Energetic efficiency of mixing in a periodically reoriented Dean flow

Abstract

The energetic efficiency of mixing is studied numerically in a continuous flow mixer constructed from a sequence of alternately twisted pipe bends. Counter-rotating vortices present in the curved channels and known as Dean vortices narrow the distribution of the residence time of fluid elements and accelerate the generation of a new material surface without obstructing the main flow and increasing the risk of fouling or flow stoppage. Cyclic twisting of the pipe curvature allows for quick reorientation of Dean vortices. The reorientation induces chaotic advection in a stable three-dimensional flow and speeds up mixing. The effect of computational domain discretisation for the low and medium Reynolds numbers (20 < Re < 2000 ) on the head loss, primary and secondary flow, residence time distribution, and the energetic efficiency of generation of the inter material surface is determined. The energetic efficiency is calculated in the time space, a standard approach in modelling reactive micromixing, and at the reactor exit. The maximum energetic efficiency is determined for Re ≈ 600 ÷ 700. It is also found that the initial orientation of the material surface to the pipe curvature has a significant impact on the energetic efficiency of mixing.