Bubble distribution and mass transfer by experiments and flow field characteristics by CFD simulation in a self-rotating hydraulic stirring tank driven with multi-nozzle jets

Luo Denghan; Chen Xiaopeng; Zhang Zhongyao; Jin Yong; Liang Jiezhen; Tong Zhangfa; Wang Linlin

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Bubble distribution and mass transfer by experiments and flow field characteristics by CFD simulation in a self-rotating hydraulic stirring tank driven with multi-nozzle jets

Updated：2026-09-17

- Bubble distribution and mass transfer by experiments and flow field characteristics by CFD simulation in a self-rotating hydraulic stirring tank driven with multi-nozzle jets
- Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol. 95, Issue 7, Pages: 328-346(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Resource Processing and Process Intensification Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
  Guangxi Huayi Energy Chemical Co., Ltd., Qinzhou 535000, China
- Author bio：
  
  *Corresponding author. E-mail address:wanglinlin@gxu.edu.cn(L. Wang).
- Funds：
- DOI：
  CLC：
- Received：07 January 2026，
  
  Revised：2026-03-05，
  
  Accepted：10 March 2026，
  
  Online First：20 April 2026，
  
  Published：2026-07
- Accepted：
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Luo Denghan, Chen Xiaopeng, Zhang Zhongyao, et al. Bubble distribution and mass transfer by experiments and flow field characteristics by CFD simulation in a self-rotating hydraulic stirring tank driven with multi-nozzle jets[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2026, 95(7): 328-346.
DOI：

Luo Denghan, Chen Xiaopeng, Zhang Zhongyao, et al. Bubble distribution and mass transfer by experiments and flow field characteristics by CFD simulation in a self-rotating hydraulic stirring tank driven with multi-nozzle jets[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2026, 95(7): 328-346. DOI：

摘要

Abstract

Gas—liquid mixing and mass transfer in jet-driven tanks are crucial for multiphase systems. However

the understanding of these devices remains limited. Herein

a novel self-rotating hydraulic agitator with a semi-circular

multi-nozzle

and multi-layer jet design was integrated into a tank. High-speed imaging and dynamic gassing-in were used to characterize the bubbles and measure the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (

). The hydraulic stirring tank generated self-rotating vortices and strong shear forces

promoting bubble break-up compared to a mechanical stirring tank

reducing the Sauter mean diameter (

) by 25%—40%

increasing the deformation rate (Ē) by 7%—8%

and enhancing

by 20%—45%. Higher gas and liquid rates intensified the flow disturbances and gas—liquid contact. Appropriate baffles suppress circulation and vortex cores while enhancing local turbulence. The counter-directional configuration of the hydraulic agitator and gas distributor enhanced radial flow and shear interactions

generating smaller

more spherical bubbles that decreased

by 4%—8%

increased the Ē by 4%—5.5%

and improved

by 3%—11%. The effect of pulsed intake mode on gas—liquid mass transfer was investigated

and no observable enhancement was observed under the tested conditions. Computational fluid dynamics(CFD)simulations were conducted to investigate the flow field and turbulence interaction. These findings reveal that the mechanisms enhancing tank performance include self-rotating vortices

high-velocity shear

multi-zone flow coupling

and gas—liquid interactions

thereby providing valuable insights for optimizing both the tank structure and agitator design of fluid-jet-driven apparatuses.

关键词

Keywords

references

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