Estudo da mistura de solvente em um tanque de recirculação

Abstract

Solvents are of utmost importance in a wide array of processes, ranging from industrial applications to food production. The selection of pure solvents or solvent mixtures is based on their distinct properties, which directly impact their performance in various applications. The quality and applicability of solvents are inherently intertwined with the mixing process, which encompasses the uniform distribution of components across different liquid phases. To achieve this, agitators and mixers are employed in the production of solvent mixtures. One promising approach for achieving effective mixing involves the use of recirculation tanks, which induce turbulence within the inlet pipeline. A comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving mixing is pivotal for optimizing both efficiency and safety in industrial processes. This study aims to delve into the mixing process of ethyl acetate and ethanol in a recirculation tank, employing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis through the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ software. A variety of geometries and recirculation rates were evaluated to ascertain mixing efficiency, accompanied by an analysis of energy consumption to evaluate process feasibility. Based on the collected data, it was evident that increasing the projection of the inlet jet into the flow enhances both the agitation volume and the solution's mixing. Moreover, elevating the flow velocity results in a more uniform mixture, thereby leading to a higher energy consumption within the system.