Types of Agitator – Design and Usage
Types Of Agitators
Introduction:
Types Of Agitators
Selection Criteria For Agitators
Power required For Agitation
Agitator: An agitator is something which is used to stir liquid or mixture of liquids. It can be used in various operations, in a pharma industry it can be used in multiple operations like reactions, drying, filtration, etc. Agitation is the process of keeping a mixture that has been mixed in the proper mixed state required for the ‘end’ product. Introduction:
Types of Agitators
Paddle Agitators Anchor Agitators Radial Propeller Agitators Propeller Agitators Turbine Agitators Helical Agitators
Paddle Agitators: This is one of the most primary types of agitators with blades that reach up to the tank walls. Paddle agitators are used where an uniform laminar flow of liquids is desired.
Anchor Agitators
This simple agitator consists of a shaft and an anchor type propeller and can be mounted centrally or at an angle. It is mainly used in reactors.
Radial Propeller Agitators:
Radial agitators consist of propellers that are similar to marine propellers. They consist of two to four blades that move in a screw like motion, propelling the material to be agitated parallel to the shaft.
Propeller Agitators:
A propeller agitator is shaped with blades tapering towards the shaft to minimize centrifugal force and produce maximum axial flow. Propeller agitators are popular for simple mixing jobs.
Turbine Agitators: Turbine agitators can create a turbulent movement of the fluids due to the combination of centrifugal and rotational motion.
Helical Agitators:
Helical agitators have blades with a twisted mechanism, just like the threads of a screw. The curves result in a vigorous motion of the fluids to be agitated. Helical agitators are most useful for mixing viscous liquids.