Experimental validation of k–ε RANS-CFD on a high-pressure homogenizer valve

Summary, in English

Since the emulsification in the High-Pressure Homogenizer (HPH) is controlled by hydrodynamic forces, the turbulent flow field in the valve region is of significant interest. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations have been used for this in many studies. However, there are reasons to question if the utilized turbulence models, with their inherent assumptions and simplifications, could accurately describe the influential aspects of the flow.



This study compares CFD simulations using the methods from previous studies with experimental measurements in a model HPH valve. The results show that the region upstream of the gap can be described accurately regardless of turbulence model and that the gap region can be captured by using one of the more refined k−ε models. None of the studied turbulence models were able to describe the details of the highly turbulent region downstream of the gap. The obtained results are also discussed in relation to generalizability and limitations in using CFD simulations for understanding the emulsification in the HPH.

• Author: Andreas Håkansson; Laszlo Fuchs; Johan Revstedt; Christian Trägårdh; Björn Bergenståhl; Fredrik Innings
• Department/s: Department of Food Technology, Engineering and Nutrition; Fluid Mechanics; eSSENCE: The e-Science Collaboration
• Publishing year: 2012
• Language: English
• Pages: 264-273
• Publication/Series: Chemical Engineering Science
• Volume: 71
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2011.12.039
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Topic: Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics; Food Engineering
• Keywords: PIV Measurement; Turbulence; modelling
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 0009-2509