Echeverri, L.F. et al. Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., Vol.

26, 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________

MEASUREMENTS AND CFD SIMULATION

OF THE FLOW IN VACUUM PANS

By

L.F. ECHEVERRI1, P.W. REIN1 and S. ACHARYA2

1
Audubon Sugar Institute, LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana, USA
2
Mechanical Engineering Dept. LSU, Louisiana, USA
lechev1@lsu.edu

KEYWORDS: Crystallisation, Vacuum Pans, Circulation, CFD.

Abstract
THE EVAPORATIVE crystallisers or vacuum pans used by the sugar industry have been
developed during the last two centuries using an empirical approach that has led to the
designs of batch, and more recently continuous pans in use today. Lack of detailed
information on the process has led to an empirical development of the technology,
where engineers’ guesses and trial-and-error have been the main development tools.
This paper presents experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) results
obtained in the study of the circulation in vacuum pans, where the physical
fundamentals behind CFD simulations are applied to obtain an educated solution for the
complex multiphase flow within the pans. It is observed that a thermo-hydraulic boiling
instability occurs in the calandria tubes, resulting in intermittent vaporisation and
corresponding oscillations of the flow. The CFD solutions have indicated possible
circulation patterns and shown reasonable agreement with measurements performed in a
full-scale continuous pan. In the same way, the predictions have shown agreement with
observations reported in previous studies.

Introduction
Initial results on the circulation in vacuum pans obtained with a lab-scale facility indicated
probable flow patterns and were used in developing CFD models for batch and continuous
crystallisers (Echeverri et al., 2005). Further work has demonstrated that an accurate CFD flow
prediction can be obtained as long as the momentum interaction between the gas and liquid phases
is specified correctly.
The model that was initially applied to represent the interfacial interaction is based on a drag
correlation developed originally for solid particles (Schiller and Naumann, 1935), which is
frequently used in CFD and is suitable for systems involving small spherical bubbles at low-void
fraction, but inadequate for larger distorted bubbles as observed during the experiments.
Agreement between lab-scale measurements and CFD simulations was obtained applying a
correlation suitable for larger bubbles in non-pure systems (Lain et al., 1999). Unfortunately, most
drag models have been developed for single small bubbles rising in stagnant media, usually water,
or within the bubbly regime at low void fractions, while virtually no established correlations exist
for the more complex regimes that occur with high-gas fraction in non-isothermal conditions
experienced in vacuum pans.
This paper presents experimental results on the circulation and gas-liquid momentum
interaction in buoyancy-driven vertical flows, such as is the case in calandria tubes, and field
measurements and CFD simulations of the flow in full-scale vacuum pans.

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Circulation in multiphase buoyancy-driven flows

The momentum interaction in gas-liquid buoyancy-driven flows has been studied
experimentally using a circulation loop, similar in concept to air-lift reactors, where air is injected at
the bottom of a riser section and the buoyancy due to density difference between air bubbles and
liquid is the driving force for circulation (Figure 1a), as is the case in vacuum pans, where the rising
vapour bubbles drive the circulation. Tests were performed looking in particular for the phenomena
occurring at high void fractions and viscosities, using corn syrup progressively diluted to represent
a range of conditions (0.001–110 Pa.s).

Fig. 1—[a] Schematic of the facility for the study of circulation in gas-liquid buoyancy-driven flow
and [b] circulation measured at different gas rates and liquid viscosities.

The circulation is the most palpable indicator of the transfer of momentum from the bubbles
to the liquid, although the friction in the circuit also plays a role. Figure 1b presents the circulation
determined in the test rig in terms of the liquid flux (JL) with respect to the gas flux (JG)1, showing
that the circulation increases as the gas flow is higher, but displaying an asymptotic behaviour that
indicates that the capacity of the gas to transfer momentum to the liquid diminishes progressively
and, as a consequence, the gain in circulation tends to be lower as the gas rate increases.
This result could help to explain the higher efficiency obtained with short calandria tubes
(e.g. 0.6–1.0 m), since the transfer of momentum responsible for the circulation is progressively
reduced as the tubes become longer and more vapour is present.
The asymptotic behaviour of circulation determined during the experiments is consistent
with data reported from the study of air-lift reactors (Merchuk and Stein, 1981) and natural
circulation boiling tubes (Subki et al., 2004).
1
The (volumetric) flux is used to express the flow rate of a particular phase in multiphase flows. The flux of each phase
(Ji) is obtained dividing the corresponding volumetric flow (Qi) by the cross sectional area of the channel (A), resulting
in a ‘superficial’ velocity that the phase would have as if flowing alone (Ji=Qi/A). The circulation is presented here in
terms of the liquid flux (JL), and for vacuum pans it essentially indicates the average velocity of the massecuite at the
entrance of the calandria tubes.

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The tests performed at high viscosity (0.7–110 Pa.s) were consistently dominated by the
slug regime, being accompanied by strong vibrations and pulsating circulation. The severity of the
fluctuations decreased progressively as the viscosity of the media was reduced. Figure 2 presents
distinctive features of the slug flow regime and an image obtained with high-speed photography
during the tests. The behaviour observed suggests that the slug regime and corresponding
fluctuations are potentially present in calandria tubes of vacuum pans, and that the severity of the
oscillations increases with massecuite viscosity.

Fig. 2—[a] Schematic representing distinctive features of the slug flow regime, and [b] image of
slug flow obtained in the test rig at high viscosity.

A drag correlation2 has been developed from the experimental data, which represents the
momentum interaction in adiabatic gas-liquid flows at low liquid flow rates. The correlation has
shown reasonable agreement with comparable data (Jia et al., 1984; Merchuk and Stein, 1981), and
is incorporated in the present study to model the interaction between vapour and massecuite.
However, comparison with experiments reported by Rouillard (1985) and field measurements
presented ahead have shown that a reduction in the drag interaction (~50%) is required to obtain
realistic predictions of the flow in vacuum pans. The reduced interaction is attributed here to the
effect of convective boiling based on experimental evidence that shows that the generation of
vapour increases the frictional resistance and can lead to severe flow and heat transfer instabilities.
Increased friction in calandria tubes
Experiments have shown that the frictional pressure drop in flow with boiling increases
significantly with respect to adiabatic flows as the vapour content becomes higher, and transition to
the slug regime occurs (Shoukri et al., 1981). An increase in pressure drop along calandria tubes
helps to explain the necessity to reduce the drag interaction, since more momentum is dedicated to
overcoming the additional friction and, consequently, circulation is affected.

1.6286
⎛
Multi-particle drag coefficient: C M ( 3.6351 ' ⎜ 1
2 ⎞
D 3 .g .!$ LIQUID & $ GAS ".$ LIQUID ⎟
!1 & # "1.3951
D ⎜% ⎟ Re1.7
⎝ LIQUID ⎠
Where μ: viscosity (Pa.s) – D: tube diameter (m) – ρ: density (kg/m3) – α: void fraction – Re: Reynolds number

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Boling instability in calandria tubes

Jeglic and Grace (1965) determined that an abrupt transition to the slug regime can take
place in boiling heated tubes, causing severe oscillations in circulation, evaporation, pressure and
temperature. These fluctuations display some periodicity and might become permanent under
certain conditions, constituting a thermo-hydraulic instability typical of low-pressure low-
circulation low-heat flux systems, such as the Ledinegg and geyser instabilities (Brennen, 2005).
The boiling instability can lead to intermittent processes, as for example during the start-up of low-
pressure water boilers and in coffee-percolators. The susceptibility of low-pressure systems to
boiling instability has been associated with the lower density of the vapour (Subki et al., 2004),
which results in bubbles that grow large rapidly and can occupy the entire cross section of the tube,
catalysing the transition to the slug regime. Considering the fundamental characteristics of the
boiling instability, it seems highly probable that this phenomenon would occur in calandria tubes,
particularly taking into account the relatively low massecuite velocity, low heat transfer, and
vacuum conditions.
Subki et al. (2004) determined for geysering at sub-atmospheric conditions that the
fluctuations in circulation and pressure are synchronous. Based on this behaviour and in an attempt
to confirm whether this type of phenomenon takes place in calandria tubes, field measurements
were performed installing two absolute pressure transmitters3 at the bottom and the top of a
calandria tube in a 51 m3 C-boiling batch pan at Lula-Westfield sugar mill, Louisiana. Figure 3a
presents the averaged pressure and fluctuations (together with ±1 standard deviation ranges)
recorded during a boiling, indicating a progressive reduction in the amplitude of fluctuation with
time, which can be explained by the decrease in evaporation as the level increases.

Fig. 3—[a] Pressure trends determined at the bottom and the top of a calandria tube, displaying
decreasing amplitude of fluctuations with time as the massecuite level increases, and [b]
pressure oscillations displaying discontinuity and some periodicity in evaporation, indicating flow
boiling instability in calandria tubes.

3
Rosemount 3051 C – 0 to 30 kPa abs – Response time 100 ms

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Pressure oscillations such as those illustrated in Figure 3b were observed during the first 1½
hours. The fluctuations were particularly noticeable at the top of the tube, and are attributed here to
the discontinuous pass of vapour bubbles at this location as a consequence of boiling instability and
intermittent vaporisation within the calandria tubes. A signal analysis applying Fast Fourier
Transform indicated that the oscillation period varied between 1.5–5.0 s and was on average 2.7 s
Figure 4a presents a hypothetical description of the process in calandria tubes based on
normal characteristics of boiling instability (e.g. Subki et al., 2004; Barbosa, 2005). These suggest
radical differences from the typical depiction of ‘continuous’ boiling in vertical tubes (Figure 4b).
The boiling instability explains fluctuations and intermittency in circulation observed in full-scale
vacuum pans (Anon., 1964; Wright, 1966; Skyring and Beale, 1967), and also helps to justify the
reduction required in momentum interaction during CFD simulations of the flow in pans, where the
flow equations are solved in an idealised continuous steady process, while in reality it is highly
unsteady and intermittent.
(i) Only sub-cooled liquid is present inside the calandria tube, being heated at
approximately uniform wall temperature.
(ii) The heated massecuite approaches boiling conditions, displaying some superheat
particularly near the hot tube wall.
(iii) Nucleation and rapid growth of vapour bubbles takes place particularly in the upper
section of the tube, where the boiling temperature is comparatively low due to lower
hydrostatic pressure. Quick transition to the slug regime is likely to occur.
(iv) The generation of vapour at the top reduces the hydrostatic pressure, promoting flash
vaporisation progressively downwards along the tube, which results in ‘explosive’ or
‘eruptive’ boiling.
(v) As the vapour leaves, ‘fresh’ massecuite enters the tube to re-fill the evacuated space
and start the cycle again. Some backflow might occur at the end.

Fig. 4—[a] Hypothetical description of the boiling in calandria tubes of vacuum pans based on
known features of flow boiling instabilities, and [b] typical description of boiling in vertical heated
tubes displaying progressive changes in the flow regime as evaporation takes place in a
relatively continuous manner along the tube.
Circulation in continuous vacuum pans (CVP)
Field measurements of massecuite velocity in a CVP
The CVPs constitute a convenient opportunity for the study of the circulation at full-scale
for several reasons associated with the relatively steady operation compared to the batch process.
Field measurements in a 160 m3 A-boiling Fletcher Smith CVP were performed at the Enterprise

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sugar factory, Louisiana, using insertion flow sensors4 to determine the velocity of the massecuite in
the second and eleventh cells (total 12 cells) at the locations indicated in Figure 5. The same type of
flow sensor was used by Rackemann and Stephens (2002) and Broadfoot et al. (2004) in full-scale
pans.

Fig. 5—[a] Schematic of the Fletcher Smith CVP studied illustrating the measurement locations
and maximum insertion lengths measured from the wall, and [b] images of the arrangement for
mounting of the flow sensors and the attachment in the bottom of the pan.

Velocity at the bottom

Figure 6 presents velocity profiles determined at the bottom, showing significant variations
attributed to flow boiling unsteadiness and operation fluctuations during the relatively long periods
required to complete each run (~2 h). Non-centred velocity profiles skewed towards the tubeplate
were obtained, indicating that the massecuite moves faster near the bottom tubeplate and slower
towards the bottom of the vessel. The velocities recorded in the second cell were consistently higher
than in the eleventh. The less vigorous circulation rate in the eleventh cell is a consequence of the
increase in viscosity of the massecuite as the sugar crystals grow, increasing the frictional resistance
and lowering the heat transfer rate; both factors that affect circulation.
Since the CVP has a single calandria, it is not possible to determine the specific evaporation
rate at each cell from the total condensate flow measurement that is available. To deal with this
situation in the CFD analysis an averaged velocity profile has been computed (Figure 6c), which
represents an averaged flow situation where the global evaporation rate and averaged properties of
the massecuite are assumed.
Circulation
The measurements at the bottom were taken below the corner of the calandria, where all the
circulating liquid passes before entering the tubes and the velocity is expected to be approximately
horizontal (shown in the CFD predictions in Figure 9b). Therefore, integration of the velocity

4
Turck Insertion Flow Monitor FCS-G1/4 A4-NA/D100 – repeatability ±5%.

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profile is expected to provide an accurate value for the circulation rate. The measurements showed
an increase in circulation with evaporation rate (Figure 7a), but displayed a non-linear behaviour
that suggests a diminishing return in circulation as the evaporation increases, in agreement with the
experimental results presented before.

Fig. 6—Velocity profiles measured beneath the corner of the calandria in the [a] second and [b]
eleventh cells, and [c] averaged velocity profile. The position is defined with respect to the
distance between the bottom wall and the tubeplate L=0.76 m

Fig. 7—[a] Effect of evaporation on the circulation in terms of the liquid flux in the calandria
tubes (JL), and [b] interaction between heat transfer5 and averaged circulation.

Figure 7b presents the apparent heat transfer coefficient with respect to the circulation,
indicating that the heat transfer is higher as the circulation increases and vice-versa, evidence of the

Q& m& Condensate ' h fg

5
Apparent heat transfer coefficient ( (
A ' )T A ' !TSteam & TMas sec uite "
Where: m& =condensate mass flow rate; hfg=heating steam specific heat of evaporation; A=heat exchange area;
T=Temperature

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strong interaction that exists between fluid flow and heat transfer in sugar evaporative-crystallisers.
This result is consistent with practical experiences in the application of assisted circulation, where
an increase in the velocity of the massecuite has resulted in enhanced heat transfer and capacity.
Velocity in the top of the downtake
The measurements in the upper-downtake region proved to be more difficult due to the non-
perpendicular orientation of the flow with respect to the inserted flow sensors. In the CVP studied,
the massecuite flows with a strong horizontal component from the region above the top calandria
plate towards the side walls, where the flow sensors measure ideally vertical velocity, and as a
result the data obtained in this region cannot be considered accurate. The measurements in the
upper-downtake showed peaks in velocity near to the side and downtake walls, while low values
were observed towards the centre of the downtake (Figure 8). Consistent with the bottom
measurements, the velocity recorded in the second cell was higher than in the eleventh cell.

Fig. 8—Massecuite velocity measured in the top of the downtake. These results are not
considered accurate, but give valid information on the flow field from the qualitative point of
view. The position is defined with respect to the width between shell and calandria L=0.97 m.

There is a strong effect of the orientation of the flow with respect to the flow sensors
utilised, giving a maximum and minimum in the signal at 90° and 270° with respect to the correct
orientation specified by the manufacturer. This effect has been exploited here to determine
approximately the orientation of the flow from changes in the signal as the sensors were slowly
rotated. The use of this procedure at the bottom of the CVP indicated consistently that the
massecuite flows from the downtake towards the entrance of the tubes as expected. On the other
hand, in the upper-downtake, it was found that the massecuite flows upwards above the calandria
(x/L>1) and in a portion of the downtake (~30 %) adjacent to the calandria while, in the rest of the
downtake (~70 %) towards the side wall, the readings indicated that the massecuite flows
downwards. This result suggests the existence of a recirculating vortex in the upper corner of the
calandria, which confirms the vortex measured at lab-scale in the same position.
CFD simulation of the flow in CVPs
The multiphase flow in the CVP studied has been simulated using the commercial CFD code
FLUENT and following a modelling strategy described in Echeverri et al. (2005). Vertical channels
are used to simulate the calandria tubes, where the complex mass and energy boiling interactions
are represented by injecting vapour with mass source functions defined based on evaporation
profiles identified from Rouillard (1985) experimental data.
Figure 9a presents the computed contours of void fraction, indicating a practically vertical
rise of the vapour bubbles out of the calandria tubes, as expected. It must be kept in mind that these

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results constitute an averaged description of an unsteady and discontinuous process, and the ‘vapour
columns’ represent vapour bubbles rising intermittently. Figure 9b presents the predicted liquid
velocity vectors, indicating a relatively smooth flow, except for a vortex developed in the downtake
near the upper corner of the calandria. Apart from a small portion at the bottom next to the middle
wall, no significant stagnant areas are predicted.

Fig. 9—[a] Contours of void fraction (blue=only liquid; red=only vapour) and [b] massecuite
velocity vectors computed with CFD for the Fletcher Smith CVP. The results correspond to an
evaporation of 18.5 kg/h.m2 and massecuite viscosity 6.5 Pa.s.

A comparison between the massecuite velocities measured and predicted with CFD for the
Fletcher Smith CVP is presented in Figure 10, showing reasonable agreement at the bottom, where
similar velocity profiles skewed towards the bottom calandria plate are observed. For the upper-
downtake region, some agreement is noticeable qualitatively, but as discussed earlier the
measurements at this location are not considered accurate.

Fig. 10—Massecuite velocity measured and computed with CFD at [a] the bottom and [b] the
upper-downtake of the Fletcher Smith CVP studied. The position is defined with respect to the
width between the wall and the calandria (L=0.76 and 0.97 m respectively).

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The existence of a vortex in the downtake seems reasonable and difficult to prevent due to
the sharp turn in the flow (90°) that is forced by the geometry of the pans. This vortex is also in
agreement with lab-scale measurements (Echeverri et al., 2005), and consistent with corresponding
measurements in a SRI CVP performed by Broadfoot et al. (2004), where high velocities near to the
sides of the downtake channel and a minimum towards the middle were reported, although the
presence of a vortex remained unnoticed. Figure 11 presents numerical results obtained in a study
for an SRI CVP, suggesting the presence of a large-scale vortex in the upper-downtake that extends
above part of the top calandria plate. The computed flow field shows reasonable agreement with
measurements reported by Broadfoot et al. (2004).

Fig. 11—[a] Contours of void fraction and [b] massecuite velocity vectors computed with CFD
for a 150 m3 SRI CVP.

Fig. 12—Massecuite velocity predicted for a SRI CVP with CFD and measured [a] underneath the
calandria and [b] in the downtake by Broadfoot et al. (2004). The vortex predicted results in
downflow in the outer part of the downtake (negative velocity between x/L ~ 0–0.7 in Fig 12b), and
upflow towards the upper corner of the calandria (positive vertical velocity). The three
measurements closest to the calandria wall have been considered as upflow based on the CFD
result.

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Conclusion
The buoyancy-driven mechanism responsible for circulation in vacuum pans has been
studied in an experimental facility, observing a progressive decay in the transfer of momentum to
the liquid phase as the gas flow rate increases. This behaviour suggests that long calandria tubes can
lead to poor circulation, in agreement with practical experience that pans with short calandria tubes
are more efficient. A model for gas-liquid momentum exchange in vertical tubes has been
developed from the experimental results, which is applied to compute the interaction between
vapour bubbles and massecuite in CFD simulations of the flow in vacuum pans. Comparison with
experimental measurements suggests that the interfacial momentum interaction in vacuum pans is
significantly lower (~50%) than under corresponding adiabatic conditions, and this is attributed
here to increased frictional resistance and boiling instability in calandria tubes.
The process in calandria tubes of vacuum pans appears to be a thermo-hydraulic boiling
instability typically found in low-circulation low-heat transfer low-pressure systems, which results
in intermittent evaporation and corresponding oscillations in circulation and pressure. Field
measurements of the pressure at the top and the bottom of a calandria tube were performed in a
batch pan, registering significant oscillations with a periodicity around 1.5–5.0 s, suggesting that
flow boiling instability occurs in calandria tubes.
Field measurements of the massecuite velocity in a Fletcher Smith continuous vacuum pan
have giving information on the circulation rate, and suggest the presence of a vortex in the top of
the downtake. The flow in the continuous pan has been simulated applying CFD, obtaining results
that show reasonable agreement with field measurements. The model developed represents
accurately the flow inside vacuum pans, and is considered reliable enough to study the effect of
changes in the design on the circulation.
Acknowledgements
Thanks are extended to the staff and pan boilers of the Enterprise and Lula-Westfield sugar
mills for their assistance with the field measurements, in particular to Trevor Endres and John
Daigle. The financial support from the Louisiana Board of Regents (LEQSF2004-07-RD-B-01) is
gratefully acknowledged.
REFERENCES
Anon. (1964). Pan circulation tests using a radioactive isotope. Technical Report No. 77. Sugar
Research Institute, Australia.
Barbosa, J.R. Jr (2005). Two-phase non-equilibrium models: The challenge of improving phase
change prediction. J. Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. XXVII, No. 1: 31–45.
Brennen, C.E. (2005). Fundamentals of Multiphase Flow. Cambridge, 343 p.
Broadfoot, R., Rackemann, D.W. and Cripps, L. (2004). Performance of the continuous A-pan at
Tully mill. Proc. Aust. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., 26: CD-ROM.
Echeverri, L.F., Rein, P.W. and Acharya, S. (2005). Numerical and experimental study of the
flow in vacuum pans. Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., 25: 212–221.
Jeglic, F.A. and Grace, T.M. (1965). Onset of flow oscillations in forced flow subcooled boiling.
NASA Technical Note TN D-2821, Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, USA.
Jia, D., Wang, Z., Yu, Z. and Qui, D. (1984). Experimental study of void fraction in vertically
upward and downward liquid–gas two-phase at low velocity. Two-Phase Flow and Heat
Transfer: China–US Progress. 63–70.
Lain, S., Broder, D. and Sommerfeld, M. (1999). Experimental and numerical studies of the
hydrodynamics in a bubble column. Chem. Eng. Sci., 54: 4913–4920.
Merchuk, J.C. and Stein, Y. (1981). Local hold-up and liquid velocity in air-lift reactors. J.
AIChE, 27, No. 3: 377–388.

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Rackemann, D.W. and Stephens, D.W. (2002). Determining circulation velocities in vacuum
pans. Proc. Aust. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., 24: 452–458.
Rouillard, E.E.A. (1985). Massecuite boiling. Proc. S. Afr. Sugar Technol. Ass., 59: 43–48.
Schiller, L. and Naumann, Z. (1935). A drag coefficient correlation. Z. Ver. Deutsch. Ing.,
77: 318.
Shoukri, M., Yanchis, R. and Rhodes, E. (1981). Effect of heat flux on pressure drop in low
pressure flow boiling in a horizontal tube. Canadian J. Chem. Eng., 59: 149–154.
Skyring, A. and Beale, R.F. (1967). Boiling massecuites. Proc. Qd Soc. Sugar Technol., 34: 49–53.
Subki, M.H., Aritomi, M., Watanabe, N., Chung, M.K. and Kikura, H. (2004). Multi
parameters effect on thermo hydraulic instability in natural circulation boiling water reactor
during startup. JSME Int. Journal, 47 No. 2: 277–286.
Wright, P.G. (1966). Circulation movements in sugar vacuum pans. Proc. Qd Soc. Sugar Cane
Technol., 33: 179–184.

CIRCULATION DANS LES CUITES: MESURES ET SIMULATIONS CFD

Par
L.F. ECHEVERRI , P.W. REIN1 and S. ACHARYA2
1
1
Audubon Sugar Institute, LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana, USA
2
Mechanical Engineering Dept. LSU, Louisiana, USA
lechev1@lsu.edu
MOTS CLEFS: Cristallisation, Appareil a Cuire, Circulation, CFD.
Résume
LES APPAREILS a cuire de l’industrie sucrière ont été développe pendant les deux derniers siècles a
partir d’une approche empirique ; les cuites discontinues et plus récemment les cuites continues ont
été fabriquées selon cette méthode. Le manque d’informations a cause un développement empirique
de la technologie, l’expérience des ingénieurs étant l’outil principal. Ce papier présente des résultats
obtenus en se servant du Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) pour étudier la circulation dans les
cuites ; des simulations CFD donnent des solutions pour les problèmes complexes de circulation
dans les cuites. On a note des instabilités thermales et hydrauliques dans les tubes, causant des
oscillations dans l’évaporation et la circulation. Le CFD décrit la circulation et donne des solutions
qui se comparent biens aux valeurs trouvées dans un appareil commercial. On note aussi que les
résultats de l’approche CFD sont en accord avec les observations obtenues ailleurs.

MEDICIONES Y SIMULACIÓN CFD DEL FLUJO EN TACHOS AL VACÍO

Por
L.F. ECHEVERRI , P.W. REIN1 and S. ACHARYA2
1
1
Audubon Sugar Institute, LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana, USA
2
Mechanical Engineering Dept. LSU, Louisiana, USA
lechev1@lsu.edu
PALABRAS CLAVE: Cristalización, Tachos al Vacío, Circulación, CFD.
Resumen
LOS CRISTALIZADORES evaporativos o tachos de vacío usados por la industria azucarera han sido
desarrollados durante los últimos dos siglos usando un enfoque empírico que ha llevado al diseño
de tachos batch y mas recientemente a los tachos continuos actualmente en uso. La carencia de
información sobre el proceso ha conducido a un desarrollo empírico de la tecnología donde los
supuestos de ingeniería y el ensayo y error han sido las principales herramientas de desarrollo. Este
artículo presenta resultados experimentales y resultados de la Dinámica Computacional de Fluídos
(CFD) obtenidos en el estudio de la circulación en tachos al vacío donde los fundamentos físicos
detrás de las simulaciones de CFD son aplicados para obtener soluciones para el complejo flujo
multifásico dentro de los tachos. Se observa que una inestabilidad en la ebullición termo-hidráulica

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se presenta en los tubos de la calandria, y que tiene como resultado la vaporización intermitente y
las correspondientes oscilaciones en el flujo. Las soluciones CFD han señalado posibles patrones de
circulación y mostraron concordancia razonable con las mediciones en tacho continuo industrial. De
la misma manera las predicciones mostraron concordancia con observaciones presentadas en
estudios previos.

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