1.

ABSTRACT
In this experiment, the experiment had gone through eight sub experiments to
study the flow patterns under variety kind of conditions and to show how the power
consumed by a mixer with different of speed, type of impeller, and with inclusion of
baffles. These flow patterns are dependent on the different type of impellers used.
Besides observing and determining the flow patterns, the power consumed by a mixer
varies with speed, type of impeller, and with the inclusion of baffles are the variables
that needed to be compare the effectiveness.

The power can be calculated in the form of power number which will further be
discussed. Photos showing the differences in flow patterns are attached in the results
section of the report. As for the second experiment, the power consumed by the mixer
is calculated and the result obtained is interpreted in the form of graph where can be
seen the relation between the power and the angular speed.

The results from this experiment are not 100% accurate due to some errors during
conducting the experiment. Thus, some recommendations have been added to further
improve this experiment and to avoid the errors as much as possible.

2. INTRODUCTION
The impeller flow patterns have a huge effect on the result of mixing process.
The flow pattern depends on the impeller types which gives variation in flow
patterns resulting from different impeller types. The presence of baffle in mixing
tank would influence the flow patterns too. It can increase the amount of top to
bottom circulation which contributes to turbulence by giving out some obstacles
for the mixture to swirl as a whole and elimination of vortexes. The differences in
the flow patterns can cause differences in distribution of shear rate and energy
dissipation rate within the mixing tank. In this experiment, not only the fluid
patterns of the fluid are determined, but also to show how the power consume by a
mixer varies with speed, type of impeller, and with and without baffle.

Impellers are rotating devices that force liquids, gases and vapour in a desired
direction. They are widely used in pumping, blowing, and mixing applications.
This area gives the ability to search for impellers for pumping and mixing of
media and allows selection of type of impeller and size. Impeller applications,
specifications and features, types, and materials are all important parameters to
consider when searching for impellers. The two types of impeller that used in the
experiment which are axial propeller, turbine propeller and flat paddle.

The important of impeller specifications to consider include the number of

blades or vanes, outside diameter, and bore size. The power input is influenced by
the geometry of the equipment and also the properties of the fluid. The flow
pattern and degree of turbulence are key aspects of quality of mixing. The power

1
input, P to an impeller of diameter, D driven at rotational speed, N in a fluid of
density, ρ and viscosity, μ can be expressed in terms of a dimensionless Power
number.

3. OBJECTIVES
a. To observe the various flow patterns that can be achieved by the use of
different impellers with and without the use of baffles.
b. To show how the power consumed by a mixer varies with speed, type
of impeller, and with the inclusion of baffles.

4. THEORY
There were two types of impellers used in this experiment and some of it are
flat paddle and turbine impeller. Turbine impeller is a rotating component which
transfer energy from motor to the fluid. The velocity that achieved by impeller is
transfer into pressure when the outward movement of fluid is confined by the
container.

In this experiment, baffle are needed to stop the swirl in mixing tank. Most of
common baffle used are straight flat plate of metal that run along the straight sides
of vertically oriented cylindrical tank. For the no baffle tank, tendency for swirling
flow pattern to develop rotating liquid. However, there is a limit to rotational
speed that used. If exceed the limit of the rotational speed fluid will spill out of the
container. (M.W, 2005)

In laminar flow (NRE<10), the same power were used by the impeller. The
flow pattern may be effected by the baffle but it not favourable. To allow the fluid
circulate and produce axial deflection we may need the baffle. (M.W, 2005)

In transitional flow (10<NRe<10,000), the circulation of pattern will be clear

when the tank is unbaffle but the vortex will disturbed the pattern. (M.W, 2005)

5. MATERIAL AND APPARATUS

 Fluid Mixing Apparatus

 Flat Paddle
 Turbine Impeller
 Speed controller
 Force indicator

2
  Tank
 Baffles
 Motor
 Water

6. METHODOLOGY

 General start-up procedure.

o The power outlet is switch on.
o All the tightening screws is fastened.
o The working surrounding area is ensured to be harmless (dry and
clean).
o The experiment is carried out.
 Experiment 1.
o The tank is filled out with water up to 30L.
o Flat paddle is been attached to the shaft.
o The speed of the impeller is set to 50 rpm, 100 rpm, 150 rpm and
200 rpm.
o The movement of the water is been observed and captured pictures.
o The procedures are repeated by replacing the flat paddle with
turbine impeller.
o The procedures are also been repeated with the baffle fitted in the
tank.
 General shut-down procedure.
o Any liquid is removed.
o The paddle inside the tank is removed.
o The power outlet is shut down.

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 7. RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS

Experiment 1 : Observing the flow patterns by the using of different types of

impellers with and without the use of baffles in water.

i. Water flow pattern without baffle inside the tank

Table. Flow patterns of water without baffles inside the tank at 200 rpm
Types of impeller Flow pattern Observations

The water moves with high velocity and

moves around in a circular motiom at the
Turbine center of the tank. The vortex getting deeper
towards the bottom of the tank as the
impeller
angular speed, rpm was increased up to 200
rpm.

The water move with high velocity and

moves around in a circular motion at the
center of the tank which is faster compared
to turbine impeller, the vortex also getting
deeper towards the bottom as the angular
Flat paddle
speed, rpm was increased up to 200 rpm.
impeller

4
 ii. Water flow pattern with baffle inside the tank

Table. Flow patterns of water with baffles inside the tank at 200 rpm
Types of impeller Flow pattern Observations

The water moves in an uneven circular

motion and shakes slightly by the
movement of impeller as the angular

Turbine impeller speed, rpm was increased to 200 rpm.

The water also moves in an uneven

circular motion and produce more
scattered motion by the movement of
impeller compared to turbine impeller
as the angular speed, rpm was increased
Flat paddle
up to 200 rpm.
impeller

5
Experiment 2: Power consumed by the mixer varies with speed, types of
impeller and with the inclusion of baffles.

i. Water without baffle inside tank

Table. Result for water without baffle inside the tank

Angular
Type of Angular Torque
speed, ω Force (N) Power (W)
impeller speed (rpm) (N.m)
(rad/s)

50 5.24 0.00 0.00 0.00

Turbine 100 10.47 0.00 0.00 0.00

impeller 150 15.71 0.91 0.10 1.570

200 20.94 3.64 0.40 8.376

50 5.24 0.00 0.00 0.00

Flat paddle 100 10.47 0.91 0.10 1.047

impeller 150 15.71 1.82 0.20 3.142

200 20.94 2.73 0.30 6.282

Power against Angular Speed without baffle

10
8
6
Turbine
4
Power

Flat
2
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
-2
Angular speed, ω (rad/s)

Graph 1. Power against speed without baffle by using water

6
 8. Sample calculations

Torque arm (r) = 0.11 m

2𝜋
Angular speed (ω) = 𝑟. 𝑝. 𝑚 𝑥 = 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠
60

Torque (T) = Force x radius

Force (F) = Torque / radius
Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular Speed ω (rad/s)

 Turbine impeller

Angular speed: 50 rpm Angular speed: 100 rpm

Angular speed (ω) = 5.24 rad/s Angular speed (ω) = 10.47 rad/s

Force (F) = Torque ÷ radius Force (F) = Torque / radius

= 0 / 0.11 m = 0 / 0.11 m

=0N =0N

Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω

= 0 x 5.24 rad/s = 0 x 10.47 rad/s

=0W =0W

Angular speed: 150 rpm Angular speed: 200 rpm

Angular speed (ω) = 15.71 rad/s Angular speed (ω) = 20.94 rad/s

Force (F) = Torque / radius Force (F) = Torque / radius

= 0.1 / 0.11 m = 0.4 / 0.11 m

= 23.64 N = 28.18 N

Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω

= 0.1 x 15.71 rad/s = 0.4 x 20.94 rad/s

= 1.571 W = 8.376 W

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  Flat paddle impeller

Angular speed: 50 rpm Angular speed: 100 rpm

Angular speed (ω) = 5.24 rad/s Angular speed (ω) = 10.47 rad/s

Force (F) = Torque ÷ radius Force (F) = Torque / radius

= 0.00 / 0.11 m = 0.10 / 0.11 m

=0N = 0.91 N

Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω

= 0.00 x 5.24 rad/s = 0.10 x 10.47 rad/s

=0W = 1.047 W

Angular speed: 150 rpm Angular speed: 200 rpm

Angular speed (ω) = 15.71 rad/s Angular speed (ω) = 20.94 rad/s

Force (F) = Torque / radius Force (F) = Torque / radius

= 0.20 / 0.11 m = 0.30 / 0.11 m

= 1.82 N = 2.73 N

Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω

= 0.20 x 15.71 rad/s = 0.30 x 20.94 rad/s

= 3.142 W = 6.282 W

8
 ii. Water with baffle inside tank

Table. Result for water with baffle inside the tank

Angular
Angular Torque
speed, ω Force (N) Power (W)
speed (rpm) (N.m)
(rad/s)

50 5.24 0.91 0.10 0.524

Turbine 100 10.47 3.64 0.40 4.188

impeller 150 15.71 0.91 0.10 1.571

200 20.94 1.82 0.20 4.188

50 5.24 0.00 0.00 0.000

Flat paddle 100 10.47 0.91 0.10 1.047

impeller 150 15.71 19.09 2.10 32.990

200 20.94 54.54 6.00 125.64

Power against Angular Speed with baffle

140
120
100
80
Power (W)

Turbine
60
Flat
40
20
0
-20 0 50 100 150 200 250

Angular speed, ω (rad/s)

Graph 2. Power against speed with baffle by using water

9
Sample calculations

 Turbine impeller

Angular speed: 50 rpm Angular speed: 100 rpm

Angular speed (ω) = 5.24 rad/s Angular speed (ω) = 10.47 rad/s

Force (F) = Torque ÷ radius Force (F) = Torque / radius

= 0.10 / 0.11 m = 0.40 / 0.11 m

= 0.91 N = 3.64 N

Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω

= 0.10 x 5.24 rad/s = 0.4 x 10.47 rad/s

= 0.524 W = 4.188 W

Angular speed: 150 rpm Angular speed: 200 rpm

Angular speed (ω) = 15.71 rad/s Angular speed (ω) = 20.94 rad/s

Force (F) = Torque / radius Force (F) = Torque / radius

= 0.10 / 0.11 m = 0.2 / 0.11 m

= 0.91 N = 1.82 N

Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω

= 0.1 x 15.71 rad/s = 0.2 x 20.94 rad/s

= 1.571 W = 4.188 W

10
  Flat paddle impeller

Angular speed: 50 rpm Angular speed: 100 rpm

Angular speed (ω) = 5.24 rad/s Angular speed (ω) = 10.47 rad/s

Force (F) = Torque ÷ radius Force (F) = Torque / radius

= 0.00 / 0.11 m = 0.10 / 0.11 m

= 0.00 N = 0.91 N

Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω

= 0.00 x 5.24 rad/s = 0.10 x 10.47 rad/s

= 0.00 W = 1.047 W

Angular speed: 150 rpm Angular speed: 200 rpm

Angular speed (ω) = 15.71 rad/s Angular speed (ω) = 20.94 rad/s

Force (F) = Torque / radius Force (F) = Torque / radius

= 2.10 / 0.11 m = 6.00 / 0.11 m

= 19.09 N = 54.54 N

Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular speed, ω

= 2.10 x 15.71 rad/s = 6.00 x 20.94 rad/s

= 32.990 W = 125.64 W

11
9.0 DISCUSSION

In this fluid mixing experiment, consists two part of experiments 1 and 2. For
experiment 1, the flow patterns of water with different types of impeller are observed.
Four set of flow patterns are shown in Section 7.0 with the use of two different
impellers with and without the baffle. Based on the observation, we can know that
flow pattern of the water is depend on the type of impeller used. This experiment has
been conducted using the same speed which is 200 rpm. Therefore, we can see that
the flow patterns produced are circular pattern and rotary motion when using two
types of impellers without the inclusion of baffles.

Another observation that can be seen is the production of the deep vortex in
the without inclusion baffled tank. By using flat paddle, it created a deeper whirlpool
than turbine impeller at the center of the tank. With the inclusion of baffle, the use of
flat paddle and turbine impeller produced the same flow pattern which is uneven. By
comparing all the result that obtained, the effectiveness of different impeller with or
without baffle and low or high viscosity material, based on observation and
calculation, the effective is by using turbine impeller because required low power,
with baffle because can limit the vortex produced and low viscosity because if
compare by using turbine impeller and with baffle, the power required are lower.
Thus, it can easy to mix.

Next, for experiment 2, the material used is water and the manipulated variable is the
mixing tank with baffle or without baffle. The tank were filled with 3.0 liter of water.
Firstly, for the water using turbine impeller and without baffle experiment, the result
of torque,T (Nm-2) value were 0.00, 0.00, 0.10, and 0.40 when the angular speed
(rpm) was 50, 100, 150 and 200 respectively. The value of force,F were obtained by
T
calculating using formula F  , where T is torque and d is diameter impeller which
d
is 0.11m. Therefore, the value of force,F (N) were 0.00, 0.00, 0.91 and 3.64 when the
angular speed (rpm) 50, 100, 150 and 200 respectively. The value of power,P were
obtained by calculating using formula P  T   ,where T is torque and  is angular
speed in (rad/s). For the convection unit angular speed from (rpm) to (rad/s) by using
2
this formula  (rad/s)  (rpm)  . Therefore, the value of power,P (W) were 0.00,
60

12
0.00, 1.570 and 8.376 when the angular speed,  (rad/s) is 5.24, 10.47, 15.71 and
20.94 respectively. For the water using turbine impeller and with baffle experiment,
the result of torque,T (Nm-2) value were 0.10, 0.40, 0.10 and 0.20 when the angular
speed (rpm) is 50, 100, 150 and 200 respectively. The value of force,F (N) that have
been calculated were 0.91, 3.64, 0.91, 1.82 as the angular speed (rpm) 50, 100, 150
and 200 respectively. Then, the value of power,P (W) that have been calculated were
0.524, 4.188, 1.571 and 4.188 when the angular speed,  (rad/s) is 5.24, 10.47, 15.71
and 20.94 respectively.

Secondly, experiment water using flat paddle impeller and without baffle was done.
The resulting torque,T (Nm-2) were obtained as 0.00, 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30 when the
angular speed (rpm) was 50, 100, 150 and 200 respectively. Next, the value of force,F
(N) were obtained by calculation as 0.00, 0.91, 1.82 and 2.73 when the angular speed
(rpm) 50, 100, 150 and 200 respectively. Then, the value of power,P (W) that have
been calculated were 0.00, 1.047, 3.142 and 6.282 when the angular speed,  (rad/s) is
5.24, 10.47, 15.71 and 20.94 respectively. For the water using flat paddle impeller and
with baffle experiment, the result of torque,T (Nm-2) value were 0.00, 0.10, 2.10 and
6.00 when the angular speed (rpm) is 50, 100, 150 and 200 respectively. The value of
force,F (N) that have been calculated were 0.00, 0.91, 19.09 and 54.54 when the
angular speed (rpm) 50, 100, 150 and 200 respectively. Next, the value of power,P
(W) that have been calculated were 0, 1.047, 32.99 and 125.64 when the angular
speed,  (rad/s) is 5.24, 10.47, 15.71 and 20.94 respectively. The graph of power (W)
against speed (rad/s) is also plotted to give a clearer understanding of all of the
relationships involved. From the results and the graph obtained, it can be seen that the
power consumed increases as the speed increases. It also can be seen that the power
consumed in a baffled tank is higher than without using baffled tank. This is because
with the use of baffles in an agitation process, vortex does not occur thus proper
mixing is achieved. .

13
10.0 CONCLUSION

The objectives for this fluid mixing experiment are to observe the flow
patterns of two fluids with different viscosity and to study how power affect the force,
torque, angular speed and flow pattern by changing the speed of mixer. The first part
of the experiment which is to observe the flow patterns of the two different fluids, but
we only managed to observed the flow pattern of water.

And to summarize it when having baffle in the mixing tank, the flows are
more uneven and the water is all splattered through the inside of the tank. Having the
baffle removed resulted to more even and circular flows of the water. Swirling occurs
as well as the vortex. But having vortex is one of a way to deduce that it is not a good
mixing. This is because there is very little shear and particles only goes around the
vortex.

The second objective is to study how the power consumed by a mixer affects
the force, torque, angular speed and flow pattern by changing the speed of mixer. In
experiment 2, it shows that flat paddle impellers does gives much more higher values
of torque to resulting to higher power consumption as well. This is due to that one of
flat paddle disadvantages is that it does consume a high amount if power compared to
the turbine. But flat paddle impellers do work excellent when dealing with heavy duty
mixing at low speed.

For turbine, it works better when dealing with lower viscosity medium such as
water. Comparing with the inclusion of baffles in mixing, having baffles does increase
the values of torque, force and power for both turbine and flat paddle impellers for
water. But for a certain conditions where the swirling of fluid during mixing happens,
it is advisable to have baffles installed to reduce the swirling and thus improve the
mixing quality. It is also better for less viscous medium to have baffles when mixing.
So generally, increasing the angular speed will increase the torque thus increasing the
force and power.

However, when water is used as the fluid in the tank, the values of force.
torque and power calculated is higher with baffle compared to water without baffle.
This experiment is a success because the objectives stated are achieved.

14
11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

Due to the experiment that has been done, there are few recommendations that
should be considered to get the best results needed throughout in this experiment.
First and the foremost, ensure that the equipment is in a proper operating good
condition. It is suggested to repair and always do some maintenance for this
equipment when the unit has been used at many times.

Other than that, it is necessary to make sure the balance is operating in a good
condition. If the balance is not operating very well, it will affect the reading for the
force balance regarding to each speed of impellers. To prevent any accident from
happening, seal the impeller at the end of the shaft and also seal to the tank properly.
Next, attach each impeller to the base of the bush level carefully so that it will not get
off during the experiment.

Furthermore, during refill the tank with water, ensure that the eyes must be
perpendicular to the scale of the tank to avoid parallax error. Besides that, always
make sure that the water does not spill over the side of the tank by increasing the
speed too much.

Last but not least, it is much better to suggest that the experiment should be
repeated 3 times to obtain an average and more accurate results.

15
12.0 REFERENCES

1. Thermofluids Laboratory Manual, Fluid Mixing Experiment.

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

3. https://www.coursehero.com/file/8491168/L8-Fluid-Mixing/. Retrieved on 30th

March 2019
4. http://hejri.iauq.ac.ir/assets/subdomains/hejri/files/Books/mixing.pdf.Retrieved
on 27th March 2019
5. http://enggyd.blogspot.my/2011/06/types-of-agitators-used-in-chemical.html.
Retrieved on 29th March 2019
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeller. Retrieved on 26th March 2019

16
13.0 APPENDIX

Flat paddle impeller without baffle

Turbine impeller without baffle

17
Flat paddle impeller with baffle

Turbine impeller with baffle

18