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    Mixing 101 Flow Patterns Impellers

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    Simon Tin Hann Pyng
    This document discusses mixing flow patterns and impeller types. It explains that impellers create fluid flow patterns that are important for mixing. The two main flow patterns are axial and radial, and correspond to axial and radial impeller types. Axial impellers create up and down flow and are useful for suspending solids and preventing stratification. Common axial impellers include propellers, pitch blades, and hydrofoils. Radial impellers create side to side flow and provide high shear but lower pumping than axial impellers. Impeller selection depends on the desired flow pattern and factors like viscosity.

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    Mixing 101 Flow Patterns Impellers

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    Simon Tin Hann Pyng
    242 views3 pages
    This document discusses mixing flow patterns and impeller types. It explains that impellers create fluid flow patterns that are important for mixing. The two main flow patterns are axial and radial, and correspond to axial and radial impeller types. Axial impellers create up and down flow and are useful for suspending solids and preventing stratification. Common axial impellers include propellers, pitch blades, and hydrofoils. Radial impellers create side to side flow and provide high shear but lower pumping than axial impellers. Impeller selection depends on the desired flow pattern and factors like viscosity.

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    Dynamixinc.com-Mixing 101 Flow Patterns Impellers

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    This document discusses mixing flow patterns and impeller types. It explains that impellers create fluid flow patterns that are important for mixing. The two main flow patterns are axial and radial, and correspond to axial and radial impeller types. Axial impellers create up and down flow and are useful for suspending solids and preventing stratification. Common axial impellers include propellers, pitch blades, and hydrofoils. Radial impellers create side to side flow and provide high shear but lower pumping than axial impellers. Impeller selection depends on the desired flow pattern and factors like viscosity.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    242 views3 pages

    Mixing 101 Flow Patterns Impellers

    Uploaded by

    Simon Tin Hann Pyng
    This document discusses mixing flow patterns and impeller types. It explains that impellers create fluid flow patterns that are important for mixing. The two main flow patterns are axial and radial, and correspond to axial and radial impeller types. Axial impellers create up and down flow and are useful for suspending solids and preventing stratification. Common axial impellers include propellers, pitch blades, and hydrofoils. Radial impellers create side to side flow and provide high shear but lower pumping than axial impellers. Impeller selection depends on the desired flow pattern and factors like viscosity.

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    Mixing 101: Flow Patterns & Impellers

    www.dynamixinc.com /mixing-101-the-basic-principles-of-mixing-and-impellers

    Mixing Flow Patterns & Impeller Types


    In our article on 4 Impeller Types and Their Applications, we provided an overview on the most common types of
    impellers used in industrial mixing. Now well go into more detail about each impeller type and their influences on
    the mixing process.

    Our focus on impellers is due to the fact that they are the part of the mixer that does the actual mixing: as they
    rotate they create fluid flow. These flow patterns are the primary considerations when designing a mixer because
    creating the right flow pattern is critical to achieving the desired result.

    The most common flow patterns in mixing are axial (down and up) and radial (side to side) flow. These flow
    patterns also describe the generic classes of impellers: axial and radial.

    1. Axial Flow Impellers

    Axial (down and up) pumping is an important flow pattern because it addresses two of the most common
    challenges in mixing; solid suspension and stratification. In this process both the superficial and annular
    velocities can be calculated to determine and control the level of mixing. (If your axial impeller is causing swirling
    or vortexing, check out our previous Mixing 101 posting Baffled by Baffles?)

    Here are some of the most common axial impellers:

    A. Marine-type Propellers

    Viscosity: 0 5,000 cps

    Commonly used on marine boats, the propellers are often used in small portable direct drive
    mixer applications because theyre economical and efficient. However, in larger applications
    theyre seldom used because of their price and weight.

    1/3
    B. Pitch

    Viscosity: 0 50,000 cps

    The pitch blade impeller is the most versatile impeller and was the standard until the
    development of the airfoil. Theyre useful in blending two or more liquids and are effective in low
    bottom clearance with less liquid submergence.

    C. DynaflowTM (Hydrofoils)

    Viscosity: 0 3,000 cps

    This impeller uses the Bernoullis principle in the design of its blade. The camber of the blade
    increases the efficiency of the impeller, reducing its power / pumping ratio. A more technical
    benefit is the laminar flow created by the camber of this impeller. This camber reduces
    turbulence (shear) substantially. That is why it is selected for shear-sensitive applications as
    well.

    2. Radial Flow Impellers

    Unlike axial impellers, radial impellers are commonly selected for low level mixing (known as a
    tickler blade) or elongated tanks. They typically give high shear rates because of their angle of
    attack. They also have a relatively low pumping number, making them the most sensitive to
    viscosity. Radial impellers do not have a high tank turnover flow like axial flow impellers.

    Impeller Selection

    As you can see, the first step to meeting your mixing objective is to identify your desired flow pattern, which is
    dictated by the impeller. Next, you must consider the 4 main factors for configuring your mixer. From there, you
    must address the mechanical requirements of your mixing process: pumping or flow. The mechanical
    requirements to produce flow or torque per unit volume, the most important relationship in mixing, are explained
    next.

    Mixing Terms Glossary

    Shear Stress

    Parallel-acting force where 2 layers inside the fluid slide against each other. This is in contrast to
    compression (perpendicular-acting force), tension (stretching force), and torsion (twisting force).

    Viscosity

    Internal fluid resistance thought of as the thickness or resistance to flow of the liquid (i.e. water has
    viscosity of 1 centipoise vs hand cleaner, which is around 3,000 centipoise).

    Power Number (NP)

    Constant used to calculate power draw, unique to each type of mixing impeller.

    Pumping Number (NQ)

    Constant used to calculate flow or pumping rate, derived empirically for each unique shape of impeller.

    Superficial Velocity

    2/3
    Velocity of the fluid being pumped downward by the impeller.

    Annular Velocity

    Rate at which the liquid is traveling upwards inside a tank past the impeller.

    Solid Suspension

    State of a solid when its particles are mixed with, but dont dissolve in the fluid and are capable of
    separation (i.e. sand in water).

    Stratification

    Separation of 2 immiscible liquids due to density variation. Such circumstances occur naturally: for
    example, due to variations in temperature in the atmosphere or temperature and salinity variations in the
    ocean.

    If you have questions with your industrial mixer design...

    REQUEST A QUOTE

    Submit a quote request online, or call us directly at 1-877-331-0045 to find out how we can optimize the quality of
    your application results.

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