CFD-PBM Simulation of Sauter Mean Diameter in a Stirred Sieve-Plate Extraction Column

A computational fluid dynamics-population balance model (CFD-PBM)-coupled simulation method was established to simulate the Sauter mean diameter (d₃₂) in a stirred sieve-plate extraction column with Ansys Fluent 19.2. The droplet breakage and coalescence were considered, and the kernel functions were loaded into Fluent as a user-defined function (UDF). The simulated d₃₂ by different kernels was compared with the experimental values, and the results showed that the modified model considering the dispersed phase viscosity has better simulation accuracy and good applicability. In addition, the effects of different operating conditions on d₃₂ were investigated. When the stirring speed is increased, d₃₂ decreases. As the dispersed phase flow rate increases, d₃₂ increases, while the change in the continuous phase flow rate does not have a significant impact on d₃₂.