A Comparative CFD–PIV Analysis of a Stirred Tank Equipped with a Rushton and a Pitched Blade Turbine
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study presents the hydrodynamic behavior of a dual‐stage stirred tank, which is typically used in bioprocesses and is equipped with a Rushton turbine (RT) below and a pitched blade turbine (PBT) above. The investigation of the turbulent flow is based on numerical simulations (computational fluid dynamics, CFD) and experiments (particle image velocimetry, 2D–2C PIV). Direct CFD–PIV comparisons in dual‐impeller tanks are rare. The velocity and turbulent kinetic energy vertical profiles show a high degree of agreement between the CFD and PIV data across the entire tank at 250 rpm. The power consumption calculated by CFD for the RT accounts for 78 % of the global power number. CFD post‐processing confirms the presence of a pair of trailing vortices behind the RT only, with local velocities exceeding the tip speed.
DOI: 10.1002/ceat.70130
Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University of Sfax, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Toulouse, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, Bio & Chemical Engineering, Université de Toulouse
Language: English
Topic: Fluid Dynamics and Mixing
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,930
OpenAlex ID: W4416361785