Power Requirement (Agitator and High-Torque Stirrer)

School of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
Mapua Institute of Technology

Chemical Engineering Laboratory 1
COMPUTATION
• For Fluid A:
Unbaffled Vessel
N = 160 rev/min x 1 min/60 s = 2.67 rev/s
NRe = NDi2ρ / µ
= (2.67 rev/s)(0.127 m)2(1000 kg/m3) / 0.0008 kg/m·s
NRe = 53763.33
NPo = 1.7
NPo = Pgc / N3Di5ρ
P = NPoN3Di5ρ / gc
= (1.7)(2.67 rev/s)3(0.127 m)5(1000 kg/m3) / 1 kg·m/s2/N
P = 1.07 N·m/s
Baffled Vessel
NRe = NDi2ρ / µ
= (2.2 rev/s)(0.127 m)2(1000 kg/m3) / 0.0008 kg/m·s
NRe = 44354.75
NPo = 7
NPo = Pgc / N3Di5ρ
P = NPoN3Di5ρ / gc
= (7)(2.2 rev/s)3(0.127 m)5(1000 kg/m3) / 1 kg·m/s2/N
P = 2.463 N·m/s
• For Fluid B:
Unbaffled Vessel
NRe = NDi2ρ / µ
= (2.17 rev/s)(0.127 m)2(1000 kg/m3) / 0.0008 kg/m·s
NRe = 43682.71
NPo = 1.8
NPo = Pgc / N3Di5ρ
P = NPoN3Di5ρ / gc
= (1.8)(2.17 rev/s)3(0.127 m)5(1000 kg/m3) / 1 kg·m/s2/N
P = 0.571 N·m/s
Baffled Vessel
NRe = NDi2ρ / µ
= (2.083 rev/s)(0.127 m)2(1000 kg/m3) / 0.0008 kg/m·s
NRe = 42002.6
NPo = 7
NPo = Pgc / N3Di5ρ
P = NPoN3Di5ρ / gc
= (7)(2.083 rev/s)3(0.127 m)5(1000 kg/m3) / 1 kg·m/s2/N
P = 2.09 N·m/s
GRAPH
Graph 1
80
70
Power Requirement, W
60
50
Fluid A - Unbaffled
40
Fluid A - Baffled
30
20
10
0
0 10 20 30
Speed Setting
Graph 2
70
60
50
40 Fluid B - Unbaffled
30 Fluid B - Baffled
20
10
0
0 10 20 30
Speed Setting
Graph 3
25
20
15
Fluid A - Unbaffled
10 Fluid B - Unbaffled
0
0 10 20 30
Speed Setting
Graph 4
80
70
60
50
Fluid A - Baffled
40
Fluid B - Baffled
30
20
10
0
0 10 20 30
Speed Setting
INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
This experiment only utilizes the agitator equipment; the high-torque stirrer was
excluded because of its damages. Before the start of the experiment a couple of
measurement was made – the diameter of the vessel and impeller, which are vital in the
computations later on. The fluids densities and viscosities were assumed because of its
similarities with the properties of water. Two fluids were examined – Soap solution
(Fluid A) and Calcium carbonate solution (Fluid B). The data were obtained with and
without the baffled vessel. To start the experiment, the 6-bladed flat turbine impeller was
attached at the lower end of the shaft and the shaft was fastened to the motor carefully by
screws (not tightly to avoid damage). The baffle was then placed in the tank properly.
The shaft must be placed in the middle of the tank to lessen the error occurred. When the
set-up was done, the speed setting was adjusted and agitation starts, let it be for 30
seconds for adjustments then use the tachometer to determine the speed. Take note that
the tachometer must be already placed on the spindle before triggering it. These
procedures were repeated at different speed settings, for the other fluid, and with &
without the baffled vessel. A vortex will occur if without the baffle. From the following
data, we were able to compute for the Reynold’s number to be used to obtain the power
number from a given graph. Using the power number formula, Power was computed.
CONCLUSION
• The power requirement of an agitation process is greater for the soap solution
than for the calcium carbonate solution.
• Agitation process requires more power with baffles than without baffles.
• Different impellers have different power requirements.

STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Give two advantages of using baffles in agitation.
a) Baffles are often included to reduce tangential motion.

b) At higher speeds baffles are used, since, without baffles, the liquid is
simply swirled around with little actual mixing.
2. Which of the following agitation processes require greater power? Explain your
answers.
A. with or without baffles?
Agitation process with baffles requires greater power because with

more power vortex does not occur hence proper mixing is attainable.
B. Fluid A or fluid B?
Fluid A requires greater power because it has a higher viscosity

which basically has a higher resistance in contrast with the impeller.
3. Does changing the impeller affect the power requirement of the agitation process?
Explain.
Yes, changing the impeller affects the power requirement of the

agitation process because with different types of impellers, mixing
effectiveness varies. By increasing its power the impellers efficiency
increases.

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School of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry

Mapua Institute of Technology

N = 160 rev/min x 1 min/60 s = 2.67 rev/s

NPo = Pgc / N3Di5ρ

N = 132 rev/min x 1 min/60 s = 2.2 rev/s

NPo = Pgc / N3Di5ρ

N = 130 rev/min x 1 min/60 s = 2.17 rev/s

NPo = Pgc / N3Di5ρ

N = 125 rev/min x 1 min/60 s = 2.083 rev/s

NPo = Pgc / N3Di5ρ

• Different impellers have different power requirements.

1. Give two advantages of using baffles in agitation.

a) Baffles are often included to reduce tangential motion.

A. with or without baffles?

Agitation process with baffles requires greater power because with

Fluid A requires greater power because it has a higher viscosity

Yes, changing the impeller affects the power requirement of the

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