Open-Source CFD Simulations of Liquid–Liquid Flow in the Annular Centrifugal Contactor

Simulation of the fluid dynamics of solvent extraction in centrifugal contactors requires advanced models to account for complex physical phenomena including turbulent free-surface flow and liquid-liquid dispersion physics. The use of an open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) framework allows for implementation of advanced models not feasible in commercial CFD applications. The open-source CFD package OpenFOAM has been used to simulate turbulent, multiphase flow in the annular centrifugal contactor, including simulations of the mixing zone (annular region), and of the coupled operation of the mixing and separation (rotor interior) zones. These simulations are based on the Volume of Fluid (VOF) methodology along with Large Eddy Simulation (LES) for turbulence. The results from these simulations compare favorably with previous simulations using a commercial CFD tool and with available experimental data. They also give insight into the requirements for more advanced multiphase models needed to accurately capture flows in these devices.