Study of fluid velocity characteristics in stirred solid-liquid suspensions with a refractive index matching technique

M Micheletti, M Yianneskis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A refractive index matching laser Doppler anemometry technique was applied to a solid-liquid suspension in order to measure the continuous phase velocity in the impeller stream of a mixing vessel stirred by a Rushton turbine. Monodispersed, neutrally buoyant and impurity-free particles were used up to 2 per cent volumetric concentration. A significant influence of the dispersed phase on the liquid mean and turbulent flow field was found only near the impeller disk plane, at radial locations close to the blade tip, where both the radial mean and fluctuating velocity components were suppressed by the presence of the solid phase. The fluid velocity variation with angular position was also investigated. A locally high concentration of particles in front of the blades and in the trailing vortices area is suggested as the reason for the modification of the flow observed. (42 References).
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)191 - 204
Number of pages14
JournalProceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part E, Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering
Volume218
Issue numberE4
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2004

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Study of fluid velocity characteristics in stirred solid-liquid suspensions with a refractive index matching technique'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this