TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM REPORT

UNIT OPERATION LABORATORY II

EXPERIMENT 3
AGITATION

Kris Dawn C. Leopoldo

Jose Adrian P. Valenzuela
BS Chemical Engineering 5
Abstract

The experiment was done to observe the flow patterns of the different kinds of impeller
and match the flow patterns with the theoretical knowledge of agitation. The experimenters were
able to observe results that match the theoretical given. For example, in the case of marine type
impeller, we noticed that there was a certain movement of seeds from the center towards the
sides. In theory, the type of flow pattern produced by this impeller is axial flow since the fluid
flows axially down the center axis or propeller shaft and up on the sides of the tank. The
theoretical and actual results match.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract ………………………………………………….2

I. Introduction………………………………………………4

II. Equipment and Methods…………………………………..6

III. Results…………………………………………………..7

IV. Discussion and Conclusion……………………………..8

References………………………………………………..10

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I. Introduction

Agitation is very important in many chemical and processing industries today.

Many operations are dependent to a great extent on effective agitation and mixing of
fluids, and thus, we future chemical engineers, must familiarize ourselves with the
basic principles of motion with regards to the action of different kinds of impellers to
liquid systems. This leads us to the objective of the experiment.
The experiment is conducted to simply observe the flow patterns produced by
each type of agitator under certain controlled conditions. The conditions are the
presence of a baffle and no baffle and tilted impeller axis of rotation and not tilted.
The four types of agitators used were: a.) marine type impeller, b.) impeller with four
blades, c.) disk flat-blade turbine and d.) high shear rate impeller.

a. b. c. d.

Theory: According to Geankoplis in his book Transport Processes and Unit

Operations

A marine type impeller classified as a three-blade propeller agitator, is used for

liquids of low viscosity. The type of flow pattern produced by this impeller is axial
flow since the fluid flows axially down the center axis or propeller shaft and up on the
sides of the tank.
An impeller with four blades is a paddle agitator. This type of agitator is used
often at low speeds. At low speeds, mild agitation is obtained in an unbaffled vessel.
At higher speeds baffles are used, since, without baffles, the liquid is simply swirled

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around with little actual mixing. The paddle agitator is ineffective for suspending
solids since good radial flow is present but little vertical or axial flow.
Disk flat-blade turbine and High shear rate impellers are considered as turbine
agitators. These impellers resemble multibladed paddle agitators with shorter blades
used at high speeds for liquids with a very wide range of viscosities. The turbines
with flat blades, high shear rate impellers, give radial flow. They are also useful for
good gas dispersion where the gas is introduced just below the impeller at its axis and
is drawn up to the blades and chopped into fine bubbles. The disk flat blade, with
blades at 45 degrees, some axial flow is imparted so that a combination of axial and
radial flow is present. This type is useful in suspending solids since the currents flow
downward and then sweep up the solids.
Overall, the flow patterns in an agitated tank depend upon the fluid properties, the
geometry of the tank, types of baffles in the tank, and the agitator itself. If a propeller
o other agitator is mounted vertically in the center of a tank with no baffles, a swirling
flow usually develops. Generally, this motion is undesirable, because of excessive air
entrainment, development of a large vortex, surging, and the like, especially at high
speeds. To prevent this, an angular off-center position can be used with propellors
with small horsepower like the one we used in the laboratory.

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II. Equipment and Methods

The materials used in the experiment are agitator equipment, the impellers,
specifically, marine-type, disk flat-blade turbine, high-shear rate, and impeller with
four blades, and lastly, the monggo seeds which will serve as the solid particle. The
experiment went through by filling the container with water approximately equal to
its diameter. Then, the monggo seeds are immersed in the container filled with water.
The container is placed on the agitator apparatus equipped with an impeller mounted
on a shaft. The agitator is turned on and the flow pattern produced of each of the
impellers is observed and recorded in different conditions, with baffle, no baffle, and
tilted mounted shaft angle.

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 III. Results

Kinds of Impeller No Baffle With Baffle

Impeller has a certain push
Due to the baffle, many seeds
Marine Type Impeller towards the center clump of
were trapped in the sides
seeds
All of the seeds were really in Random motion was observed.
Impeller with Four Blades motion. There was vigorous The seeds were going in all
agitation. directions.
The seeds were moving
Not so much seed movement
Disk Flat Blade Turbine upwards, towards the impeller.
was observed.
There is a “sucking” action.
No movement of seeds were No movement of seeds were
High Shear Rate Impeller
observed. observed.

IV. Discussion and Conclusion

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Marine-type Mixing Impeller

We observed that not all of the seeds were vigorously agitated. Only a portion,
specifically, the ones on the sides and on the top portion of the clump of seeds, were
in motion due to the impeller action. The seeds were drawn to the sides. The impeller
has a certain push towards the center of the clump, however, the push wasn’t that
heavy. We noticed that there was a certain movement of seeds from the center
towards the sides. In theory, the type of flow pattern produced by this impeller is
axial flow since the fluid flows axially down the center axis or propeller shaft and up
on the sides of the tank. The theoretical and actual results match.

Impeller with Four Blades

We observed that there was a vigorous effect towards the seeds. All of the seeds
were in motion. The seeds were revolving in a clockwise motion. There is a whirlpool
motion formed at the surface of the water medium. In theory, at low speeds, mild
agitation is obtained in an unbaffled vessel. At higher speeds baffles are used, since,
without baffles, the liquid is simply swirled around with little actual mixing. The
paddle agitator is ineffective for suspending solids since good radial flow is present
but little vertical or axial flow. Thus, the theoretical and the actual results match. The
swirling motion was the key identity for impeller with four blades.

Disk Flat Blade Turbine

The seeds were moving upwards, specifically, towards the impeller. The seeds
move because of the pulling action of the impeller. In theory, the disk flat blade, with
blades at 45 degrees, some axial flow is imparted so that a combination of axial and
radial flow is present. This type is considered useful in suspending solids since the
currents flow downward and then sweep up the solids. In this manner, there is an
effective agitation of the monggo seeds because of its rising effect with the water.
The rising effect was caused by the combination of radial and axial flow produced by

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 the 45 degree blades of the impeller. Thus, the theoretical and the actual results
match.

High Shear Rate Impeller

We noticed that, there was no movement at all. One explanation that we can
deduce from the said event is that, the force applied by the impeller was
perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Therefore, the force produced was sideways
relative to the line of action of the impeller, thereby not affecting the seeds below the
impeller. In theory, the turbines with flat blades, high shear rate impellers, give radial
flow. Thus, the theory and actual matches.

References

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Transport Processes and Unit Operations 3rd Edition by Christi J. Geankoplis
Unit Operations I Laboratory Manual

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