A 3D CFD simulation of a self inducing Pitched Blade Turbine Downflow

International audienceFor many chemical and industrial processes, the understanding of mixing, self-induction and flow structure in a stirred tank is very important. In this work, we simulated numerically, using the Fluent software, the phenomena taking place in a stirred tank equipped with a self-inducing turbine, the Pitched Blade Turbine Downflow (PBTD). To refine our study, we studied the cases of two different blade inclinations, i.e., PBTD45 degrees and PBTD60 degrees. The same rotational speed of the blades was considered for each simulation, namely N = 480 rpm. A numerical description of the flow structure generated by the self-inducing turbine is given. The results were compared with experimental data available in the literature. The gas induction rate, the power number and the power provided by the turbine are in good agreement with these experimental studies. Finally the last stage of this work was devoted to a comparative study of each turbine performance. The CFD results given by our work show that the PBTD60 degrees is more efficient than the PBTD45 degrees. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved