ABSTRACT

1. ABSTRACT
This experiment is conducted in order to achieve two objectives which are to observe
the various flow patterns that are formed by using different type of impellers with and without
the presence of baffles. The second objective is to study how the power consumed by a mixer
varies with speed, type of impeller and with the presence of baffles.

To make the objectives successful, water and oil are the fluid used in the experiment.
Each of the fluid is swirled by using the flat paddle impeller and turbine impeller. For each use
of impeller and turbine impeller, the experiment is first conducted without the baffles and
followed by the presence of baffles. The speed control knob is controlled in a gradual increment
to swirl the fluid. Speed and force at each speed of the mixer are recorded.

It can be observed that different type of impeller produced the different type of flow
patterns. In water, the rotations of impeller without baffle produce a shape like a tornado which
is tangential flow. And this shape increase with the increasing speed. In the presence of baffle,
the mixing process produce radial flow pattern but the water is more swirling when using the
flat paddle. From the graph plotted for the result of oil, it shows the relation between power
and angular speed which can be said that the power is increasing as the angular speed is
increase. From the calculation also can be proven that the presence of baffle in the tank requires
a higher power consumed than there is no baffle.

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 INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Agitation refers to the induced motion of the material in a circulatory pattern inside a
tang or vessel, while mixing is the random distribution into and through one another, of two or
more initially separate phases (Gavhane, 2009). Mixing process requires at least two separate
phases and causing them to distribute randomly through one another. Mixing process is
conducted for numerous purposes. Some of the purposes are suspending solid particles,
blending miscible liquids, dispersing a gas through the liquid in the form of small bubbles,
dispersing a second liquid, immiscible with the first, to form an emulsion or suspension of fine
drops, and promoting heat transfer between the liquid and a coil or jacket (Gavhane, 2009).

There are two main types of flow patterns which are axial and radial flow. These
differences in flow patterns can cause variations in distribution of shear rate and energy
dissipation rate within the mixing tank (Paul, 2004). Axial flow pattern show that the fluid is
moving parallel to the axis of turbine, while radial flow pattern occur mainly along the radii of
rotation in the tank. Flow patterns of liquid depend on the type of impeller, the characteristics
of liquid such as viscosity and the diameter of the tank.

Mixing process is highly influenced by the impeller flow patterns. Different types of
impeller showing different flow patterns. All impellers can therefore be categorized by
variations in their pumping and shear capabilities (Paul, 2004). Some of the commonly used
impellers used in the industry are flat blade turbine, pitched blade impeller, marine type
propeller, paddle, anchor impeller and helical impeller. The presence of baffles gives impact
to the flow patterns too by increasing the top to bottom circulation. Baffles prevent the swirl of
the contents as a whole elimination of vortexes which lead to the formation of turbulence flow.

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 AIMS

3. AIMS

OBJECTIVES
To determine the flow pattern of the fluid based on the two impellers that were given
with and without the baffles.
To show how the power consumed by a mixer varies with speed, type of impeller, and
with the inclusion of baffles.

THEORY

THEORY
Mixing is a very crucial process in order to maintain the homogeneity of the fluid. There
is various type of mixing process and it needs a careful selection of the impeller for each type
of fluid (mixer, 2014). In this experiment, the type of impellers were used are propeller and
turbine impeller. Turbine impeller is a rotating component which transfers 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. Baffle was also introduced in this experiment,
so that it can stop the uneven swirling effect that causes by the impeller. The most common
baffle that is used in this experiment is straight flat plate. For the un-baffle tank, tendency for
swirling flow pattern to develop rotating liquid that can causes the spill out.

Therefore, a limitation of speed is being used to avoid the spill out of the fluid from the
mixing tank. In laminar flow (NRe < 10), the same power were used by the impeller. The flow
pattern may be effect by the baffle but it not favorable. To allow the fluid circulate and produce
axial deflection we may need the baffle. 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. This
experiment enable to calculate power based on the data that is recorded:

Power (W) = Torque (T) x Angular Speed, (rad/s)

Torque (T) = Force recorded on spring balance x length of torque arm (0.11 m) (r)
Source: Gabriel Ascanio (2013).

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 APPARATUS

5. APPARATUS
APPARATUS & MATERIALS

Liquid Mixing Apparatus (Model: MB 23)

Force indicator

Speed controller

Tank

Baffle

Turbine
impeller

Flat
paddle

Fluid used

Water
Oil

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 PROCEDURE
6. PROCEDURE
General Start-up procedure

1. The power outlet is switched on.

2. All the tightening screws are 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 with base of base of bush is levelled with
shaft end.
3. The Fluid Mixing Apparatus is closed tightly by tightened bolt provided using hex
key.
4. The speed of the impeller is turned up in small increments: 100 rpm, 200 rpm and 300
rpm.
5. The flow pattern produce at different speed is observed.
6. The experiment is repeated using turbine impeller, flat paddle with baffle and turbine
impeller with baffle.

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 PROCEDURE

Experiment 2

1. The tank filled with oil up to a depth of 30L.

2. Flat paddle impeller is attached to shaft with base of base of bush is levelled with shaft end.
3. The Fluid Mixing Apparatus is closed tightly by tightened bolt provided using hex key.
4. The speed of the impeller is turned up to 100 rpm and the reading of force is recorded.
5. The speed is then turned up to 200 rpm and 300 rpm with the force recorded at the
respective speed.
6. Step 4 and 5 is repeated with the baffles fitted in the tank.
7. The power consumed for each of the speed is calculated.

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 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

EXPERIMENT 1 (WATER)

FLAT PADDLE BLADE

ANGULAR SPEED
OBSERVATION
(rpm)
WITHOUT BAFFLE WITH BAFFLE
100

200

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 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

300

EXPERIMENT 2 (0IL)

FLAT PADDLE BLADE

ANGULAR ANGULAR FORCE,F TORQUE,T POWER,P

SPEED SPEED, (N) (Nm) (Walt)
(rpm) (rad/s)
NO NO NO BAFFLE
BAFFLE BAFFLE BAFFLE BAFFLE BAFFLE

100 10.47 102.73 125.45 11.3 13.8 118.31 144.48

200 20.95 122.73 142.73 13.5 15.7 282.83 328.92
300 31.42 142.73 155.45 15.7 17.1 493.29 537.28

Force,F (N) = torque(T) length of torque arm (r)

; length of orque arm(r)=0.11m
Power = Torque(T) Angular speed ()

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 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

For 100 rpm

NO BAFFLE
Force,F (N) = 11.3 Nm 0.11m
= 102.72 N
Power (W) = 11.3 Nm 10.47 (rad/s)
= 118.31 W

WITH BAFFLE
Force,F (N) = 13.8 Nm 0.11 m
= 102.73 N
Power (W) = 13.8 Nm 10.47 (rad/s)
= 144.48 W

For 200 rpm

NO BAFFLE
Force,F (N) = 13.5 Nm 0.11m
= 122.73 N
Power (W) = 13.5 Nm 20.95 (rad/s)
= 282.83 W

WITH BAFFLE
Force,F (N) = 15.7 Nm 0.11 m
= 122.73 N
Power (W) = 15.7 Nm 20.95 (rad/s)
=328.92 W

For 300 rpm

NO BAFFLE
Force,F (N) = 15.7Nm 0.11m
= 142.73 N
Power (W) = 15.7 Nm 31.42 (rad/s)
= 493.29 W

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 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

WITH BAFFLE
Force,F (N) = 17.1 Nm 0.11 m
= 155.45 N
Power (W) = 17.1 Nm 31.42 rad/s)
= 537.28 W

600
500
400
POWER,W

300 WITHOUT BUFFLE

200 BUFFLE
100
0
10.47 20.95 31.42
ANGULAR SPEED,
(rad/s)

Figure 1: Power Versus Angular Speed For Flat Addle Blade

TURBINE IMPELLER

ANGULA ANGULA FORCE,F TORQUE,T POWER,P

R SPEED R (N) (Nm-2) (Walt)
(rpm) SPEED,
(rad/s)
NO NO NO BAFFLE
BAFFLE BAFFLE BAFFLE BAFFLE BAFFLE

100 10.47 111.82 125.45 12.3 13.8 128.78 144.49

200 20.95 131.82 133.64 14.5 14.7 303.78 307.97

300 31.42 137.28 139.09 15.1 15.3 474.44 480.73

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 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

Force,F (N) = torque(T) length of torque arm (r)

; length of torque arm(r)=0.11m
Power = Torque(T) Angular speed ()

For 100 rpm

NO BAFFLE
Force,F (N) = 12.3 Nm 0.11 m
= 111.82 N
Power (W) = 12.3 Nm 10.47 (rad/s)
= 128.78 W

WITH BAFFLE
Force,F (N) = 14.5 Nm 0.11 m
= 125.45 N

Power (W) = 14.5 Nm 10.47 (rad/s)

= 144.49 W

For 200 rpm

NO BAFFLE
Force,F (N) = 14.5 Nm 0.11m
= 131.82 N

Power (W) = 14.5 Nm 20.95 (rad/s)

= 307.97 W

WITH BAFFLE
Force,F (N) = 14.7 Nm 0.11 m
= 133.64 N

Power (W) = 14.7 Nm 20.95 (rad/s)

=303.78 W

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 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

For 300 rpm

NO BAFFLE
Force,F (N) = 15.1 Nm 0.11m
= 137.28 N
Power (W) = 15.1 Nm 31.42 (rad/s)
= 474.44 W

WITH BAFFLE
Force,F (N) = 15.3 Nm 0.11 m
= 139.09 N
Power (W) = 15.3 Nm 31.42 rad/s)
= 480.73 W

1200

1000

800
POWER,W

600
WITH BUFFLE
400
WITHOUT BUFFLE
200

0
10.47 20.95 31.42
ANGULAR SPEED,
(rad/s)

Figure 2: Power versus Angular Speed for Turbine Impeller

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 DISCUSSIONS

DISCUSSION

In the experiment 1, the aims is to observe the flow pattern of water using different types of
impeller with and without install a baffles. The flow of water is same even using a different
impellers without the presence of baffle. The water move in circular and rotary pattern. A
whirlpool is forming starting from the centre of the water. When the baffle is install into the
tank, the both impeller produce uneven pattern. There are two stream circle which continuing
flowing along the tank wall and bank it the impellers, These impeller are agitator fir the
mixing the substance. Hence, we can say that the flow pattern of water depends on the
impellers used and with and without baffles presence.

In the experiment 2, the oil is used which has a greater viscosity than water. The
power consumed by different types of impeller at varies speed with the presence of baffle and
without presence of baffles in being studied. From the result, as the speed increase, the power
consumed also increases. The power consumed by the mixer is even higher when baffle is
used compare than unbaffled tank. This is due to the presence of baffle that prevent
vortexing. We also can see that flat paddle consume more power than the turbine impellers.

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 CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION
Basically the experiment was a success considering all the objectives were achieved.
Throughout the studies, we can conclude that the pattern flow of fluid affected by the type of
impellers used as well as the number of rotation per minute of the impellers. At the same time
the liquids use also contribute to the power and angular speed because of different density. The
density of fluid use will affected the angular speed which then contribute to the value of torque.
The power consumed to run the mixer also depends on the value of the torque.

The presence of baffles give a different flow of pattern of water and oil than without using
a baffles

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 RECOMMENDATION

1. RECOMMENDATIONS

There are few recommendations that can be considered in order to get the best results
throughout in this experiment. First, ensure that the Fluid Mixing Apparatus is working
properly and in good condition. It is suggested to repair and always do some maintenance for
this equipment when the unit has been used at many times.

Then, we need to ensure that the eyes must be perpendicular to the scale of the tank
during filling the tank with water or oil to avoid the parallax error. Besides that, always make
sure that the water and the oil do not spill over the side of the tank after increasing the speed
too much.

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. It is not the right way to measure the force by operating the tension
spring manually, it is much better to use the tension spring that operated by computer itself.
Indirectly, the accurate readings can be obtained as the best results needed.

Since this experiment should be done with water and oil as a fluid, the tank should be
cleaned thoroughly especially after conducting the experiment with oil. This is because to
prevent the high concentration of oil that able to attach to the wall of the tank and to prevent
the oil and water from mixing which may affect the result of force taken. Therefore, it is
suggested to provide two tanks for the experiment so that there is no mixture of oil and water
created and it can be easily clean and be reused again in other experiment conducted by the
other groups.

Last but not least, ensure that to close the Fluid Mixing Apparatus with steel lid
provided and tighten as possible to avoid the vibration produced which can affect the results
taken during the experiment.

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 REFERENCE AND APPENDIX

12. REFERENCE AND APPENDIX

1. Gavhane, K. (2009). Unit Operations-i Fluid Flow and Mechanical Operations. Nirali
Prakashan.

2. Paul, E. L. (2004). Handbook of Industrial Mixing: Sceience and Practice. John

Wiley & Sons.

3. Gabriel Ascanio, R. L. (2013). A Fluid Mixing Laboratory for CHe Undergraduates.

CHe Laboratory, 297.
4. mixer, G. (2014). An Industrial Mixer & Blender Manufacturer. Retrieved from Jinhu
Ginhong Machinery Co., Ltd.: http://www.ginhong.com/articles/the-importance-of-
industrial-mixing/22/

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