Comparison of experimental and computational particle trajectories in a stirred vessel

A particle trajectory in a turbulent flow is measured by a 3-dimensional tr acking technique and compared with the pattern calculated by a Lagrangian m odel. The geometry chosen is a standard vessel provided with a Rushton turb ine. First, the flow field is simulated using the commercial Fluent package . The impeller global performance is determined. The dimensionless numbers are calculated: t(c), N-QB N-B. These results are validated by LDV data. Th e numerical particle trajectory is compared to the experimental trajectory, and the reliability of the numerical trajectory is proved. Finally, some n ews tools for analyzing the flow are presented. Useful information is inclu ded in the long particle trajectory, which enables one to compute a probabi lity of presence. The fluid dynamic behavior is visualized by Poincare sect ions.