1. Which type of impeller is expected to produce the best mixing and why?

There are two types of classes for the impellers which are axial-flow impeller and radial
impeller. Each of the classes has the benefits of itself to compare to one another. As for the
axial-flow pattern impellers, they can be used for the mixing of solid suspension and
stratification. The motion of these impellers provides is exceptionally from top to bottom in a
tank especially in the center of a baffled vessel. Some of the types of axial impellers are
marine impellers, pitched blade impellers and hydrofoil impellers. Marine impellers; the
propellers are used on watercraft. Pitched blade impellers; used to mix viscous fluids with
clear bottom and shallow submersion. This type of impeller is known for its versatility and
able to balance flow and shear. Hydrofoil impellers; Bernouli’s principle based impellers
which pressurized the fluids to low pressure when the fluids speed increases. These types of
impellers are suitable for the applications that are shear-sensitive as they provide high flow
with low occurence of turbulence. Most of the energy is converted into motion rather than
shear.
Also, as for radial-flow impellers, they are used for the applications in longer tanks with low
mixing level. The flow discharged along the impeller radius. High shear rates are produced
led by the angle attack of the blades from the impellers, as the number of blades can be from
four to six blades. This type of impellers are best in the gas/liquid mixing and dispersion
applications. Commonly used from this type of impellers are Rushton turbine, bar turbine and
open blade turbine.
Axial flow impellers with high pumping efficiency are best suited for majority of solid
suspension. But, radial flow impellers are the best impellers for mixing as the impose
essential shear stress to the fluid. They are used to mix very viscous liquids and if there is a
need to break a deformable interface.

(http://blog.mixerdirect.com/how-to-choose-a-mixing-impeller)
(http://blog.mixerdirect.com/what-is-the-difference-between-axial-and-radial-flow-impellers)

(http://www.liquid-mixing.com/impeller.html)