Simulation Anchor Stirrer

A  simulation of mixing in an anchor stirrer can be carried out using NOGRID points CFD software. The straight anchor stirrer in this case study is a tangentially conveying type, typically used for highly viscous media. The containers used with such agitators often vary in slenderness and bottom geometry. This anchor stirrer has a flat bottom and is therefore suitable only for non-pressurized mixing processes. Containers with a high slenderness ratio, such as in this case study, are generally designed for large volumes. The anchor stirrer does not produce a strong axial conveying effect, as the vessel contents are moved primarily in a tangential direction.

Mixing plays a vital role in the food and chemical industries and is used in processes such as the dispersion of two or more liquid, powdery, or gaseous components, deagglomeration to prevent lump formation, and the homogenization of mixtures. 

Improve product performance and reduce costs

Mixing simulation helps to better understand flow behavior in an agitator, enable rapid optimization of design and operating parameters, and reduce both production and maintenance costs. 

Compute any conceivable agitator geometry with mixing simulation

NOGRID offers a wide range of rheology models including those commonly used in the chemical industry. Its unique capabilities for handling moving parts within the fluid domain allow the simulation of any conceivable agitator geometry and operating modes such as

• rotating and counterwise rotating agitator blades, possibly moving up and down periodically at the same time
• overlapping operation ranges of moving parts as found in twin-screw agitators
• free surfaces at inlets or for different fluid levels or for fast rotating agitators with high centrifugal forces

Benefit from very short computation time

One of the key strengths of NOGRID's meshless CFD software is the rapid preprocessing (no grid generation is required) and its exceptionally short computation times, even for complex moving parts commonly found in agitators.

Capabilities of NOGRID points CFD software

NOGRID combines powerful capabilities for handling free-surface flows and moving parts within the computational domain.  This results in the following advantages:

• computation is in full 3D solving complete Navier-Stokes-Equations
• easy and intuitive setup also for FSI (Fluid-Structure-Interaction) cases
• free definable material properties by equations or curves
• evaluation of the mixing quality
• open or closed domains including inflow and outflow areas (non-batch mode)
• moving of the mixers in any direction