CFD Modeling of Liquid-Liquid Batch-Stirred Tank at High Organic to Aqueous Phase Ratios

In the present work, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed for liquid-liquid dispersion in a batch mixer. The minimum mixing speed for complete dispersion, flow field, and local holdup distribution for two-phase mixing in the batch mixer is modeled at high organic to aqueous phase ratios. A two-phase Euler-Euler model combined with the k-e turbulence model was used. The CFD model was validated by UVP measurements and with experimental observation. The predicted minimum mixing speed for complete dispersion by simulations was nearly the same as that for experiments with an average absolute relative error of 7-10%. It was found that impeller type, speed, and the liquid system significantly affect the flow field.