Hollow self-inducing impellers: flow visualization and CFD simulation

Abstract

The experimental fluid dynamics (EFD) as well as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies were performed for hollow self-inducing agitator system. The system is described in detail elsewhere [Deshmukh, N.A., Patil, S.S., Joshi, J.B., 2006. Gas induction characteristics of hollow self-inducing impeller. Transactions of the Institution of Chemical Engineers 84(A2), 124-132]. The low pressure regions on the impeller blade were determined by single phase CFD simulations. These results were validated with the experimentally measured power number (N_P). Then with the help of single phase CFD results, the orifices were drilled on the impeller blade in low pressure regions. Gas induction rate (Q_G), power consumption (P) and overall fractional gas hold-up (ε_G) were measured experimentally. The comparison of gas induction rates for both the hole locations has been presented. The two phase CFD simulations yielded satisfactory predictions and proved to be most promising for the design of efficient gas-inducing system.