What is liquid mixing?

Liquid mixing are those mixing where liquid is mixed with liquid or
solid. If liquid is mixed with solid,then the percentage of will be
lower the liquid.

Nature of liq. mainly determines the ease of mixing liquid. They can be classified into:
1. Miscible liq.: They are miscible in all proportions. [E.g. Mixture of ethanol and water, after shave lotion,
elixir]
2. Partially miscible liq.: They are miscible in one another at one particular proportion. [E.g. Mixture of p-
cresol and water]
3. Immiscible liq.: They are not miscible. [E.g. Mixture of vegetable oils and water]

Impeller & classification

Impellers are mixing devices that provide a definite flow pattern in liquid during mixing, moving at various
speeds.

Types of Impeller:

Broadly 2 classes depending on the angle the blade makes with the plane of impeller rotation:

 Axial flow impellers (Types: propeller, pitch blade turbines)

 Radial flow impellers (Types: turbines, paddles, anchor agitators)
 Axial flow impellers:
Impellers where blade makes an angle less than 90˚ with the plane of rotation.

When the axial flow impellers rotate, the flow of the liquid is parallel to the axis of the rotation. So it is called
axial flow.There is less possibility of vortexing
 Propeller
Propellers are mixing equipments that produce axial flow in a mixture. Create an axial-flow.Flow of
currents is pushed in downward direction. Achieve High speed for low viscosity liquid. It is Effective in
very large tanks. suitable for mixing of low viscose liquids, particle suspension. In a deep tank, 2 or more
propellers may be mounted on the same shaft.

Propellers are usually mounted in 4 different positions:-

1. Centered
 shaft blade is positioned in the centre of the tank
 two different flow patterns are produced on either sides.
 It is the best position as the current will be distributed downwards and thus facilitate
homogenization.
 It can produce vortex
 There is no possibility of leaching
 Mixing is uniform due to high speed.
 Two rectangular or Square flow pattern are produced.

2. Vertical off centre

 Shaft is placed vertically in the tank near one end of the tank (off-centre position)
 A single flow pattern is produced ( one rectangular flow pattern)
 Discourages formation of vortex
  There is no possibility of leaching
 Lower speed than normal.
 Applicable for viscous fluid due to lower speed.

3. Angular off centre/ Angular position

 shaft with blade is angularly fixed at a certain angle from the centre line
 more diverse flow patterns are produced
 two separate triangular flow cycle are produced
 Mixing is uniform
 There is no possibility of leaching
 Two triangular flow pattern are produced.

4. Side entering
 Propellers are mounted at the bottom sides of the container wall
 Used to blend low viscosity fluid
 Discourages formation of vortex
 May have leakage problem or risk of contamination.
 There has a possibility of leaching
 One rectangular or squre flow pattern are produced.
 Mixing is not uniform.

Advantages Disadvantages
1. It provides maximum homogenicity or 1. The propeller mixer is high cost.
uniformity of mixing liquid. 2. Sensitvity in operation of vessel geomentry
2. Speed can be controlled in propeller and in location within the tank.
3. It is easy to operate. 3. The propeller mixer is not used for rapid
4. It is most popular and extensively used. settling suspensions.
5. It is availble 4. It can not be used in case of high viscus liquid.
6. It provides persistant flow.so we can use in In case high viscous liquid mixing is not
large scale production unit. uniform.
7. Top to bottom mixing can be achieved in 5. If the shaft length Is greater than 6 feet then
propeller mixer. there has a chance of breakdown the shaft.
8. All sides of mixing is possible.
9. It used in case of thin liquid.
 Q: Differences between “axial” & “radial” flow impellers
Differences between “propeller” & “turbine” flow impellers
What kind of position and flow pattern of a propeller mixer will you choose or select and why? Explain.

Ans: For freely soluble/thin /less viscous substance choose centered position propeller
For viscous liquid choose verticle off centered propeller.

1. Pitch Paddle Mixer:

Diameter of paddle is 50 -80% of the inside diameter of vessel. It gives reasonable speed. It gives axial flow
pattern. It used in case of highly viscous liquid.

Uses of paddles:

Paddles are used in the manufacture of antacid suspensions, agar and pectin related purgatives, antidiarrheal
mixtures such as bismuth-kaolin.

Advantages Disadvantages

1. Vortex formation is not possible with paddle 1. Mixing of the suspension is poor therefore
 impellers because of low speed mixing. baffled tanks are required.

 Fan Turbine Mixer

• A turbine consists of a circular disc to which a number of short blades are attached. Blades may be
straight or curved.
• The diameter of the turbine ranges from 30-50% of the diameter of the vessel.
• Turbines rotate at a lower speed than the propellers (50-200 rpm)
 Advantages Disadvantages

1. Turbines give greater shearing forces than

propellers though the pumping rate is less.
Therefore suitable for emulsification.
2. Effective for high viscous solutions with a
wide range of viscosities up to 7.0 Pascal.
second.
3. In low viscous materials of large volumes
turbine create a strong currents which
spread throughout the tank destroying
stagnant pockets.
4. They can handle slurries with 60% solids.
5. Turbines are suitable for liquids of large
volume and high viscosity, if the tank is
baffled.
  Radial flow impellers:

\
Impellers where they make 90˚ angle with the shaft & blades are parallel to the axis of drive shaft. In this type
of impeller, the direction of flow of liquid is perpendicular with the axis of rotation. More possibility of
vortexing. Radial impellers are designed in 4-6 blades. In radial flow impellers, the fluid moves
perpendicularly to the impeller. They produce a radial flow pattern which moves the contents of the mixing
tank to the sides of the vessel. The radial flow impacts the side which causes in either an up or down direction
which fills the top top and the bottom of the impeller to be ejected once more. It is also important to note that
setting up baffles helps to minimize vortexing and swirling motions in the tank, therefore, enhancing agitation
efficiency. Radial impellers are a great fit for low-level applications inside longer tanks based upon the
production of higher shear due to the angle of attack.

Radial flow impeller classified into 4 types:

i. Turbine impeller
ii. Paddle impeller
iii. Anchor impeller
iv. Gate impeller

 Turbine impeller
 It is small radial flow impeller.normally it used for less viscous liquid. It consists of 1-8 blades .normally
its speed about1100-1750 rpm. Blade mounted with shaft at 90 degree angle.

Turbine impeller are three types:

i. Flat blade impeller/turbine
ii. Curved blade impeller/turbine
iii. Spiral blade impeller /turbine
 Flat balde impeller:
It composed of 6-8 blades.the shape of blade is flat .it is used for highly viscous substances.
 Curved blade impeller:
It composed of 4-6 blades. The shape of the blade is curved . it used for less viscous liquid.
 Spiral blade impeller:
This mixer is usually composed large number of blade .The shape of blade is spiral. It is used for less to
medium viscous liquid .
Extra part: Figure
 Q :Why we use Turbine impeller or why not?
Q : Advantages or disadvantages of Turbine impeller?
Advantages Disadvantages
i. It is most versatile liquid mixer i. Votex can form that can cause of poduct loss,
ii. Less time is require for mixing in high speed uniformity problem, air entrapment problem.
iii. ii. Swiriling problem may occure
Solution of related problems:
a) By decreasing of speed of motor (rpm)
b) By decreasing of viscosity.
c) By using baffle tank.

 Paddel impeller :
Characteristics:
 It used in medium and high viscous liquid.
 Number odf the blade is 2 or some times 4 .
 speed is [addel uis less than turbine (50-100 rpm).
 It gives the redial type flow pattern.
Classification
i. Flat paddle
ii. Pitched paddle
iii. Counteracting paddle
iv. Double paddle
v. Two blade paddle
vi. Four blade paddle
Various types of agitators: (a) four-blade paddle, (b) gate or anchor paddle, (c) six-blade open turbine, (d)
pitched-blade turbine.
 Figure :A)Counteracting paddle B)Flat Paddel C)Double paddle D)Two blade paddel

Flat paddle :
 Two blade mounted in a shaft
 The angle between shaft and blade id normally 90
 Blade contains two ends
 Blades are flat in shape
 Used in less viscous liquid
Pitched paddle:

 Blades are pitched

 Angle between shaft and blade are less than 90 degree
 Used for high liquid.
Counteracting paddle:
 It composed of two separated blades( each are flat blades)are mounted on the shaft of impeller.
 They rotated in opposite direction
 Angle is about 90
 The blade have 4 end or 8 end
Double paddle :
 Number of the blade is 4
 Used for high viscous luquid
 Flat shaped blade
  Double blade are mounted in one shaft
 Rotation of blade are opposite direction
Two blade paddle:
 One short shaft are mounted with another at 90 degree angle
 2 blade are jointed with short shaft at 90 degree angle.
Four blade paddle:
 Small short shaft is mounted with long vertical shaft
 Four blade are jointed with small short horizontal shaft.
 Used for high viscous liquid
Q :what kind of paddle impeller you will select for mixing and why?
If viscosity is less then we will select flat paddle impeller
If viscosity is high then we will select another 5 types of paddle impeller
Q :Why we use paddle impeller or why not?
Q : Advantages or disadvantages of paddle impeller?
Advantages Disadvantages
i. Simple instrumentation i. Small pumping capacity.
ii. Cost effective ii. Time consuming for low speed( rpm)
iii. Liquid near at the wall will be mixed freely or iii. In case of unbaffle container mxing is not
homogeneously uniform.
iv. Action is gentle( 50-150 rpm)no fragmentation iv. In increasing speed creat deep votex
occure when crystal substances are used.
v. Nevr produce violenrt current
vi. It is suitable for gas mixing
vii. Give uniform mixing.
Extra Part:
 The type of flow depends on
1. Type of impeller
2. Characteristic of fluid
3. Size proportion of tank, baffle & impellers

 Anchor impeller:

Characteristics :
 It is a heavy duty impeller used for mixing highly viscous liquid.
 It is anchor shapped and possed grilled blades.
 Blades are flat arranged in such a way that are enough gaps,through which liquid can escape .due
to this escaping of liquid through the gaps , fine mixing is occurred.
 The speed is 15-45 rpm
 Special type of impeller for its anchor shape.
Advantages Disadvantages
i. It provides uniform and fine mixing. i. Due to low speed ,time consuming process.
ii. Highly viscous liquid cannot be mixed by ii. Motor with high power are required.
another impeller. iii. Side mixing is not proper due to anchor shape.
iii. Gentle in action.
 Gate impeller:
Charactristics:
i. It is special types of balde with gate shape . the baldes are flate and vertical arranged in such a
way that there are enough gaps ,through with liquid can escapel.this escaping of liquid through the
gaps fine mixing is occurred.
ii. The capacity of the impeller is upto 500H.P
iii. Its speed is 15-45 rpm.
iv. It is suitable for highly vicous liquid.
v. Bades are almost touching the tank that means there must remain a cloase contact between the
wall of the gate and the inner wall of the tank.
Advantages Disadvantages
i. It provides uniform & fine mixing i. High capacity motor is required.
ii. Side mixing occurs properly ii. Due to low speed.
iii. Highly viscous liquid cant be mixed by iii. After mixing washing is difficult.so there
another impeller but it is done by gate has achance of contamination
impeller. iv. Cost is high.
iv. Gentle in action.

Terminology
Agitator - The assembly consisting of impeller, impeller shaft and drive including other
parts such as gland, and bearing used in conjunction with the above.
Impeller- The actual element which imparts movement to the charge (fluid).
Propeller - A high speed impeller which essentially imparts axial thrust to the fluid.
Turbine - An impeller with essentially constant blade angle with respect to a vertical
plane, over its entire length or over finite sections, having blades either vertical or set at
 an angle less than 90” with the vertical.
Paddle - An impeller with four or fewer blades, horizontal or vertical, and essentially
having a higt impeller to vessel diameter ratio.
Anchor - Basically a paddle type impeller which is profiled to sweep the wall of the
containing vesse with a small clearance.
Baffle - An element fixed inside the vessel tc impede swirl.
Filling Ratio - The ratio of liquid depth in the vessel to vessel diameter.
Swirling - The continuous rotation of liquid about a fixed axis.
Vortex - A depression in the surface of a liquid produced by swirling.
Fully Baffled Condition - A condition when any further increase in baffling

Votex
What is vortex?
Vortex: If a low viscosity liquid is stirred in an un-baffled tank by an axially mounted agitator, tangential
flow follows a circular path around the shaft & a swirling flow pattern is developed. This is vortex.
  How is it formed?
In an un-baffled tank, a vortex is produced due to the centrifugal force on the rotating liquid. This creates
a swirling motion in the liquid & the surface tends to go upward near the vessel rim & downward near the
shaft. So a V-shaped surface is formed which is the vortex.

 Reasons:
1. If the shaft is placed symmetrically in the tank.
2. If the blades of the turbines are arranged perpendicular to the central shaft.
3. At high impeller speeds
4. Unbaffled tank

 Problems:
1. Vortex decreases mixing intensity by reducing velocity of the impeller relative to the surrounding fluid.
2. When vortex reaches the impeller, air from the surface of the liquid are drawn (air entrapment) and air
bubbles are produced.
3. Air bubbles in the fluid can create uneven loading of the impeller blades.
4. Entrapped air causes oxidation of the substances in certain cases.
5. Possibility of foam formation
6. Possibility of throwing out some material out of container.
 Prevention of vortex formation
1. Impeller should be in any one of the following positions that can avoid symmetry such as off central,
inclined, side entering, etc., and should be deep in the liquid.

2. Baffled containers should be used. In such case impeller can be mounted vertically at the center.

3. Two or more impellers can be mounted on the same shaft where greater depth is required. This system is
known as push and pull mechanism. The bottom impeller is placed about one impeller diameter above
the bottom of the tank. It creates zone of high turbulence.

4. Tank other than cylindrical in shape are used to prevent vortex formation. However, such shapes may
facilitate the formation of dead spots.
Difference Between Propeller and Impeller

Propellers and impellers both provide thrust, but do it in different ways.

A propeller is a fan which propels a fluid by pushing against it: it converts rotational motion into linear
motion. An impeller is a rotor that produces a sucking force, and is part of a pump. A propeller is always
“open” and an impeller is always “closed” (as it has to draw fluid into something).

Impeller propeller

Propeller vs Impeller

• Both propeller and impeller are specially designed blades with a motor.

• While a propeller is designed to covert rotational motion into forward thrust, an impeller is designed to
use rotational motion to suck fluid in.
• A propeller has an open design while an impeller is always inside a casing or housing.

Md. Nazmul Islam (ABIR)

#151330 (2nd Batch)
Contact :01766388247
Abir140044@gmail.com
Department of Pharmacy
Pabna University of Science and Technology