Modeling flow pattern induced by ultrasound: the influence of modeling approach and turbulence models

Abstract

Mean flow and turbulence parameters have been measured using laser Doppler anemometer (LDA) in an ultrasound reactor at the ultrasonic power of 15 kW m⁻³. The liquid circulation velocities are dominant in the zone nearer to the source of energy and are substantially low at the walls and at the bottom of the reactor. The levels of turbulence kinetic energy and dissipation rate are high near the horn and decrease rapidly with increasing distance from the horn. Comparisons of LDA measurements and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions have been presented. The effects of the model for the horn-fluid interaction (velocity boundary condition approach and acoustic boundary condition approach) and the turbulence model (standard k-ε model, modified k-ε model, standard k-ω model, Reynolds stress model (RSM), and large eddy simulation (LES)) on the predicted flow pattern (mean velocities, turbulent kinetic energy, and turbulent energy dissipation rate) have been investigated.