The use of the CFD for the hydrodynamic flow diagnostic and study in a Phosphoric Acid Reactor

The multiphase flows and the solid particles suspension are among the key elements and aspects to study during the desupersaturation of the crude phosphoric acid. When the multiphase is characterized by a separated liquid and solid phases within a particle volume fraction lower than 10%, the single-phase model can be used to represent this type mixture [1]. For the desupersaturation case of the weak phosphoric acid referring to the OCP facilities, the quality of the solid particles suspension can be approached through the study of the agitation and the evaluation of hydrodynamic flow parameters within stirred tanks. This study has in fact a dual vocation. Firstly, it permits to diagnose and evaluate through the CFD approach (Computational Fluid Dynamics) the hydrodynamic flow quality, and defines the performance of the agitation system installed in the desupersaturation reactor for the weak phosphoric acid. Secondly, based on the diagnosis results, the study will determine also if there will be a potential capacity to feed the existing desupersaturation reactor by the concentrated phosphoric acid sludge, which could be transferred from of the clarification units of the concentrated phosphoric acid, and if there will be any problems that may accompany it. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.