical properties were assessed in the CFD simulation to simulate the liquid-liquid systems related to rare earth element extraction, i.e., 0.072 mol·L^-1 P507/kerosene and 1.8 mol·L^-1 P507/kerosene. Secondly, the CFD simulation was carried out in a settler equipped with baffles. The effects of number and location of the baffle in the settler on flow features and entrainments of the aqueous and organic outlet were analyzed. Meanwhile, different settler/mixer volume ratios were also examined. By analyses and comparisons, an optimal design for settler was proposed. CFD can provide a significant guidance to better mixer-settler design.

关键词: Settler, Liquid-liquid, CFD RANS equations, Optimization

Sishi Ye, Qiao Tang, Yundong Wang, Weiyang Fei. Structural optimization of a settler via CFD simulation in a mixer-settler[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2020, 28(4): 995-1015.

Sishi Ye, Qiao Tang, Yundong Wang, Weiyang Fei. Structural optimization of a settler via CFD simulation in a mixer-settler[J]. 中国化学工程学报, 2020, 28(4): 995-1015.

References

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Structural optimization of a settler via CFD simulation in a mixer-settler

Structural optimization of a settler via CFD simulation in a mixer-settler

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