Effects of the Stirred Tank's Design on Power Consumption and Mixing Time in Liquid Phase

Abstract

The influence of the stirrer type and of the geometrical parameters of both tank and agitator (clearance of an impeller from tank bottom, impeller diameter, draft tube and geometry of the tank bottom) on power consumption and mixing time in liquid phase under turbulent regime conditions (Re > 104) have been studied. Different types of agitators have been used, namely Rushton turbine, 45° pitched-blade turbine, MIXEL TT and TTP propellers and 1-stage or 2-stage EKATO-INTERMIG propellers. All these stirrers were tested with the same power consumption per unit mass of liquid. On the basis of measured power consumption per unit mass, which is required to achieve the same degree of mixing, the results obtained in the present work show that the TTP propeller is the most efficient in liquid phase. Recommendations on the optimum geometric configuration have been made for each type of stirrer.