Numerical simulation of solid–liquid turbulent flow in a stirred tank with a two-phase explicit algebraic stress model

A two-phase explicit algebraic stress model (EASM) based on an Eulerian–Eulerian approach is developed to simulate solid–liquid turbulent flow in a stirred tank equipped with a Rushton turbine. Such a model is an extension of the EASM used in our previous work for predicting turbulence in single phase stirred tanks. Quantitative comparisons of the two-phase EASM predictions on velocity components, turbulent quantities and solid concentration are conducted with reported experimental data and other predicted results by k–ε models and large eddy simulation (LES) in order to validate our model. The simulation results show that the EASM predictions are in good agreement with experimental data. The two-phase EASM is found to give better predictions than the k–ε–Ap model for two-phase flow, thus possibly an alternative tool for understanding turbulent flows in multiphase stirred tanks.

► We develop a two-phase explicit algebraic stress model (EASM) for solid–liquid flow.
► The two-phase EASM is numerically robust and of economical computational cost.
► The two-phase EASM predictions are in good agreement with experimental data.
► The two-phase EASM can qualitatively describe turbulence modulation.