Ateneo de Davao University

Jacinto St., Davao City

Experiment Number 11 – Agitation

A Laboratory Report
Submitted as a Requirement on Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

Submitted by:
Abogado, John William
Arila, Ruel Jr
Descalsota, John Paul
Masumpad, Mark Anthony
Sangcal, Rabbinald

Submitted to:
Engr. Eva Marie C. Mendoza

19 September 2018
 ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Chemical Engineering Department

Unit Operations Laboratory 1

Name of Students:
Abogado, John William G.
Arila, Ruel Jr. J.
Descalsota, John Paul M.
Masumpad, Mark Anthony S.
Sangcal, Rabbinald A.

EXPERIMENT NO. _11_

AGITATION

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understanding of relevant
theory especially in the
discussion section?
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Abstract

Agitation is a mechanical mean of mixing two or more fluids to be randomly distributed. Under a
controlled set-up, different types of agitators and the use of baffles were manipulated to observe the flow
pattern. Different agitators dispersed and agitated the monggo seeds in different ways. Those without
baffle flow in a horizontal circular motion while those with baffle flow in a vertical circular motion.

I. Objectives

1. To familiarize the various agitators present

2. To determine the effects of various agitators
3. To determine the effects of various agitators with a baffle

II. Introduction

Mixtures and suspensions are among of the most used substances in many industries today.
Certain attributes of these materials such as the relatively easy manipulation of the flowability or the
concentration of a product have made a multitude of companies incorporate mixtures and suspension
systems into numerous operations. Most notable of which is the food and pharmaceutical industry,
wherein mixtures are utilized and are often eventually separated into its solid and liquid components
depending on the specifications of the product. However, the attributes of these mixtures depend on
many parameters such as temperature, pressure, and pH. But, more often than not, the most explicit and
obvious parameter in knowing something about a mixture is how much agitation was it subjected to and
what kind of equipment was used in the agitation process. Agitation encompasses processes that are not
only exclusive to the solid-liquid mixture, but also process that aim to blend two miscible liquids and
dispersing a gas in a liquid as fine bubbles.

In chemical engineering terms, it is vital to understand the mechanism behind agitation since
there is a great probability that chemical engineers will be employed in industries involving thorough
homogenization of mixtures to maintain consistency in concentration in all points of the mixture itself.
Since most chemical engineering concepts deal with an approximation of certain characteristics of a
substance and are under ideal conditions, the assumption of perfect homogeneity must be attempted to
be reached. Although some industries take the homogeneity of a mixture as a critical parameter more
than others, the method and equipment used to form a mixture affect the flow patterns of the agitation
is indeed an important concept.

In this experiment, the effect of various agitators is analyzed in the agitation process. This is done
to develop a careful investigation of the fact that certain agitators are more appropriate for a specific
operation. The experiment is executed using a container that is filled with water and with an impeller
mounted on a shaft which is driven by an electric motor. Monggo seeds are used to represent solid
particles that are to be agitated in water. To know the effect of certain agitators, four agitators are used,
namely, marine type impeller, disk flat-blade turbine, high shear rate impeller, and impeller with four
blades. Furthermore, the experiment also explores the effect of the presence of a baffle in the agitation
process, since many agitation systems utilize not only various kinds of impellers, but also baffles into their
container tanks.

The setup readily allows us to know and observe the flow patterns of the agitation processes using
the four different impellers, and also with the presence or absence of a baffle. With regards to the use of
the impellers, more turbulent flow patterns are expected in using a certain impeller. And with regards to
the baffle, the flow pattern is expected to be disrupted because of the presence of the baffle. Overall, the
flow patterns will lead to the conclusion that a certain agitator is appropriate for a certain operation, and
other agitators are not suitable for that specific operation.

III. Equipment and Methods

Marine Type Impeller Disk Flat-Blade Turbine

Agitator Equipment High Shear Rate Impeller Impeller with Four Blades

Monggo Seeds
Methods

The container where agitation will occur was first filled up with water before the monggo seeds
were added. The monggo seeds will help the experimenters better see the agitation occurring during the
experiment. The container will then be placed below the agitator equipment.

The first of the four blades were attached to the equipment without the presence of the baffle.
Observations were made and recorded before rotation was stopped. The baffle was then attached to the
container, and the equipment was then submerged into the fluid. Observations were then made before
the blade was changed. The same process was repeated for the three remaining blades.

The runs were done with uniform motor speed, and the depth of how the agitators are submerged
are identical to each run.

IV. Data and Results

Kinds of Impeller No Baffle With Baffle

Marine-type Mixing Impeller
Impeller with Four Blades
Disc Flat Blade Turbine
High Shear Rate Impeller
The mongo seeds rotate in a
horizontal circular flow. It
shows a tornado-like movement
that draws in the monggo seeds
in the middle.
The mongo seeds rotate in a
horizontal circular flow. It
shows a tornado-like movement
that draws in the monggo seeds
in the middle but is more
dispersed compared to the
marine-type mixing impeller.
The mongo seeds rotate in a
horizontal circular flow. It
shows a tornado-like movement
that draws in the monggo seeds
in the middle with a higher
height compared to the two
previous blades/impeller.
The mongo seeds rotate in a
horizontal circular flow. It
shows a tornado-like movement
that draws in the monggo seeds
in the middle. It reaches the
same height as the disc flat
blade turbine but fluctuates
over time. Bubbles are formed
in the top surface.
The baffle restricts the
movement of the monggo seeds
into a vertical circular flow.
Fewer mongo seeds are
agitated compared to the no
baffle.
The baffle restricts the
movement of the monggo seeds
into a vertical circular flow.
Fewer mongo seeds are
agitated compared to the no
baffle but are more than
compared to the marine-type
mixing impeller.
The baffle restricts the
movement of the monggo seeds
into a vertical circular flow. The
same observation is noted as
the marine-type mixing
impeller. Fewer mongo seeds
are agitated compared to the
no baffle.
The baffle restricts the
movement of the monggo seeds
into a vertical circular flow. The
vertical circular flow is difficult
to observe. Two circular flows
are observed: above and below
the impeller. Fewer mongo
seeds are agitated compared to
the no baffle.
V. Conclusion

The four various agitators produced different observations. All runs without baffle present a
horizontal circular flow showing a tornado-like movement of the monggo seeds. They differ on how the
monggo seeds are dispersed and what height do the monggo seeds reach.

The runs with baffle present a vertical circular flow. The agitation, when compared against the
no-baffle run is lesser. The magnitude of each agitation varies per agitator.