BK1-18 A Parametric Study of Entrainment Using CFD Simulations

K. J. Farrell

2022; rev 09/2023

Accurate prediction of kettle entrainment is crucial for sizing kettles effectively, reducing equipment cost, and increasing column efficiency. Operating experience has informed the development of simple sizing rules. Two-phase CFD models can compute the amount of entrainment directly from the governing equations of motion. Two computational approaches are demonstrated: one uses an Eulerian-Lagrangian model, and the other uses an Eulerian multiphase model. The results indicate that Xist^® accounts well for the elevated froth height in the CFD results. Trends with nozzle position and kettle diameter are as expected, but increased nozzle diameter exacerbated entrainment.