A rapid method for flow pattern, mixing time estimation and turbulent dissipation rates in turbulent stirred mixers based on 2-D network-of-zones (NoZ) model

A rapid non-iterative method for estimating flow patterns in stirred vessels in fully turbulent regime was defined and evaluated starting from limited known data near the core regions based on the 2-D network-of-zone (NoZ) model. Flow pattern induced by impeller of arbitrary diameter could be generated non-iteratively from known NoZ data with impeller of same type but another diameter, before mixing time was estimated within minutes on a standard PC. Case studies on six different impeller diameter and types representing typical radial flow impellers and axial flow impellers respectively was presented, errors of mixing time predicted in which were all within a maximum of +/- 33% compared to mixing time predicted via experimental correlation. A rapid method for estimating turbulent dissipation rate profiles were also introduced and evaluated quantitatively.