A solid-liquid mixing reactor based on swirling flow technology

Yang, Zhu; Holemans, Thomas; Lagrain, Bert; Sels, Bert F.; Vanierschot, Maarten

doi:10.1016/j.ces.2023.119054

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Experiments are performed in an SFR, consisting of a sudden expansion with a step and two tapered parts, similar to the design of Yang et al [6]. The dimensions with the envisioned flow patterns visualized for both the liquid and solid phase are shown in Figure 1a.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To address the limitations discussed above and create new ways for industrial-scale solid-liquid mixing at high temperatures and pressures, Swirling Flow Reactors (SFRs) are proposed as novel technology [6,7]. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations demonstrated the SFR's working principle with CFD [6,7]. An SFR is conceived as a swirling sudden expansion of solid-liquid flow, possibly with a filter at the outlet to entrap solid particles in the reactor.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An SFR is conceived as a swirling sudden expansion of solid-liquid flow, possibly with a filter at the outlet to entrap solid particles in the reactor. Yang et al [6] applied a volumetric loading of 20 vol% wood spheres, while an SFR works up to volumetric loadings of 40 vol% [7]. The fluid applied was supercritical methanol at 235°C and 130 bar, resulting in a density ratio of 1.7.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…UIV has been successfully applied for characterizing suspension pipe flows under both laminar [30][31][32][33][34] and turbulent conditions [31,33,35,36]. This research aims to extend UIV to a highly 3-dimensional flow, specifically a swirling sudden expansion two-phase flow, based on the SFR design by Yang et al [6]. The second aim of this research is to validate the working principle of an SFR based on images and UIV data.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Experimental Validation of a Novel Solid-Liquid Swirling Flow Reactor for Dense Suspensions

Holemans,

Hogendoorn,

Poelma

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Ultrasound Imaging Velocimetry (UIV) is a maturing technique for measuring two-phase flows. It enables measurements of dense suspensions when optical methods fail. This study explores UIV’s applicability to measure the flow field in an Swirling Flow Reactor (SFR) for solid-liquid mixing of dense suspensions. Despite UIV’s historical focus on unidirectional flows like arteries and axisymmetric pipes, this research demonstrates its adaptation to an inherently complex 3D flow field, i.e. a swirling sudden expansion flow in an SFR. Using high-speed plane-wave imaging and correlation averaging techniques, satisfactory velocity profiles are achieved while preserving sufficient temporal information. Firstly, the applicability of UIV in this specific setup is demonstrated by comparing UIV with Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry measurements of a one-phase flow in the SFR. Secondly, several bulk velocities and volume concentrations (up to 50 vol%) are measured with UIV for a two-phase flow of water and 2.3 mm glass beads. A transducer is installed in two orientations and captures all three velocity components when combining the two datasets. A timestep optimization process is implemented to avoid manual fine-tuning of the acquisition frequency. A temporal analysis on the solid’s velocity fields in the SFR reveals dominant frequencies between 1.21–2.42 Hz, similar to those found in one phase flow. The general flow structure of the suspension flow is very similar to the latter, however the addition of particles confines the Central Recirculation Zone (CRZ) to the center. Finally, the implementation of swirl to keep solid-liquid mixtures in suspension in the SFR is experimentally confirmed by this study. According to camera recordings, a uniform suspension is achieved across all volumetric loadings. Quantitative UIV measurements confirm favorable flow structures for mixing, specifically a Coandã Jet Flow that avoids sedimentation. The concentration of solids in an SFR can even be increased up to 50 vol% while still maintaining a uniform suspension.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%