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Numerical and experimental study of a homogenizer impinging jet
Author(s) -
Kleinig Andrew R.,
Middelberg Anton P. J.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.690430423
Subject(s) - homogenizer , laminar flow , turbulence , mechanics , jet (fluid) , pressure drop , chemistry , homogenization (climate) , physics , chromatography , biodiversity , ecology , biology
High‐pressure homogenization is a key unit operation used to disrupt cells containing intracellular bioproducts. Modeling and optimization of this unit are restrained by a lack of information on the flow conditions within a homogenizer valve. A numerical investigation of the impinging radial jet within a homogenizer valve is presented. Results for a laminar and turbulent ( k – ϵ turbulent model) jet are obtained using the PHOENICS finite‐volume code. Experimental measurement of the stagnation region width and correlation of the cell disruption efficiency with jet stagnation pressure both indicate that the impinging jet in the homogenizer system examined is likely to be laminar under normal operating conditions. Correlation of disruption data with laminar stagnation pressure provides a better description of experimental variability than existing correlations using total pressure drop or the grouping 1/ Y 2 h 2 .