arXiv subjects

Michael Schlüter

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Schlüter.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Can we live Danckwerts' dream? Mixing Analysis in a Baffled Stirred Tank Reactor Based on 4D-Particle Tracking Experiments

We present an experimental investigation of mixing dynamics within a laboratory-scale 3-liter stirred tank reactor (STR) equipped with two Rushton turbines and three baffles. Using time-resolved, four-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry, we successfully capture trajectories of up to 40,000 tracer particles in the full reactor volume despite obstructions by stirrer and baffles, providing unprecedented time-resolved flow and mixing information. From these Lagrangian data, we analyze velocities, accelerations, and spatial dispersion, revealing anisotropic mixing. By utilizing novel network-based analysis methods on the experimental particle trajectories, we identify coherent fluid compartments that exhibit strong internal mixing but weak exchange with neighboring compartments. We uncover five distinct compartments acting as transport barriers, which have a high impact on substrate distribution in chemical and biochemical processes. Our approach thus realizes and extends early thought experiments from Danckwerts and Levenspiel by providing detailed insight into the behavior of single fluid parcels and Lagrangian mixing withing chemical and biochemical reactors, offering a valuable approach for evaluation and optimization of chemical and biochemical processes. The trajectory data are made freely available to serve as an experimental reference for further research.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2026

Comprehensive Study of 3D Liquid Flow Fields in Additive Manufactured Structures for SMART Reactors Using Large-Scale Vertical Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computational Fluid Dynamics

Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) structures have emerged as a new class of porous materials with variable geometries and favourable transport properties, making them promising for reactor internals in chemical engineering. However, experimental data on internal TPMS flow behaviour are still limited. To address this gap, the flow behaviour in additively manufactured TPMS structures is analysed using three-dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) velocimetry in a large-bore vertical 3 T MRI system, in cylindrical columns of 38 mm diameter and Reynolds numbers between 50 and 300. Three different TPMS geometries are investigated, and consistency between Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and experimentally measured MRI velocity fields is established through cross-validation. The MRI system provides fully three-dimensional velocity fields with a divergence deviation below 6 %. MRI revealed distinct flow features: the Gyroid TPnS exhibited pronounced channelling, while the Schwarz-Diamond TPSf showed merge-split behaviour, achieving a 46 % increase in lateral mixing compared to the Gyroid TPnS structures. Numerical simulations reproduce the flow features and show agreement with the MRI data. The combined methodology demonstrates the suitability of MRI velocimetry for the experimental validation of CFD simulations and establishes a robust foundation for future studies of heat and mass transfer, as well as reactive flow, in structured reactor systems.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2025

Reproducibility of Large Eddy Simulations for mixing in stirred tank reactors

CFD simulations are widely used to quantify mixing performance of stirred tanks, for various applications in chemical engineering and biotechnology. Due to advances in GPU computing, more and more often these simulations make use of Large Eddy Simulations (LES), which explicitly simulate the dynamics of large-scale turbulence. Although these simulations are fully deterministic and hence theoretically reproducible, small numerical variations induced by round-off errors combined with differences in distribution and order of operations in parallel computing lead to separation of trajectories, i.e. different flowfield evolutions and different mixing times between repeat simulations, even on the same architecture. We investigate the impact of repeat simulations on the mixing time distribution observed in a $30 \liter$ stirred vessel with two commercial CFD packages, and compare to experimental variability. While the distribution between simulations and experiments is in very good agreement, we do conclude confidence intervals should be reported for CFD simulations of mixing.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2025

Wireless and passive pressure detection using magneto-mechanical resonances in process engineering

A custom-developed magneto-mechanical resonator (MMR) for wireless pressure measurement is investigated for potential applications in process engineering. The MMR sensor utilises changes in the resonance frequency caused by pressure on a flexible 3D printed membrane. The thickness of the printed membrane plays a crucial role in determining the performance and sensitivity of MMRs, and can be tailored to meet the requirements of specific applications. The study includes static and dynamic measurements to determine the pressure sensitivity and temporal resolution of the sensor. The results show a minimum sensitivity of $0.06~\text{Hz mbar}^{-1}$ and are in agreement with theoretical calculations and measurements. The maximum sensor readout frequency is $2~\text{Hz}$ in this study. Additionally, the temperature dependence of the sensor is investigated, revealing a significant dependence of the resonance frequency on temperature. The developed MMR offers a promising and versatile method for precise pressure measurements in process engineering environments.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2021

Simultaneous 2D and 3D turbulent flows in Faraday Waves

In nature turbulent flows exist that are neither simply 2D nor 3D but boundary conditions, such as varying stratification, force them towards the one or the other. Here, we report the first evidence of the co-existence of 2D and 3D turbulence in an experimental flow driven by Faraday waves in water. We find that an inverse energy cascade at the fluid surface and a direct energy cascade in the 3D bulk flow underneath exist simultaneously. We base our analysis on temporally and spatially well-resolved velocity fields measured at horizontal and vertical planes. The findings suggest that the strongly turbulent 2D surface flow drives the 3D bulk flow through sporadic vertical jets as a source of momentum.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2020

Measurements of Sub-Surface Velocity Fields in Quasi-2D Faraday Flow

Faraday waves are capillary ripples that form on the surface of a fluid being subject to vertical shaking. Although it is well known that the form and shape of the waves pattern depend on driving amplitude and frequency, only recent studies discovered the existence of a horizontal velocity field at the surface, called Faraday flow, which exhibits attributes of two-dimensional turbulence. However, despite the increasing attention towards the inverse energy flux in the Faraday flow and other not strictly two-dimensional systems, very little is known about the velocity fields developing beneath the fluid surface. In this study planar velocity fields are measured by means of particle image velocimetry (PIV) with high spatial and temporal resolution on the water surface and below it. A sudden drop in velocity is observed immediately below the water surface, such that at 5 mm below the water surface the mean absolute velocities are already about 6.5 times smaller than the surface velocity. Additionally, the flow structures below the surface are found to comprise much larger spatial scales than those on the surface. These large structures are also found to be slow and temporarily persistent, as proven by analysing the autocorrelation of the velocity fields in time.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2019

How coherent structures dominate the residence time in a bubble wake: an experimental example

Mixing timescales and residence times in reactive multiphase flows can be essential for product selectivity. For instance when a gas species is consumed e.g. by a competitive consecutive reaction with moderate reaction kinetics where reaction timescales are comparable to relevant mixing timescales. To point out the importance of the details of the fluid flow, we analyze experimental velocity data from a Taylor bubble wake by means of Lagrangian methods. By adjusting the channel diameter in which the Taylor bubble rises, and thus the rise velocity, we obtain three different wake regimes. Remarkably the normalized residence times of passive particles advected in the wake velocity field show a peak for intermediate rise velocities. This fact seems unintuitive at first glance because one expects a faster removal of passive tracers for a faster overall flow rate. However, the details of the flow topology analyzed using Finite Time Lyapunov Exponent (FTLE) fields and Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCS) reveal the existence of a very coherent vortical pattern in the bubble wake which explains the long residence times. The increased residence times within the vortical structure and the close bubble interface acting as a constant gas species source could enhance side product generation of a hypothetical competitive consecutive reaction, where the first reaction with the gas species forms the desired product and the second the side product.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2018

Experimental and numerical investigation of reactive species transport around a small rising bubble

In this article, we present experimental and numerical techniques to investigate the transfer, transport, and reaction of a chemical species in the vicinity of rising bubbles. In the experiment, single oxygen bubbles of diameter d b = 0.55 . . . 0.85 mm are released into a measurement cell filled with tap water. The oxygen dissolves and reacts with sulfite to sulfate. Laser-induced fluorescence is used to visualize the oxygen concentration in the bubble wake from which the global mass transfer coefficient can be calculated. The ruthenium-based fluorescent dye seems to be surface active, such that the rise velocity is reduced by up to 50 % compared to the experiment without fluorescent dye and a recirculation zone forms in the bubble wake. To access the local mass transfer at the interface, we perform complementary numerical simulations. Since the fluorescence tracer is essential for the experimental method, the effect of surface contamination is also considered in the simulation. We employ several improvements in the experimental and numerical procedures which allow for a quantitative comparison (locally and globally). Rise velocity and mass transfer coefficient agree within a few percents between experiment, simulation and literature results. Because the fluorescence tracer is frequently used in mass transfer experiments, we discuss its potential surface activity.

physics.flu-dyn↗