Multiphase CFD investigations of gas–liquid mixing in mechanically agitated reactors, with an emphasis on numerical stability, flow structure, and gas dispersion.
A direct comparison of radial- and axial-flow mixing configurations, with space for velocity, gas-dispersion, and cross-sectional simulation videos.
01 — RADIAL FLOW
Rushton impellers
Flat-bladed disc turbines generate strong radial jets, high local shear, and distinct circulation loops above and below each impeller.
→Radial discharge pattern
→High gas-dispersion capability
→Dual-impeller interaction
Rushton velocity fieldRushton gas volume fractionRushton cross-sectional flow
02 — AXIAL FLOW
Pitched-blade impellers
Angled blades drive a strong axial pumping pattern, producing top-to-bottom circulation with lower shear than a Rushton turbine.
↓Axial pumping direction
↓Bulk vessel circulation
Pitched-blade velocity field
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Axial circulationSIMULATION VIDEO SLOT
Pitched-blade gas dispersion
Model architecture
A reproducible workflow built around geometry preparation, mesh quality, phase interaction choices, transient convergence, and physically meaningful validation checks.
Geometry
7 L vessel with 5 L working volume and 6-port ring sparger
Multiphase
Eulerian or Volume of Fluid (VoF)
Turbulence
Realizable k–ε and k–ω SST model investigations
Motion
Transient sliding mesh and steady-state multiple reference frame (MRF) with rotating and stationary fluid zones
Platform
ANSYS Fluent 2025 R2 on Ohio Supercomputer Center resources