Agitation

and
Mixing
 Agitation Mixing
It refers to the induced
It is the random distribution,
motion of a material in a
into and through one another,
specified way, usually in a
of two or more initially
circulatory pattern inside
separate phases.
some sort of container.
 Purposes of
Agitation
1. Suspending solid particles
2. Blending miscible liquids
3. Dispersing gas through the liquid in the
form of bubbles
4. Dispersing a liquid, immiscible with the
first, to form an emulsion or
suspension of fine drops
5. Promoting heat transfer between the
liquid and a coil or jacket
Agitated Vessel
It is a cylindrical tank with a
vertical axis used in agitation.
 Three main types of
impellers:
1. Propellers
It is an axial-flow, high speed impeller for liquid of low
viscosity

Small propellers full motor speed: 1150 or 1750 rpm

Larger propellers full motor speed: 400 to 800 rpm

Pitch ratio of distance to the propeller diameter
Square pitch a propeller with a pitch of 1.0
 Three main types of
impellers:
2. Turbines
Standard turbine design

1 1
= =1 =
3 12

1 1 1
= = =
3 5 4
 Three main types of
impellers:
3. High efficiency impellers
has three slanted blades that are
crimped to decrease the blade angle
near the tip.
 Anchor
impeller
used to provide good agitation
near the floor of the tank
Flow pattern depends
on the following:
1. Type of impeller
2. Characteristics of the liquid
(viscosity)
3. Size and proportions of the tank
4. Baffles
5. Impeller
Three velocity
components:
1. Radial velocity
acts in a direction perpendicular
to the shaft of the impeller
Three velocity
components:
2. Longitudinal velocity
acts in a direction parallel with the
shaft
Three velocity
components:
3. Tangential or rotational velocity
acts in a direction tangent to
circular path around the shaft
 Prevention of
swirling:
1. In small tanks, the impeller can be
mounted off center

2. In large tanks with vertical agitators,

baffles can be installed

3. In a vertical cylindrical tank, the

depth of the liquid should be equal
to or somewhat greater than the
diameter of the tank
 Draft tubes
used when the direction and
velocity of flow to the suction of
the impeller are to be controlled