Biphasic computational fluid dynamics modelling of the mixture in an agricultural sprayer tank

Badules, Jorge ; Vidal, Mariano (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Boné, Antonio (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Gil, Emilio ; García-Ramos, F. Javier (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Agitation inside agricultural sprayer tanks can be studied while using an international standard procedure, based on obtaining internal samples of liquid. However, in practice, this test is not easy to perform. Herein, we propose the explicit study of the mixing procedure with biphasic computer simulations using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). An experimental test was performed on a 3000 L tank of a commercial air-assisted sprayer, with two different agitation system configurations, in order to compare the results of several theoretical physical models of biphasic flows for CFD, both Eulerian and Lagrangian. From the analysis of these theoretical models, we conclude that the Volume of Fluid model is not viable and the Discrete Phase Model produces erroneous results, while the Eulerian and Mixture models can both be useful. However, the results obtained suggest that complex streams generated by real-world agitation systems produce more errors in calculations. Both models can be conducted in the design phase, prior to the implementation of the machine. In addition, the computer simulations allow for researchers to analyse the mixing process in detail, making it possible to evaluate the efficiency of an agitation system according to the time that is required to reach mixture homogeneity.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081870

Año: 2020

Publicado en: Molecules 25, 8 (2020), 1870 [15 pp.]
ISSN: 1420-3049

Factor impacto JCR: 4.411 (2020)

Categ. JCR: CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY rank: 63 / 178 = 0.354 (2020) - Q2 - T2
Categ. JCR: BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY rank: 116 / 297 = 0.391 (2020) - Q2 - T2

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.782 - Analytical Chemistry (Q1) - Chemistry (miscellaneous) (Q1) - Drug Discovery (Q1) - Physical and Theoretical Chemistry (Q1) - Molecular Medicine (Q1) - Organic Chemistry (Q1) - Pharmaceutical Science (Q1) - Medicine (miscellaneous) (Q1)

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Area Ingeniería Agroforestal (Dpto. CC.Agrar.y Medio Natural)
Área (Departamento): Área Ingeniería Mecánica (Dpto. Ingeniería Mecánica)
Área (Departamento): Área Expresión Gráfica en Ing. (Dpto. Ingeniería Diseño Fabri.)