Author(s)

D. Eldin, S. Parks, C. Petty & A. Bénard

Abstract

Pulsed-jet mixers (PJM) are often used to suspend a solid phase in a liquid phase within very large tanks. In this study, a commercial CFD code (Fluent 6.0) is used to simulate the axisymmetric flow field induced by a PJM symmetrically situated in a cylindrical tank. The simulation uses a volume-of-fluid model for an air/water system with a standard k-ε model for the Reynolds stress. A large-scale periodic recirculation zone is established within the tank and provides a means to suspend solid particles. Particle trajectory calculations are used to identify potential regions of high wear on the bottom of the tank and within the jet nozzle. The simulation supports the conclusion that a PJM should be able to suspend 100-micron diameter particles wi

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