OUTLINES

Geometric Similarity of a tank

Power Consumption in Stirred Vessel
- Low viscosity (Power No, Reynold Number, Froude
Number, Weber Number)
Scale up of stirred vessel

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.
a) Determine the geometric similarity of the
particular tank.

POWER CONSUMPTION IN STIRRED VESSELS

From a practical point of view, power consumption is perhaps

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

Low viscosity systems.

Typical equipment for low viscosity liquids consists of a

vertical cylindrical tank, with a height to diameter ratio of 1.5
to 2, fitted with an agitator.
For low viscosity liquids, high-speed propellers of diameter
about one-third that of the vessel are suitable, running at 1025 Hz.

REYNOLD NUMBER. FROUDE NUMBER & WEBER NUMBER

REYNOLD NUMBER

D N
Re

Where ,

= liquid density
D = Impeller diameter
N = Speed of rotation, rpm

FROUDE NUMBER

DN 2
Fr
g

Where, D = Impeller diameter

N = Speed of rotation, rpm
g = Acceleration due to gravity

WEBER NUMBER

D3 N 2
We

Where, D = Impeller diameter

N = Speed of rotation, rpm
= liquid density
= surface tension

Reynold Number- determine the nature of the flow

Froude/Weber Number- results from constancy of the ratio between other
forces

Considering a stirred vessel in which a Newtonian liquid of viscosity , and

density is agitated by an impeller of diameter D, rotating at a speed N;
the tank diameter is DT, and the other dimensions are as shown in Figure
7.5, then, the functional dependence of the power input to the liquid P on
the independent variables (, , N, D, DT , g, other geometric dimensions)
may be expressed as:
P = f (, , N, D, DT , g, other geometric dimensions)

In equation above, P is the impeller power, that is, the energy per unit time
dissipated within the liquid.
By using dimensional analysis, the number of variables can be reduced to
give:

where the dimensionless group on the left-hand side is called the

Power number ( Np ) ; ( ND2/ ) is the Reynolds number (Re)
and (N2D/g) is the Froude number (Fr). Other dimensionless
length ratios, such as ( DT /D ), ( W/D ) and so on, relate to the
specific impeller/vessel arrangement.
For geometrically similar systems, these ratios must be equal, and
the functional relationship between the Power number and the
other dimensionless groups reduces to:
Np = f ( R e , F r )

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.

The simplest form of the function in equation 7.14 is a power law,

giving:
Np = K Reb Frc

where the values of K', b and c must be determined from

experimental measurements, and are dependent upon
impeller/vessel configuration and on the flow regime, that is
laminar, transition or turbulent, prevailing in the mixing vessel.

POWER NUMBER (NP)

Power Number Np = f ( Re, Fr )
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 7.2

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 OF STIRRED VESSELS.

One of the problems confronting the designers of

mixing equipment is that of deducing the most
satisfactory arrangement for a large unit from
experiments with small units.
In order to achieve the same kind of flow pattern
in two units, geometrical, kinematic, and
dynamic similarity and identical boundary
conditions must be maintained.

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:

DT Z A WB W H and so on.
;
;
; ;
D D D D D

SCALE-UP OF STIRRED VESSELS

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.

Considering corresponding positions in systems 1 and 2

which refer to the laboratory and large scale, respectively,
when the different types of force occurring are Fa, Fb, Fc
and so on dynamic similarity requires that:

Fa1 Fb1 Fc1

.... a constant
Fa 2 Fb 2 Fc 2
or

Fa1 Fa 2 Fa1 Fa 2

etc
Fb1 Fb 2 Fc1 Fc 2

Kinematic and dynamic similarities both require geometrical

similarity, so the corresponding positions "1" and "2" can be
identified in the two systems.

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?