Agitator Choice: Impeller Design

  • Thread starter Thread starter rollingstein
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Choice Design
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on selecting the optimal impeller design for a stirred tank reactor with a fixed RPM of 85. The user is considering a combination of a pitched blade turbine for axial flow and curved blade turbines for shear, or using all curved blades. The reactor's specifications include a fluid viscosity of approximately 10 cP, a specific gravity difference of 0.1 gm/cc between two immiscible phases, a tank capacity of 14,000 liters, and a 30 hP motor. The user also expresses interest in simulating the design, seeking feasible options for non-CFD experts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of impeller design principles
  • Knowledge of stirred tank reactor operations
  • Familiarity with fluid dynamics concepts
  • Basic simulation techniques for mixing processes
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the performance characteristics of pitched blade turbines versus curved blade turbines
  • Explore simulation software options for non-CFD experts, such as COMSOL Multiphysics
  • Investigate techniques for optimizing phase mixing in immiscible fluids
  • Learn about the impact of motor power on mixing efficiency in large-scale reactors
USEFUL FOR

Chemical engineers, process engineers, and anyone involved in the design and optimization of mixing processes in stirred tank reactors.

rollingstein
Messages
644
Reaction score
16
I've an impeller choice to make for a stirred tank reactor and would love some opinions. Essentially, I've a three level agitator as shown in the sketch I made. RPM is fixed (~85 rpm).

My real choice is only what combination of the two impeller designs I choose. Would you go for a pitched blade turbine in the middle (to provide axial flow) and two curved blade turbines at top and bottom to provide shear? Or all curved?

Any other ideas? I'd love to simulate this too (if this is a feasible proposition for a non-CFD expert). Overall I hope to have good circulation as well as a good phase mixing (i.e. droplet formation)

The fluid isn't very viscous (~10 cP) but has two immiscible phases (Specific Gravity difference ~0.1 gm/cc). Tank holds ~14,000 Litres and has a 30 hP motor.

3G2tbVb.png


PS. If a mod can resize the IMG tag that'd help me! Not sure what attributes it takes.
 
Last edited:
Engineering news on Phys.org
Have you tried http://www.haywardgordon.com/technical-information2.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
chemisttree said:
Have you tried http://www.haywardgordon.com/technical-information2.htm

Good link! Thanks.

I hadn't tried, no.
 
Last edited by a moderator: