Software Platform for Computation Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Mixing and Crystallization in a Stirred Vessel

Mixing and crystallization are strongly influenced by fluid flow and kinetics in a stirred vessel. Computation fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is a powerful tool to predict transient behaviors of such processes. In this study, we developed a software that simplifies procedures such as geometry, meshing, simulation, and preprocessing that occur when using CFD. For the development of this software, C# language was employed for a user-friendly interface with a built-in library, generation of user-defined functions for crystallization kinetics, and a translator to generate script language to invoke FLUENT software. To elucidate applications of the developed software, CDF simulation for mixing in a stirred vessel with four different impellers and scale-up of DTB crystallizer from 500 to 3000 L was executed within the framework of this software. Results of both cases were compared with corresponding references and showed good agreements. Examples showed the benefit of this software in saving time and effort, eventually giving a user more time to focus on problem solving strategies.