Power Consumption Characteristics of Lattice-Type Twin-Shaft High-Viscosity Agitator

A lattice-type twin-shaft high viscous agitator is known to be capable of uniformly mixing liquids of high viscosities up to several kPa·s. In the present paper its power consumption characteristics are discussed. The power consumed by supporting rods of the agitator amounts to about a quarter of the total power consumed, when compared with the power consumed by the top rods of the agitator. The mechanism of power consumption when the agitator passes in the vicinity of the vessel wall is analytically examined, and an equation describing the relation between the power number and the Reynolds number of agitation is derived. Further, a procedure for experimentally determining the effect of the liquid hol-up ratio on the power number of agitation is demonstrated.