CHE503 FLUID FLOW

CHAPTER 6
CIRCULATION, VELOCITIES
AND POWER CONSUMPTION
IN AGITATED VESSELS

OUTLINES

Introduction

Geometric Similarity & Scale up of stirred vessel

Power Consumption in Stirred Vessel

- Low viscosity

INTRODUCTION
Important

factor in design of agitated

vessel power required to drive the
impeller
Empirical correlation have been
developed to predict the power
required
Due to different flow pattern & mixing
mechanisms involved, power
consumption is considered separately
low & high viscosity.

SCALE-UP OF STIRRED VESSELS.

Problem to satisfy the arrangement from

experiments with small units to a large unit .
To attain the same kind of flow pattern in two
units geometrical, kinematic, and dynamic
similarity and identical boundary conditions
must be maintained.

GEOMETRIC SIMILARITY OF A TANK

Geometric similarity prevails between two systems of different sizes if
all counterpart length dimensions have a constant ratio. Thus the
following ratios must be the same in two systems:

DT Z A WB W H
;
;
; ;
D D D D D

Thus, for typical mixing tank

DT
Z
W
H
2; A 1; B 0.2; 2
D
D
D
D

EXAMPLE
A solution of sodium hydroxide of density 1650
kg/m3 and viscosity 50 mN s/m2 is agitated by a
propeller mixer of 0.5 m diameter in a tank of
2.28 m diameter, and the liquid depth is 2.28 m.
The propeller is situated 0.5 m above the bottom
of the tank. Determine the geometric similarity
of the particular tank.

SCALE-UP OF STIRRED VESSELS

For similarity in two mixing systems, it is important to

achieve geometric kinematic and dynamic similarity.
Geometric similarity prevails between two systems of
different sizes if all counterpart length dimensions have a
constant ratio. Thus the following ratios must be the same in
two systems:
and so on.

DT Z A WB W H
;
;
; ;
D D D D D

Kinematic similarity exists in two geometrically similar

units when the velocities at corresponding points have a
constant ratio. Also, the paths of fluid motion (flow patterns)
must be alike.
Dynamic similarity occurs in two geometrically similar
units of different sizes if all corresponding forces at
counterpart locations have a constant ratio.

POWER CONSUMPTION
IN STIRRED VESSELS

Power consumption is perhaps the most important parameter

in the design of stirred vessels.
Due to different flow patterns and mixing mechanisms
involved, it is convenient to consider the power consumption in
low and high viscosity systems separately.

LOW VISCOSITY SYSTEMS

Vertical cylindrical tank

H/D = 1.5 2.0

Fitted with an agitator

Diameter of propeller = 1/3 of tank diameter

Rotational speed at 10 25 Hz

LOW VISCOSITY SYSTEM

- POWER CONSUMPTION

P N p N D
3

Where;
P
= power (J/s or W)
Np
= power number

N
Da

= density (kg/m3)
= rotational speed (rev/s)
= diameter of agitator ( m)

5
a

LOW VISCOSITY SYSTEM

- POWER NUMBER

N p f (Re, Fr )
Where:
Reynold number (Re) = NDa2/
Froude Number (Fr) = N2Da/g
Note: Fr is neglected if Re < 300
Depend

upon type of impeller/vessel design,

baffle arrangement, flow regime of the fluid,
fluid properties

LOW VISCOSITY SYSTEM

- POWER NUMBER

Simplest form is power law giving; Np = K Reb Frc

K, b and c determined from experimental measurements
if Re < 300, region Fr has no significant effect on Np
thus; Np = K Reb

if Re< 10, b = -1 ( inverse of Re value) Np = K Re-1

thus; P = K N2D3
Highly Re Number, P= KN3D5
K depends on the type impeller/vessel arrangement
and fitted baffles.

POWER NO. AS A FUNCTION OF REYNOLD NO.

if Re < 300, region Fr has no significant effect on Np thus; Np = K Reb

if Re< 10, b = -1 ( inverse of Re value) Np = K Re-1 thus; P = K N2D3

EXAMPLE 7.1
On the assumption that the power required for
mixing in a stirred tank is a function of the
variables given in equation 7.12, obtain the
dimensionless groups which are important in
calculating power requirements for geometrically
similar arrangements.

P f ( , , N , g , Da , DT )

EXAMPLE 7.2

A solution of sodium hydroxide of density 1650

kg/m3 and viscosity 50 mN s/m2 is agitated by a
propeller mixer of 0.5 m diameter in a tank of
2.28 m diameter, and the liquid depth is 2.28 m.
The propeller is situated 0.5 m above the bottom
of the tank. What is the power which the
propeller must impart to the liquid for a
rotational speed of 2 Hz?

SCALE UP TECHNIQUE-GENERAL
GUIDE
1. Constant tip speed
- Where suspended solids are involved
- Where heat is transferred to a coil or jacket
- For miscible liquids
2. Constant power per unit volume
- Immiscible liquids
- Emulsions
- Pastes
- Gas liquid systems

EXAMPLE 7.3

A reaction is to be carried out in an agitated

vessel. Pilot scale tests have been carried out
under fully turbulent conditions in a tank 0.6 m
in diameter, fitted with baffles and provided with
a flat-bladed turbine, and it has been found that
satisfactory mixing is obtained at a rotor speed of
4 Hz when the power consumption is 0.15 kW and
the Reynolds number 160,000. What should be
the rotor speed in order to achieve the same
degree of mixing if the linear scale of the
equipment if increased by a factor of 6 and what
will be the Reynolds number and the power
consumption?