4.

0 THEORY

An impeller is a rotating component of a centrifugal pump which transfers energy

from the motor that drives the pump to the fluid being pumped by accelerating the fluid
outwards from the centre of rotation. The velocity achieved by the impeller transfers into
pressure when the outward movement of the fluid is confined by the pump casing. Impeller
usually short cylinders with an open inlet designed to accept incoming fluid, vanes to push
the fluid radially, and splined centre to accept a driveshaft. There are three types of mixing
flow patterns that are markedly different. The so-called axial-flow turbines actually give a
flow coming off the impeller of approximately 45 degree and therefore have a recirculation
pattern coming back in to the impeller at the hub region of the blades.

Axial flow impellers include all impellers in which the blade makes an angle of less
than90 degree with the plane of rotation. They run at the highest efficiency and they have the
lowest NPSH requirement. They require the highest power requirement at shut off, so they
are normally started with the discharge valve open. Axial flow impellers may also be
mounted near the bottom of the cylindrical wall of the vessel.

Radial flow impellers have blades which are parallel to the axis of the drive shaft. The
smaller multi blade ones are known as turbines; larger, slower-speed impeller with two or
four blades are often called paddles. The diameter of a turbines is normally between 0.3 and
0.6 of the tank diameter. They should be specified for high head and low flow conditions.

As we know, baffles are needed to stop the swirl in a mixing tank. Almost all the
impeller rotate in the clockwise or counter clockwise direction. Without baffles, the
tangential velocity coming from any impeller causes the entire fluid mass to spin. Most
common baffles are straight flat plate of metal that run along the straight side of vertically
oriented cylindrical tank or vessel.

For un-baffles tank, there is a tendency for a swirling flow pattern to develop
regardless of the type of impeller. A vortex is produced owing to centrifugal force acting on
the rotating liquid. However, there is a limit to the rotational speed that may be used, since
one the vortex reaches the impeller, severe air entrainment may occur. In addition, the
swirling mass of liquid often generates an oscillating surge in the tank, which coupled with
the deep vortex may create large fluctuating force acting on the mixer shaft.

For baffles tank, for vigorous agitation of thin suspensions, the tank is provided with
baffles which flat vertical strips set radially along the tanks wall as shown in figure 1. Four
baffles are almost always adequate. A common baffle width is 1:10 to 1:12 of the tanks
diameter. For Reynolds number greater than 10,000, baffles are commonly used with turbine
impellers and with on-centre line axial-flow impellers.
 In the transition region (Reynolds number, from 10 to 10,000), the width of the
baffles may be reduced, often to of standard width. If the circulation pattern is satisfactory
when the tank is un-baffled but a vortex creates a problem, partial length baffles may be used.
These are standard width and extend downward from the surface into about 1/3 of the liquid
volume.

In the region of laminar flow (NRe< 10), the same power is consumed by the impeller
whether baffles are present or not, and they are seldom required. The flow pattern may be
affected by the baffles but not always advantageously. When they are need, the baffles are
usually placed one or two widths radially, to allow fluid to circulate behind them and at same
time produce some axial deflection of flow.
 Calculations

Flat Paddle with Baffle

a) Angular speed = 50 rpm, torque = 2.5 N/m2

2
Angular speed, = 50 x
60

= 5.236 rad/s

Force =

2.5
=
0.11

= 22.73 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 2.5 x 5.236
= 13.09 W
b) Angular speed = 100 rpm, torque = 2.8 N/m2
2
Angular speed, = 100 x
60

= 10.47 rad/s

Force =

2.8
=
0.11

= 25.75 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 2.8 x 10.47
= 29.32 W
c) Angular speed = 150 rpm, torque = 3.1 N/m2
2
Angular speed, = 150 x
60

= 15.71 rad/s

Force =

3.1
=
0.11

= 28.18 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 3.1 x 15.71
= 48.70 W

d) Angular speed = 200 rpm, torque = 6.4 N/m2

2
Angular speed, = 200 x
60

= 20.94 rad/s

Force =

6.4
=
0.11

= 58.18 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 6.4 x 20.94
= 134.02 W

Flat Paddle without Baffle

a) Angular speed = 50 rpm, torque = 2.0 N/m2
2
Angular speed, = 50 x
60

= 5.24 rad/s

Force =

2.0
=
0.11

= 18.18 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 2.0 x 5.24
= 10.48 W
b) Angular speed = 100 rpm, torque = 2.4 N/m2
2
Angular speed, = 100 x
60

= 10.47 rad/s

Force =

2.4
=
0.11

= 21.82 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 2.4 x 10.47
= 25.41 W
c) Angular speed = 150 rpm, torque = 2.8 N/m2
2
Angular speed, = 150 x
60

= 15.71 rad/s

Force =

2.8
=
0.11

= 25.45 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 2.8 x 15.71
= 43.99 W

d) Angular speed = 200 rpm, torque = 2.9 N/m2

2
Angular speed, = 200 x
60

= 20.94 rad/s

Force =

2.9
=
0.11

= 26.36 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 2.9x 20.94
= 60.73 W

Turbine Paddle with Baffle

a) Angular speed = 50 rpm, torque = 2.4 N/m2
2
Angular speed, = 50 x
60

= 5.24 rad/s

Force =

2.4
=
0.11

= 21.82 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 2.4 x 5.24
= 12.58 W
b) Angular speed = 100 rpm, torque = 2.6 N/m2
2
Angular speed, = 100 x
60

= 10.47 rad/s

Force =

2.6
=
0.11

= 23.64 N
Power = torque x angular speed
 = 2.6 x 10.47
= 27.22 W
c) Angular speed = 150 rpm, torque = 2.7 N/m2
2
Angular speed, = 150 x
60

= 15.71 rad/s

Force =

2.7
=
0.11

= 24.55 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 2.8 x 15.71
= 42.42 W

d) Angular speed = 200 rpm, torque = 2.8 N/m2

2
Angular speed, = 200 x
60

= 20.94 rad/s

Force =

2.8
=
0.11

= 25.45 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 2.9x 20.94
= 58.63 W

Turbine Paddle without Baffle

a) Angular speed = 50 rpm, torque = 2.1 N/m2
2
Angular speed, = 50 x
60
 = 5.24 rad/s

Force =

2.1
=
0.11

= 19.09 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 2.1 x 5.24
= 11.00 W
b) Angular speed = 100 rpm, torque = 2.5 N/m2
2
Angular speed, = 100 x
60

= 10.47 rad/s

Force =

2.5
=
0.11

= 22.73 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 2.5 x 10.47
= 26.18 W
c) Angular speed = 150 rpm, torque = 2.8 N/m2
2
Angular speed, = 150 x
60

= 15.71 rad/s

Force =

2.8
=
0.11

= 25.45 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 2.8 x 15.71
 = 43.99 W

d) Angular speed = 200 rpm, torque = 3.0 N/m2

2
Angular speed, = 200 x
60

= 20.94 rad/s

Force =

3.0
=
0.11

= 27.27 N
Power = torque x angular speed
= 3.0 x 20.94
= 62.82 W
References

1) Frank M.W, Fluid Mechanics ninth edition, McGraw-Hill.2005

2) hhtp://www.ginhong.com/articles/the-importance-of-industrial-mxing

3) http://www.aiche.org/academy/courses/ch090/industrial-fluid-mixing

4) http://ceb/dlut.edu.en/uploads/soft/1104415/7-110415153545.pdf