-ABHAY TANKSALI

2012BB50003
A physical process which aims at reducing
non-uniformities in fluids by eliminating
gradients of concentration , temperature , and
other properties.
Dominant factor in deciding the performance
or efficiency of a bioreactor.

FACTORS
AFFECTING
Impeller
speed
Power
requirements
Rheological
properties
Electrical power is used to drive impellers in
stirred tanks.
Depends on the resistance offered by the fluid
to rotation of the impeller.
[Electrical power consumed]>[Mixing power]
{depending on the efficiency}
Energy costs for operation of stirrers in
bioreactors is an important consideration.
On an avg.
10 kW m3 for small vessels to
1~2 kW m3 for large vessels
MIXING TIME
Useful parameter for assessing mixing efficiency
The mixing time tm is the time required to
achieve a given degree of homogeneity starting
from the completely segregated state.
It can be measured by injecting a tracer into the
vessel and following its concentration at a fixed
point in the tank
Tracers in common use include acids, bases and
concentrated salt solutions ; corresponding
detectors are pH probes and conductivity cells

MEASURING MIXING EFFICIENCY
small pulse of tracer is added to fluid in a
stirred tank already containing tracer material
at concentration Ci.
If circular flow, tracer concentration measured
at some fixed point in the tank will follow a
pattern similar to that shown in Figure
Concentration response after tracer is
injected into a stirred tank
MEASURING MIXING EFFICIENCY
Definition of the mixing time tm depends on
the degree of homogeneity required
Usually, mixing time is defined as the time
after which the concentration of tracer differs
from the final concentration Cf by less than
10% of the total concentration difference
(Cf Ci)
Effective mixing
Intensity of turbulence is represented by the
impellers Reynolds number.
once Re falls below criteria, turbulence is
damped and mixing time increases
significantly.
Re decreases in direct proportion to increase
in viscosity.
Turbulent conditions
Variation of mixing time with Reynolds number
for a six-blade Rushton turbine in a baffled tank
Here, Ni is the number of rotations per second and the
product Ni*ti is called Dimensionless mixing time.
With increase in viscosity, non-turbulent conditions
and poor mixing are likely to occur..


This can be overcomed by increasing the impeller speed


Increases Reynolds
number

Increases
shear stress to
cells

Increases power
consumption.

Decreases
mixing time

Increases cost
of production

May not be
feasible!!