Simulations of agitated dilute non-Newtonian suspensions

• Author / Creator

  Sekyi, Elorm

• Particle distribution and settling in suspensions with non-Newtonian liquids agi-
  tated with a Rushton turbine in a lab-scale tank have been studied. The rheology
  of the non-Newtonian liquids can be described by the power-law, Bingham and
  Herschel-Bulkley fluid models. The dynamics of the dispersed phase – settling
  particles (size 0.65mm) is modeled by a Lagrangian tracking approach while the
  liquid phase is resolved by the lattice-Boltzmann method.
  Qualitative insight emerging from exploration of shear-thinning/thickening, New-
  tonian, yield-stress fluid models at Reynolds number, Re=6 × 103 , 8.5 × 103 and
  1.25 × 104 indicate that bottom particle concentration is highest in power-law liq-
  uids than in Newtonian; while yield stress fluids had more uniform particle con-
  centration and least bottom concentration. Also, turbulent kinetic energy and vis-
  cous dissipation are highest in the Newtonian liquid. Extra viscous diffusion due
  to fluctuating non-Newtonian viscosity in the turbulent kinetic energy equation
  attributes to these differences.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Non-Newtonian suspension, agitation, stirred tank

• Graduation date

  Fall 2009

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3663X

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.