CFD Technology/Outputs

Computational Fluid Dynamics can be intimidating.  It is the best example in mixing that renders itself to the age old saying: "Garbage in is garbage out."

Computational Fluid Dynamics is an attempt to solve the Navier-Stokes equation in mixing tanks. The outputs from these programs are so pleasing to engineers that they are often referred to as Colorful Fluid Dynamics. Many call CFD for mixing CFM, or Computational Fluid Mixing. At Mixing XIX CFD was coined Confusing Fluid Dynamics. A recent visitor made us aware of yet another acronym: Color For Directors!

We have one of the best CFD (CFM) experts in the field on our team.  We use the fastest and most accurate CFD software available (ACUSOLVE).  We have created a special user friendly layer specifically addressing

1. dynamic mixing in horizontal or vertical tanks, cylindrical, rectangular parallelepiped (box) or spherical
2. dynamic mixing in pipes (also known as pipe mixers, inline mixers, inliners)
3. static mixers in pipes (also known as static mixers, Kenics® mixers, SMX®-mixers)
4. Rotor-stator mixing (also known as high shear mixers, dispersers)

CFD can be intimidating. Done correctly, CFD can replace experimentation. But what do all those lines and colors mean?  Are the inputs meaningful? Are comparisons made at proper boundary conditions?

What conclusions should we make from these outputs? Post Mixing has the capability of getting CFDs or CFMs done in mixing tanks, columns, pipes, static mixers and other relevant reactor configurations.  We can also have a look at your CFDs and describe to you what they are trying to convey. Don't draw the wrong conclusions from CFDs or CFMs. Have an expert take a look at them. We have access to one of the best experts in the field.

Computational Fluid Dynamics, or in this specific case, Computational Fluid Mixing is a very powerful tool when experimentation is either not possible, dangerous, or too expensive.

Ask Post Mixing for a quote on CFD experiments for your process and reactor. We are not limited to mixing tanks. We can also do static mixers and mixing in pipes, etc. and even fun subjects like mixing honey in your mug of tea. The download time will be less than 2 minutes.

Have a look at some of the other CFD services we offer.  There may be other uses of CFD that you have not yet considered.

Click here for more CFD and CFM examples.

Key Benefits

• In-depth analysis of the outputs from mixing experts, not just CFD experts.
• Be assured that your mixing project is looked at properly.
  • Proper use of physical parameters
  • Focus on what is important
  • Proper use of simplifications
• Explanation of the inputs and parameters.
• We use the fastest and most accurate CFD software available (ACUSOLVE), so we can get more done in any given time.
• Mixing factors
• The CFD output is based on first principals. We do not base our outputs on a predetermined velocity profile of a similar impeller using laser scans, PIV (particle image velocimetry), or EFD (experimental fluid dynamics), but the results are remarkably similar.
• Determination of shaft torque, impeller power, and power number, NP, is very accurate and quickly determined, unlike other programs. Why not take us for a test!
• Predefined available static mixer elements are the most commonly found Sulzer SMX® and the Chemineer Kenics® mixing elements. They can be arranged in any fashion and any length.  Other elements can be designed on demand.
• Predefined available impellers are the Rushton Turbine (RT), the pitched bladed turbine (PBT), and a generic low solidity hydrofoil (Hyd) similar to a LIGHTNIN A310. A new program allows us to design just about any hydrofoil (fluidfoil) you may want.  They can be arranged in any fashion on the shaft, any number of impellers and combinations of impellers.
• We can design any other impeller for your project. 
• We can design Rotor-Stators (also known as high shear mixers, dispersers).
  • We should be able to design flotation cells (but we haven't tried yet).
• Impeller mounting can be anything you want:
  • Top entering - on axis or off-axis (off-center)
  • Bottom entering - on axis or off-axis (off-center)
  • Angular mount - like the way most portable mixers are attached!
  • Side entering
• We can design surface aerators and submerged impellers.  The program does have a free surface model, so we can even predict the form of a vortex, if it is important.
• Tanks can be any shape:
  • Horizontal cylindrical
  • Vertical cylindrical
  • Rectangular parallelepiped - Box or Rectangular- or Square-Cross-Sections
  • Spherical
  • Flat or dished sides or bottoms
• Scale-up, scale-down, and site transfer issues disappear completely.

It is important to have good reliable CFM or CFD software within which you can have substantial confidence relative to the physics of the process. Then you can accomplish a lot of virtual testing on the computer, before committing that design change to expensive real experimental testing and equipment costs. This saves you much time and money, as well as providing a better quality end product.

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Last modified: February, 2013
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