Mixing and axial dispersion in Taylor–Couette flows: the effect of the flow regime

The paper focuses on mixing properties of different Taylor–Couette flow regimes and their consequence on axial dispersion of a passive tracer. A joint approach, relying both on targeted experiments and numerical simulations, has been used to investigate the interaction between the flow characteristics and local or global properties of mixing. Hence, the flow and mixing have been characterized by means of flow visualization and simultaneous PIV (Particle Imaging Velocimetry) and PLIF (Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence) measurements, whereas the axial dispersion coefficient evolving along the successive flow states was investigated thanks to dye Residence Time Distribution measurements (RTD). The experimental results were complemented, for each flow pattern, by Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS), allowing access to 3D information. Both experimental and numerical results have been compared and confirmed the significant effect of the flow structure (axial wavelength of Taylor vortices and azimuthal wavenumber) on axial dispersion

Experimental investigation of mixing and axial dispersion in Taylor–Couette flow patterns

The flow and mixing in a Taylor–Couette device have been characterized by means of simultaneous particle image velocimetry and planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) measurements. Concentration of a passive tracer measurements was used to investigate mixing efficiency for different flow patterns (from steady Taylor vortex flow to modulated wavy vortex flow, MWVF). Taylor–Couette flow is known to evolve toward turbulence through a sequence of flow instabilities. Macroscopic quantities, such as axial dispersion and mixing index, are extremely sensitive to internal flow structures. PLIF measurements show clear evidences of different transport mechanisms including intravortex mixing and tracer fluxes through neighboring vortices. Under WVF and MWVF regimes, intravortex mixing is controlled by chaotic advection, due to the 3D nature of the flow, while intervortex transport occurs due to the presence of waves between neighboring vortices. The combination of these two mechanisms results in enhanced axial dispersion. We show that hysteresis may occur between consecutive regimes depending on flow history, and this may have a significant effect on mixing for a given Reynolds numbe

Experimental study of enhanced mixing induced by particles in Taylor–Couette flows

Local mixing dynamics was recently investigated experimentally in Taylor–Couettesingle-phase flow, thanks to simultaneous Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and PlanarLaser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) techniques. The results highlighted the influence of thesuccessive flow bifurcations and the role of azimuthal wave states on the dispersion of dyeinjected in Taylor–Couette flows.The present work extends this study to two-phase configurations with spherical solidparticles. The respective effect of particle size and concentration on the vortices size andtransition thresholds between the various flow regimes has been examined thanks to flowvisualizations and PIV measurements. These hydrodynamic features have been comple-mented with PLIF experiments, that revealed a drastic enhancement of mixing due to thepresence of particles regardless of the flow regime, highlighting the existence of significantparticle-induced mixing in Taylor–Couette flows

Experimental investigation of mixing efficiency in particle‑laden Taylor–Couette flows

This paper reports on original experimental data of mixing in two-phase Taylor–Couette flows. Neutrally buoyant particles with increasing volume concentration enhance significantly mixing of a passive tracer injected within the gap between two concentric cylinders. Mixing efficiency is measured by planar laser-induced fluorescence coupled to particle image velocimetry to detect the Taylor vortices. To achieve reliable experimental data, index matching of both phases is used together with a second PLIF channel. From this second PLIF measurements, dynamic masks of the particle positions in the laser sheet are determined and used to calculate accurately the segregation index of the tracer concentration. Experimental techniques have been thoroughly validated through calibration and robustness tests. Three particle sizes were considered, in two different flow regimes to emphasize their specific roles on the mixing dynamics

Étude expérimentale et numérique du mélange et de la dispersion axiale dans une colonne à effet Taylor-Couette

Les contacteurs centrifuges, basés sur les écoulements de Taylor-Couette, sont bien adaptés pour la mise en œuvre de réactions chimiques ou biochimiques, y compris en milieu polyphasique. Ils possèdent particulièrement plusieurs propriétés favorables à la mise en œuvre des opérations d'extraction liquide-liquide. Un dispositif expérimental a été conçu avec cette idée en tête. Il est constitué de deux cylindres concentriques avec le cylindre intérieur entraîné en rotation et l'externe fixe. L écoulement de Taylor-Couette se produit dans l espace annulaire entre eux. Il présente la particularité d évoluer vers la turbulence par apparition successive d instabilités. La dispersion axiale ainsi que le mélange, sont extrêmement sensibles à ces structures d écoulement, ce qui rend difficile la modélisation du couplage entre l hydrodynamique et le transfert de matière. Ce point particulier a été étudié expérimentalement et numériquement. L écoulement et le mélange ont été caractérisés par des mesures simultanées de PIV (Vélocimétrie par Imagerie de Particules) et PLIF (Fluorescence Induite par Laser). Les champs de concentration PLIF ont permis d identifier les différents mécanismes de transport intra et inter-vortex. Pour les régimes ondulatoires (WVF et MWVF), le mélange intra-vortex est contrôlé par l advection chaotique, directement lié aux caractéristiques du champ de vitesse, qui confère aux vortex une capacité plus importante à convecter et à étirer les filets de fluide. En revanche, l apparition des vagues brisent les frontières qui séparent les vortex ce qui favorise le transport inter-vortex. La combinaison de ces deux mécanismes contrôle principalement la dispersion axiale. Nous avons également mis en évidence le comportement non monotone des propriétés de mélange en fonction de l histoire de l écoulement. Notamment l état d onde (la longueur d onde axiale et l amplitude de la vague). Nous avons calculé le coefficient de dispersion axiale Dx à l aide des mesures de distribution de temps de séjour (DTS) et de suivi Lagrangien de particules (DNS). Les deux résultats numériques et expérimentaux ont confirmé l effet significatif des structures de l écoulement et de l histoire sur la dispersion axiale.Taylor-Couette flows between two concentric cylinders have great potential applications in chemical engineering. They are particularly convenient for two-phase small scale devices enabling solvent extraction operations. An experimental device was designed with this idea in mind. It consists of two concentric cylinders with the inner one rotating and the outer one fixed. Taylor-Couette flows take place in the annular gap between them, and are known to evolve towards turbulence through a sequence of successive instabilities. Macroscopic quantities, such as axial dispersion and mixing index, are extremely sensitive to these flow structures, which may lead to flawed modelling of the coupling between hydrodynamics and mass transfer. This particular point has been studied both experimentally and numerically. The flow and mixing have been characterized by means of flow visualization and simultaneous PIV (Particle Imaging Velocimetry) and PLIF (Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence) measurements. PLIF visualizations showed clear evidences of different transport mechanisms including intravortex mixing and inter-vortex mixing . Under WVF and MWVF regimes, intra-vortex mixing is controlled by chaotic advection, due to the 3D nature of the flow, while inter-vortex transport occurs due to the presence of waves between neighbouring vortices. The combination of these two mechanisms results in enhanced axial dispersion. We showed that hysteresis may occur between consecutive regimes depending on flow history and this may have a significant effect on mixing for a given Reynolds number. The axial dispersion coefficient Dx evolution along the successive flow states was investigated thanks to dye Residence Time Distribution measurements (RTD) and particle tracking (DNS). Both experimental and numerical results have confirmed the significant effect of the flow structure and history on axial dispersion. Our study confirmed that the commonly used 1-parameter chemical engineering models (e.g. the well-mixed stirred tanks in serie model) are not valid for Taylor-Couette reactors modelling : two parameters are at least required for an efficient description of mixing in Taylor-Couette flows.TOULOUSE-INP (315552154) / SudocSudocFranceF

From passive tracer to bubbles dispersion in Taylor-Couette flows

We investigate dispersion of passive tracer and bubble preferential accumulation in the flow between two concentric cylinders. The dispersive characteristics are analysed for Taylor Vortex Flow, Wavy Vortex Flows and fully Turbulent Taylor-Couette flows. Experiments based on flow visualization, PIV and PLIF measurements are compared to direct numerical simulations of Navier-Stokes equations coupled to Lagrangian tracking of fluid elements and bubbles. In vortical flows, bubble accumulation is driven by a competition between added-mass effect, lift and buoyancy forces. At low to moderate Reynolds numbers, the flow is strongly coherent and bubble accumulation patterns can be predicted theoretically (stability analysis of fixed points). When turbulence sets in, small scale structures enhance dispersion. This complex situation where large-scale coherent structures interact with fine scale turbulence leads to bubble mixing which have been analyzed by numerical simulations. Several distributions of bubbles are observed depending on the respective magnitude of turbulence and buoyancy force

Experimental and numerical investigation on mixing and axial dispersion in Taylor-Couette flow patterns

Taylor-Couette flows between two concentric cylinders have great potential applications in chemical engineering. They are particularly convenient for two-phase small scale devices enabling solvent extraction operations. An experimental device was designed with this idea in mind. It consists of two concentric cylinders with the inner one rotating and the outer one fixed. Moreover, a pressure driven axial flow can be superimposed. Taylor-Couette flow is known to evolve towards turbulence through a sequence of successive hydrodynamic instabilities. Mixing characterized by an axial dispersion coefficient is extremely sensitive to these flow bifurcations, which may lead to flawed modelling of the coupling between flow and mass transfer. This particular point has been studied using experimental and numerical approaches. Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of the flow have been carried out. The effective diffusion coefficient was estimated using particles tracking in the different Taylor-Couette regimes. Simulation results have been compared with literature data and also with our own experimental results. The experimental study first consists in visualizing the vortices with a small amount of particles (Kalliroscope) added to the fluid. Tracer residence time distribution (RTD) is used to determine dispersion coefficients. Both numerical and experimental results show a significant effect of the flow structure on the axial dispersion

Numerical study of conjugate mass transfer from a spherical droplet at moderate Reynolds number

Hydrodynamics and conjugate mass transfer from a spherical droplet at low to moderate Reynolds num- ber have been investigated by direct numerical simulation. The study particularly focuses on the coupling between the internal and external flows, and their respective effects on the resulting mass transfer of a solute under 2D axi-symmetric configuration. The influence of the viscosity, density, and diffusivity ratios (μ∗, ρ∗and D∗ respectively) between the two phases, as well as that of the equilibrium constant k (or Henry’s number) characterizing thermodynamic equilibrium at the interface, has been studied in a range of flow Reynolds numbers relevant for solvent extraction processes (up to Reynolds number 100). The temporal evolution of the Sherwood number has been analyzed and a general correlation is proposed for its steady state regime. Interestingly, simulation results show that correlations available in the literature in the limiting cases k√D∗>11 , referred to as internal and external mass transfer regimes, are not always appropriate in the context of conjugate mass transfer. This limits the use of the addition rule of transfer resistances, which reflects the flux continuity in the double stagnant film model. Indeed, a significant discrepancy is observed under specific configurations, especially at low Péclet number (Pe≤500) where non uniform interface concentration prevails

Reactive transport modelling of carbonate cementation in a deep saline aquifer, the Middle Jurassic Oolithe Blanche Formation, Paris Basin, France.

10 pagesInternational audienceThe Oolithe Blanche Formation (Bathonian, Middle Jurassic) is one of the deep saline aquifers of the Paris Basin in France. The spatial distribution of its reservoir properties (porosity, permeability, tortuosity, etc.) is now better known with relatively homogeneous properties, except for some levels in the central part of the basin, where permeability exhibits higher values. This spatial distribution has been correlated with diagenetic events (variability of cementation) and palaeo-fluid flow circulation phases leading to variable cementation. In this paper, numerical simulations of reactive transport are performed. They provide a preliminary quantitative analysis of the Oolithe Blanche Formation, the type of fluids involved, the duration of fluid flow, and the time required to reduce the primary porosity of the Bathonian sediments by 10% due to cementation. Our results from the reactive transport simulations along a flow line, and a parameter sensitivity analysis suggest that diagenesis processes driven by meteoric water recharge do not exclusively cause the 10% decrease in porosity. Other geochemical and hydrogeologic processes must be involved

A 3D STOCHASTIC MODEL FOR GEOMETRICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PARTICLES IN TWO-PHASE FLOW APPLICATIONS

In this paper a new approach to geometrically model and characterize 2D silhouette images of two-phase flows is proposed. The method consists of a 3D modeling of the particles population based on some morphological and interaction assumptions. It includes the following steps. First, the main analytical properties of the proposed model – which is an adaptation of the Matérn type II model – are assessed, namely the effect of the thinning procedures on the population’s fundamental properties. Then, orthogonal projections of the model realizations are made to obtain 2D modeled images. The inference technique we propose and implement to determine the model parameters is a two-step numerical procedure: after a first guess of the parameters is defined, an optimization procedure is achieved to find the local minimum closest to the constructed initial solution. The method was validated on synthetic images, which has highlighted the efficiency of the proposed calibration procedure. Finally, the model was used to analyze real, i.e., experimentally acquired, silhouette images of calibrated polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) particles. The population properties are correctly evaluated, even when suspensions of concentrated monodispersed and bidispersed particles are considered, hence highlighting the method’s relevance to describe the typical configurations encountered in bubbly flows and emulsions