Axial thrust and power consumption of propellers in viscoelastic fluids exhibiting hysteresis effect

The hysteresis effect of propeller jets in viscoelastic fluids provides a new idea for improving the mixing process related to viscoelastic fluids, such as wastewater digestion. However, the application of this idea to industrial equipment requires a feasible method for flow pattern detection. This work aimed to investigate the hysteresis effect of propeller jets in viscoelastic xanthan gum solutions in terms of the torque and the axial thrust. The axial thrust and the torque were measured using a rheometer equipped with a marine propeller. Both the averaged and the dynamic results were analyzed. The axial thrust was found to be appropriate to distinguish the semi-radial and the axial patterns in the hysteresis range. The difference in torque between the two flow patterns at the same rotational speed in the hysteresis range is insignificant. CO 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigated the hysteresis effect of propeller jets in viscoelastic xanthan gum solutions by measuring axial thrust and torque. The axial thrust was found to be effective in distinguishing different flow patterns, while the torque difference between the two patterns at the same rotational speed in the hysteresis range was insignificant.