This study aims at understanding the effect of fluid rheology on gas dispersion and mixing in mechanically agitated vessels. Bulk flow is linked with the two-phase flow in the impeller region and the power drawn by the rotating agitator(s). A base case study using a Rushton Disc Turbine in water is initially reported. Model Newtonian, viscoelastic and shear-thinning fluids (corn syrup, Boger fluids and Carbopol solutions respectively) and a typical fluid (CMC solution) were then used to determine the effects of fluid rheology on flow phenomena and power consumption for single agitators (Disc Turbines and Angle-Bladed Impellersl dual combinations thereof, and InterMIGs under gassed and ungassed conditions in a 0.61 m diameter vessel. Similar experiments were performed in smaller vessels. The relative effectiveness of all the agitator configurations studied at achieving bulk liquid mixing was also determined using a redox reaction technique. The most energy efficient configuration proved to be a large Disc Turbine combined with an equisized Angle-Bladed Impeller (pumping upwards) in both the gassed and ungassed cases. The results presented in this thesis are also related to process design considerations and a technique which predicts the agitator rotational speed and diameter required for achieving optimal mass transfer is developed.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:512063 |
| Date | January 1985 |
| Creators | Allsford, K. V. |
| Publisher | University of Birmingham |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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