Dynamics of Lagrangian Sensor Particles: The Effect of Non-Homogeneous Mass Distribution

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Ryan Rautenbach - , Hamburg University of Technology (Author)
  • Sebastian Hofmann - , Hamburg University of Technology (Author)
  • Lukas Buntkiel - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Jan Schäfer - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Sebastian Felix Reinecke - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Marko Hoffmann - , Hamburg University of Technology (Author)
  • Uwe Hampel - , Chair of Imaging Techniques in Energy and Process Engineering (with HZDR), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Michael Schlüter - , Hamburg University of Technology (Author)

Abstract

The growing demand for bio-pharmaceuticals necessitates improved methods for the characterization of stirred tank reactors (STRs) and their mixing heterogeneities. Traditional Eulerian measurement approaches fall short, culminating in the use of Lagrangian Sensor Particles (LSPs) to map large-scale STRs and track the lifelines of microorganisms such as Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. This study investigates the hydrodynamic characteristics of LSPs, specifically examining the effects that the size and position of the Center of Mass (CoM) have on their flow-following capabilities. Two Lagrangian Particle (LP) designs are evaluated, one with the CoM and a Geometric Center aligned, and another with a shifted CoM. The experimental study is conducted in a rectangular vessel filled with deionized water featuring a stationary circular flow. Off-center LPs exhibit higher velocities, an increased number of floor contacts, and moreover, a less homogeneous particle probability of presence within the vessel compared to LPs with CoM and Geometric Center aligned. Lattice Boltzmann Large Eddy Simulations provide complementary undisturbed fluid velocity data for the calculation of the Stokes number (Formula presented.). Building upon these findings, differences in the Stokes number (Formula presented.) between the two LP variants of (Formula presented.) = 0.01 (25 mm LP) and (Formula presented.) = 0.13 (40 mm LP) are calculated, highlighting the difference in flow behavior. Furthermore, this study offers a more representative calculation of particle response time approach, as the traditional Stokes number definition does not account for non-homogeneous particles, resulting in an alternative Stokes number ((Formula presented.) = 0.84 (25 mm LP) and (Formula presented.) = 2.72 (40 mm LP)). This study contributes to the improved characterization of STRs through the use of Lagrangian Sensor Particles. Results highlight the implications the internal mass distribution has on LSP design, offering crucial considerations for researchers in the field.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number1617
JournalProcesses
Volume12
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • flow following, Lagrangian Sensor Particles, mixing heterogeneities, non-homogeneous particles, stirred tank reactors, stokes number