TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Abstract / Summary …………………………………………………………………...2

2. Introduction ………………………………………………………………………...…3
3. Aims / Objectives ……………………………………………………………………..4
4. Theory ………………………………………………………………………………5-6
5. Apparatus ………………………………………………………………………….......7
6. Procedures …………………………………………………………………………..8-9
7. Result ……………………………………………………………………………..10-13
8. Calculations ……………………………………………………………………….....14
9. Discussion …………………………………………………………………...………15
10. Conclusions ……………………………………………………………….…………16
11. Recommendations …………………………………………………………..……….17
12. References …………………………………………………………………….……..18
13. Appendices ………………………………………………………………………......19

1
1.0 ABSTRACT

Fluid mixing experiment. When we talk about fluid mixing, it should be about the
mixing of two different fluid in a container with some mixer appliances which could fasten the
mixing procedure. But for our experiment, we only used one type of fluid which is water. The
experiment was divided into two parts which we had to completed both of the parts by using
water. The first part of the experiment is to observe the flow patterns that can be achieved by
using different impellers with and without the baffles. While the other parts of the experiment
are to expose the how the power consumed by a mixer changes with speed, types of impeller
and the presence of disturbance by a baffle.

The first part, we determine the flow patterns by observing the water flow in the tank.
The flow patterns are different depends on the types of impeller used. There are two types of
impeller used which are flat-paddle and turbine impeller. All the impellers are mounted on the
central vertical shaft inside a cylindrical tank. Baffle is also implemented in this experiment to
observe the different pattern of moving water in the tank which could disturb the vortex of the
mixing. We started by using the flat paddle which produce large, deeper vortex and high
velocity compared to the turbine impeller. After the experiment were done, baffles were
applied. The baffles disturb the flow patterns that produce by the impellers. The water moves
in an uneven circular motion and scattered by the movement of impeller as the angular speed
was increasing.

The second part of this experiment is to show how the power consumed by a mixer
varies with speed, types of impeller and with the inclusion of baffles for water. According to
the procedure, 30 litres of water were filled in the tank for the mixing. Then, we applied the
impellers with and without the baffles and recorded the angular speed and force. But, the results
that we obtained were not accurate at all due to equipment problems.

2
2.0 INTRODUCTION

Fluid mixing is the easiest mixing process which rotating impeller is needed in a fluid-
filled container. The power usage depends on the impellers used. Different design of impeller
will give different flow patterns and power consumed.

The general definition of fluid mixing in industrial process engineering is a unit

operation that involves manipulation of two different fluids by mixing them with the intent to
make it more homogeneous. Mixing is needed to transfer the heat and mass between two
different phases.

Impeller. Different impellers will gives different flow patterns and velocity. Impellers
were designed to improve the process of mixing by increasing the velocity or create turbulence
flow in order to fasten the mixing. These process produce fluid velocity and fluid shear which
will affect the mixing process. Fluid velocity is the movement or speed of fluid within the
mixing vessels produced by the impellers. Fluid shear is essential to break the gas bubbles or
immiscible liquids into small droplets. All mixing impellers produce both fluid velocity and
fluid shear but different types of impellers produce different velocity.

Baffles. Baffles was designed to disturb or restrain the flow of fluid. Rotating impellers
will produce different flow patterns depends on the types. It produces vortex which helps the
mixing circulation process. Actually, the presence of baffles influence the flow patterns and
fasten the mixing process. It can increase the amount of top to bottom circulation which
contributes to turbulence by giving out some obstacles for the mixture to swirl as a whole and
elimination of vortexes. At the end of this experiment, not only the fluid patterns that we
determined, but we also obtain on how the power consumed the mixer varies with speed,
impellers, with and without baffles.

3
3.0 OBJECTIVES

 To observe the various flow patterns that can be achieved by the use of different
impellers with and without use of baffles.
 To show how the power consumed by a mixer varies with speed, type of impeller and
with the inclusion of baffle.

4
4.0 THEORY

During mixing inside the stirred tank, particle motion takes place on a very small scale.
This motion that the particles conveys takes the form of bulk motion, and the bulk motion is
caused by the agitator. The motion of the agitator creates turbulent eddies which in turn is the
cause of the bulk flow.

In order to assure of the mixing of miscible liquids, then bulk flow is needed as it’s the
ultimate mechanism when it comes to this type of mixing.

A lot of mixing situations that can be found in practice, including the involvement of
high-or-low-viscosity fluids. The high and low viscosity substances that used in this experiment
are water and oil. The different impellers used in this experiment to get different patterns of
mixture with certain angular velocity.

Usually the type of agitator that is picked for the mixing process will depend on a
number of variables and those would include the area or volume of the vessel and the viscosity
of the fluid.

There are a number of types of impellers that are used in mixing process however the
turbine impeller, pitched-bladed impeller and the marine impeller are the ones that are most
commonly used when dealing with fluids of low viscosity.

In physics, the angular velocity is defined as the rate of change of angular displacement
and is a vector quantity (more precisely, a pseudovector) which specifies the angular
speed (rotational speed) of an object and the axis about which the object is rotating.

2𝜋
Angular velocity (ω) = r.p.m x 60

Torque, moment, or moment of force is the tendency of a force to rotate an object

about an axis. The SI unit of torque is Newton meter (N.m).

5
 𝜏=𝐹𝑥𝑟

Where, F is force vector

r is position vector

Power of a body in angular motion or power of a rotating body can be expressed is the
product of torque of angular motion and the angular velocity. Power can be defined as

P=Tω

Where P = power (W, ) T = torque or moment,

(Nm)ω = angular velocity (rad/s), 1 rad = 360o / 2 π =~ 57.29578o

The main purpose of this experiment was to obtain the amount of power that was
required by the mixer to drive the impeller, and that amount of power can be calculated by
using a series of dimensionless equations.

From this equation the three dimensionless numbers, the Reynolds Number (Re), Power
Number (N) and Froude Number (Fr) can be derived and calculated.

The Degree of Vortex Formation within the fluid can be estimated by using Froude
Number, and the Froude number can be used in this experiment since the Froude number can
only be used for centrally positioned impellers, which applies to this experiment. However the
use of the Froude number was limited since the Froude number can only be used without the
presence of baffles.

6
 5.0 APPARATUS

MOTOR

SPEED
CONTROLLER

TANK

BAFFLES
TURBINE
IMPELLER

FLAT
PADDLE

7
6.0 PROCEDURES

GENERAL START-UP

 The power outlet is switched on.

 All the tightening screws is fastened.

 The working surrounding area is ensured to be dry and clean.

 The experiment is carried out.

GENERAL SHUT DOWN

 Any liquid inside the tank is removed by opening the outlet valve.

 The tank is washed and rinsed after the experiment.

 The paddle/impeller inside the tank is removed and washed after use.

 The power outlet is shut down.

EXPERIMENT 1

 The tank is filled with water up to 0.3m depth of the tank.

 Flat paddle impeller is attached at the end of the shaft.

 The torque arm clamp is fixed.

 The speed of the impeller is being turned up in small increments; 50 rpm, 100 rpm,
150 rpm and 200 rpm, until the water are seen to swirled around.

 A vortex formed on the surface of the water.

 The procedures are repeated by replacing the flat paddle with other impeller: turbine
impeller.

 The procedures are also repeated with the baffles fitted in the tank with each impeller.

8
EXPERIMENT 2

 The tank is filled with water up to 0.3m depth of the tank.

 Flat paddle is attached at the end of the shaft.

 The speed of the impeller is turned up to 50 rpm, 100 rpm, 150 rpm and 200 rpm and
reading of force is recorded.

 Step 3 is repeated with the baffles fitted in the tank.

 The power consumed for each of the speed is calculated.

 Flat paddle is replaced with turbine impeller and step 3-5 is repeated.

9
7.0 RESULTS

EXPERIMENT 1

Water with baffles

Types of
Flow pattern Observations
impeller

The water moves in disturbed and

scattered circular motion. Vortex is
unseen because it scattered by
Turbine impeller baffles.

The water moves vigorously in

disturbed and scattered circular
motion. Vortex is unseen because it
scattered by baffles. Velocity higher

Flat paddle than turbine.

impeller

10
Water without baffles

Types of impeller Flow pattern Observations

The water moves in a circular

motion at the center of the tank. The
Turbine
vortex getting deeper towards the
impeller bottom of the tank as the angular
speed increased.

The water moves faster than turbine

in a circular motion at the center of
the tank. The vortex also getting
deeper towards the bottom which

Flat paddle deeper than turbine as the angular

speed increased.
impeller

11
EXPERIMENT 2

Water with baffles

Type of Angular Angular Force (N) Torque Power

impeller speed (rpm) speed, ω (N.m) (watts)
(rad/s)
50 5.24 15.45 1.70 8.91
100 10.42 17.27 1.90 19.80
Turbine
Impeller 150 15.71 10.00 1.10 17.28
200 20.94 11.82 1.30 27.22
50 5.24 13.64 1.50 7.86
Flat paddle 100 10.47 12.73 1.40 14.66
Impeller 150 15.71 20.00 2.20 34.56
200 20.94 63.64 7.00 146.58

Power vs Angular Speed

160

140

120

100
Power (W)

80

60

40

20

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Angular speed (rad/s)

Turbine Impeller Flat Paddle Impeller

12
Water without baffles

Type of Angular Angular Force (N) Torque Power

impeller speed (rpm) speed, ω (N.m) (watts)
(rad/s)
50 5.24 12.73 1.40 7.34
100 10.42 13.64 1.50 15.63
Turbine
Impeller 150 15.71 10.91 1.20 18.85
200 20.94 11.82 1.30 27.22
50 5.24 13.64 1.50 7.86
Flat paddle 100 10.47 15.45 1.70 17.80
Impeller 150 15.71 12.73 1.40 21.99
200 20.94 11.82 1.30 27.22

Power vs Angular Speed

30

25

20
Power (W)

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Angular speed (rad/s)

Turbine Impeller Flat Paddle Impeller

13
8.0 CALCULATIONS

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

Torque arm (r) = 0.11 m

2𝜋 𝑟𝑎𝑑
Angular speed (ω) = 𝑟. 𝑝. 𝑚 𝑥 =
60 𝑠

𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒 (𝑁∙𝑚)
Force (N) = 𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 (𝑚)

Power (W) = 𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒 (𝑁 ∙ 𝑚) × 𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 (𝜔)

Turbine impeller with baffle at 50 rpm.

2𝜋
Angular speed (ω) = 50 𝑟𝑝𝑚 × 60

𝑟𝑎𝑑
= 5.24 𝑠

1.7 𝑁∙𝑚
Force (N) = 0.11 𝑚

= 15.45 𝑁

𝑟𝑎𝑑
Power (W) = 1.7 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚 × 5.24 𝑠

= 8.91 𝑊

14
9.0 DISCUSSION

From this experiment, we have conducted two parts of this experiments with different
purposes. The first part, our objective is to observe the flow patterns that can be achieved from
different impellers with and without baffles. The second part was about how the power
consumed by a mixer varies with speed, type of impeller and with the inclusion of baffle.

The first part of the experiment, we used two types of impeller which are flat-paddle
impeller and turbine impeller. Besides, we also observe the flow pattern in two different
situations which each of the impellers with baffles and without baffles. So, there are four set
of flow patterns that we can observed from this part of experiments. The impeller is attached
at the end of the shaft and being placed in the tank. Motor is being switch on, the impeller spin
beneath the water and swirling or vortex patterns can be observed at the center of the tank. The
vortex formed in a circular motion in the tank. As the angular speed increases, the deeper the
vortex to the bottom of the tank. The difference between flat paddle and turbine impeller is the
vortex of the flat paddle is deeper to the base of the tank compared to turbine. Besides, the flat
paddle’s velocity of vortex is higher than turbine impeller. But the observation was different
when baffles is applied to each of the baffles. The swirling or vortex disappear because the
baffles disturbed the vortex and it scattered but the speed of both impeller unchanged.

The second part of the experiment, we used the same procedure and equipment as the
first part. The difference is that we recorded the angular speed and the torque. When we carried
on the experiment, the values of speed and torque were shown on the screen of the control
panel. Then, the angular speed, force and power can be calculated by using formula. Force can
be obtained by dividing the torque with the radius of torque arm. Power can be calculated after
angular speed has been obtained by multiplying it with torque. The graph of power versus
angular speed is plotted for easier understanding and interpretation.

From the graph, we can relate the relationship of power and angular speed. The higher
the angular speed, the higher the power consumed. We also can compare the power consumed
between flat-paddle impeller and turbine impeller. Flat-paddle impeller consumed more power
compared to turbine impeller. But the result is not accurate because there is a technical problem
with the torque sensor which has given us the various wide range values of torque after being
repeated a few times.

15
10.0 CONCLUSION

From the first part, we can conclude that the pattern flows without baffles is smoother
than the pattern flows with baffles. We can see the swirling pool and the vortex clearly in the
tank without baffles. The vortex spin at the centre of the tank in a circular motion. Flat paddle
impeller with higher velocity has the deepest and largest vortex near to the bottom of the tank
compared to turbine impeller. But when there is baffles, we cannot see the vortex or swirling
pool in the tank because of the disturbance. Based on the theory, the fluid mixing with baffles
in the tank, has higher rate of mixing compared to without baffles. This is because the fluid
mixed well in the tank.

Second part, from the graph obtained we can conclude that, as the speed increases, the
power consumed also increases. If we compared between those two impellers without baffles
in the tank, flat-paddle impeller consumed more power compared to turbine impeller. This is
because the surface area in contact with the fluid of flat-paddle impeller is larger than turbine
impeller. Same goes to when there is baffles in the tank. Besides, if we compared the power
consumed between with and without baffles in the tank, we can conclude that the tank with
baffles in consumed more power compared to without baffles. Because the resistance increases
when there is disturbance or baffles in the tank.

Overall experiment, we can conclude that different impellers will give different pattern
flows and speed. Other than that, each impeller has different power consumed depends on the
surface area and the resistance applied in the tank such as the baffles.

16
11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

 Make sure that the apparatus is working properly in order to get the result.
 To prevent from any technical reading of torque, the machine need to be maintenance
from time to time.
 Ensure that the steel lid is tighten as possible to avoid the vibration produced that can
affect the results.
 Eye must be in perpendicular position to the scale to avoid parallex error.
 The tank should be clean and clear so that we can observed the patterns of the water
clearly.

17
12.0 REFERENCES

Al-sheikhli, G. (2015, November 02). Fluid Mixing In A Stirred Vessel: Theory.

Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fluid-mixing-stirred-vessel-theory-gaith-
alsheikhly-amicheme

Glimm, J., & Lindquist, W. B. (1993). A Theory of Fluid Mixing. Nonlinear Hyperbolic
Problems: Theoretical, Applied, and Computational Aspects, 291-297. doi:10.1007/978-
3-322-87871-7_34

Mixing (process engineering). (2018, April 03).

Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixing_(process_engineering)

Fluid mixing. (n.d.).

Retrieved from https://www.scribd.com/doc/292403955/fluid-mixing

18
13.0 APPENDICES

19