ABSTRACT Mixing is a process where two or more substances enter a chamber where they are combined.

Different substances will require different levels of mixing, stirring speeds, and elapsed times. Because of these variables, drives can play a key role in the mixing process. The key to effective mixing for liquids is to create multiple flow patterns in the fluid being mixed. This motion is imparted to a fluid "pocket" as it contacts the blade on the rotating agitator. The momentum of this pocket will keep it in motion until it either contacts the wall of the vessel, or runs into another moving pocket. Three components for the motion are identified as radial flow (outward from an agitator), axial flow (parallel to the agitator arm), or angular flow (parallel to the vessel wall in a horizontal plane). Liquid flow can further be defined as either laminar or turbulent. The nature of the liquids and suspensions themselves affect fluid flow and mixing properties as well. Specific properties of concern are the fluid densities, viscosity, temperatures, pressures, and volatility. These properties have been related in a dimensionless formula called the Reynolds Impeller Number defined here:

NRe=
Some observations regarding the Reynolds Impeller Number: If NRE<= 10, flow is laminar. If NRE> 10000, flow is turbulent, and between 10 and 10000 there is a transition range where both laminar and turbulent flow elements exist. Doubling the impeller diameter will quadruple NRE. This follows, as the impeller will sweep an area four times larger when the diameter is doubled. Temperatures and pressures are accounted for in NRE as they affect both density and viscosity

Objectives a. Effect of speed of rotation on power requirement for baffled and unbaffled tanks. To show the relationship between the power number against Reynolds number for baffled and unbaffled tanks. b. Effect in impeller diameter on power requirement of agitation on baffled and unbaffled tanks.

Equipments and Materials Agitator, 2-blade paddle or square-pitch propeller (3 sizes) Baffle strips (removable) Dynamometer Tachometer Container (10 diameter, 18 deep transparent)

Procedure: The container is filled to almost 14 inches (tank is without baffles). The impeller is attached to the agitator and immersed inside the container (elevation is about 4 inches). The dynamometer is then attached to the shaft and the power requirement for different speed of rotation was measured. Speed was also measured using the tachometer. The baffle srips were then placed inb the container and the speed and the power is measured again.

Tabulated data and results: Table 1. Raw Data Speed of Rotation Slow Medium Fast Trials 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 With Baffles(rpm) 430 480 450 2025 2655 2635 3220 3250 3125 Without Baffles(rpm) 850 650 550 2810 3090 3110 3400 3360 3390

Sample Calculations P= Power Np= power number `= 1.37 = density of water = diameter of the tank = 1.75 in (0.4445 m) N = rotational speed NRe = Reynolds Number

Reynolds Number

NRe= Np = P
=

Equation 1

Power Number

Equation 2

Power

Equation 3

Calculation for with baffles: Slow TRIAL 1

P = (1.37)( 997.08 P = 0.0290 Hp

)( 0.04445 m)5 ( 430

) 2(

)3(

)(

NRe =

)(

)(

NRe= 99261.04 > 4000 turbulent

Medium TRIAL 1 P = (1.37) ( 997.08 P = 3.03114 Hp )( 0.04445 m)5 ( 2025 x ) 2( )3 ( )( )

NRe =

)(

)(

NRe= 467, 450.08 > 4000 turbulent

Fast TRIAL 1

P = (1.37) ( 997.08 P = 12.1870 Hp

)( 0.04445 m)5 ( 3220

) 2(

)3 (

)(

NRe =

)(

)(

NRe= 750,288.84 > 4000 turbulent

Table 2. Tabulated results after calculation using the equations 1, 2 and 3 . ROTATION 1 Slow 2 3 1 Medium 2 3 1 2 Fast 3 WITH BAFFLES 430 480 450 2025 2655 2635 3220 3250 3125 P, Hp 0.0290 0.0404 0.0333 3.30114 6.83163 6.6784 12.870 12.5309 11.1399 NRe 99261.04 110803.03 103877.84 467450.28 612879.25 608262.46 743303.65 750228.84 721373.89 WITHOUT BAFFLES 850 650 550 2810 3090 3110 3400 3360 3390 P, Hp 0.2242 0.1002 0.0607 8.0903 10.7698 10.9802 14.3472 13.8468 14.2210 NRe 196213.70 150045.77 126961.80 648659.40 713294.50 717911.29 784854.79 775621.20 782546.39 Remarks Turbulent Turbulent Turbulent Turbulent Turbulent Turbulent Turbulent Turbulent Turbulent

Result Analysis The results show the increasing trend of the Power requirement as the rotation of the impeller is increased. 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. The turbulence of the flow inside the tank is evident. Turbulent flow creates a random pattern where micro-pockets of fluid collide frequently with one another. New micro-pockets are continually formed from collisions, and random flow patterns result. This type of flow produces the most effective mixing, however in excess, can waste energy or produce unwanted entrainment of air. The effect of turbulence affects therefore the power requirement.

Application to Chemical Engineering Agitation is a means whereby mixing of phases can be accomplished and by which mass and heat transfer can be enhanced between phases or with external surfaces. In its most general sense, the process of mixing is concerned with all combinations of phases of which the most frequently occurring ones are gases with gases. gases into liquids: dispersion. gases with granular solids: fluidization, pneumatic liquids into gases: spraying and atomization.

liquids with liquids: dissolution, emulsification, dispersion liquids with granular solids: suspension. pastes with each other and with solids. solids with solids: mixing of powders.

The following aree the applications where chemical engineers work and practice engineering using the principles of agitation and the agitators.

Agitator for Environmental Protection

Agitator for Water Treating

Agitator for Mineral

Agitator for Biological Technology Fermentation

Agitator for Paint

Agitator for Food and Beverage

Agitator for Fine Chemical

Agitator for Petrochemical