Pergamon Chemical Engineering Science, Vol. 51, No. 11, pp.

2637-2642, 1996
CopyrightO 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd
Printedin Great Britain.Allrights re~rvod
0009-2509/96 $15.00 + 0.00

S0009-2509(96)00129-7

T O W A R D S B E T T E R M I X I N G P R O T O C O L S BY D E S I G N I N G S P A T I A L L Y
PERIODIC FLOWS: THE CASE OF A JET MIXER

V.V. Ranade
Chemical Engineering Division, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411 008, India.

Abstract - The flow patterns and mixing in a jet agitated vessel were investigated using a
computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model. Turbulent flow in a cylindrical vessel, agitated by one
or two side entering, horizontal jets was simulated using standard k-c model of turbulence. The
predicted results are compared with the published experimental data. The fluid dynamic model of a
jet mixer was further used to ca~mputationallyinvestigate the possibili.tyof applying external spatially
periodic perttabations on jets (in the form of alternating jets) to enhance the mixing performance of
the jet mixers. The computationalmodel and results presented here will be useful for evolving better
mixing protocols (by manipulating the sequence and fi-equencyof alternating jets).

INTRODUCTION

Jet mixing is frequently employed in the process industry as an alternative to impeller mixing. In jet
mixers, a fast-moving stream of liquid (jet) is injected into a slow moving or stationary liquid (bulk liquid).
The velocity difference between the jet and bulk liquid creates a mixing layer at the jet boundary. This
boundary layer grows in the direction of jet flow, entraining and mixing bulk liquid into the jet. Commonly
encountered jet mixed tanks use a single jet with constant mean flow. The conventional design approach is
often based on empirical correlations (Revill, 1992) and is not able to represent the complexities of the
turbulent mixing in adequate detail.
The mechanism of turbulent mixing is complex and involves interactions between wide ranges of length
scales. A computational model which can predict the detailed fluid dynamics of jet mixers and allow design
engineer to evaluate different configurations of the jet mixer ~11 be very useful. The CFD model of a jet
mixer not only allows the design engineer to make a detailed parametric study but also allows one to test
some innovative ideas and modes of operations to evolve an optimum mixer design.
The problem of mixer design is essentially to devise suitable flow patterns in the vessel to realise the
most efficient mixing. Recently, effectiveness of spatially periodic flows for mixing have been demonstrated
for the low Reynolds number, laminar flows (Jana et al., 1994; Raynal and Gence, 1995). However, the role
of such unsteady, spatially periodic flows on mixing in turbulent flows has not been properly understood. It
may be possible to trigger and control such unsteady, large scale flow structures by externally imposing
spatially periodic perturbations (in the form of alternating jets for the case of jet mixer). If such spatially
periodic flows are found to enhance performance of jet mixers, it will open up entirely new possibilities for
evolving an optimum mixing protocol (a sequence of alternating jets).
Recently, Simon and Fonade (1993) have experimentally investigated the mixing performance of two
steady and unsteady jets. However, the results were presented in the form of empirical correlations. In this
paper we present a computational model for simulating jet mixers agitated with steady or alternating jets. Our
aim here is to bring out the general features of mixing in vessels agitated by jets and to examine the potential
of spatially periodic flows for enhancing the rates of turbulent mixing. The model can be used to screen
various alternatives to identify the most promising mixing protocol. This work will constitute a first step in
building a comprehensive design tool to optimise jet mixers. The model presented in this paper will have
direct implications for designing jet mixers and jet reactors.

2637
2638 V.V. RANADE
MATHEMATICAL MODEL
Almost all of the published studies on jet mixers use one, steady jet and represent experimental data on
mixing time in the form of empirical correlations. The recent study by Simon and Fonade (1993) considered
a case of mixing in a cylindricalvessel agitated by jets entering through the cylindrical wall. They considered
different configurations like mixing with one steady jet, two steady jets and alternating jets in their study.
Therefore, we have selected their configuration to validate our computational model of a jet mixer. The flow
in a cylindrical vessel with two inlets through side walls and outlet through the bottom wall (as shown in
Figure la) was simulated using a standard k-~ model. The geometrical parameters were set from the
experimental set-up of Simon and Fonadc (1993). The diameter (and height) of the vessel was set to 0.49 m.
The jets enter the vessel horizontally and were located at distances of I-I/3 and 2H/3 from the vessel bottom.
The density and molecular viscosity of the fluid were set to 1000 kg/m3 and 0.0009 Pa.s respectively.
The basic governing equations for transport of momentum and turbulence quantities were solved over
a body-fitted grid system. The c o ~ c i a l computational fluid dynamic code FLUENT (of Fluent Inc., USA)
was used as a solver. The body-fitted grids were generated using the preBFC code (of Fluent Inc., USA).
Grid distribution in constant I and K planes is shown in Figure lb and lc. In all 60648 computational cells
were used (28x38x57 in I, J and K directions respectively) in the simulations. Grids were clustered near the
inlets and outlets for better resolution. The effective diameter of the inlets (each comprising four cell faces)
was 0.0115 m and that of the outlet was 0.017 m Except the inlets and outlet, all the boundaries of the
solution domain were defined as walls. Standard wall functions were used to specify boundary conditions near
the wall.
The mixing in the vessel was simulated using the conventional turbulent diffusivity framework as:

c3t c3x, - ~ "~t'~xi) (1)

where vt is turbulent momentum diffusivity and a t is turbulent Schmidt number (which was set to unity). A
blob of tracer was introduced in the region between the two jets at the initiation of the mixing calculations.
The mixing time is defined as the time required to attain the specified degree of homogeneity within the
vessel. To eliminate the possible influence of monitoring locations, in this work we have defined the mixing
time, Tm~,as the time required to increase the dimensionless minimum tracer concentration (CmJC~nd)in the
vessel above 0.85 (Ranade et al., 1991).

L
Ca) Co) (e)

Figure 1: (a) Solutiondomain Co)Grid (I=l plane) (c) Grid (K=I plane)
 Towards better mixing protocols 2639

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The mixing time was found to be directly correlated to the Reynolds number or the momentum of the jet
(Revill, 1992 and Simon and Fonade, 1993). Preliminary simulations were carried out to identify the
adequacy of time step, differencing scheme and turbulence models used in the present work. For each time
step, iterations were carried out till the normalised residue of species equation falls below 0.001. These
studies indicated that the reduction of time step below 0.05 s has no significant influence on the predicted
mixing time. Therefore for all the subsequent mixing simulations, time step of 0.05 s was used. The use of
second order differencing scheme for the flow, computations did not show significant influence on the
predicted mixing time (<6%). This may be because the mixing is mainly controlled by convection and not
by turbulent dispersion (Ranade et al., 1991). The use of RNG version ofk-e model lead to 13% lower value
of the predicted mixing time than that obtained with the standard k-e model. This difference is also well
within the scatter in the reported experimental data (Simon and Fonade, 1993). Therefore in all the
subsequent computations, standard k-e model and first order upwind method was used to reduce CPU
requirements.
Additional set of simulations was carried out to predict the observed trends of the mixing time in jet
mixers. The model correctly predicts the observed variation of mixing time as inversely proportional to the
jet velocity. Since the main objective of the present paper is to examine the potential of the spatially periodic
jets, here we restrict the scope of discussion to examine different configurations at just one specific jet
momentum. The relative performance of different configurations will be more or less the same for other
values of jet momentum. From the data reported by Simon and Fonade (1993), we have selected the case with
specific jet momentum, J~ of 5e-4.
Mixing occurs mainly through convection and turbulent dispersion. The incoming jet creates a
recirculating flow within the vessel. The magnitude of this recirculating flow (entrainment of the jet) needs
to be correctly predicted for accurate simulation of mixing in the vessel. The CFD model was used to simulate
the fluid dynamics and mixing for configurations described by Simon and Fonade (1993). The predicted flow
field for these configurations are shown in the form of vector plots and iso-surface plots of velocity
magnitude in Figure 2 (A: lower jet, B: upper jet, C: both jets). We have also simulated the case of a jet
entering from the bottom of the vessel, which was not studied by them. These results are also shown in Figure
2 (D: bottom jet).
The plot of dimensionless minimum tracer concentration versus time for different jet configurations is
shown in Figure 3. It can be seen that the mixing performances of different jet configurations are almost the
same (because of small difference, the cun'es in Figure 3 are not labelled). The vertical arrow in Figure 3
indicates the value of the mixing time calculated from the correlation of Simon and Fonade (1993). Thus the
overall mixing time predicted based o.n CFD model agrees very well with the results of Simon and Fonade
(1993). The range of mixing time values calculated using various correlations compiled by Revill (1992) is
also shown in Figure 3 by the horizontal arrow. Thus the present computational model seems to adequately
capture the main features of fluid dynamics and mixing of jet mixers.
Apart from using either one or t~o steady jets, it may be beneficial to operate jet mixers with alternating
jets. The alternating jets will create unsteady flow which will have many similarities with the spatially
periodic flows employed for enhancing laminar mixing (Jana et al., 1994). The experimental study of Simon
and Fonade (1993) however does nat show a reduction in mixing time for the alternating jets (they have
recommended the same correlation for steady or alternating jets). Though the overall mixing time is almost
the same for altemating and steady jet ;, the initial dispersion of tracer might be very different for steady and
alternating jets. In many practical situations, quick initial dispersion is more crucial than the overall mixing
time. The computational model developed here will be very useful to evaluate the performance of different
configurations for such initial dispersion of tracer.
We have simulated the mixing by altemating jet configurations (sequence: ACAC...) used by Simon and
Fonade (1993) at two different freouencies. A computational model presented here can be very useful to
screen alternative protocols to evolv.2 the most promising option. To illustrate this, we have simulated two
additional mixing protocols (sequences: ACBCACBC... and ADAD...) which were not studied earlier. The
preliminary unsteady fluid d)aaamic simulations indicated that the transition time between these patterns (A,
B or C) is very small compared to the mixing time. Therefore, fluid dynamic equations were not solved in
the unsteady mode. The unsteady mixing simulations were carried out using each pattern for a specific time,
T s.
2040 V. Vo RANADI~

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Figure 3: Predicted profile of dimensionless minimum concentration (Cmin/Cend)

(a) Lower jet (steady) (b) Both jets (steady)
(c) ACBC ..... (d) ADAD ......
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Figure 4: Iso-surface plots of tracer concentration of (0.01C~.d) after 4 seconds

(a,b,c,d denote same configurations described in Figure 3)

IMI
2642 V.V. RANADE
The mixing performance with alternating jets (sequence: ACAC...) was simulated for two values of Ts, 1 s
and 2 s. The predicted profile of minimum tracer concentration for both of these cases is almost the same as
that of steady jet configurations discussed earlier. Simon and Fonade (1993) also report similar findings in
their experimental study. The initial tracer dispersion is also almost the same as in the steady case (curves
a and c in the inset of Figure 3) and less efficient than the case of two steady jets (curve b in the inset of
Figure 3). The predicted results for the two additional protocols studied (sequences: ACBCACBC... and
ADAD...) are also shown in Figure 3. It can be seen that the last sequence ADAD... is most efficient (curve
d in the inset of Figure 3) in initial dispersion of tracer though the overall mixing time is almost the same. The
better insight can be gained by examining the iso-surface plots of tracer concentration. For this purpose, a
sheet of tracer was introduced in the middle of the vessel as shown in Figure la. The iso-surface plots of
tracer concentration (0.01C~t) at 4 s are shown in Figure 4. It can be seen that the performance of two steady
jets and of the sequence ADAD.. is better than one steady jet or the alternating jet sequence ACBC... The
performance of the two steady jets may be better because of higher total flow rate (at same specific jet
momentum, the total flow rate of two steady jets is 35% more than that of one steady jet). The alternating jets
flowing in the same direction do not seem to enhance mixing. However, alternating jets flowing in different
directions (as in ADAD..) enhance initial dispersion of tracer.
The detailed scrutiny of such results will give clues for evolving better alternating sequences. It should
be noted here that the parameter space for identifying better mixing protocols is very wide and the cases
considered here is a very small sample of these possibilities. It is also essential to understand the interaction
between turbulent diffusivity, alternating sequence and alternating frequency, which controls the mixing
performance. This work is in progress and will be reported later.

CONCLUSIONS
A computational model is developed to simulate mixing in a jet agitated cylindrical vessel. The predicted
results of the mixing time agree with published experimental data for different jet configurations. The
computational model was used to examine the potential of spatially, periodic flows (alternating jets) for
enhancing mixing in cylindrical vessels. It was found that the presence of spatially periodic flows does not
always lead to the reduction in mixing time. The alternating jets flowing in different directions are more
efficient in the initial dispersion of tracer than the steady jets. There is a scope to enhance the mixing
performance by appropriate selection of frequency and sequence (mixing protocol). The model presented here
will be useful to identify and evolve better mixing protocols.

NOTATION
Aj Area of inlet jet, m 2
Cmin Minimum tracer concentration
Ce.d Tracer concentration after complete mixing
g Gravitational constant, m2/s
Js Specific jet momentum, AjVj2/Vg
t Time, s
T~ Mixing time, s
U Velocity, m/s
V Tank volume, m 3
X Coordinate direction, m
Tracer concentration

REFERENCES
Jana, S.C., Tjahjadi, M. and Ottino, JM., 1994, Chaotic mixing of viscous fluids by periodic changes in
geometry: baffled cavity flow, AIChEJ, 40, 1769-1781.
Ranade, V.V., Bourne, JR. and Joshi, JB., 1991, Fluid mechanics and blending in agitated tanks, Chem.
Eng. Sci., 46, 1883-1893.
Raynal, F. and Gence, J.N., 1995, Efficient stirring in planar, time-periodic laminar flows, Chem. Eng. Sci.,
50, 631-640.
Revill, B.K., 1992, Jet mixing, in 'Mixing in the process industries', Ed. Harnby, N., Edwards, M.F., Nienow,
A.W., 2nd edition, Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd., Oxford.
Simon, M. and Fonade, C., 1993, Experimental study,of mixing performances using steady and unsteady jets,
Can. J. Chem. Eng., 71,507-513.