Optimum Solids Concentration in an Agitated Vessel

Particle suspension in high-concentration slurries has been studied using radial-, mixed-, and axial-flow impellers. Impeller power measurements in this study were linked to the mass of solids suspended in the agitation system rather than the suspension volume. This approach was based on the consideration that the rate of dissolution or reaction depends to a large extent on the exposed surface area or mass of solids and might not be affected by the suspension volume, once off-bottom suspension is achieved. It was found that the specific power, based on the mass of solids, can be minimized by operating the system at relatively higher solids concentrations in the range of 0.20-0.35 (v/v) for the solids, impeller types, and geometrical conditions used in this work. Overall, improved energy efficiency can be achieved by using higher-power-number impellers under unbaffled conditions over a range of solids concentrations. A case example is illustrated to demonstrate the benefits of adopting some of the optimization methods highlighted in this article.