Impeller Technology

The key to an efficient mixing system is the impeller. For each application there is an ideal
impeller. FEDA, Inc. has decades of experience in fluid mixing, and uniquely placed to
offer effective solutions for all application areas. FEDAs commitment to mixing application
has helped to create a unique, modern, spectrum of impellers, which meet the needs of
processes accurately and efficiently. FEDAs mixers range from fractional kW through to
the hunderds of kW to suit application requirement. The use of FEDA impellers has
generated lower capital and operating costs for many customers.

Impeller Selection
Mixing is the key to process design. Impeller selection is a key to mixer design. How
impellers convert energy into fluid motion is fundamental to their ability to provide a
predictable process result.

All the energy (P) applied by any mixing impeller produces a pumping effect (Q) and a
velocity head (H), so that P QH
A knowledge of how this balance of energy distribution can change with impeller geometry
is fundamental to mixer design. FEDA has used its extensive knowledge of impeller fluid
mechanics to recommend a variety of efficient, process specific, impellers.

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Impeller
Standard Hydrofoil
Most efficient axial flow impeller for
blending, solid suspension etc.

Wide Blade Hydrofoil

Available in various no of blades
depending of flow requirement

Pitched Blade Turbine

Concave Disc Impeller

Gas Dispersion
2.5 to 5 times gas dispersion
capability than Disc Impeller

High Speed Disperser

Emulsion of immiscible fluids
Dispersion of particles

Disc Impeller
Gas Dispersion
Liquid liquid dispersion
Folding Impeller
Where opening is very small to insert
an impeller.
It is inserted in closed position and
opens up during rotation

Helianchor
Very efficient in high viscosity mixing
and heat transfer
Helical Impeller with Augar
Very high viscosity fluids requiring
efficient mixing
Mig or Counterflow impeller
Improves the overall mixing by
creating counter current flow between
centre of the vessel and wall of the
vessel
Intermig
Modified version of Mig Impeller.
Can handle more impeller spacing
and better overall mixing

Multi shaft agitator & Mixer

High Speed Disperser and
Anchor/helix Impeller within the same
 vessel
Co Axial Impeller
Mostly used for highly viscous fluid
which requires very high shear as well
as overall mixing
Pitched Anchor/ Sectional Helix
Bottom Impeller for distillation
application where the final residue is
highly viscous or contains solids
Improving flow near the vessel wall
and centre of the vessel
Pumper Mixer
Used in mixer settler for metal
extraction application

Impeller Comparison

Not all impellers perform at a similar level of efficiency even though they may superficially
look to be similar in design. The performance capability of flow impellers can be compared
by an evaluation of flow efficiency.

Knowledge of the flow numbers (Nq) and power number (Np) of the impellers being
compared is required. Advanced technology provides predictable mixing
Nq =Q/ND3
Nre =ND2/

Np = Impeller power number

Nq = Impeller flow number
N = Impeller rotational speed (1/sec)
Nre = Impeller Reynolds Number
= Viscosity in Pas
P = Impeller power (W)
D = Impeller diameter (m)
Q = Impeller primary flow (m3/sec) (pumping capacity)
= Fluid density (kg/m3)
The following basic equations can then be applied:
Impeller spectrum indicates relative power apportioned to Q and H for various impeller
types.
Np = PN3D5 kW
Flow (Q)
Pressure Head (Shear) H

Comparison Basis
Before two impellers can be compared, a basis for the comparison must be established.
Whilst many combinations of parameters can be applied (e.g. power required at constant
flow and speed, or constant speed and diameter), the most applicable to the flow
controlled operations of blending, solids suspension and heat transfer is constant
diameter, D and constant flow, Q. Applying the basic mixing formulae in ratio form gives
the following comparison
Parameter SHF PBT
Np .3 1.25
Nq .5 .7
Speed 60 RPM 42 RPM
Diameter 1 1
Flow 1 1
Power 1 1.5
Q/P 1 .66
Torque 1 2.13