LIQUID DISPERSION MECHANISMS IN AGITATED TANKS: PART I. PITCHED BLADE TURBINE

An oil into water dispersion, created by a pitched blade turbine, was observed using high speed, stereoscopic motion pictures. Two different dispersion mechanisms were responsible for the break-up of the oil drops, even though both mechanisms occurred in the vortex system trailing from the impeller blade tips. The first mechanism could be described as ligament stretching, since large oil drops were stretched by fluid shear to form elongated ligaments, which subsequently ruptured into small drops. The second mechanism was turbulent fragmentation, where large oil drops were shattered into large droplet clouds the instant they entered the trailing vortex system. Observations of the oil drops undergoing ligament stretching also indicated that velocities in the trailing vortex system were proportional to impeller tip speed.     

LIQUID DISPERSION MECHANISMS IN AGITATED TANKS: PART I. PITCHED BLADE TURBINE

An oil into water dispersion, created by a pitched blade turbine, was observed using high speed, stereoscopic motion pictures. Two different dispersion mechanisms were responsible for the break-up of the oil drops, even though both mechanisms occurred in the vortex system trailing from the impeller blade tips. The first mechanism could be described as ligament stretching, since large oil drops were stretched by fluid shear to form elongated ligaments, which subsequently ruptured into small drops. The second mechanism was turbulent fragmentation, where large oil drops were shattered into large droplet clouds the instant they entered the trailing vortex system. Observations of the oil drops undergoing ligament stretching also indicated that velocities in the trailing vortex system were proportional to impeller tip speed.     

LIQUID DISPERSION MECHANISMS IN AGITATED TANKS PART III. LOW VISCOSITY DISCRETE PHASE INTO HIGH VISCOSITY CONTINUOUS PHASE

The dispersion or a low viscosity liquid into a high viscosity liquid was investigated in an agitated tank using a pitched blade turbine. The trailing vortex system was found to be responsible for the formation of ligaments and sheets of the low viscosity liquid. Dispersion, though, was found to occur due to: 1) the break-up of ligaments and 2) small drop production from large drops in a recirculation flow; both dispersion mechanisms were a classical Rayleigh type break-up. The drop size produced in the recirculation flow from large drops was on the order of those observed in the turbulent fragmentation mechanism. The flow, though, was entirely laminar.     

LIQUID DISPERSION MECHANISMS IN AGITATED TANKS PART III. LOW VISCOSITY DISCRETE PHASE INTO HIGH VISCOSITY CONTINUOUS PHASE

The dispersion or a low viscosity liquid into a high viscosity liquid was investigated in an agitated tank using a pitched blade turbine. The trailing vortex system was found to be responsible for the formation of ligaments and sheets of the low viscosity liquid. Dispersion, though, was found to occur due to: 1) the break-up of ligaments and 2) small drop production from large drops in a recirculation flow; both dispersion mechanisms were a classical Rayleigh type break-up. The drop size produced in the recirculation flow from large drops was on the order of those observed in the turbulent fragmentation mechanism. The flow, though, was entirely laminar.     

On the hydrodynamics characterization of the straight Maxblend impeller with Newtonian fluids

The hydrodynamics generated by the straight version of the Maxblend^® impeller with Newtonian fluids in a baffled stirred vessel under the transitional and turbulent regime has been experimentally characterized by means of the particle image velocimetry technique. The flow fields obtained with the Maxblend were compared with those obtained with a double stage classical pitched blade turbine (PBT) and a double Ekato Intermig^® impellers under the same specific power draw. It is shown that these open impellers induce complex local flows in the radial and axial direction, with an intensity decreasing away from the blades. By contrast, the Maxblend impeller generates a more regular circulation pattern, with efficient top-to-bottom pumping.     

Effect of blade pitch on the structure of the trailing vortex around rushton turbine impellers

Effect of blade number on the structure of the trailing vortex around the Rushton turbine impeller is examined by analyzing the data of mean velocities, deformation rates, turbulent kinetic energy and energy dissipation rates for 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-straight blades disk turbine impellers in a baffled standard geometry stirred tank. The data of Sauter mean bubble diameter near the blade tip are combined with the turbulent characteristics around the vortex to discuss how the blade number and the strength of the vortex affect the performance of the gas dispersion around the Rushton turbines under a low gassing rate. The results of this analysis show that if power input per each blade is the same, the impeller having four blades not only has the strongest average mean deformation rates and the largest turbulent kinetic energy, but also disperses the smallest average bubbles under the same gassing rate.     

Axial thrust of axial flow impellers

This paper presents an analysis of the axial thrust of axial flow high-speed impellers under a turbulent regime of flow of an agitated liquid. The axial thrust is calculated from the measured total axial force affecting the cylindrical fully baffled mixing vessel and from the radial profile of the axial component of the ensemble-averaged mean velocity in the impeller discharge stream. The results of experimentally determined values of the dimensionless criteria (thrust number and momentum number) are successfully compared with the axial thrust of the pitched blade impellers calculated from the theoretically predicted simplified radial profiles of the axial component of the mean velocity in the impeller discharge stream.     

The Influence of Macroscopic Elongational Flow on Dispersion Processes in Agitated Tanks

The influence of elongational and shear gradients in the macroscopic flow field in agitated tanks on dispersion processes is investigated. Measurements of droplet size distribution for a liquid‐liquid dispersion process using phase‐Doppler anemometry (PDA) reveal that axial‐flow impellers, such as the 24°‐pitched‐blade turbine and propeller, produce smaller droplets than the Rushton turbine at the same average specific power and energy input. These results stand in contradiction to the usual assumption that only the maximum turbulent shear stress determines the breakup process and the Rushton turbine is well known to produce higher turbulent shear stresses. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements of the macroscopic flow field indicate that the 24°‐pitched‐blade turbine and propeller produce larger areas with higher elongational gradients. Therefore, the proposed consideration of particle breakup due to macroscopic elongational flow in addition to turbulent stresses improves the understanding of dispersion processes in agitated tanks.     

Effect of the attack angle on the roll and trailing vortex structures in an agitated vessel with a paddle impeller

The purpose of the present study is to observe the effect of the blade attack angle on the roll and trailing vortex structures in a stirred vessel via laser-Doppler velocimetry (LDV). In this investigation, four-bladed paddle impellers with four attack angles, which were 45^°, 60^°, 75^° and 90^°, respectively, were used. By synchronizing LDV with a rotary encoder coupled to the impeller shaft, angle-resolved measurements of all three velocity components were performed. This experimental method made it possible to capture the details of the vortical structure both behind the impeller blade and discharge region. Our study on the mean flow structure generated by three types of pitched blade turbines (45^°, 60^°, and 75^°, respectively) found that a single trailing vortex was formed around each turbine blade. Roll-up of the vortex sheet issuing from the blade tip was also observed, which indicated a major roll of trailing vortex generation mechanism for each pitched blade turbine.     

组合桨的气液搅拌特性实验研究

对 6种三层组合搅拌桨的功率准数及传质特性进行了实验研究。结果表明 ,1层径流型桨叶和2层混流型桨叶的组合 ,综合性能优于其他形式搅拌桨的组合 ,其功率准数比六直叶圆盘涡轮式桨叶减少 4 0 % ,且在通气下其功率下降最小 ,而传质系数Kla与最大的三层六直叶圆盘涡轮搅拌桨相当     

一种新型搅拌桨多相混合性能研究

提出了一种新构型的搅拌桨一错位桨,并以空气-水-石英砂三相体系为研究对象,与传统的径流桨(Rushton桨)和轴流桨(斜叶桨)在功率消耗、混合时间、气体循环方面进行了比较.结果表明,错位桨相对于传统Rushton桨,功率消耗降低.适应气速范围广,轴向混合能力明显提升;在同等条件下与斜叶浆相比,气体分散能力强,混合时间少.这种新型桨能克服径向流叶轮在轴向混合方面能力的缺陷,有较好的潜在工业应用价值.     

Characterisation of three different impellers using the LDV-technique

A characterisation of three commonly used impellers was made in this study by measuring local mean velocities and the fluctuations of these velocities with the LDV technique. The data was used to estimate volumetric flow, velocity fluctuations and turbulent intensity in the impeller region of the tank. The impellers investigated were a high flow impeller, a pitched blade turbine and a Rushton turbine. The cylindrical vessel used was made of Perspex, had a dished bottom (DIN 28013), was equipped with four baffles and had an inner diameter of 0.45 m. It was found that the bulk velocities could be scaled with the tip-speed of the impeller (ND). The flow rate at constant impeller speed increased in the order high flow impeller — Rushton turbine — pitched blade turbine. The corresponding order for the turbulence fluctuation is: high flow impeller — pitched blade turbine — Rushton turbine. The velocity profile of the flow out from the high flow impeller was furthermore, not as smooth as could be expected.     

圆盘涡轮式搅拌器的搅拌性能比较分析

在椭圆封头搅拌槽中根据行业标准建立了4种圆盘涡轮式搅拌器的几何模型,利用标准k-ε湍流模型和多参考系(MRF)方法,研究了叶片形状、搅拌速度、旋转方向和流型转变对搅拌功率、排出流量、泵出效率和剪切速率的影响。结果表明：叶片形状对功率、排出流量、泵出效率和流型转变的临界安装高度均有影响;径向流条件下,泵出效率排序为圆弧叶(反)>弯叶(正)>箭叶(反)>圆弧叶(正)>平直叶>箭叶(正)>弯叶(反);流型由径向流转变为轴向流后,搅拌功率及径向排出流量均下降。对标准搅拌器的性能评估为工业搅拌设备的选型和设计提供了参考依据。     

GAS-LIQUID MASS TRANSFER CHARACTERISTICS OF LARGE-SCALE IMPELLERS: EMPIRICAL CORRELATIONS OF GAS HOLDUPS AND VOLUMETRIC MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS IN STIRRED TANKS

Gas dispersion with large-scale impellers consisting of modified large paddle impellers in stirred tanks, with rather large ratios of both impeller diameter and impeller height to tank diameter, was experimentally examined in transition and turbulent mixing ranges. Gas holdups and volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficients with large-scale impellers, i.e., Maxblend and Fullzone impellers, were measured in 0.31 and 0.6 m I.D. stirred tanks, and the gas dispersion performance of large-scale impellers was compared with that of double conventional small-scale high-speed impeller systems, i.e., double four-flat blade disk turbine impellers and double four-flat paddle impellers.

The gas holdups of the large-scale impellers were comparable with those of the small-scale impeller systems at a given rotational speed. The volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficients for large-scale impellers were also similar to those of the small-scale impeller systems. It was found that the large-scale impellers are not more energy efficient than the small-scale impellers in obtaining good gas dispersion.

Empirical correlations for gas holdups and volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficients were developed. They fit the experimental data in transition and turbulent mixing ranges reasonably well, with correlation factors greater than 0.84.     

GAS-LIQUID MASS TRANSFER CHARACTERISTICS OF LARGE-SCALE IMPELLERS: EMPIRICAL CORRELATIONS OF GAS HOLDUPS AND VOLUMETRIC MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS IN STIRRED TANKS

Gas dispersion with large-scale impellers consisting of modified large paddle impellers in stirred tanks, with rather large ratios of both impeller diameter and impeller height to tank diameter, was experimentally examined in transition and turbulent mixing ranges. Gas holdups and volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficients with large-scale impellers, i.e., Maxblend and Fullzone impellers, were measured in 0.31 and 0.6 m I.D. stirred tanks, and the gas dispersion performance of large-scale impellers was compared with that of double conventional small-scale high-speed impeller systems, i.e., double four-flat blade disk turbine impellers and double four-flat paddle impellers.

The gas holdups of the large-scale impellers were comparable with those of the small-scale impeller systems at a given rotational speed. The volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficients for large-scale impellers were also similar to those of the small-scale impeller systems. It was found that the large-scale impellers are not more energy efficient than the small-scale impellers in obtaining good gas dispersion.

Empirical correlations for gas holdups and volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficients were developed. They fit the experimental data in transition and turbulent mixing ranges reasonably well, with correlation factors greater than 0.84.     

叶片圆盘泵叶轮无叶区内部流场数值模拟

为研究叶片圆盘泵叶轮无叶区内的流动特征,采用RNGk-ε湍流模型与SIMPLEC算法,对叶片圆盘泵内三维不可压湍流场进行数值模拟,得到速度等值线图和压力等值线图,并对模拟结果进行分析。发现周向流动是叶片圆盘泵叶轮无叶区内的主要流动方式,无叶区内较大部分是低压区,无叶区内除存在轴向流动外还存在径向回流。     

Power Consumption in the Turbulent Regime for a Coaxial Mixer

The power consumption of a new coaxial mixer composed of an anchor impeller and a pitched‐blade turbine impeller, and a series of rods operated in a contra‐rotating mode has been characterized experimentally in the turbulent regime. It is shown that both the power curve and the turbulent power number vary significantly with the speed ratio between the impellers. Likewise with single impeller mixers, the transition regime starts at a Reynolds number above 100 and the turbulent regime between 10³ and 10⁴ irrespective of the definition of the Reynolds number used.     

Experimental Analysis of Hydrodynamics Induced by a Moritz HAS Impeller in Laminar and Turbulent Regimes

The hydrodynamics induced by a Moritz HAS impeller are investigated using the PIV technique. The purpose of this study is to extend the knowledge of this kind of impeller, well known in turbulent flow, to the transition regime and laminar flow. Measurements of instantaneous velocity fields are synchronized with the position of the blade of the impeller. The periodic motion induced by the impeller blade rotation is measured by this conditional averaging. A triple decomposition is used to analyze the levels of turbulent kinetic energy and periodic kinetic energy induced by the impeller. In a turbulent regime, the impeller induces axial flow: the magnitude of periodic fluctuation is low compared to the turbulent one. In a laminar regime, the impeller induces a tangential‐radial discharge flow, and periodic velocity fluctuations are limited to the vicinity of the impeller.     

CFD simulation and PIV measurement of the flow field generated by modified pitched blade turbine impellers

The hydrodynamics generated by modified pitched blade turbine (m-PBT) impellers with down-pumping mode were systematically investigated through particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements and computational fluid dynamics simulations. The simulated mean axial velocity, mean radial velocity, and turbulent kinetic energy by the standard k–? turbulent model were validated against the measured PIV data. This shows that the standard k–? turbulent model predicts mean velocity well, but underestimates turbulent kinetic energy near the blade. The flow field and power consumption as well as pumping number for the m-PBT and the standard PBT impeller were predicted. The simulation results demonstrate that a few simple changes of the blade shape influence the velocity distribution, i.e., increasing the magnitude of mean velocity in the vicinity of impeller, and that the m-PBT impeller has a higher pumping efficiency than the standard one.     

搅拌槽内多层组合桨对液-液分散特性的影响

以水-煤油及水-环己烷为体系,研究Rushton涡轮桨(RT),半椭圆管涡轮(HEDT)及翼形轴流式桨(CBY)的6种不同组合桨的液-液分散特性。测定了不同输入功率时分散相体积分率沿轴向及径向的分布。结果表明:当搅拌槽内液位与槽径之比达1.5,在相同输入功率时,三层桨的液液分散性能优于两层桨,功率准数较低的CBY组合桨在输入功率0.8kW/m~3时,槽内的轴向及径向分散相体积分率达到稳定的均匀分布。而功率准数较大的RT组合桨需要在输入功率1.8kW/m~3才能达到槽内分散相的均匀分布。