Professional Documents
Culture Documents
10.1. A BASIC STIRRED TANK DESIGN one-half the tank radius), the resulting flow pattern has less swirl,
and baffles may not be needed, particularly at low viscosities.
The dimensions of the liquid content of a vessel and the dimensions
and arrangement of impellers, baffles and other internals are factors
that influence the amount of energy required for achieving a needed
amount of agitation or quality of mixing. The internal arrangements DRAFT TUBES
depend on the objectives of the operation: whether it is to maintain
A draft tube is a cylindrical housing around and slightly larger in
homogeneity of a reacting mixture or to keep a solid suspended or a diameter than the impeller. Its height may be little more than the
gas dispersed or to enhance heat or mass transfer. A basic range of
diameter of the impeller or it may extend the full depth of the
design factors, however, can be defined to cover the majority of liquid, depending on the flow pattern that is required. Usually draft
cases, for example as in Figure 10.1. tubes are used with axial impellers to direct suction and discharge
streams. An impeller-draft tube system behaves as an axial flow
THE VESSEL pump of somewhat low efficiency. Its top to bottom circulation
behavior is of particular value in deep tanks for suspension of solids
A dished bottom requires less power than a flat one. When a single and for dispersion of gases. About a dozen applications are
impeller is to be used, a liquid level equal to the diameter is illustrated by Sterbacek and Tausk (1965, pp. 283ff) and a chapter is
optimum, with the impeller located at the center for an all-liquid devoted to their use by Oldshue (1983, 469ff).
system. Economic and manufacturing considerations, however,
often dictate higher ratios of depth to diameter.
IMPELLER TYPES
BAFFLES A basic classification is into those that circulate the liquid axially
Except at very high Reynolds numbers, baffles are needed to and those that achieve primarily radial circulation. Some of the
prevent vortexing and rotation of the liquid mass as a whole. A many shapes that are being used will be described shortly.
baffle width one-twelfth the tank diameter, w = D,/12; a length
extending from one half the impeller diameter, d/2, from the IMPELLER SIZE
tangent line at the bottom to the liquid level, but sometimes
terminated just above the level of the eye of the uppermost This depends on the kind of impeller and operating conditions
impeller. When solids are present or when a heat transfer jacket is described by the Reynolds, Froude, and Power numbers as well as
used, the baffles are offset from the wall a distance equal to one- individual characteristics whose effects have been correlated. For
sixth the baffle width. Four radial baffles at equal spacing are the popular turbine impeller, the ratio of diameters of impeller and
standard; six are only slightly more effective, and three appreciably vessel falls in the range, d/D,=0.3-0.6, the lower values at high
less so. When the mixer shaft is located off center (one-fourth to rpm, in gas dispersion, for example.
288 MIXING AND AGITATION
Side entering propellors are placed 18-24 in. above a flat tank
Bafflewidth, floor with the shaft horizontal and at a 10" horizontal angle with the
centerline of the tank; such mixers are used only for viscosities
w = D,/ 12
below 500 CPor so.
Offset = w 16 Draft tube In dispersing gases, the gas should be fed directly below the
- impeller or at the periphery of the impeller. Such arrangements also
t are desirable for mixing liquids.
tI,
J
10.2. KINDS OF IMPELLERS
A rotating impeller in a fluid imparts flow and shear to it, the shear
resulting from the flow of one portion of the fluid past another.
Limiting cases of flow are in the axial or radial directions so that
HI2 impellers are classified conveniently according to which of these
flows is dominant. By reason of reflections from vessel surfaces and
obstruction by baffles and other intemals, however, flow patterns in
most cases are mixed. When a close approach to axial flow is
(i1 (k)
289
290 MIXING AND AGITATION
i. Anchor paddles fit the contour of the container, prevent sticking of .ooo
pasty materials, and promote good heat transfer with the wall.
j. Gate paddlesare usedin wide, shallow tanks and for materialsof high 500
viscosity when low shear is adequate. Shaft speeds are low. Some
designs include hinged scrapers to clean the sides and bottom of the 200
tank. 100
k. Hollow shaft and hollow impeller assemblies are operated at high tip
60
speeds for recirculating gases. The gas enters the shaft above the
liquid level and is expelled centrifugally at the impeller. Circulation
20
rates are relatively low, but satisfactory for some hydrogenations for
instance. 10
1. This arrangement of a shrouded screw impeller and heat exchange 5
coil for viscous liquids is perhaps representative of the many designs
that serve special applications in chemical processing. 2
50 1W 103 lW 105 106
Reynolds number. D'Nplg
10.3. CHARACTERIZATION OF MIXING QUALITY
Figure 10.3. Dimensionless blend time as a function of Reynolds
Agitation and mixing may be performed with several objectives: number €or pitched turbine impellers with six blades whose
W I D = 1/5.66 [Dickey and Fenic, Chem. Eng. 145, (5Jan. 1976)l.
1. Blending of miscible liquids.
2. Dispersion of immiscible liquids.
3. Dispersion of gases in liquids. vessels of different sizes and liquids of various viscosities. A review
4. Suspension of solid particles in a slurry. of the literature on blend times with turbine impellers has been
5. Enhancement of heat exchange between the fluid and the made by Brennan and Lehrer [Trans. Inst. Chem. Eng. 54, 139-152
boundary of a container. (1975)], who also did some work in the range 104<NR,<105 but
6. Enhancement of mass transfer between dispersed phases. did not achieve a particularly useable correlation.
An impeller in a tank functions as a pump that delivers a
When the ultimate objective of these operations is the carrying out certain volumetric rate at each rotational speed and corresponding
of a chemical reaction, the achieved specific rate is a suitable power input. The power input is influenced also by the geometry of
measure of the quality of the mixing. Similarly the achieved heat the equipment and the properties of the fluid. The flow pattern and
transfer or mass transfer coefficients are measures of their the degree of turbulence are key aspects of the quality of mixing.
respective operations. These aspects of the subject are covered in Basic impeller actions are either axial or radial, but, as Figure 10.4
other appropriate sections of this hook. Here other criteria will be shows, radial action results in some axial movement by reason of
considered. deflection from the vessel walls and baffles. Baffles contribute to
The uniformity of a multiphase mixture can be measured by turbulence by preventing swirl of the contents as a whole and
sampling of several regions in the agitated mixture. The time to elimination of vortexes; offset location of the impeller has similar
bring composition or some property within a specified range (say effects but on a reduced scale.
within 95 or 99% of uniformity) or spread in values-which is the Power input and other factors are interrelated in terms of
blend time-may be taken as a measure of mixing performance. certain dimensionless groups. The most pertinent ones are, in
Various kinds of tracer techniques may be employed, for example: common units:
A dye is introduced and the time for attainment of uniform color NRe = 10.75Nd2S/y, Reynolds number, (10.1)
is noted. N p = 1.523(10'3)P/N3dsS, Power number, (10.2)
A concentrated salt solution is added as tracer and the measured NQ = l.037(105)Q/Nd3, Flow number, (10.3)
electrical conductivity tells when the composition is uniform. tbN, Dimensionless blend time, (10.4)
The color change of an indicator when neutralization is complete
when injection of an acid or base tracer is employed.
The residence time distribution is measured by monitoring the
outlet concentration of an inert tracer that can be analyzed for
accuracy. The shape of response curve is compared with that of a TABLE 10.1. Blending Data for Four-Bladed 45" Turbines"
thoroughly (ideally) mixed tank.
il b c d
Figure 10.4. Agitator flow patterns. (a) Axial or radial impellers without baffles produce vortexes. (b) Offcenter location reduces the vortex.
(c) Axial impeller with baffles. (d) Radial impeller with baffles.
LL
W 4
0.6
0.2
0.1
0.01
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000
REYNOLDS NUMBER
(b)
Figure lO.S(continued)
incorporation of TEL into gasoline where several hours may be
the following may serve as rough guides: allowed for the operation.
Operation HP/lOM) gal Tip Speed (ft/sec) Example 10.1 deals with the design and performance of an
agitation system to which the power input is specified. Some degree
Blending 0.2-0.5
of consistency is found between the several rules that have been
Homogeneous reaction 0.5-1.5 7.5-10
Reaction with heat transfer 1.5-5.0 10-15
cited.
Liquid-liquid mixtures 5 15-20
Liquid-gas mixtures 5-10 15-20 10.4. POWER CONSUMPTION AND PUMPING RATE
Slurries 10
These basic characteristics of agitation systems are of paramount
The low figure shown for blending is for operations such as importance and have been investigated extensively. The literature is
100
50
I
& I
nQ-
n
r?
z
' "
GI
IO
a
z
"a 5
0.5
I IO I'
0 IO' I'
0 I'
0
NRe = ND 2p/p
Figure 10.6. Power number against Reynolds number of some turbine impellers [Bates, Fondy, and Corpstein, Ind. Eng. Chem. Process.
Des. Dev. 2 ( 4 ) 311 (1963)l.
10.4. POWER CONSUMPTION AND PUMPING RATE 293
Type No. baffles y NJ
Propeller 0 0.3
Propeller 3-8 0.33-0.37 0.40-0.55
Turbine, vertical blade 0 0.93-1.08 0.33-0.34
Turbine, vertical blade 4 3-5 0.70-0.85
Pitched turbine, 45" 0 0.7 0.3
Pitched turbine, 45" 4 1.30-1.40 0.60-0.87
Anchor 0 0.28
d = 0 . 4 0 = 0.4(9.5)(12) = 45.6 in., say 46 in., impeller, This value corresponds to moderate to high mixing intensity
according to Table 10.2.
P = 2V = 2(5) = lOHP, From Figure 10.3, at NRe= 1720, blend time is given by
10.75SNd2-- 10.75(0.9)(46)*N = 20,47N,
NRe =
P 1000
1.523(10'3)P-- 1523(10'3)(10) - 821,600 tbN(d/D)2.3= 17.0
Np = --
N3D5S 0.9(46)'N3 N3 .
or
Liquid Systems c. suspend all solids with the design settling velocity
0.1-0.2 low degree of agitation; a velocity of 0.2ft/sec will completely off the bottom of the vessel
a. blend miscible liquids to uniformity when specific d. provide slurry uniformity to at least one-third of the
gravity differences are less than 0.1 liquid level
b. blend miscible liquids to uniformity if the ratio of e. be suitable for slurry drawoff at low exit nozzle
viscosities is less than 100 locations
c. establish liquid movement throughout the vessel 0.6-0.8 when uniform solids distribution must be approached; a
d. produce a flat but moving surface velocity of 0.6 ft/sec will
0.3-0.6 characteristic of most agitation used in chemical f. provide uniform distribution to within 95% of liquid
processing; a velocity of 0.6ft/sec will level
e. blend miscible liquids to uniformity if the specific g. be suitable for slurry drawoff up to 80% of liquid
gravity differences are less than 0.6 level
f. blend miscible liquids to uniformity if the ratio of 0.9-1 .o when the maximum feasible uniformity is needed. A
viscosities is less than 10,000 velocity of 0.9 ft/sec will
g. suspend trace solids (less than 2%) with settling h. provide slurry uniformity to 98% of the liquid level
rates of 2-4ft/min i. be suitable for slurry drawoff by means of overflow
h. produce surface rippling at low viscosities
0.7-1 .O high degree of agitation; a velocity of 1.0 ft/sec will Gas Dispersion
i. blend miscible liquids to uniformity if the specific 0.1-0.2 used when degree of dispersion is not critical to the
gravity differences are less than 1.O process; a velocity of 0.2 ft/sec will
j. blend miscible liquids to uniformity if the ratio of a. provide nonflooded impeller conditions for coarse
viscosities is less than 100,000 dispersion
k. suspend trace solids (less than 2%) with settling b. be typical of situations that are not mass transfer
rates of 4-6 ft/min limited
I. produce surging surface at low viscosities 0.3-0.5 used where moderate degree of dispersion is needed; a
velocity of 0.5 ft/sec will
Solids Suspension c. drive fine bubbles completely to the wall of the
0.1-0.2 minimal solids suspension; a velocity of 0.1 ft/sec will vessel
a. produce motion of all solids with the design settling d. provide recirculation of dispersed bubbles back into
velocity the impeller
b. move fillets of solids on the tank bottom and 0.6-1.0 used where rapid mass transfer is needed; a velocity of
suspend them intermittently 1.O ft/sec will
0.3-0.5 characteristic of most applications of solids suspension e. maximize interfacial area and recirculation of
and dissolution; a velocity of 0.3 ft/sec will dispersed bubbles through the impeller
[Chemineer, Co. Staff, Chern. Eng., 102-110 (26 April 1976); 144-150 (24 May 1976); 141-148 (19 July 1976)l.
4 4, 4
EXAMPLE 10.2 d/D d N [Eq. (111 [Eq.(2)1 (Fig. 10.7) % PIHP)
Effects of the Ratios of Impeller and Tank Diameters
Power and rpm requirements will be investigated and compared 025 28.4 300 0.637 518 0.64 1.4 45.9
436 0.57 1.45 21.5
with the data of Table 10.3. The superficial velocity is 0.6ft/sec, 0'33 37'5 145 0'573
0.50 56.8 52 0.460 359 0.45 1.5 8.2
V = 5000 gals, Sp Gr = 1.0. Viscosities of 100 CP and 5000 CPwill be
considered. With p = 100 cP, turbulence is fully developed.
With h / D = 1, D = h = 9.47 ft,
4
d/D d N 4 &e (Fig. 10.7) % P
pumping rate Q = 0.6(n/4)(9.47)* = 42.23 cfs, 0.25 28.4 228 0.839 18,990 0.84 1.3 18.7
N, = l.037(105)Q/Nd3= 4.3793/Nd3 (1) 0.33 37.5 112 0.742 16,850 0.74 1.3 8.9
0.50 56.8 40 0.597 13,800 0.60 1.3 3.2
NRe= 10.7Nd2S/p = 0.00214Nd2, p = 5000, (2)
P = N,N3d5S/1.523(10'3), (3) Table 10.3 gives these combinations of HP/rpm as suitable: 251125,
20/100, 10/56, 7.5137. The combination 10/56 checks roughly the
N, from Figure 10.6. last entry at 5000cP. Table 10.3 also has data for viscosities of
For several choices of d / D , solve Eqs. (1) and (2) 25,OOOcP, thus allowing for interpolation and possibly extra-
simultaneously with Figure 10.7. With p = 5000 cP; polation.
10.5. SUSPENSION OF SOLIDS 295
TABLE 10.3. Mixin of Liquids; Power and Im eller Speed (hp/rpm) for
Two fiscosities, as a Functionorthe Liquid Superficial
Velocity; Pitched Blade Turbine Impeller
Volume laal)
5000 CP 25,000 CP
ft/sec 1000 2000 5000 1000 2000 5000
interpolation and Possibly extrapolation. The impeller is a impeller and shaft must not rotate near their resonant frequency.
pitched-blade turbine. Such mechanical details are analyzed by Ramsey and Zoller [Chem.
2. For suspension of solids, the tables pertain to particles with E ~ ~101-108
. , (30 Aug. 1976)].
settling velocities of 10ft/min, but data are available for
25 ft/min. The impeller is a pitched-blade turbine. 10.5. SUSPENSION OF SOLIDS
3. For gas dispersion the performance depends on the gas rate.
Data are shown for a superficial inlet gas rate of 0.07 ft/sec, but Besides the dimensions of the vessel, the impeller, and baffles,
data are available up to 0.2 ft/sec. Four baffles are specified and certain Physical data are needed for complete description of a slurry
the impeller is a vertical blade turbine. mixing problem, primarily:
Example 10.2 compares data of Table 10.4 with calculations 1. Specific gravities of the solid and liquid.
based on Figures 10.6 and 10.7 for all-liquid mixing. Power and rpm 2. Solids content of the slurry (wt %).
requirements at a given superficial liquid velocity are seen to be 3. Settling velocity of the particles (ft/min).
very sensitive to impeller diameter. When alternate combinations of
HP/rpm are shown in the table for a particular performance, the The last of these may be obtained from correlations when the
design of the agitator shaft may be a discriminant between them. mesh size or particle size distribution is known, or preferably
The shaft must allow for the torque and bending moment caused by experimentally. Taking into account these factors in their effect on
the hydraulic forces acting on the impeller and shaft. Also, the suspension quality is at present a highly empirical process. Tables
296 MIXING AND AGITATION
- Volume (gal)
lOft/min 25 ft/min
ft/sec 1000 2000 5000 1000 2000 5000
[Gates, Morton, and Fondy, Chern. Eng., 144-150 (24 May 1976)].
10.2-10.5 are one such process; the one developed by Oldshue of horsepower and ratio of impeller and vessel diameters will do the
(1983) will be examined shortly. required task. Example 10.3 employs this method, and makes a
Suspension of solids is maintained by upward movement of the comparison with the Chemineer method of Tables 10.2 and 10.3.
liquid. In principle, use of a draft tube and an axial flow impeller
will accomplish this flow pattern most readily. It turns out,
however, that such arrangements are suitable only for low solids 10.6. GAS DISPERSION
contents and moderate power levels. In order to be effective, the
cross section of the draft tube must be appreciably smaller than that Gases are dispersed in liquids usually to facilitate mass transfer
of the vessel, so that the solids concentration in the draft tube may between the phases or mass transfer to be followed by chemical
become impractically high. The usually practical arrangement for reaction. In some situations gases are dispersed adequately with
solids suspension employs a pitched blade turbine which gives both spargers or porous distributors, but the main concern here is with
axial and radial flow. the more intense effects achievable with impeller driven agitators.
For a given tank size, the ultimate design objective is the
relation between power input and impeller size at a specified SPARGERS
uniformity. The factors governing such information are the slurry
volume, the slurry level, and the required uniformity. The method Mixing of liquids and suspension of solids may be accomplished by
of Oldshue has corrections for these factors, as F,, F2, and F3. bubbling with an inert gas introduced uniformly at the bottom of
When multiplied together, they make up the factor 4 which is the the tank. For mild agitation a superficial gas velocity of 1ft/min is
ordinate of Figure 10.8(d) and which determines what combinations used, and for severe, one of about 4 ftlmin.
10.6. GAS DISPERSION 297
1'ABLE 10.5. Dispersionof Gases; Power and Impeller Speed power input as a factor is given by Treybal ( M a s Transfer
(hr/r m) for Two Gas Inlet Superficial Velocities, Operations, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1980, 156); presumably this
as a function of the Liquid Superficial Velocity; is applicable only below the minimum power input here represented
Vertical Blade Turbine Impeller
_ _ _ ~~
by Figure 10.11.
Volume (gal) When mass transfer coefficients are not determinable, agitator
design may be based on superficial liquid velocities with the criteria
0.07 ft/sec 0.20 ft/sec of Table 10.2.
ft/sec 1500 3000 5000 1500 3000 5000
SLURRY VOL. - m3
4 5 7 10 15 20 30 40 50 70 100
4.0 -
40 3.0 -
i LI
0
I-
u
a
E> +
\
2.0-
m Iu
1.5 -
3
5
W
1 .o -
:wa: 0.9 -
0.8 -
0.7 -
0.6 -
I l l 1 1 I I
0.51
0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 1 .O 1.5 2 .o
1000 2000 4000 6000 10000 20000 30000 Z/T
(a)
SETTLING VELOCITY (fn/MIN.)
0.6 1.0 1.5 2.0 3.0 4.0 6.0
40
30 - I I I I I I
20 -
10 -
8.0 -
I I 1 I I
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.06.08.0 10.0 20.0
SETTLING VELOCITY ( F T . / M I N . I
(C)
F i r e 10.8. Suspension of solids. Power and ratio of diameters of impeller and tank, with four-bladed 45" impeller,
width/diameter = 0.2. [method of Oldshue (1983)l. (a) The factor on power consumption for slurry volume, 4 . (b) The
factor on power requirement for single and dual impellers at various h / D ratios, F,. (c) The effect of settling velocity
on power consumption, 4. (d) Suspension factor for various horsepowers: F4= F,F,F'.
10.6. GAS DISPERSION 299
EXAMPLE
10.3 d / D and HP is read off Figure 10.8(d).
Design of the Agitation System for Maintenance of a Slurry
These conditions are taken: HP
h / D = 1, 0.2 20 65
0.4 7.5 25
settling velocity = 10 ft/min,
0.6 4 12
solids content = 10 wt %
Reading from Figure 10.8, Comparing with readings from Tables 10.2 and 10.3,
Fl = 4, Superficial
liq. velocity HP/rpm
F,=l.l,
0.3 (off btm) 10/45,10/56
3.0, off bottom,
0.6 (uniform) 30/155,30/125,30/100,30/68
10.0, uniform,
13.2, off bottom,
~ = ~ ~ ~ = { uniform.
4 4 , These results correspond roughly to those of the Oldshue
method at d / D =0.4. The impeller sizes can be determined with
The relation between the ratio of impeller and vessel diameters, Figures 10.6 and 10.7.
Start with a known required mass transfer coefficient. From a 3. As soon as a superficial liquid velocity has been selected, a
correlation such as Figure 10.9 or Eq. (10.6) the gassed power suitable combination of HP/rpm can be taken from Table 10.5.
per unit volume will become known, and the total gassed power
to the tank will be P,. The ratio of gassed power to ungassed These procedures are applied in Example 10.4.
power is represented by Figure 10.11(a) and the equations given As general rules, levels of 5-12HP/1000gal are typical of
there; at this stage the rotation speed N is not yet known. This aerobic fermentation vessels, and 1-3 HP/1000 gal of aerobic waste
value is found by trial by simultaneous solution with Figure 10.6 treatment; concentrations and oxygen requirements of the
which relates the Reynolds and power numbers; the power here microorganisms are different in the two kinds of processes.
is the ungassed power. The value of N that results in the
precalculated P, will be the correct one. Curve 2 of Figure 10.6 is
the one applicable to gas dispersion with the data of this section.
Start with a choice of superficial liquid velocity uL made in
accordance with the criteria of Table 10.2. With the aid of the
known gas velocity us and d / D , find P,/V from Figure 10.12.
Then proceed to find N by trial with Figures 10.11(a) and 10.6 as
in method 1.
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.1
X = (P/V)(d/D)'.85
have its own feed nozzle, as in Figure 10.13(b), but usually the
0.0 streams may be combined externally near the blender and then
given the works, as in Figure 10.13(a).
One manufacturer gives these power ratings:
Tanksize (gal) 1 5 10 30
0.1 Motor HP 0.5 1 2 3
But above viscosities of lOcP a body one size larger than the line
size is recommended.
Other devices utilize the energy of the flowing fluid to do the
0.3 mixing. They are inserts to the pipeline that force continual changes
0.02 0.0 6 0.08 on8
of direction and mixing. Loading a section of piping with tower
(3) packing is an example but special assemblies of greater convenience
have been developed, some of which are shown in Figure 10.14. In
(b) each case manufacturer's literature recommends the sizes and
pressure drops needed for particular services.
Figure 10.11. Power consumption. (a) Ratio of power consumptions The Kenics mixer, Figure 10.14(a), for example, consists of a
of aerated and unaerated liquids. Q is the volumetric rate of the succession of helical elements twisted alternately in opposite
gas: (0)glycol; ( x ) ethanol; (V)water. [After Calderbank, Trans. directions. In laminar flow for instance, the flow is split in two at
Inst. Chem. Eng. 36, 443 (1958)l. (b) Ratio of power consumptions each element so that after n elements the number of striations
of aerated and unaerated liquids at low values of Q / N d 3 .Six-bladed becomes 2". The effect of this geometrical progression is illustrated
disk turbine: (0) water; (0)methanol (10%); (A)ethylene glycol in Figure 10.14(b) and points out how effective the mixing becomes
(8%); ( A ) glycerol (40%); P, = gassed power input; P = ungassed after only a few elements. The Reynolds number in a corresponding
power input; Q =gas flow rate; N = agitator speed; d = agitator- empty pipe is the major discriminant for the size of mixer, one
impeller diameter. [Luong and Volesky, AIChE J. 25, 893 (1979)j.
manufacturer,'s recommendations being
EXAMPLE 10.4 From Table 10.2, a liquid velocity of 0.6-0.7ft/sec will give
HP and rpm Requirements of an Aerated Agitated Tank moderate to high dispersion. Table 10.5 gives possible HP/rpm
A tank contains 5000 gal of liquid with sp gr = 1.0 and viscosity combination of 30/125, somewhat less than the value found here.
1OOcP that is aerated and agitated. The ratio of impeller to tank
diameters is d/D = 0.4. Two sets of conditions are to be examined. b. With liquid circulation velocity specified,
N W N ~p .1~ N~. q, P PS The closest reading from Table 10.5 is HP/rpm = 25/1OO which is a
100 0.160 0.324 22,200 4 51 16.5 good check.
150 0.107 0.422 33,300 4 172 72.6 For sulfite oxidation, at ug = 0.07 ft/sec,
127 0.1261 0.3866 28,194 4 104.5 40.4-40.0
P,/V = 4.36 HP/1000 gal, from Figure 10.9,
The last entry of P, checks the required value 40.0. Find the
corresponding superficial liquid velocity with Figure 10.12: kga = 0.07 lb mol/(cuft)/(hr)(atm).
mixing inserts in the tubes and are then claimed to have 3-5 times projects somewhat out of direct experience and where design by
normal capability in some cases. analogy may not suffice, testing in pilot plant equipment is a service
provided by many equipment suppliers.
10.8. MIXING OF POWDERS AND PASTES A few examples of mixers and blenders for powders and pastes
are illustrated in Figure 10.15. For descriptions of available
Industries such as foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, plastics, equipment-their construction, capacity, performance, power
rubbers, and also some others have to do with mixing of high consumption, etc.-the primary sources are catalogs of manufac-
viscosity liquids or pastes, of powders together and of powders with turers and contact with their offices. Classified lists of manu-
pastes. Much of this kind of work is in batch mode. The processes facturers, and some of their catalog information, appear in the
are so diverse and the criteria for uniformity of the final product are Chemical Engineering Catalog (Reinhold, New York, annually)
so imprecise that the nonspecialist can do little in the way of and in the Chemical Engineering Equipment Buyers Guide
equipment design, or in checking on the recommendations of (McGraw-Hill, New York, annually). Brief descriptions of some
equipment manufacturers. Direct experience is the main guide to types of equipment are in Perry's Chemical Engineers Handbook
selection of the best kind of equipment, predicting how well and (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1984 and earlier editions). Well-classified
quickly it will perform, and what power consumption will be. For descriptions, with figures, of paste mixers are in Ullmann (1972,
302 MIXING AND AGITATION
(a) (b)
Figure 10.13. Motor-driven in-line blenders: (a) Double impeller made by Nettco Corp.; (b)
three-inlet model made by Cleveland Mixer Co.
(a)
!!
U J
!
J r7
Element Number
1 2 3 4 5
2 4 8 16 32
Number of Striations
(e) (f)
Figure 10.14. Some kinds of in-line mixers and blenders. (a) Mixing and blending with a recirculating pump. (b) Injector
mixer with a helical baffle. (c) Several perforated plates (orifices) supported on a rod. (d) Several perforated plates flanged in.
(e) Hellical mixing elements with alternating directions (Kenics Corp.). ( f ) Showing progressive striations of the flow channels
with Kenics mixing elements.
10.8. MIXING OF POWDERS AND PASTES 303
. .... . .
(C)
Figure 10.15. Some mixers and blenders for powders and pastes. (a) Ribbon blender for powders. (b) Flow pattern in a double cone blender
rotating on a horizontal axis. (c) Twin shell (Vee-type); agglomerate breaking and liquid injection are shown on the broken line. (d) Twin
rotor; available with jacket and hollow screws for heat transfer. (e) Batch muller. ( f ) Twin mullers operated continuously. (8) Double-arm
mixer and kneader (Baker-Perkins Znc.). (h) Some types of blades for the double-arm kneader (Baker-Perkins Znc.).
304 MIXING AND AGITATION
Vol. 2, pp. 282-300) and a similar one for powder mixers (loc. cit., older books are still useful, notably those of Riegel (1953), Mead
pp. 301-311). Since this equipment industry has been quite stable, (1964), and particularly Kieser (1934-1939).
REFERENCES
7. S. Nagata, Mixing Principles and Applications, Wiley, New York,
1. R.S. Brodkey (Ed.), Turbulence in Mixing Operations, Academic, New 1975.
York, 1975. 8. J.Y. Oldshue, Fluid Miring Technology, McGraw-Hill, New York,
2. Chemineer Co. Staff, Liquid Agitation, Reprint of 12 articles from 1983.
Chemical Engineering, 8 Dec. 1975-6 Dec. 1976. 9. E.R. Riegel, Chemical Process Machinery, Reinhold, New York, 1953.
3. D.S. Dickey, In Handbook of Chemical Engineering Calculations, (N.P. 10. Z. Sterbacek and P. Tausk, Miring in the Chemical Industry, Pergamon,
Chopey and T.G. Hicks Eds.), McGraw-Hill, New York, 1984. New York, 1965.
4. S . Harnby, M.F. Edwards, and A.W. Nienow, Miring in the Process 11. J.J. Ulbrecht and G.K. Patterson, Mixing of Liquids by Mechanical
Industries, Buttenvorths, Stoneham, MA, 1985. Agitation, Gordon & Breach, New York, 1985.
5. A.J. Kieser, Handbuch der chemisch-technischen Apparate, Springer- 12. V. Uhl and J.B. Gray (Eds.), Miring Theory and Practice, Academic,
Verlag, Berlin, 1934-1939. New York, 1966, 1967, 2 vols.
6. W.J. Mead, Encyclopedia of Chemical Process Equipment, Reinhold, W. Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Verlag Chemie,
New York, 1964. Weinheim, Germany, 1972, Vol. 2, pp. 249-311.