Zhengquan Li, Yukun Wu, Yide Wang, Kaixuan Li, Pei Zhang, 'Simulation of non-spherical particles stirring process in stirred tanks', Powder Technology, Volume 434, 119345, 2024 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2023.119345. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032591023011282)

Abstract: There are few studies on the dependence of particle suspension and dispersion on particle shape in stirred tanks. Most of the non-spherical particle problems are converted into spherical particles in the simulation process. The influence of particle shape on particle suspension and dispersion is generally ignored. Therefore, combined with the RNG k-ɛ turbulence model, the DEM-VOF method is used to simulate the suspension and dispersion dynamics of non-spherical particles in liquid-solid stirred tanks. A four-blade 45° oblique blade turbine is used in a flat stirred tank, and the impeller rotation is simulated by the sliding grid method. The effectiveness of DEM-VOF coupling method is verified theoretically and experimentally. And the results show that the particle shape has a great influence on the interaction between the fluid and particles and the distribution of particles in stirred tanks. This study provides a useful foundation for further research on the influence of particle shape.
Keywords: Stirred tank; DEM-VOF; Simulation; Non-spherical particles; Suspension and dispersion