Computational-fluid-dynamics (CFD) analysis of mixing and gas-liquid mass transfer in shake flasks

Carbonation is a process used to dissolve carbon dioxide gas in a liquid, commonly used in the production of carbonated beverages. Achieving efficient carbonation requires careful control of temperature, pressure, and flow conditions. By adjusting these parameters, carbonation efficiency can be maximized, producing a higher concentration of CO2 in the liquid.
Temperature is a key factor in CO2 solubility. In this case, the CO2 gas and the liquid are cooled to 20°C. Lower temperatures enhance...

Dimensional analysis is a valuable technique in fluid mechanics for simplifying complex problems by reducing them into dimensionless groups. These groups capture the essential relationships between the variables involved, allowing researchers and engineers to analyze fluid flow without dealing with each variable individually. This approach reduces the number of independent variables, allowing for easier analysis and better understanding of physical phenomena.
In fluid mechanics, dimensional...

Two key frameworks are employed to analyze mass, energy, and momentum transfer: the control volume approach and the system approach. These frameworks offer different perspectives, depending on whether the focus is on a specific region in space (control volume approach) or a defined mass of fluid (system approach).
The control volume approach considers a stationary region in space through which fluid flows. This region is bounded by a control surface.  For instance, in the case of water flowing...

Laminar flow occurs when a fluid moves smoothly in parallel layers with minimal mixing and turbulence. In fluid mechanics, ensuring laminar flow within a pipe is essential for precise control of flow characteristics, especially in engineering applications. The key factor in determining whether flow remains laminar is the Reynolds number, a dimensionless quantity that depends on the fluid's velocity, density, viscosity, and the pipe's diameter. A Reynolds number of 2100 or lower indicates...

Couette flow represents the flow of fluid between two parallel plates, with one plate fixed and the other moving with a constant velocity. This configuration allows for a simplified analysis using the Navier-Stokes equations, which govern fluid motion under conditions of viscosity and incompressibility. For Couette flow, the assumptions include a steady, laminar, incompressible flow with a zero-pressure gradient in the flow direction. This flow type is beneficial for understanding shear-driven...

Distillation is a separation technique that takes advantage of the boiling point properties of disparate elements in a mixture. To perform distillation, we begin by heating a miscible mixture of two liquids with a significant difference in boiling points (at least 20°C). As the solution heats up and reaches the bubble point of the more volatile component, some molecules of the more volatile component transition into the gas phase and travel upward into the condenser, which is a glass tube with...