Effect of the geometry on the performance of the Maxblend™ impeller with viscous Newtonian fluids

Experimental and numerical investigations have been carried out to assess the effect of the vessel geometry (number of baffles) and the shape of the Maxblend impeller (configuration of the bottom paddle and angle of the upper grid) with viscous Newtonian fluids in the laminar and lower turbulent mixing regimes. Two parameters have been explored namely the power consumption of the impeller and the mixing time. Videos of the discoloration process have also been taken to get access to the mixing patterns. A nominal 50-l vessel has been used in the experiments. The number of baffles has been varied from 1 to 4, and the bottom paddle has been modified by making openings to allow flow passage. Finally, the effect of using a straight grid in the upper part of the Maxblend has been studied under the same conditions. It is shown that the number of baffles does not have a significant effect on the power consumption, the mixing evolution, and the mixing time regardless of the flow regime. Making openings in the bottom paddle allows for the destruction of the segregated zones at the bottom of the tank at the expense of a very slight increase in power consumption and mixing time. Finally, the power and mixing time are both increased with a straight grid Maxblend. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.