ABSTRACT

This experiment was conducted using Liquid Mixing Equipment (FM 103)
that consist of bench, mixing vessel, mixer controller and impellers. This experiment
consisting of two part which is to observe the flow patterns of the fluid by using
different type of impellers and calculating the power consumed by the mixer when the
type of fluid, speed and impellers varies respectively. For the first part, liquid was
filled into the tank until 30L, the impeller was plugged to the machine. Rotation that
was set at 50 rpm and the flow pattern was captured. The second part of the
experiment was conducted by using oil and flat paddle. The rpm was set up to 50,
100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 rpm without baffle. The torque values were recorded
for all of the rpm. The baffle was added and the rpm was set from 50 to 250 with 50
increments within them. The value of rpm cannot be taken until 350 like the one
without baffle because the oil starts to spill out from the tank. The second part was
repeated using turbine impeller. Lastly, the result was calculated and then, the graph
of power consumption against speed of respective type of impeller was plotted.

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INTRODUCTION

Mixing of liquid-liquid or solid-liquid system is a complex operation to analyze

and subject to many variables. The choice of mixer for a particular application
depends on the degree of bulk movement or shear mixing required by the process. In
order to predict full-scale requirements, it is usual to model the system and apply
dimensional analysis. Before the dimensional analysis can be used, three conditions
must apply:

1. Geometric similarity - this will define the boundary conditions, corresponding

dimensions will have the same ratio.

2. Kinematics similarity - this requires that velocities at corresponding points must

have the same ratio ac those at other corresponding points.

3. Dynamic similarity - this requires that the ratio of forces at corresponding points is
equal to that at other corresponding points.

The modes of flow behaviour exist in a mixer laminar and turbulent flow. Both these
flow conditions may be described dimensionally but for turbulent flow, its behaviour
is less significant. In particular, the power number becomes independent of Reynolds
number beyond a certain turbulence range. A further factor to consider is surface
waves, which are, describe by the Froude number group. In a mixer this phenomena is
usually function of the height of the vortex, which forms. Arm field have developed a
model mixer, which can be used to predict the power consumption of a full-sized
mixer by equating Reynolds number and Froude number. The effect of placing baffles
in the mixer vessel is also investigated.

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OBJECTIVES

The objective of this experiment 1 is to observe the flow patterns that can be
achieved by the use of different impellers with and without the use of baffles.
The objective of this experiment 2 is to show how the power consumed by a
mixer varies with speed, types of impeller and with the inclusion of baffles.

THEORY

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

from the motor that drives the pump to the fluid being pumped by accelerating the
fluid outwards from the center 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 are usually short cylinders with an open inlet (called an eye) to
accept incoming fluid, vanes to push the fluid radially and splined center to accept
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 into
the impeller at the hub region of the blades.

Axial flow impellers include all impellers in which the blade makes an angle of
less than 90 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.

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 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 tank without baffle, 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 a large fluctuating force acting on the
mixer shaft.

For baffled 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-centerline 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 unbaffled 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.

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 APPARATUS

Force
Indicator

Speed Flat Paddle

Controller

Screw
Tank
Propeller

Baffle

Water
Coagulant
Plastic pellets

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PROCEDURES
General Start-up procedure
1. The power outlet is switched on.
2. All the tightening screws is fastened.
3. The working surrounding area is ensured to be dry and clean.
4. The shaft is lifted up using lifting chain attached to the shaft.
5. The experiment is carried out.

General shut-down procedure

1. Any liquid inside the tank is removed by opening the outlet valve
2. The tank is washed and rinsed to make sure no oil residue after the experiment.
3. The paddle/impeller inside the tank is removed and washed after use.
4. The power outlet is shut down.

Experiment 1
1. The tank is filled with water up to a depth of 30L.
2. Flat paddle is attached with the end of the shaft.
3. A small quantity of plastic pellet is added to the tank.
3. The speed of the impeller is turned up in small increments: 50 rpm, 100 rpm, 150
rpm, 200 rpm and 250 rpm. The pellets are seen to swirl around in the water showing
flow patterns.
4. The movement of the pellets and the flow pattern is observed and drawn.
5. The procedures are repeated by replacing the flat paddle with other impellers:
screw propeller.
6. The procedures are also repeated with the baffles fitted in the tank with each flat
paddle, turbine impeller and screw propeller.

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Experiment 2
1. The tank filled with coagulant up to a depth of 30 L
2. Flat paddle is attached with the end of the shaft.
3. The speed of the impeller is turned up to 50 rpm and the reading of force is
recorded.
4. The speed is then turned up to 100 rpm, 150 rpm, 200 rpm and 250 rpm with the
force recorded at the respective speed.
5. Step 3-4 is repeated with the baffles fitted in the tank.
6. The power consumed for each of the speed is calculated.

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RESULT & CALCULATION

Using water to observe the type of flow patterns that can be achieved by the use of
different impeller with and without baffles.

Flat Paddle without Baffle Flat Paddle with Baffle

Screw Impeller without Baffle Screw Impeller with Baffle

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Using Oil to show how the power consumed by the mixer varies with speed, type of
impeller, and with the inclusion of baffles.

Flat paddle

i. With baffle

Angular Angular Force, F (N) Torque, Power, P

speed, speed, (Watt)
(N.m)
(rev/min) (rad/s)
50 5.24 77.27 8.5 44.54
100 10.47 87.27 9.6 100.51
150 15.71 120.91 13.3 208.94
200 20.94 160.91 17.7 370.64
250 26.18 205.46 22.6 591.67
Table 7.2.1 Table for flat paddle with baffle

ii. Without baffle

Angular Angular Force, F (N) Torque, Power, W

speed, speed, (Watt)
(N.m)
(rev/min) (rad/s)
50 5.24 4.55 0.5 2.62
100 10.47 12.73 1.4 14.66
150 15.71 22.73 2.5 39.28
200 20.94 33.64 3.7 77.48
250 26.18 54.55 6.0 157.08
Table 7.2.2 Table for flat paddle without baffle

Screw Impeller

i. With Baffle

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Angular Angular Force, F (N) Torque, Power, W
speed, speed, (Watt)
(N.m)
(rev/min) (rad/s)
50 5.24 35.45 3.9 20.44
100 10.47 38.18 4.2 43.97
150 15.71 40.91 4.5 70.70
200 20.94 45.45 5.0 104.70
250 26.18 50.91 5.6 146.61
Table 7.2.3 Table for Screw Impeller with baffle

Angular Angular Force, F (N) Torque, Power, W

speed, speed, (Watt)
(N.m)
(rev/min) (rad/s)
50 5.24 0 0 0
100 10.47 0 0 0
150 15.71 0 0 0
200 20.94 0.91 0.1 2.09
250 26.18 2.73 0.3 7.85
Table 7.2.4 Table for Screw Impeller without baffle

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Graph 7.2.5 Graph of Power against Speed for flat paddle.

Graph 7.2.6 Graph of Power against Speed for Screw Impeller

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Graph 7.2.7~Graph of power against speed for flat paddle vs screw impeller with
baffle

Graph 7.2.7~Graph of power against speed for flat paddle vs screw impeller without
baffle

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Sample of Calculation

Formula

Angular Speed,

Force, F =

Power, P=

Flat paddle without baffle at 50 rpm

Angular speed, = rpm

= 50 rpm

= 5.24 rad/s

Force, F =

= 4.55

Power, P =

= 0.5 N.m 5.24 rads-1

= 2.62 W

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Flat paddle with baffle at 50 rpm

Angular speed, = rpm

= 50 rpm

= 5.24 rad/s

Force, F =

= 77.27

Power, P =

= 8.5 N.m 5.24 rads-1

= 44.54 W

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DISCUSSION
For this experiment, the first objective we want to observe the various flow
patterns that can be achieves by using different impellers with and without baffles. We
use flat paddle with speed 100 rpm. From that, we can see that the pallets going up
and down rapidly when we used the baffle but without baffle the pallets only move at
the bottom of the tank. A vortex will be seen to form on the surface of water. Besides
using flat paddle, we also used turbine impeller at speed 100 rpm. We can see that the
flow pattern, the pallets move at the bottom of the tank and sometime a few pallets
going up with the use of baffle. Meanwhile without baffle the pallets only move at the
bottom of the tank and none of the pallets going up.
The flow pattern with baffle and without baffle is difference, because when the
impeller rotate using the baffle there are a resistance created and the flow pattern is
disturb. Other than that, the radius of the flow also difference. Radius for flat paddle is
large while the radius for the impeller is medium.
For the second experiment, we want to show how the power consumed by a
mixer varies with speed, type of impeller and the inclusion of baffles. Firstly, we use
flat paddle with baffle. We used different value of angular speed (rpm) which starts
from 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 and take the value of torque (Nm) for each angular
speed. We can see, when the speed is increase the torque reading also increase. We
repeated the experiment using flat paddle without baffle and the results show when
the speed is higher, the torque give the higher reading also.
Next, we used turbine impeller and take the readings of the torque for each
different angular speed. It is also conducted by using baffle and without baffle. The
data is recorded. From the graph power against speed (with baffles), we can see that
the power used when using flat paddle and turbine impeller is the same with the

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increasing of speed. In theory the flat paddle should consume more power than
turbine. So, in our experiment we already proved based on the theory that flat paddle
consume more power compare to turbine.
Then the experiment is repeated without using baffles. The graph shown that
the flat paddle is consuming more power than turbine. So it is true with the theory that
flat paddle blade should consume more power. Overall of this experiment shows that
our observation was succeed based on the theory and the objectives.

CONCLUSION

From the first part of the experiment, it can be concluded that different impellers
produce different type of flow patterns in a baffled tank. In a baffled tank, Flat paddle
produced radial flow pattern while screw propeller produced axial flow pattern. For a
tank without the inclusion of baffle, it can be concluded that both types of impellers
produced the same flow pattern which is tangential flow pattern and vortex will be
formed.

Based on the results and the graphs obtained for the second part of the
experiment, it can be seen that power consumed increases as the speed increases. It
also can be seen that the power consumed in a baffled tank is higher than the tank
without baffle. It can also be concluded that the baffle prevent vortex formation in the
tank which is not very desirable for liquid mixing.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

There are several recommendations in order to acquire more accurate experimental

results such as:
1. Ensuring that the impellers are attached firmly onto the shaft. This is to prevent
the impellers from falling off while it is being operated. Additionally, a loosely
installed impellers will affect the flow pattern as well as contributing to the inaccuracy
of torque readings.
2. Liquid filling the agitator vessel to be assured at the same volume. A constant
volume of 30 L of water or light oil to be used in all the trials. Consequently, variation
of torque readings can be reduced and in all accuracy in deducing the power
consumption increases.
3. Number of torque reading to be taken multiple times. In way that more consistent
readings can be gathered such that the mean value will hence confirm the variation of
readings.
4. Assuring that the experimental equipment to be in good shape as they are used
frequently. Some maintenance work shall be done if the units have been used for a
while to avoid inaccuracy of data collected.
5. Proper cleaning of equipment especially the vessel and the impeller. This is to
prevent the high concentration of coagulant or oil to be attached the wall of the tank.
This is also to prevent from the two liquids to be mixed while data are collected since
they are being tested separately.
6. Ensure that the eyes must be perpendicular to the scale of the tank during refill
the tank with water to avoid parallax error.

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7. Make sure that the water does not spill over the side of the tank by when
increasing the speed.
8. Two tanks should be used or provided by the laboratory. One of them is for water
and the remaining one for coagulant or oil. This is to ensure that the water and oil can
be prevented from mixing. The mixture between water and oil can be happened if
only one tank provided and used the same tank to conduct the experiment. This will
affect the data as well as inaccurate readings when conducting this experiment.

REFERENCES

1. https://www.scribd.com/document/243558177/Fluid-Mixing
2. UiTM Chemical Engineering Lab Manual, Fluid Mixing Experiment.
3. Fluid Mixing video on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=J96TEOjgscE
4. Douglas J.F, Fluid mechanics fourth edition, Prentice Hall 2004.
5. Frank M.W, Fluid Mechanics ninth edition, McGraw-Hill.2005.
6. Yunus A. Cengel, John M. Cimbala, Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and
Applications Third Edition in SI Units, 2014, McGraw-Hill Education.
7. Falkovich, Gregory (2011), Fluid Mechanics (A short course for physicists),
Cambridge University Press.

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APPENDIX

Figure 1: set up the apparatus

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 Figure 2: observe the experiment

Figure 3 : change the impeller to flat paddle for next experiment

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Figure 4: Tank is filled up with oil

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