Flow and particle motion in scraped heat exchanger crystallizers

Turbulent fluid flow and related solid particle behaviour in the direct vicinity of the heat exchanging (HE) surface of a scraped heat exchanger crystallizer was studied. The liquid flow is visualized by dye injection and the particles are monitored directly for two types of commonly used scraper geometries. In conjunction with this experimental work, we performed direct numerical simulations of the two-phase (solid–liquid) flow system. Our main goal is the design of scraper geometries that enhance heat transfer by perturbing the thermal boundary layer, and effectively scrape off particles that nucleate, grow and adhere onto the HE surface. Also the turbulent flow generated by the moving scrapers should direct the particles into the bulk of the tank. The experiments and simulations show good qualitative resemblance which enables the design of scrapers based primarily on numerical predictions.