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Flow simulations approach for flocculation tanks
Idžakovičová, Kristýna ; Bílek, Vojtěch ; Haidl, Jan ; Isoz, M. ; Pivokonský, Martin
Flocculation in water treatment facilities plays a key role in the separation of colloidal inorganic and organic substances. Its optimization leads to a significant increase in its efficiency and savings of operational costs. However, it is currently based on trial-and-error experimental approaches. In this contribution, we focus on flow modeling in stirred flocculation tanks that would, after coupling with a calibrated model of particle aggregation, enable simulationbased flocculation optimization. Despite the abundance of literature on stirred tank modeling, there is no universal agreement on the methodology used to describe turbulence nor on the approach to the computational mesh creation. Consequently, there is no unified methodology for simulations and their validation. To address this, we present a best-practice methodology for economical, yet reliable flow simulations in the said device. This methodology includes the choice of the turbulence model, the approach to the design of a high quality mesh suitable for arbitrary geometries, and results evaluation. It is developed based on an extensive literature review, a multitude of flow simulations using several meshes of progressively higher quality and resolution, and various strategies to converge to steady-state flow conditions. The simulation quality indicators used here involve comparison with the experimental data on fluid velocity, stirrer power output, and flow rate through the impeller zone. Additionally, the resulting flow simulation models are compared using tracer transport simulations, hinting at their potential for coupling with particle aggregation models.
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Improvement of an unbaffled stirred tank mixing characteristics using variable speed impeller
Gebouský, Ondřej ; Haidl, Jan ; Bodnár, J. ; Pivokonský, Martin
Unbaffled mixing tanks with magnetically driven impellers are increasingly used in biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries, combining the benefits of a closed, sterile environment with easy equipment cleanability. On the other hand, missing internals, such as baffles or cooling coils, have an adverse effect on the equipment mixing characteristics, namely the batch\nhomogenization time. In our previous research, we uncovered that the eccentricity and inclination of the impeller – both employed routinely to enhance the mixing characteristics of unbaffled vessels – are not fully effective in the suppression of central vortex formation resulting in the increase in the homogenization time. In this work, we propose a simple solution to counteract the central vortex formation – a periodical variation of impeller rotational speed. This approach destabilizes the central vortex, significantly reducing homogenization time while maintaining the benefits of the original unbaffled setup. This innovation can seamlessly integrate into existing industrial setups, promising efficiency gains for biotech and pharmaceutical production.
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Flow simulations approach for flocculation tanks
Idžakovičová, Kristýna ; Bílek, V. ; Haidl, J. ; Isoz, Martin ; Pivokonský, M.
Flocculation in water treatment facilities plays a key role in the separation of colloidal inorganic and organic substances. Its optimization leads to a significant increase in its efficiency and savings of operational costs. However, it is currently based on trial-and-error experimental approaches. In this contribution, we focus on flow modeling in stirred flocculation tanks that would, after coupling with a calibrated model of particle aggregation, enable simulationbased flocculation optimization. Despite the abundance of literature on stirred tank modeling, there is no universal agreement on the methodology used to describe turbulence nor on the approach to the computational mesh creation. Consequently, there is no unified methodology for simulations and their validation. To address this, we present a best-practice methodology for economical, yet reliable flow simulations in the said device. This methodology includes the choice of the turbulence model, the approach to the design of a high quality mesh suitable for arbitrary geometries, and results evaluation. It is developed based on an extensive literature review, a multitude of flow simulations using several meshes of progressively higher quality and resolution, and various strategies to converge to steady-state flow conditions. The simulation quality indicators used here involve comparison with the experimental data on fluid velocity, stirrer power output, and flow rate through the impeller zone. Additionally, the resulting flow simulation models are compared using tracer transport simulations, hinting at their potential for coupling with particle aggregation models.
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Finite element approximation of fluid structure interaction using Taylor-Hood and Scott-Vogelius elements
Vacek, Karel ; Sváček, P.
This paper addresses the problem of fluid flow interacting a vibrating solid cylinder described by one degree of freedom system and with fixed airfoil. The problem is described by the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations written in the arbitrary Eulerian-Lagrangian (ALE) formulation. The ALE mapping is constructed with the use of a pseudo-elastic approach. The flow problem is numerically approximated by the finite element method (FEM). For discretization of the fluid flow, the results obtained by both the Taylor-Hood (TH) element and the Scott-Vogelius (SV) finite element are compared. The TH element satisfies the Babuška-Brezzi inf-sup condition, which guarantees the stability of the scheme. In the case of the SV element the mesh, that is created as a barycentric refinement of regular triangulation, is used to satisfy the Babuška-Brezzi condition. The numerical results for two benchmark problems are shown.
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Numerical study of the steady airflow in the human respiratory system during inhaling and exhaling
Lancmanová, Anna ; Bodnár, Tomáš
This paper presents some of the initial results of the numerical simulations of a steady turbulent flow in human upper airways during inhalation and exhalation. The mathematical model is based on the system of Reynolds-Averaged incompressible Navier-Stokes equations complemented by the SST k − ω turbulence model. The simulations were performed using finite-volume open source solver OpenFOAM on a realistic three-dimensional geometry. The main aim of this particular study is to verify the computational setup with special focus on appropriate choice and implementation of boundary conditions. The prescribed boundary conditions are chosen to mimic the physiological conditions during normal breathing cycle. This study aims to gain an insight into the airflow behavior during the inhalation and exhalation process by comparing the results of two distinct simulations corresponding to two different (opposite) flow rates . The obtained local flow rates and flow fields for both cases are presented and mutually compared. This initial work should serve as a foundation for future more complex simulations that will include the time-dependent and compressible effects.
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Numerical evaluation of mass-diffusive compressible fluids flows models
Bodnár, Tomáš ; Fraunié, P.
This contribution presents first numerical tests of some recently published alternative models for solution of viscous compressible and nearly incompressible models. All models are solved by high resolution compact finite difference scheme with strong stability preserving RungeKutta time stepping. The two simple but challenging computational test cases are presented, based on the double-periodic shear layer and the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. The obtained time-dependent flow fields are showing pronounced shear and vorticity layers being resolved by the standard as well as by the new mass-diffusive modified models. The preliminary results show that the new models are viable alternative to the well established classical models.
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