Hydrodynamic and Heat Transfer Analysis of a Non‐Newtonian Fluid Agitated by a Vertically Translating Gate

ABSTRACT Thermal and energy control in stirred tanks is a strategic challenge in many industrial processes, particularly when dealing with viscous or non‐Newtonian fluids. In sectors such as agri‐food, chemical, cosmetic, or biotechnology industries, it is essential to ensure a uniform temperature distribution while minimizing energy consumption, in order to guarantee both product quality and operational efficiency. The present work focuses on a configuration that has been only sparsely investigated in the literature, combining a modified gate‐type agitator with vertical translational motion and a double thermal jacket. This dynamic mechanism aims to enhance heat exchange, improve fluid homogenization, and optimize the energy performance of the system. A three‐dimensional, steady numerical simulation was conducted by solving the Navier–Stokes equations coupled with the heat equation for a non‐Newtonian fluid modeled using the Herschel–Bulkley law. The parametric study focused on the Reynolds number ( Re = 1–50), the vertical translation amplitude ( dd = 0–0.4), the Hedstrom number ( He = 0 to 20), and the rheological behavior index ( n = 0.6–1.4). This study highlights the combined impact of the flow behavior index n , the vertical translation degree dd , and the Hedstrom number He on hydrodynamics, power consumption, and thermal transport in a stirred tank. Increasing n and dd enhances thermal uniformity, mixing efficiency, and the average Nusselt number while reducing power consumption. Meanwhile, He mainly affects the temperature distribution, confirming the relevance of this configuration for thermally and energetically demanding processes.