386

Chem. Eng. Technol. 14 (1991) 386 - 393

Role of Sparger Design in Mechanically agitated Gas-Liquid Reactors

Part 11: Liquid Phase Mixing
Vilas B. Rewatkar and Jyeshtharaj B. Joshi*

Liquid phase mixing time was measured in 0.57, 1 .O and 1.5 m i.d. mechanically agitated gasliquid reactors. Transient conductivity technique was used for the mixing time measurement. Pitched blade downflow turbine was employed. The design details of PTD impellers such as
diameter (0.22 T to 0.5 T, and blade width (0.25 D to 0.35 D ) were studied. The influence of
sparger types and their design on mixing time has been investigated. For this purpose, pipe, ring,
conical, and concentric ring spargers were employed. The design details of the ring sparger, i.e.
ring diameter, number of holes and hole size were also studied in depth. Sparger location with
respect to the impeller was found to be the most important variable and, therefore, it was varied
for practically all the spargers studied in this work. It was found that the liquid phase mixing
time depends on the impeller design, sparger design, sparger location, impeller speed and superficial gas velocity. Correlations have been developed for the dimensionless mixing time.

1 Introduction
The knowledge of liquid phase mixing is important for the
design of mechanically agitated multiphase (liquid-liquid, gasliquid, solid-liquid and gas-liquid-solid) contactors. For these
contactors, a considerable body of knowledge exists on liquid
phase mixing, in the absence of other phases. However, very
little work has been reported on mixing in the presence of gas
(gas-liquid) or solids (solid-liquid) or both (gas-liquid-solid).
Paca et al. [l], Einsele and Finn [ 2 ] ,Joshi et al. [3] and Pandit
and Joshi [4] measured liquid phase mixing time in the presence
of gas. In general, it was observed that the presence of gas as
well as solid particles [5 - 71 extends the liquid phase mixing
time. This increase depends on impeller design, gas flow rate
and impeller speed. Raghava Rao and Joshi [ S ] studied these
aspects for different impeller designs and they recommended
the pitched blade downflow turbine (PTD) for gas-liquid
systems, on the basis of minimum power consumption per unit
mass. However, in this investigation, sparger's design and its
distance from the impeller were kept constant. The effect of
sparger design on liquid phase mixing has not been investigated
in the past. In the present paper, emphasis has been laid on the
design data of the sparger and its location with respect to the
impeller. The combined effect of sparger and impeller (PTD)
designs on the liquid phase mixing was also studied. It was considered desirable to investigate these effects in a 1.5 m i.d.
vessel.

2 Experimental
Experiments were carried out in 0.57, 1.0 and 1.5 m i.d.
mechanically agitated contactors (MAC), fitted with four baffles, with widths amounting to 10% of the tank diameter. Pitched blade downflow turbines with six blades (45" blade inclina-

V.B. Rewatkar and Prof. J.B. Joshi, Department of Chemical Technology, University of Bombay, Matunga, Bombay-400 019, India. Correspondence should be addressed to Prof. J.B. Joshi.

0 VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, D-6940 Weinheim, 199 I

tion) were used for this study. Details pertaining to MAC and
impellers are listed in Tables 1 and 2 (Part I), respectively. The
impeller speed was varied in the range between 0.4 and 10.5
rls. Air and tap water were used as gas and liquid phases. The
superficial gas velocity was varied from 0 to 15 mmls. Different designs of sparger, such as pipe, ring, concentric ring,
and conical spargers were used. The construction details of
these spargers are presented in Fig. 1B and Table 3 (Part I). Impeller geometries are the same as those in Part I.
The liquid phase mixing time was measured by using transient
conductivity technique. Measurement details of mixing time
have been reported by various investigators [4, 5 , 8, 91. An attempt was made to clarify the mechanism of gas dispersion on
the basis of variation of liquid phase mixing time with impeller
speed.

3 Mechanism of Gas Dispersion

The liquid phase mixing time (in the absence of gas) decreases
continuously with increasing impeller speed. The value of"
NOmi,remains practically constant for a given impeller design,
location, diameter and tank size. This aspect has been reviewed
by Rewatkar and Joshi [9].
The variation of mixing time with impeller speed in the
presence of gas (at constant V,) is rather complex (Fig. I). This
variation was found to depend on the dispersion patterns
(flooding, cavity formation, complete dispersion of gas, recirculation of gas-liquid mixture) in the vessel which, in turn, depend on the flow generated by the impeller. The different
dispersion patterns exert a strong influence on the impeller's
pumping capacity and, hence, corresponding changes are
observed in the liquid phase mixing time. The variations of this
mixing time with impeller speed for different sparger designs
and locations are presented in Fig. 1.
1) List of symbols at the end of the paper.
0930-75 16/91/0612-0386 $03 S O

+ ,2510

387

Chem. Eng. Technol. 14 (1991) 386-393

1 = 1.5m ,D: C : T / 3 , W I D

55 -

always longer than those in the absence of gas. The difference

increases with increasing superficial gas velocity.

= 0.3

vg = 9.4~16m l r

3.2 Sparger Below and Distant from Impeller

50S R l g ISR400-168-3-390

- 45-

SRR~ISRR410-1B9-2-(-4511

SRR2.JSRR1000-168-3 -370 I

4D-

0:
W

f
u

For a sparger below and distant from the impeller, a typical

variation of mixing time with impeller speed (curve 2 )
resembles case one (curve I ) in Fig. 1. However, the entire
curve is displaced to the left of curve I (sparger below and
close to impeller).

35-

rE

The mixing times before N,, (L,N,) were found to be the

shortest for this sparger. Since the gas is sparged at a considerable distance from the impeller, this allows bulk o f the gas to
bypass the impeller zone. For this reason, the impellers pumping capacity is slightly reduced. Gas flow also promotes liquid
circulation. Therefore, shorter mixing times are observed. The
values of NPG at such impeller speeds are also higher for this
type of sparger than in case I (sparger near impeller) which
supports the above arguments (see Fig. 3 in Part I).

30VI

a
a 15-

a
20-

101
0

I
3

1
I

IMPELLER S P E E D , N I r l r )

Fig. 1. Variation of liquid phase mixing time with impeller speed in

mechanically agitated gas-liquid contactors.

3.1 Sparger Below and Close to Impeller

Curve 1 in Fig. 1 corresponds to the variation of mixing time
in the case of a ring sparger located 100 mm below the impeller. At very low impeller speeds, the impeller generates
negligible liquid flow, compared to that produced by the sparged gas and the mixing process is practically controlled by the
gas flow rate (VG). Under these conditions, the mixing time
decreases with increasing impeller speed along the curve L , M , .
With increasing impeller speed in the range M , N , , the impellers role and its interaction with the gas phase become more
and more significant. This causes a substantial deviation of the
mixing time behaviour from that of pure liquid phase (curve
Lo).
On a further increase of the impeller speed beyond N , , the liquid flow generated by the impeller increases and, at a particular speed (NCD), the downward liquid flow becomes sufficient to entrain the gas. In this zone ( N , O , ) , the liquid flow
generated by the impeller counteracts that produced by the
sparged gas. This reduces the overall liquid circulation velocity
in the vessel and, as a result, the mixing time increases continuously. At point 0,, the liquid circulation generated by the
impeller is strong enough to disperse the gas down to the bottom
of the vessel. The relevant speed is referred to as N , , (Part I).
Beyond this point, a sudden reduction of mixing time is observed within the narrow range of impeller speeds ( O , P , ) .This is
attributed to the instant elimination of resistance to liquid flow
by gas sparging. At point P,,the impeller action is predominant
and completely controls the flow pattern. Beyond P,,the pumping capacity continuously increases and, as a result, the mixing
time decreases continuously. The mixing times above N c , are

The mixing time starts increasing in the zone of cavity formation ( M 2 N 2 ) .Comparing the values of Ornix at N , and N,, the
value at N , is seen to be lower, indicating a smaller cavity. The
power numbers at these points (Fig. 3 in Part I) are also in
agreement with these observations.
At NcD, the mixing times are more or less the same for both
spargers. However, above NCD, the mixing times are shorter
for this sparger than in case one (sparger close to impeller).
This observation can be explained on the basis of differences in
the fractional gas hold-ups. Since, in case one, the gas is sparged near the impeller, the bubbles generated in the vessel are
smaller than in case 2 , which results in higher fractional gas
hold-ups. As a result, the impellers pumping capacity
decreases and the mixing time lengthens for case one, in relation to case two.

3.3 Sparger Above Impeller

Curve 3 corresponds to the variation of mixing time for a
sparger located above the impeller. This variation is similar to
case one. As discussed in Part I, cavity formation is gradual and
cavity size appears to be the largest for this sparger location.
For this reason, the pumping capacity increases gradually with
increasing impeller speed and thus a continuous reduction in the
mixing time was observed (L3N3).
The region N , 0 3 (break-up of cavity) is wider than for the
other spargers. A similar observation was made on the basis of
power number variation with impeller speed. Before complete
dispersion of gas, the range of impeller speeds (over which the
dispersion is unstable) is larger at this sparger location. With
the gas being easily available to the impeller zone, the value of
N,, is also relatively high under such conditions. Beyond the
point of complete dispersion, a continuous reduction in the
mixing time was observed. However, the actual values of Ornix
are higher than those for any other case.

Chem. Eng. Technol. 14 (1991) 386-393

388

3.4 Large Ring Sparger (20) Below Impeller

S Y S T E M : GAS-LIOUID

In the case of a large ring sparger, the mixing time decreases

continuously along the curve L, Q,. As discussed in Part I, the
flow pattern of this sparger is characteristically different from
those generated by the other three spargers. These differences
in the flow pattern reflect typical variations of the power
number (Fig. 3 in Part I) and mixing time (curve 4 in Fig. 1).
The regions of cavity formation, growth and break-up are in
this case practically nonexistent. Therefore, the mixing time
decreases continuously with increasing impeller speed. The
mixing times after complete gas dispersion are practically the
same as those for sparger 2.

T -0.57m

, D :C - 7 1 3

, W I D :0.1

SRRl I S R R Z O O - 2 8 - 2

-1521

-18

IMPELLER S P E E D , N I t l r I

4 Results and Discussion

emi,- N

4.1 Effect of Sparger Type

Fig. 3. Effect of sparger design on

9.4 x lo- m/s).

It was observed that, even in the absence of gas, the sparger

type exerts a strong influence on the dimensionless mixing
time, (NOmix).
The results are shown in Fig. 2 .

is predominant. As a result, the mixing time in the vessel is

determined by the gas flow rate and, therefore, Ornix decreases
with increasing V, in this range.

The variation of mixing time with impeller speed (in gas-liquid

system) was also found to depend on the sparger type. In order
to study this effect, different spargers, namely, ring, pipe, conical and concentric ring spargers were used. The typical variations for different sparger types are shown in Figs 3 and 4. The
different shapes of N - Omix curves are due to different power
consumptions and different impeller pumping capacities. This
aspect has already been discussed in Part I .

With increasing impeller speed, the impeller flow increasingly

predominates. Therefore, the mixing time continuously
decreases in this zone (MN). However, the values are higher
than those in the absence of gas. The increase in VG in this
region increases the cavity size. As a result, the power number
decreases with increasing V,. The value of Ornix in this zone increases with increasing V,.

4.2 Effect of Super-cial Gas Velocity (V,)

The effect of superficial gas velocity on liquid phase mixing
time was studied for all sparger and impeller designs. The
range of V, was 1.5 to 15 mm/s. At very low impeller speeds,
the mixing time decreases with increasing superficial gas velocity. At such impeller speeds, the liquid circulation caused by
the impeller action is weak and that generated by gas sparging

E
a-16-

relationship (at V, =

In the range of impeller speeds at cavity break-up (region NO),

the mixing time increases continuously and reaches a maximum
at NCD. Liquid circulation caused by the sparged gas is
counteracted by impeller action, resulting in a decrease of the
overall liquid circulation and an increase in the liquid phase turbulence. Therefore, the mixing time increases and reaches a
maximum at around NCD. The liquid circulation velocity
(generated by gas sparging) increases with increasing V, which
enhances the resistance to impeller action. As a result, the increase in Omix increases with increasing V,. For lower VG and
sparger distant from the impeller (in the 1.5 m vessel), this in-

SYSTEM 2 PURE L l O U l D P H A S E
T=0.57rn,D=C=TIJ
,W\D=0.3

IDE
-Lo-

Er!

35-

I
30-

G
I

25-

_I

20

IMPELLER S P E E D , N I r / s l

Fig. 2. Effect of spargers on mixing time.

2
3
IMPELLER SPEED , N l r l s l

I
4

Fig. 4. Effect of sparger design on Ornix - N relationship.

Chem. Eng. Techno]. 14 (1991) 386-393

389

crease in Ornix was insignificant and a continuous decrease in the

mixing time was observed.
1

At impeller speeds beyond N,,, Omix decreases continuously

but it still exceeds those for pure liquid phase. The extension
of mixing time, as compared to the case of sole liquid phase,
increases with increasing V,. This can be explained on the
basis of an increase in the gas hold-up with V,. The presence
of gas reduces the impeller power consumption and liquid circulation velocity. This causes an increase in the value of Ornix.
This extension of mixing time was found to depend on the
sparger and impeller designs since the gas hold-up is directly
related to these parameters.

:0

. 5 7 ~ .0

SYMBOL

T I ) . C = TI3

Ye x l O ' i m / s

W/O:

0.3

L. 8

9.L
15

4.3 Effect of Sparger Location with Respect to Impeller

Sparger location influences the mechanism of gas dispersion as
well as the power consumption and thus the liquid phase mixing
time in a gas-liquid system. The effect of location of ring (SR,,
SR,,, SR,,) and concentric ring (SRR,, SRR,) spargers on liquid phase mixing time was studied in the 0.57 m and 1.5 m
i.d. vessels. The variations of mixing time with impeller speed
at constant V, for different sparger designs and locations are
shown in Figs 5, 6 and 7. It is seen from Fig. 5 that, for all
sparger designs, as the sparger approaches the impeller from
the bottom of the vessel, the hydrodynamic sequence of
flooding to recirculation is displaced towards higher impeller
speeds. This displacement reaches a maximum when the gas is
sparged above the impeller.

lSRRL10-~189-2-3901

SRR,

ISRR 410-189

SR?'

lSRL00-189-2-1001

S R I ~ ISR400-189-2-3901

2-1-451

2
3
IMPELLER S P E E D , N l r f r l

10

Comparing the concentric ring and ring spargers, distant from

the impeller, Ornix values of the ring sparger (SR,,) were found
to be larger than those of the concentric ring sparger (SRR,).
These differences in mixing times are attributable to different
fractional gas hold-ups. The maximum increase in Ornix during
cavity break-up was observed for a sparger located above the
impeller (SR,). The effect of V , in this zone was found to be
more pronounced for this sparger.

Fig. 5. Effect of sparger location on Ornix - N relationship.

strongly on the distance between the sparger and the impeller.

The mixing time was longest in the case of sparger (SRR,),
compared to spargers below the impeller. Among all the
spargers located below the impeller, the mixing time was
longest for the ring sparger (SR,,) located 100 mm below the
impeller.

151

1-1

SPARGER
SRR,

Fig. 6. Variation of mixing time with impeller speed for sparger SR,.

Beyond N,,, the mixing time decreases continuously with impeller speed for all sparger locations and the values depend

IMPELLER S P E E D , N i r / s l

Comparison of the Ornix values before complete dispersion of the

gas (curve LN in Fig. 1) shows that the concentric ring and ring
spargers distant from the impeller produce shorter mixing times
than at other locations. The increase in Ornix in the vicinity of
cavity break-up 'was found to be at maximum for the sparger
located above the impeller (SRR,). Similar observations were
made in the case of ring sparger (Fig. 6).

SYMBOL

10

I
I

1
I

Chem. Eng. Techno]. 14 (1991) 386-393

390

4.4 Effects of Ring Sparger Design

SYSTEM

The effects of ring sparger design (ring diameter, hole area and
hole size) on mixing time were studied in detail. The ring
diameter was varied from 0.5 to twice the impeller diameter
(SR,, SR,,, SR,, SR,,, SR,,) and results, obtained at constant
superficial gas velocity (9.4 mm/s) are shown in Figs 8 and 9.
These diagrams show that the Ornix - N relationship is similar
for all spargers up to the ring diameter of the sparger being
equal to the impeller diameter. The increase in Ornix in the
vicinity of NcD was largest for the 0.5D sparger and it decreased with increasing ring diameter. The increase is practically
eliminated for the 2 0 sparger. This elimination of mixing time
extension was observed at all superficial gas velocities (Fig.
10). This is explained by the changes in pumping capacity. For
a small size ring sparger, the gas passes directly into the impeller region and develops large gas cavities in the vicinity of
NcD which reduces the pumping capacity.
For a large ring sparger (2D), the mechanism of gas dispersion
is different. In this case, the regions of cavity formation,
growth and break-up are practically non-existent. For this
reason, the changes in pumping capacity are gradual.
Therefore, the pumping capacity increases continuously with
increasing impeller speed and a corresponding decrease is
observed in the mixing time. This behaviour was observed at
all superficial gas velocities (Fig. 10).

4.4.1 Number of Holes and Hole Size

The effects of the number of holes and hole size were studied
at two locations (100 mm and 390 mm from impeller). A ring
sparger 0.8 D in diameter was used in the I .5 m i.d. vessel. The
results are shown in Figs 11 and 12.

In general, the variation of mixing time with impeller speed

was similar for all spargers. Furthermore, the effect of the
number of holes and hole size on mixing time was found to be
negligible when the sparger was nearer to the impeller (Figs

20

: GAS-LIaUID

1 :l . S r n , 0 : C z T I 3 , W I O :0.3

vo: 9.4X16'rnfS

1s

40-

t-

35-

-*zx
2

30-

Y)
w

25-

0
0

:20SR,,

[ SA

1000-168 - 3 - 3 7 0 I

Fig. 9. Effect of ring diameter on Ornix - N relationship.

l l a and 12a). However, the effects became significant when

the sparger was distant from the impeller (Figs 1 Ib and 12b).
For a smaller number of holes (SR,,) and a larger hole size
(SR,,), the sparger generates larger bubbles and more gas
reaches the impeller zone before NCD. For this reason, the impeller pumping capacity is more reduced. Therefore, the mixing times are longer for these spargers before the gas dispersion
is complete. (Figs I l b and 12b). The increase of Ornix in the
vicinity of NCD was also greater for these spargers. However,
very little change in mixing time is observed after complete gas
dispersion and the effects of hole size and number become
negligible.

4.5 Effects of PTD Impeller Design

The effects of design details of the PTD impeller such as
diameter and blade width on the liquid phase mixing time were
investigated in the 1.0 and 1.5 m i.d. vessels.

T:O.Slm,D-

C:T/3,

WID:

T =

0.3

1 6 m , D = C = T I 3 , W/O=O.3

- 18I

216w

r 14-

t-

"z-

Z
- 30-

T
w

z 12-

=n

Y)

1 l

2 10- I

6
1

SYMBOL

I SPARGER
SR,

5 20-

I SR95-6-3-1001

SR68 I , S R l 5 2 ~ 1 2 - 3 - ~ 0 0 1 ~
SR,

15

ISR190-6-3-1001

I
7

IMPELLER S P E E D , N ( r / r l

Fig. 8. Effect of ring diameter on Ornix - N relationship.

I
2

IMPELLER SPEED, N I r f s l

10

Fig. 10. Variation of mixing time with impeller speed for ring sparger of
diameter 2 0 (SR,,).

39 1

Chem. Eng. Technol. 14 (1991) 386-393

50-

~ _ _ _
S R q 2I S R l 0 0 - O L -

i10m
.

1- 100 1

SR,, I S R l 0 0 - 1 6 8 - 3 - 1 0 0

15-

;1 5 z
m

z
0

xz

-x

35-

$ 30-

VI
W

w
W

2a 30-

I 25-

n
-

2 25-

:20-

201

I
1

I
5

1
1

15

I
2

IMPELLER S P E E 0 , N I r / s l

Fig. l l a . Effect of number of holes on Ornix

close to impeller.

-N

I
1

IMPELLER SPEED, N l r l r l

relationship for sparger

4.5.1 Impeller Diameter

50

The effect of impeller diameter was studied in the 1.5 m i.d.

vessel. Impellers 0.33, 0.5 and 0.75 m in diameter, of blade
width 0.30, were used for this purpose. The effect of impeller
diameter was studied for ring spargers 0 . 8 0 in diameter, at two
locations (SR,, SR,, SR,,, SR19, SR,,, SR,,). The variation of
mixing time with impeller speed for different impeller
diameters, at constant V,, is shown in Fig. 13.

- 45

10SR,, I S R l 0 0 - 0 1 - 3

-3901

35-

-xmz
30VI
W

a
25-

n
-

0
-8

20-

I
1

15.

r
50

:4 5 E

10-

z
5

35-

w
m

10a

SYSTEM

25-

-8

I
3

I
5

It can be seen from Fig. 13 that the variation of mixing time

with impeller speed is similar for all impeller diameters and
spargers except SR,, ( 0 = 0.75 m). For sparger SR,, (D =
0.75 m) the mixing time decreases continuously with increasing
impeller speed. No increase in Ornix was observed during the
process of cavity break-up. This behaviour of mixing time was
observed at all superficial gas velocities. The different
behaviour of sparger SR,, can be explained on the basis of impeller pumping capacity. As discussed in Part I, the tendency
to cavity formation decreases with increasing impeller diameter

SR,' I S R L O O - 1 8 9 - 2 - 1 0 0 1
S R l l [ SR 100 - 0 1 - 3 - 1 0 0 I

SRq8 ISR L O O - 2 1 - 6 - 1 0 0 I

: GAS-LIOUIO

T :1 . 5 r n I D r C : T l 3 , W I D r O . 1

2
3
IMPELLER S P E E D , N i r l r l

L
0

I M P E L L E R S P E E D , N Ir l s I

Fig. 12a. Effect of hole size on Ornix - N relationship for sparger close to
impeller.

Fig. 13. Effect of impeller diameter on Ornix - N relationship.

Chem. Eng. Technol. 14 (1991) 386-393

392
and cavities are practically non-existent in the case of 0.75 m
diameter impeller. Therefore, the influence of gas on the pumping capacity is smaller in this case. As a result, the extension
of mixing time near N,, is smaller for the 0.75 m diameter impeller. Furthermore, the increase is eliminated if the sparger is
distant from the impeller.

vessel diameter. When all three vessels were of the same

diameter, NO,,, was found to vary as T2. This is attributed to
the fact that the volumetric flow rate, generated by a given impeller at a given speed, remains constant in all three vessels.
However, the average liquid circulation velocity varies as Tbecause of the increase in the cross-section of flow. The reduction of circulation velocity with increasing Texplains the variaIn general, after complete gas dispersion, the values of NOmix tion of
\\ 1111 \essel diameter. Similar observation was
were found to decrease with increasing impeller diameter and made in the absence of gas [lo].
the following relationships were formulated:
-

5 Correlations

For a sparger close to the impeller

It is clear from the foregoing discussion that the dependence of

mixing time on N and V, is complex, when a wide range of impeller speeds is considered. However, in practice, the desirable
impeller speed is above N,, in order to ensure effective gasliquid contacting. Therefore, it was considered desirable to
develop correlations for mixing time in the range of speeds
above NcD.

- For a sparger distant from the impeller

4.5.2 Blade Width

The ratio WID was varied between 0.25 and 0.35 in the 1.O m
i.d. vessel. The impeller diameter was kept constant at T13.
Pipe sparger (SP,) was used in the investigation of the effect of
blade width.
The variation of mixing time with impeller speed at constant
superficial gas velocity is shown in Fig. 14. The value of N,,
was found to decrease with increasing WID ratio. Furthermore,
when gas dispersion was complete, the value of NOmix was
found to decrease with increasing WID ratio in the range from
0.25 to 0.35.

Dimensionless mixing times (NOmix)were correlated by the

following equations.

5.1 For Spargers Close (100 mm) to the Impeller

(I 74 Data Points)

0.57, 1.0, 1.5 m, 0.22 IDIT I0.5, WID = 0.3,

CIT = 0.3, k = 0.0028 m, 1.5 I V, I 15 mmls.

NOmix = 38.58 T'.93 D - ' . * Vk2"

(3)

4.6 Effect of Vessel Size and Scale-up

S.D = 6 %
In order to investigate the effect of the vessel diameter, experiments were performed in the 0.57, 1.0 and 1.5 m i.d.
vessels. At constant DIT (113), CIT (113), and WID (0.3), the
dimensionless mixing time was practically independent of the

20 -

T : l - O m , 0 : 0.33,

5.2 For Ring Spargers Distant (390 mm) from the Impeller
(130 Data Points)

T = 1.5 m, 0.22 IDIT 5 0.5, WID = 0.3, CIT = 0.3,

k = 0.0028 m, 1.5 5 VG I 15 IS .

1/3

16-

mE

NOmix = 37.13 D-2.05 Vk1* ,

S.D

"
5
r

(4)

16-

7%

1L-

5.3 For Spargers at 100 mm and 390 mm from the Impeller

(304 Data Points)

;12a
I
0

10-

2
8

I
2

I
3

I
L

5
6
I M P E L L E R S P E E D , ti ( r / s )

T
Fig. 14. Effect of WID ratio on Ornix

-N

relationship.

0.57, 1.0, 1.5 m, 0.22 5 DIT 5 0.5, WID = 0.3,

CIT = 0.3, k = 0.0028 m, 1.5 5 V, 5 15 mmls

393

Chem. Eng. Technol. I 4 (1991) 386-393

NOmi, = 38.58 T2 D-.94 VE226 ,

S.D

(5)

- Correlations have been put forward for dimensionless mix-

ing time in the presence of gas.

7.5% .
Acknowledgement

54 For

Oncentric

Ring purger

(sRR4)

Above the Impeller

T = 1.5 m, DIT = 0.3, WID = 0.3, CIT = 0.3,

k = 0.0028 m, 1.5 I V, I9.4 mmls .
NOmix= 1755 V,$58 ,

We are grateful to the University Grants Commission of the

Government of India for the award of a fellowship to V.B.R.
The research was supported by a grant under the Indo-US Collaborative Materials Science Program (CE-1).

(6)

S.D = 2% .

6 Conclusions
-

The variation of liquid phase mixing time with impeller

speed (OmixvsN ) at a constant VG can be explained on the
basis of corresponding visual observations of hydrodynamics around the impeller in vessel. Furthermore, the shapes
of Ornix - N curves were similar to those of NPG- N curves
described in Part I.

The variation of liquid phase mixing time with impeller

speed was found to depend on the superficial gas velocity,
sparger design, sparger location and the design of the PTD
impeller.

Received: Octuber 12, 1990 [CET 3291

Symbols used
impeller clearance of tank bottom
impeller diameter
gravitational acceleration
height of liquid in tank
blade thickness
distance between sparger and impeller
impeller rotational speed
critical impeller speed for gas dispersion
power number in presence of gas P G l ~ , N 3 D S
power consumption in presence of gas
tank diameter
liquid circulation velocity in bulk
superficial gas velocity
blade width

PG
T
vc

VG

W
-

The value of NcD was found to increase with decreasing

distance between sparger and impeller and it reached a maximum when the gas was sparged above the impeller. In addition, for this sparger location, the fractional gas hold-ups
were largest and liquid phase mixing times longest, compared to other sparger locations.

- The effect of ring spargers outer diameter was predominant

when it exceeded the impeller diameter and the sparger was

below and distant from the impeller. The values of NcD

were lowest when the ring diameter was double the impeller
diameter.
-

Hole size and number of holes in the ring sparger exert a

negligible effect when the sparger is close to the impeller.
However, these parameters become important when the
sparger is distant from the impeller.

- With increasing blade width and blade thickness, the value

of NO,,, decreases above NCD.

-

The Ornix - N curves were found to depend on the absolute

distance between sparger and impeller and, at the same
distances, the effect of size was negligible.

Greek symbols

e L

[kdm31
[wm31

mix

Is1

QG

gas density
liquid density
mixing time

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