Chemical Mixing

I'd tilt the mixer. Better turbulence. Calculations, nope just intuition.

A while ago I needed some information about mixing some very stick stuff we were using. I stumbled across this site. Note it is a manufacturer/supplier (usual disclaimer), but there is a LOT of great information at the site.

There are a number of mixers with the configuration you describe, but I did not see an explanation.

One of the reasons (although possibly not the only reason) is for convenience, particularly on very large diameter mixing chambers. It's not so much for better mixing, as it is to enable the shaft to exit the top of the chamber, near the edge... for maintenance purposes. On a very large chamber, if the shaft is vertical, it will necessitate crawling out to the center of the "lid" if it has one, or crawling out on a catwalk above the chamber... to get to the shaft and gearing. If it is tilted, it can be accessed by standing on a gantry right next to the chamber, while still having the mixing paddles near the center. It can make for simpler design.

It also allows for more degrees of tilt adjustment, as well as allowing for a more convenient place to mount the shaft.

Of course there are different mixing dynamics going on, depending on whether you are mixing a thick slurry, vs. a very low viscosity fluid, vs. a dry powder, that also can affect the auger design.

This is basic mixing theory....

If the agitator is centerlined then the liquid rotates with the agitator (well, just simplifying it) and you need baffles for mixing/turbulence effect.

If you cannot install baffles you have to install the agitator off center or tilt it.

Hope it helps...

Tarzan

Thanks to all of you, I am getting a better picture with all of the information supplied.

RW