Evaluation of turbulence models for transitional-regime flows in a stirred tank equipped with a wide-blade hydrofoil
Abstract
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) prediction of stirred-tank flows in the transitional regime remains challenging due to the coexistence of coherent impeller-driven structures, weak turbulence and strong sensitivity to operating conditions. This study evaluates turbulence-modelling strategies for Newtonian flow in a baffled stirred tank equipped with a wide-blade hydrofoil impeller. Simulations spanning laminar, transitional and fully turbulent regimes are performed using a laminar model, the generalised -(GEKO) Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) model, Stress-Blended Eddy Simulation (SBES) and a modified SBES formulation with a fixed RANS-LES blending distance (SBES-FBD). Predictions are validated against time-resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) data using mean velocity fields, turbulence kinetic energy and Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD). For the impeller-tank combination considered here, the laminar model is valid only at low Reynolds number (Re < 50), while GEKO systematically underpredicts turbulence in the transitional regime (simulated for 150 < Re <700). Default SBES performs well only at higher transitional and turbulent Reynolds numbers (Re ~35,000), whereas SBES-FBD provides consistent agreement across transitional and turbulent conditions by maintaining sufficient LES activation (150 < Re < 35,000). The results offer clear guidance for CFD model selection in transitional stirred-tank applications.
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BibTeX
@article{wadsley2026evaluation,
title = {{Evaluation of turbulence models for transitional-regime flows in a stirred tank equipped with a wide-blade hydrofoil}},
author = {G.K. Wadsley and D.F. Fletcher and A. Ingram and J. Aubin and W. Rosales Trujillo and M.J.H. Simmons},
journal = {Chemical Engineering Journal},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1016/j.cej.2026.180786},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05850651v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Evaluation of turbulence models for transitional-regime flows in a stirred tank equipped with a wide-blade hydrofoil
AU - G.K. Wadsley
AU - D.F. Fletcher
AU - A. Ingram
AU - J. Aubin
AU - W. Rosales Trujillo
AU - M.J.H. Simmons
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
JO - Chemical Engineering Journal
DO - 10.1016/j.cej.2026.180786
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05850651v1
AB - Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) prediction of stirred-tank flows in the transitional regime remains challenging due to the coexistence of coherent impeller-driven structures, weak turbulence and strong sensitivity to operating conditions. This study evaluates turbulence-modelling strategies for Newtonian flow in a baffled stirred tank equipped with a wide-blade hydrofoil impeller. Simulations spanning laminar, transitional and fully turbulent regimes are performed using a laminar model, the generalised -(GEKO) Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) model, Stress-Blended Eddy Simulation (SBES) and a modified SBES formulation with a fixed RANS-LES blending distance (SBES-FBD). Predictions are validated against time-resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) data using mean velocity fields, turbulence kinetic energy and Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD). For the impeller-tank combination considered here, the laminar model is valid only at low Reynolds number (Re < 50), while GEKO systematically underpredicts turbulence in the transitional regime (simulated for 150 < Re <700). Default SBES performs well only at higher transitional and turbulent Reynolds numbers (Re ~35,000), whereas SBES-FBD provides consistent agreement across transitional and turbulent conditions by maintaining sufficient LES activation (150 < Re < 35,000). The results offer clear guidance for CFD model selection in transitional stirred-tank applications.
SN - 1385-8947
ER -