EFFECT OF SHAFT ECCENTRICITY ON THE LAMINAR MIXING PERFORMANCE OF A RADIAL IMPELLER

The effects of impeller eccentricity and Reynolds number on the mixing performance were studied for Rushton turbine stirred tank systems operated in the laminar regime (Re < 10). A digital image analysis of an acid-base decolourization reaction was used to characterize the mixing efficiency. Results show that both parameters have remarkable effects on the destruction of the toroidal segregated regions surrounding the Rushton turbine in laminar flow. Criteria are given to prevent the formation of these segregated regions in a tank. It is also shown that shaft eccentricity does not impact on the impeller power consumption.