CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF HYDRODYNAMICS AND TRANSFER OF MASS IN STIRRED TANK REACTORS THROUGH A GLOBAL APPROACH AND LOCAL IN GAS-LIQUID SYSTEMS

Abstract

Stirred tanks have historically been used in the biotechnological, food and chemical industries. In Cuba constitutes the type of reactor used par excellence for most productions, both biotechnological and chemical, of hence the importance of continuing to delve into basic research on this type of reactor. The main function of stirring is to speed up the processes of heat and mass transfer, which is achieved by introduction of energy into the fluid volume by rotation of the impeller and conversion of this energy into hydrodynamic motion. That is why a detailed understanding of hydrodynamics (velocity fields, turbulence, turbulent kinetic energy dissipation velocity distribution, etc.) is essential for the synthesis of the processes to be carried out in stirred tanks. For example, studies of turbulent energy dissipation in stirred tanks, especially in the impeller region and in the discharge region of the latter, are necessary to advance the understanding of mixing phenomena such as the formation of dispersions of bubbles and therefore in the synthesis of fermentation processes aerobic and gas-liquid reactions, among others.