Simulating hydrodynamics in a Rushton turbine at different stirring velocities applied to non-Newtonian fluids. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gelves, G
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 1587(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: Physics -- Congresses; 530.5
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/1587/1/012012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6588

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, gas-liquid hydrodynamics of a Rushton turbine was studied using Computational Fluid Dynamics. Different stirring conditions commonly used in fungal culture applications are simulated. Several scenarios are predicted related to gas-liquid mass transfer limitation. The above, reflected by low air dispersion reached and bubble size determinations caused by the non-Newtonian rheology, leading the process to obtain kL a values only in the order of 30 h −1 at high, stirring speeds. However, the high-power consumption in fungal culture in agitated tank bioreactors can be disadvantages in large-scale prototypes applied in non-Newtonian fluids. These Findings shown in this research should be considered as a primary criterion for optimizing mass transfer problems in large scale fungal culture applications.