DROCON

DroCon: Modelling, Simulation, and Control of Drop Size Distributions
in Stirred Liquid/Liquid Systems
DFG Chair of Chemical and Process Engineering, TU Berlin Technische Universität Berlin Technische Universität Darmstadt, FNB
[Researchers] [Project Description] [Results] [Publications/Talks] [Bachelor/Master Theses]

Duration: September 2009 - September 2011
Project leaders: Matthias Kraume

Chair of Chemical and Process Engineering, Technical University of Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 136, 10623 Berlin, Germany

Tel: +49 (0)30 - 314 23701 (office) / - 314 21134 (secretary)

Volker Mehrmann

Department of Mathematics, Technical University of Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 136, 10623 Berlin, Germany

Tel: +49 (0)30 - 314 25736 (office) / - 314 21264 (secretary)
Michael Schäfer

Institute of Numerical Methods in Mechanical Engineering, Technical University Darmstadt, Dolivostrasse 15, 64239 Darmstadt, Germany

Tel: +49 (0) 6151 16-2877
Researchers: Jan Heiland

Department of Mathematics, Technical University of Berlin

Tel: +49 (0)30 - 314 23439


Stephanie Nachtigall, neé Hermann

Chair of Chemical and Process Engineering, Technical University of Berlin

Tel: +49 (0)30 - 314 72731


Astrid Walle

FNB, TU Darmstadt

Tel: +49 (0)6151/16-3178

Support: DFG - Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft
top

Description:
This project is dedicated to the control of drop size distributions in stirred liquid/liquid dispersions. Dispersed systems are of major importance in chemical, pharmaceutical, mining, petroleum, and food industries. The design of reactors requires usually expensive experimental investigations. Mathematical modelling, model based simulation and control are often the only feasible approach to achieve the technological goals. For the complex process of formation of drop size distributions (DSD) in a stirred tank such mathematical methods are currently not available. The global long-term perspective of the project is to develop model based methods for the prediction of the complex process of DSD formation in stirred liquid/liquid dispersions in a stirred tank. The technological vision is to be able to achieve a desired average drop size and a defined size distribution, using control parameters such as the stirrer speed. To achieve the long-term goals, the research project consists of several major subtasks which will be carried out in a cooperative way between the three partners of the project. These subtasks can be summarized as experiment-based modelling, development, implementation, and application of numerical methods, construction of real-time observers, and development of a robust control method.
top
Results:
The goal of this project is the control of drop size distributions both in the simulation and in the numerical investigation. So far, we have obtained the following results:

  • Experiment-based Modelling

    • Insight into the influence of different process, physical and geometrical parameters on the DSD in stirred tanks and on drop breakage of a single droplet
    • Implementation and evaluation of different in situ measurement techniques (for example endoscope technique, laser-based methods) for drop size distributions
    • A new model of drop size distributions in stirred liquid/liquid-systems, especially for the influence of droplet charge (pH-value or ionic strength)

  • Development, Implementation and Validation of Numerical Methods

    • Implementation of the DQMOM discretization of the PBE into the flow solver FASTEST-3D

  • Observer Design

    • Coupling of the flow solver to the control unit
    • Prediction of the Sauter-diameter and standard deviation of the DSD in experiments via identified linear models
top
Journal publications:
Conference proceedings and posters:
2011
2010
top
Selected talks
2011
  • Hermann, S.; Maaß, S.; Walle A.; Schäfer, M.; Kraume, M.: Experimental and numerical investigations of drop size distributions in stirred liquid/liquid systems, Mixing XXII, NAMF, June 20-25 2010, Victoria BC, Canada
  • Hermann, S.; Maaß, S.; Zedel, D. and Kraume, M.: Experimental and numerical investigations of drop breakage mechanism. 1st International Symposium on Multiscale Multiphase Process Engineering, October 4-10 2011, Kanazawa, Japan.
  • Kamp, J.; Hermann, S.; Maaß, S. and Kraume, M.: Modelling of coalescence in turbulent Liquid/liqu\-id-dispersion considering droplet charge. 1st European Congress of Applied Biotechnology / 8th European Congress of Chemical Engineering, September 25-29 2011, Berlin, Germany.
  • Maaß, S.; Hermann, S. and Kraume, M.: Process intensification and monitoring of stirred liquid-liquid dispersions. International Symposium on Mixing in Industrial Processes VII, September 18-22 2011, Beijing, China.
  • Kamp, J.; Hermann, S. und Kraume, M.: Modellierung der Koaleszenz in turbulenten Flüssig/flüssig-Dispersionen unter Berücksichtigung der Tropfenladung. ProcessNet Jahrestreffen der Fachausschüsse Extraktion, Fluidverfahrenstechnik, Mehrphasenströmungen und Phytoextrakte, 03.03.-04.03.2011, Fulda, Deutschland.
  • Hermann, S.; Maaß, S.; Walle, A.; Schäfer, M. und Kraume, M.: Einfluss des Stoffsystems und der Tropfengröße auf den Tropfenbruch. ProcessNet Jahrestreffen der Fachausschüsse Mischvorgänge und CFD, 21.02.-22.02.2011, Dortmund, Deutschland.
  • Walle, A.; Heiland, J.; Schäfer, M.; Mehrmann, V.: Kopplung von CFD und Populationsbilanz zur Simulation der Tropfengrößenverteilung in gerührten Flüssig/flüssig-Systemen. ProcessNet Jahrestreffen der Fachausschüsse Mischvorgänge und CFD, 21.02.-22.02.2011, Dortmund, Germany
  • Heiland, J.; Hermann, S.; Mehrmann, V.; Kraume, M.; Steuerung von Tropfengrößenverteilungen in gerührten Flüssig/flüssig-Systemen über lineare Zustandsraummodelle, 21.02.2011, Processnet Jahrestagung Mischen und CFD, Dortmund, Germany
  • Heiland, J.; Mehrmann V.; Approximation of Boundary Control Systems for Dispersions in Turbulent Flows by Linear Differential-Algebraic Equations, 19.04.2011, Annual meeting of GAMM 2011, Graz, Austria
2010
  • Hermann, S.; Erdt, R.; Maaß, S.; Kraume, M.: Untersuchungen zur Steuerung von Tropfengrößenverteilungen, 13. Köthener Rührerkolloquium, 15.03.2010, Köthen
  • Hermann, S.; Vazquez, S.; Maaß S.; Kraume, M.: Transientes Verhalten von Tropfengrößenverteilungen in Abhängigkeit von unterschiedlichen Rührerdrehfrequenzfunktionen ProcessNet Jahrestreffen des Fachausschusses Extraktion, 18.03.-19.03.2010, Kaiserslautern
  • Hermann, S.; Zillmer, M.; Maaß, S.; Kraume, M.: Experimentelle Untersuchungen zum Einfluss des pH-Wertes auf den Tropfenbruch in Flüssig/flüssig-Systemen ProcessNet Jahrestreffen der Fachausschüsse Agglomeration, Zerkleinern/Klassieren und Mischvorgänge, 21.-23.02. 2010, Fulda
  • Maaß, S.; Rojahn, J.; Hermann, S.; Kraume, M.: Automatisierte Bildverarbeitung für Insitu Überwachung und Steuerung von Mehrphasen Systemen, ProcessNet Jahrestreffen der Fachausschüsse Agglomeration, Zerkleinern/Klassieren und Mischvorgänge, 21.-23.02. 2010, Fulda
  • Heiland, J.: Modelling Two-Phase Flows by Single Phase RANS and Population Dynamics, 10.06.2010, Seminar der AG ModNumDiff, Institut für Mathematik, TU Berlin
top
Theses
We offer interesting and challenging topics in real-world problems, suitable for Bachelor and Master theses and for seminar papers in the fields of mathematics, process engineering and mechanical engineering. Interested students are encouraged to apply to Jan Heiland (numerical mathematics, system and control theory) and Stephanie Nachtigall (process engineering) at TU Berlin or to Astrid Walle (CFD) at TU Darmstadt for detailed information.


Page created and maintained by Jan Heiland, last updated: November 2011