Turbulent Energy Dissipation Rate and Turbulence Scales in the Blade Region of a Self-Aspirating Disk Impeller

Instantaneous radial and axial velocitieques of water in the tank with a self-aspirating disk impeller operating without gas dispersion were measured by the PIV method. A comparison of mean square velocity pulsations confirmed previous observations that the area in which turbulence is non-isotropic is small and extends about 3 mm above and under the impeller and radially 12,5 mm from the impeller blade tip. Based on velocity measurements, the distributions of energy dissipation rates were determined using the dimensional equation  = C·u’3/D and Smagorinsky model. Adoption of the results of the dimensional equation as a reference value allowed us to determine the Smagorinsky constant value. This value appeared to be smaller than the values given in the literature. It has been shown that eddies in a small space near the impeller had sufficient energy to break up gas bubbles flowing out of the impeller. Based on the obtained energy dissipation rate distributions, appropriate turbulence scales were determined.