(368e) Deconstruction of Mixing Processes Using Computational Fluid Dynamics and Z-Transform
AIChE Annual Meeting
2018
2018 AIChE Annual Meeting
North American Mixing Forum
The Use of CFD and Analysis Tools in Understanding of Mixing Processes
Tuesday, October 30, 2018 - 2:10pm to 2:35pm
By the conventional approach, continuous-flow mixing processes are typically modeled as ideal continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR) or plug-flow reactors (PFR), or combinations thereof. Real mixing processes, however, do not conform perfectly to the CSTR and PFR paradigm. In order to optimize real mixing processes or to troubleshoot problematic ones, it is desirable to transcend beyond the CSTR and PFR blackbox approach and describe the dynamic behavior of the nonideal mixing processes more accurately. In this presentation we extend our previous work on combining CFD and z-transform and demonstrate how one can deconstruct nonideal mixing processes into networks of smaller and simpler mixing and transport processes. The result allows us to identify and construct practical mathematical models that capture localized phenomena such as compartmentalization and short-circuiting in nonideal mixing processes.