A computer vision approach towards verifying CFD models of stirred tank reactors

Calum Fyfe, Henry Barrington, Charles M. Gordon, Marc Reid*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Mixing is one of the most important nonchemical considerations in the design of scalable processes. While noninvasive imaging approaches to deliver a quantifiable understanding of mixing dynamics are well-known, the use of imaging to verify computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models remains in its infancy. Herein, we use colorimetric reactions and our kinetic imaging software, Kineticolor, to explore (i) the correlation of imaging kinetics with pH probe measurements, (ii) feed point sensitivity for Villermaux-Dushman-type competing parallel reactions, and (iii) the use of experimental imaging kinetic data to qualitatively assess CFD models. We report further evidence that the influences of the stirring rate, baffle presence, and feed position on mixing in a tank reactor can be informatively captured with a camcorder and help experimentally verify CFD models. Overall, this work advances scarce little precedent in demonstrating the use of computer vision to verify CFD models of fluid flow in tank reactors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3661-3673
Number of pages13
JournalOrganic Process Research and Development
Volume28
Issue number9
Early online date30 Aug 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Sept 2024

Keywords

  • mixing
  • computer vision
  • CFD
  • kinetics
  • imaging

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