Chemical Engineering and Processing 46 (2007) 89–98

Power consumption, mixing time, heat and mass transfer

measurements for liquid vessels that are mixed
using reciprocating multiplates agitators
S. Masiuk ∗ , R. Rakoczy
Department of Chemical Engineering, Szczecin University of Technology, Al. Piastów 42, 71-065 Szczecin, Poland
Received 3 February 2006; received in revised form 27 April 2006; accepted 1 May 2006
Available online 6 May 2006

Abstract
This work is an extension of previous studies [S. Masiuk, Power consumption measurement in a liquid vessel that is mixed using vibratory agitator,
Chem. Eng. J. 75 (1999) 161–165; S. Masiuk, Mixing time for a reciprocating perforated plate agitator, Inż. Chem. Proc. 20 (1999) 601–612; S.
Masiuk, Dissolution of solid body in a tubular reactor with reciprocating plate agitator, Chem. Eng. J. 83 (2001) 139–144; S. Masiuk, Heat transfer
measurement in a liquid vessel that is mixed using vibratory agitator, Chem. Eng. J. 61 (1996) 107–112] carried out on the reciprocating agitator,
in which additional information describing the experimental apparatus and measurements procedure may be found, as well as, dimensionless
correlations predicted for agitator with a single plate. The experimental investigation are provided for the explanation of the influence on the power
consumption, mixing time, mass and heat transfer of the multiplates low-frequency and high amplitude reciprocating agitators. The maximum
power consumption is calculated by multiplying the maximum force acting on the shaft and maximum velocity of the agitator. A thermal-response
technique is used for mixing time measurements. The mass transfer coefficient is calculated from a mass balance between a dissolution solid body
and its surrounding mixing dilute solution. The heat transfer coefficient from the heating jacket wall to the continuous flow of the mixed liquids is
measured by the stabilized heat flow method. The analytical dimensionless equations predicted in the present paper generalize the experimental
data without the break through the all regions of flow in a relatively simple and uniform manner.
© 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Mixing; Reciprocating agitator; Maximum mixing energy; Mass and heat transfer

1. Introduction cost and desire degree of mixing without high shear

A traditional approach to manufacture of bioproduct is
depending on assurance of high productivity of bioreac-
tor. Height intensity will inevitable demand a high power
consumption owing to reluctance applied new other gen-
erator of turbulence than high energy consumption well
known rotational agitators. A quality assurance a new mix-
ing device, based on the reciprocating motion provides
an effective homogenisation for the purpose of prevent-
ing the release of defective article. This implies that, to
achieve the high quality bioproduct must be used device,
as a reciprocating agitator, practicable to assure decreases
∗ Corresponding author.
E-mail address: smasiuk@ps.pl (S. Masiuk).
stress.
The theoretical and experimental studies are given for a recip-
rocating baffle-plated column [5–7] and a tube with series of
baffles [8]. It is shown that the power and energy dissipation for
oscillatory flow may be described using the quasi-stated flow
model. An alternative new acoustic model based on the acoustic
principle and the concept of eddy viscosity is proposed in Ref.
[8]. These models give good agreement with experimental data
at high Reynolds numbers for fluids of very low viscosity. Also,
the equations based on the theoretical analysis of the momen-
tum and energy balances for the instantaneous acting force on
a set of plates and the instantaneous pressure on the bottom of
both pulsed and reciprocating plate columns are proposed in
Ref. [9]. The power dissipation in a reciprocating plate column
with no perforation and the empirical correlation for estimating
the power dissipation are studied in Ref. [10]. It is conformed

0255-2701/$ – see front matter © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.cep.2006.05.002
90 S. Masiuk, R. Rakoczy / Chemical Engineering and Processing 46 (2007) 89–98
that the power dissipation in the column is mainly controlled
by the maximum drag force exerted in the reciprocating plate at
the maximum velocity of the plate vibration. The hydrodynam-
ics and power consumption of a reciprocating plate gas–liquid
column is analysed in Ref. [7]. It is proposed relationships for
the calculation of the maximum and average power consump-
tion given to the fluid mixture and obtained an expression for
the average orifice coefficient for the laminar flow regime. The
power consumption and drop size distribution was studied in
Refs. [11,12]. The experimental results of power consumption
of two immiscible liquids in a vibromixer are presented in Ref.
[13]. The mean power input was calculated in the time inter-
val of the product of the total force acting on the disc and
instantaneous disc velocity. The theoretical and experimental
studies of the transient behaviour of the power requirement for
the reciprocating agitator were carried out in Ref. [1]. In this
paper, the power dissipation in the vessel is mainly controlled
by the maximum drag force exerted in the reciprocating plate at
the maximum velocity of the plate vibration. As follows from
Ref. [14], the mean power consumption was calculated using
average torque and stated the from laminar to turbulent flow
regime the mean power consumption of a double solid as well
as perforated disc device is approximately 50% and 33% higher
and than that of a single disc, respectively. Nevertheless, this
author given own results of the experiments in the form of power
curves.
The most studies of the mixing time are presented for the
rotating agitators. The methods for determining mixing time
were based on the measuring of the time duration of the transient
response of the concentration [15,16] or temperature [17,18]
tracers. The effect of process parameters on convective mixing
time as a sum of time delay and time of transient response for
a single perforated plate agitator is presented in Ref. [2]. The
simple model describing the concentration output response and
the expression representing the influence of pertinent variables
on time delay and time constant numbers are given in Ref. [19].
The thermal-response method of mixing time investigations is
applied in Ref. [20], where the unique dimensionless mixing
time correlation for the reciprocating-plate agitator is predicted
in the whole range of the Reynolds number.
Numerous articles concern with the effect of vibration on
mass transfer in a gas–liquid contradicting in a reciprocating
plate column [21–28]. In these papers is stated that the oscil-
latory motion of the gas–liquid system in reciprocating plate
columns assures much higher interfacial contacting areas than in
conventional bubble column with the lower power consumption.
The dissolution of solid particles into water and other solu-
tions was investigated in Ref. [29], where agitation realized by
using circular flat disc without perforation. The mass transfer
coefficient is calculated by measuring the slope of the concen-
tration time curve in the first second of particle dissolution. The
breakage of chalk aggregates in both the vibrating and rotating
mixers and the analyse of the model of breakage which relates
the pseudoequilibrium aggregate size to the energy dissipation
rate in the stirred vessel has been investigated in Ref. [30]. The
breakage of aggregates in both the vibrating and the rotating
mixers occurs by turbulent fluid stresses, but it is independed
on the source generating the liquid motion. The mass transfer
investigations have been carried out in a tubular reactor with
reciprocating plate agitator with flapping blades [31] using the
rock salt cylindrical samples [3]. The results of experiment are
correlated in the original equation covering of the all regions of
the flow.
The influence of the intensity mixing on the forced convection
heat transfer by the reciprocating single plate agitator with slots
has been given in the paper [32]. An extension of previous stud-
ies for the single multihole plate agitator is presented in Ref.
[4]. Also, in the paper [33] are given the experimental results
for the reciprocating agitator with flapping blades [31]. These
experimental data have been correlated by means of the unique
dimensionless equation for the wide range of the geometrical
and the operating conditions.
The experimental work of the heat transfer process for the
reciprocating square ribbed enclosure is conducted in Ref. [34].
The unsteady turbulent mixed convection in a circular ribbed
channel under reciprocating motion using a numerical method
has been investigated in Ref. [35]. The average time-mean Nus-
selt number for the reciprocating circular ribbed channel is larger
than that for the equivalent stationary smooth channel.
The reciprocating agitator has ability to penetrate of the whole
volume of the mixer. It is very important when the mixer is used
as a bioreactor. The process of fermentation broth for the cit-
ric acid production was carried out using the package of sieve
plates as a reciprocating agitator [36]. As follows from the exper-
imental results, the continuous fermentation may be successfully
realized in the bioreactor with the reciprocating agitator generat-
ing the flow of fermentation broth harmless to the living culture
of microorganisms. The efficiency of the fermentation process is
depended on the microorganism activity. In this case very impor-
tant is provided of the oxygen and gas hold-up in the multiphase
reciprocating plate column. These problems are considered in
Refs. [37,38] where gas–liquid and gas–liquid–solid systems
were investigated.
Likewise, the gas–liquid system was tested in the reciprocat-
ing plate column. The experimental measurements influence of
the mixing intensity, gas velocity, number of perforated plates
and the bubble size distribution on the mass transfer character-
istics were given in Refs. [39,40].
Very interesting investigations are presented in Ref. [41]. The
numerical and theoretical methods were used in the analyse of
the non-stationary homogenisation processes in the stirred ves-
sel and reciprocating-jet-reactor. In this paper the fundamental
differential equations for the velocity field and the temperature
as well as concentration field were solved by numerical method.
The analyse of the mass transfer process was conducted by using
the specific equation proposed in Ref. [42].
The main drawback of the equations describing the effects
of reciprocating motion of agitator on the power consumption,
mixing time, maximum mixing energy and mass and heat trans-
fer is that it does not include the effect of the number of plates
installed on the shaft. Then the reciprocating agitator may to
be useful to the many-sided practical applications. It is clear,
that the great attention should be focused upon the experimental
investigations concerning of these problems.
 S. Masiuk, R. Rakoczy / Chemical Engineering and Processing 46 (2007) 89–98 91

2. Experimental
The all experimental measurements of the power consump-
tion, mixing time, heat and mass transfer have been realized
using the vertical tubular cylindrical vessels equipped with the
different number of the multihole perforated plates agitators.
The detail schemes of the vibratory mixers are given in the rele-
vant Refs. [1–4]. Additionally, the main geometrical dimensions
of mixers and the operating ranges of the process parameters are
collected in Table 1.
In the present paper the experimental measurements of the
power consumption and the mixing time were realized using a
vertical tubular cylindrical vessel with a liquid height to ves-
sel diameter ratio equal to 2.65. The reciprocating agitator was
driven by the electric a.c. motor coupled through a variable gear
and a V-belt transmission turned a flywheel. A vertical oscil-
lating shaft with the perforated plates and a hardened steel ring
through a sufficiently long crank shaft were articulated eccentri-
cally to the flywheel. An inductive transducer mounted inside the
ring and a tape recorder was used to measure the inductive volt-
age directly proportional to the total force straining of the shaft.
In this paper the maximum total force acting at the maximum
velocity of the reciprocating plate agitator gives the maximum
power consumption. It is evident that the maximum power input
to the mixed liquid is a decisive factor in the selection of the
drive motor and transmission assembly.
In the mixing time investigations was used the thermal
response method. This method is based on the principle of
monitoring the change of temperature difference in two mea-
suring point within mixed liquid. Temperatures were measured
by means of bare iron–constantan thermocouples. After load-
ing the hot sample the agitator and the temperature fast recorder
were started simultaneously. The mixing process was regarded
as a complete when the average temperature within the mixed
liquid did not change with time. The time between the beginning
and the end of the transient process was defined as the mixing
time. It is only possible to find time which holds the degree of the
temperature homogeneity reached at the location actually mea-
sured and this time might be called the gross convective mixing
time.
In the case of the experimental measurements of the mass and
heat transfer was used the vertical tubular cylindrical vessel with
a liquid height to vessel diameter ratio equal to 4.63. The recipro-
cating agitator was driven by the vibrating piston of a hydraulic
cylinder which was set in motion by the variable-delivery pump.
The average mass transfer coefficient was calculated from a
mass balance between a dissolving solid cylindrical sample and
no flowing surrounding dilute solution. Two conductive probes
connected to a multifunction computer meter were used to mea-
suring and recording of the concentration of the achieve solution
of the salt. The mass of the rock salt sample decreasing during
the process of dissolution is determined by an electronic balance
that connected with rocking double-arm lever. On the lever arm
the sample was hanging, the other arm connected to the balance.
In the present investigation the change in mass of solid body in
a short time period of dissolution is very small and the mean
area of dissolved cylinder of the rock salt may be used. Than the
mean mass transfer coefficient may be calculated from the linear
kinetics equation using the mean concentration driving force of
the process determined from two time response curves.
The average heat transfer coefficient from the heating jacket
wall to the liquid in an agitated vessel was measured for steady
state conditions. The heat was introduced by the steam and
removed by a continuous flow of the mixed liquid through the
vessel. The surface temperature of inner side of the wall was
not a function of time and the temperature profiles in the mixed
liquid did not vary with time. On the preliminary investigations
has been stated that the heat lost through the free surface of the
mixed liquids and the metallic connections are less than 2% and
it are not included in the heat balance of the vessel.
More information about the experimental procedures of the
measurements power consumption, mixing time, heat and mass

Table 1
Geometrical dimensions and operating conditions
Parameters Operating value

Maximum power consumption Mixing time Maximum mixing energy Mass transfer Heat transfer

Vessel diameter (m) 0.248 0.205

Vessel height (m) 0.678 0.955
Agitator diameter (m) 0.08–0.0246 0.204
Number of plates 1–5
Diameter of hole (m) 0.005–0.06
Number of hole 2–749 2–650
Distance between plates (m) 0.04
Mean diameter of sample (m) – – – 0.011–0.0316 –
Mean length of sample (m) – – – 0.03–0.065 –
Amplitude (m) 0.02–0.17 0.03–0.19 0.005–0.23
Frequency (s−1 ) 0.124–1.43 0.058–1.13 0.0055–2.21
Fluid density (kg m−3 ) 854–1485 866–1463 1000 842–1270
Fluid viscosity (kg m−1 s−1 ) 0.001–17.72 0.001–12.44 0.001 0.001–12.44
Reynolds number 0.01–100000 0.1–10000 0.1–10000 70–100000 8–100000
Mass flow rate (kg s−1 ) – – – – 0.028–0.167
Mean standard deviation, σ 0.02125 0.2498 0.2014 0.3204 0.0655
92 S. Masiuk, R. Rakoczy / Chemical Engineering and Processing 46 (2007) 89–98
transfer in the case of reciprocating agitator may be founded in
the relevant papers [1–4].
3. Results
In all present experimental investigations of the influence of
the perforated plate reciprocating agitators on the unit chemical
engineering operations was investigated for different number of
plates varying from 1 to 5. The equations that are predicted in
this report in the comparison to the very useful dimensionless
equation given in the pertinent literature are much more attrac-
tive because it generalizes the experimental data without the
break through the all regimes of flow in a relatively simple and
uniform manner and valid for wide range of the dimensions of
the reciprocating agitator and the operating conditions. The all
equations obtained in this report are valid for the geometrical and
operating parameters given in Table 1. Probably, the equations
given in this paper may be used for the number of the perfo-
rated plates N > 5 but, it is not supported by the experimental
investigations.
3.1. Power consumption
In the present report, the power input to mixed liquid is
described by the similar relationship between the power num-
ber, Pov , and the vibrational Reynolds number, Rev , that it is
proposed in Ref. [1] for the single plate reciprocating agitator:
Pov = C1 Re−1
v (1 + C2 Rev )
0.95
(1)
The dimensionless power number, Pov , and the vibrational
Reynolds number, Rev , are defined in the terms of the maximum
displacement velocity, the fraction of open area of plate, S, and
the hydraulic diameter, dh , in the following forms, respectively:
PS 2
Pov = (2)
ρD2 (2πAf )3 (1 − S 2 )
2πAfdh ρ
Rev = (3)
η
The dimensionless groups were calculated with the physical
properties at the bulk liquid temperature. The fraction of open
area of the reciprocating plate, S, and the hydraulic diameter, dh ,
are calculated from the following relationships:
D2 − d 2 + ndoh
2
S= (4)
D2
D2 − d 2 + ndoh
2
dh = (5)
D + d + ndoh
In order to establish the effect of the vibrational Reynolds num-
ber and the number of perforated plates on the maximum power
consumption the data obtained in this work are graphically illus-
trated in the coordinates (Pov , Rev ) log–log system in Fig. 1.
The characteristics of the power number, Pov , versus the
vibrational Reynolds number, Rev , curves are analogous to the
power characteristic for the single perforated plate [1]. The
Fig. 1. Power characteristics for reciprocating agitator with different number of
perforated plates.
experimental results shown in Fig. 1 suggest that the power char-
acteristics for the different number of perforated plates may be
analytically described by a unique monotonic function (1). As
follows from Fig. 1, the scatter of experimental data represented
by points are placed along the parallel straight lines. Therefore,
the constant C2 in the relation (1) is independed on the number
of perforated plates, N, and equal to 0.225. The constant C1 has
been computed as the function of parameter N employing the
principle of least square method. Then the Eq. (1) for different
number of the perforated plates may be written in the following
general dimensionless correlation:
Po = f P (N)Re−1
v (1 + 0.255Rev )
0.95
(6)
where
f P (N) = 0.89N 1.37 exp(−0.15N) (7)
The solid lines in Fig. 1 are calculated from the Eq. (6), where
the graphical form of the function (7) describing the effect of
the number plates on the power consumption is included in this
graph in the right upper corner. The mixing power play a signif-
icant role in the aspect of the cost of production and it is depend
on the mixing intensity and the number plates of reciprocating
agitator. It is easy to imagine agitator having appreciable greater
number plates than N = 5. In this case, as it is followed from the
function (2), the power consumption would be progressively
increasing to the maximal value when the number of perforated
plates reaches N > 5.
The most important element of costs is the manufacturing cost
depends on the power consumption. It is clear, that the optimum
level of the production costs at which the obtained the cost of
production are at the minimum strongly depend on the mixing
time.
3.2. Mixing time
The power characteristic is suitable for design purposes, but
it gives no identification of the optimum number of plates to
achieve mixing with the smallest energy expenditure. For that
reason, the influence of the perforated plates number on the
mixing time must be investigated. In the case of the reciprocating
 S. Masiuk, R. Rakoczy / Chemical Engineering and Processing 46 (2007) 89–98 93

Therefore, the preservation of a proper chaotic state during a

specific time period is very important. From the point of view of
energy savings this time period should be as short as possible.
The mixing time has significance in the calculation of costs and
it is the strictly component of the maximum mixing energy.

3.3. Maximum mixing energy

In the selection of the suitable agitator for the homogenisation

process, it is not sufficient to take into consideration the power
consumption and mixing time separately. The density of the
maximum mixing energy, ρEmax , is defined as the product of the
maximum power consumption, Pmax , and the mixing time, tmix ,
relate to the volume of the mixed liquid, VL :
Fig. 2. Mixing time characteristics for reciprocating agitator with different num-
ber of perforated plate. Pmax tmix
ρEmax = (J/m3 ) (12)
VL
multihole plates agitator the liquid flow is mainly parallel to the
axis of the vessel, and accordingly to the concept given in Ref. The values of the density of the maximum mixing energy (12)
[2] the dimensionless mixing time number is defined in term of may be determined solving the Eqs. (6), (7) and (10), (11)
the mixing time and the height of the liquid in the vessel. In regarding to the maximum power consumption and the mixing
the present report, the mixing time is described by the similar time. The simple transformations gives the following equa-
relationship between the dimensionless mixing time number, tions describing the dimension density of the maximum mixing
Θv , and the vibrational Reynolds number, Rev , that it proposed energy as the maximum mixing energy and the volume of mixed
in Ref. [2] for the single plate reciprocating agitator: liquid ratio:
  ρEmax = ψ f E (N)(1 + 0.021Re1.25
v )
HL 0.15 −2
Θv = C3 Rev (1 + C4 Re1.25
v ) (8)
dh × (1 + 0.255Re0.95
v ) (J/m3 ) (13)
On the base of the fluid mechanics equations, the dimension- where the function fE (N) is depended on the number of the mul-
less mixing time number has been established in Ref. [2] and it tihole plates.After reduction of the Eqs. (6), (7) and (10), (11) to
is calculated from the following relationship: the values of the maximum power consumption, Pmax , and the
tmix η mixing time, tmix , then the parameter ψ has the following form:
Θv = (9)
ρHL2 4(1 − S 2 ) HL1.15 η2
ψ = (J/m3 ) (14)
The vibrational Reynolds number is defined by using Eq. (3). πS 2 dh3.15 ρ
Data obtained in the present report are graphically illustrated in
Hence, the dimensionless maximum density of maximum mix-
the coordinates (Θv , Rev ) log–log system in Fig. 2.
ing energy, ρE∗ max , may be calculated by means of the following
In the right upper corner of this graph is included the graphical
equation:
form of the function describing the effect of the number plates on
the mixing time. As follows from Fig. 2, the mixing time char- ρEmax
ρE∗ max =
acteristics have the similar shapes independently on the number ψ
of the perforated plates of the reciprocating agitator. Therefore,
= f E (N)(1 + 0.021Re1.25
v )(1 + 0.255Rev )
0.95
(15)
the effect of all important process parameters on mixing time
may be described by the relatively simple unique dimensionless where
equation which it is proposed in Ref. [2] for the single perforated
plate including the ratio (HL /dh ) with the exponents identically f E (N) = 9.345N 1.37 exp(−1.21N) (16)
as it is given in Eq. (8):
The graphically illustration of the relationship, ρE∗ max , versus
 
HL 0.15 −2 the vibrational Reynolds number, Rev , is shown in Fig. 3.
Θv = f (N)tmix
Rev (1 + 0.021Re1.25 v ) (10) The dimensionless density of the maximum mixing energy
dh
rapidly increases for the low viscosity liquids. It follows form
where the Eq. (14) the power of the viscosity of the mixed fluid, η, is
equal to 2. Therefore, the dimensionless density of the maximum
f tmix (N) = 10.50 exp(−1.06N) (11)
mixing energy (15), ρE∗ max , is strongly increases as the viscosity
The mixing time is an important factor in time-controlled of liquid decreases. From the analysis of the above proposed
technological processes, where the quality of the product equations follows that ψ ∼ η2 (Eq. (14)) and ρE∗ max ∼ ψ −1 (Eq.
depends on a uniform distribution of reagents in an apparatus. (15)). Therefore, for two fluid (i.e.: molasses-1, water-2) with the
94 S. Masiuk, R. Rakoczy / Chemical Engineering and Processing 46 (2007) 89–98

Fig. 3. Dimensionless density of maximum mixing energy characteristics for

reciprocating agitator with different number of perforated plates.

Fig. 4. Modified mass transfer characteristics for reciprocating agitator with

extremely different viscosity may be written: Pmax1  Pmax2 ; different number of plates.
tmix1  tmix2 ; ρEmax1  ρEmax2 ; η1  η2 and ρE∗ max1  ρE∗ max2 .
The most importance of costs is the cost of production which Based on the mass balance between a dissolving samples
should be depends on the maximum mixing energy. The oper- and surrounding solutions the mean mass transfer coefficient is
ating costs of the production process are obviously an impor- defined by the equation:
tant element in the economic design. The capital costs will
be comprised of the expenditure on the driving units and the m
β̄ = (20)
employed of suitable mixing device. Higher intensity of mixing F̄s C̄ t
will inevitable demand a higher the cost of production. In the It should be noted that in the experimental process of the mass
case of this experimental investigations, the maximum mixing transfer investigations the change in mass of solid sample in the
energy, ρEmax , progressively increases at an acceleration recipro- short time period, t, of dissolving is very small. Therefore, the
cating motion, Rev , and decreases with increasing of the number mean area of dissolved sample, F̄s , and the mean driving force,
of perforated plates, N, of reciprocating agitator. C̄, as the arithmetic mean are used to calculation of the mean
mass transfer coefficient, β̄.
3.4. Mass transfer The dimensionless groups were calculated with the physical
properties at the mean bulk liquid concentration. In the case
The mass transfer experiments presented in this report con- of this work, the experimental data have been correlated using
stitute an expansion of the studies of Ref. [3], which were made the new mean modified dimensionless Sherwood number, Sh* ,
for the same mixer but with the use the single plate reciprocating as a ratio of the dimensionless Sherwood number, Sh, and the
agitator. It is assumed, that the results of the mass transfer exper- dimensionless maximum density of maximum mixing energy,
iments for different number of plates should be correlated using ρE∗ max :
the relationship similar to the expression obtained for the recip-
rocating agitator with single perforated plate [3]. This equation Sh∗
= f β̄ (N)Re0.33
v (1 + 0.11Rev )
0.17
has the different form than the commonly proposed in the rele- Sc0.33
vant literature. It is believed that the new dimensionless equation 1
proposed in Ref. [3] is useful to generalize the experimental data × E (21)
f (N)(1 + 0.021Rev )(1 + 0.255Re0.95
1.25
v )
in this work for the whole region of the vibrational Reynolds
number without the break of the correlating graphical line. where the function f β̄ (N)is depended on the number of the mul-
It is decided, that in the present report the mass transfer is tihole plates.
described by the similar somewhat modified relationship [3] The graphically illustration of the Eq. (21) is given in the
between the dimensionless Sherwood number, Sh, and the vibra- coordinates (Sh* /Sc0.33 , Rev ) log–log system in Fig. 4.
tional Reynolds number, Rev : The shape of the mass transfer characteristics for the single
plate as well as for different plates is similar and the function
Sh = C5 Re0.33
v Sc
0.33
(1 + C6 Re0.17
v ) (17)
f β̄ (N) may be described by means of the following relationship:
The mean dimensionless Sherwood number, Sh, and Schmidt
number, Sc, are defined as follows: f β̄ (N) = 0.17N 0.37 exp(−0.12N) (22)

β̄d̄p In the left lower corner of this graph is included the graphical
Sh = (18) form of the function (22) describing the effect of the number
Ddiff C
plates on the mass transfer. The vibration Reynolds number
η augments the rate of the mass transfer. The increasing mass
Sc = (19)
Ddiff ρ transfer coefficient is not rapidly then the increasing of the mix-
 S. Masiuk, R. Rakoczy / Chemical Engineering and Processing 46 (2007) 89–98 95

ing energy. As follows from the Eq. (21) the modified Sherwood
number, Sh* , rapidly decreases with increasing the vibrational
Reynolds number.

3.5. Heat transfer

The generalization of the results of the convective heat trans-

fer measurements was correlated by using the Nusselt type
equation modified to the following form:
 
Pr 0.25  
Nu = C7 Pr 0.43 1 + C8 Re0.5
v (23)
Prw
The relationship (23) is different to the equation given in Fig. 5. Modified heat transfer characteristics for reciprocating agitator with dif-
Ref. [4] for the single multihole plate, where the axial Reynolds ferent number of plates.
number is omitted. It is followed from the different methods cal-
culations of the heat transfer coefficient, α. In the paper [4] this The structure of this Eq. (27) is similar to the Eq. (21) describ-
parameter has been calculated from the heat balance, where the ing the mass transfer in the mixing process for the multiplates
heat passing into the vessel through the heating wall is equal to reciprocating agitator. The experimental heat transfer data from
the heat absorbed by the mixed liquid in a direction perpendic- the present study plotted in Fig. 5 in log–log system in the coor-
ular to the flow. In the present work the heat transfer coefficient dinates
⎛  ⎞
is calculated from the assumption that the heat delivering by the  0.25 −1
heating wall is essentially equal to the heat axially transported ⎝Nu∗ Pr 0.43 Pr
, Rev ⎠
by the mixed liquid flowing through the tubular vessel. On the Prw
basis of the above confirmations the average coefficients of the
heat transfer, ᾱ, is calculated from the following equation: The shape of the heat transfer characteristics for the single plate
as well as for the different plates is similar and the function fα (N)
F̄io λw T̄wo − T̄wi
ᾱ = (24) may be written in the following form:
Fi s T̄wi − T̄m
In this equation the arithmetic mean temperature on either f α (N) = 9N 0.79 exp(−0.12N) (28)
side of the heating wall and the arithmetic mean temperature
within the bulk of mixed liquid are used. 4. The relative average mass and heat transfer
The mean dimensionless Nusselt number, Nu, and Prandtl coefficients
number, Pr, are defined as follows:
The rates of the mass and heat transfer processes are depended
ᾱD
Nu = (25) on the energy input to the mixed liquid. Therefore, the mass and
λ heat transfer coefficient should be related to the density of the
ρcp maximum mixing energy as the mean mass transfer indicator
Pr = (26)
λ (βMTI ) and the mean heat transfer indicator (αHTI ), respectively:
The above dimensionless numbers were calculated with the β
physical properties at the bulk liquid temperature. The vibra- βMTI = (29)
ρEmax
tional Reynolds number was calculated from Eq. (3). In the case
of the heat transfer measurements, the experimental data have α
been correlated using the new mean modified dimensionless αHTI = (30)
ρEmax
Nusselt number, Nu* , as a ratio of the dimensionless Nusselt
number, Nu, and the dimensionless maximum density of maxi- This indicator (29) and (30) may be used to the comparison
mum mixing energy, ρE∗ max : of the influence of the different types of agitators on the unit
kinetics operations of the chemical engineering. The equations
Nu∗ given in this paper dealing the energy and the mass and heat
Pr 0.43 (Pr/Prw )0.25 transfer processes are transformed to the mean mass transfer
indicator (βMTI ) and the mean heat transfer indicator (αHTI ),
= f α (N)Re0.25
v (1 + 0.1Rev )
0.1
respectively:
1 
× (27) β (N)(1 + 0.11Re0.5 )Re0.33 Sc0.33
f E (N)(1 + 0.021Re1.25
v )(1 + 0.255Rev )
0.95
βMTI = ψ
f v v
f E (N)(1 + 0.021Re1.25
v )(1 + 0.255Rev )
0.95
where the function fα (N) is depended on the number of the mul-
tihole plates. × (s/m) (31)
96 S. Masiuk, R. Rakoczy / Chemical Engineering and Processing 46 (2007) 89–98

where ber, Nu* , sharply decreases with increasing the vibrational

1 Ddiff C Reynolds number.
ψ = (s/m) (32) • The change of plates of the reciprocating agitator has con-
ψ d̄p
siderable profitable influence on the homogenisation process
and than on increases of the power consumption.
 • Additionally, the change of plates of the reciprocating agita-
 f α (N)(1 + 0.1Re0.1 0.25 0.43 (Pr/Pr )0.25
v )Rev Pr w tor has considerable profitable influence on the heat transfer
αHTI = ψ
f E (N)(1 + 0.021Re1.25
v )(1 + 0.255Rev )
0.95
process than on the mass transfer process.
• Based on the experimental results, the effects of the recip-
× (m/s K) (33) rocating plate agitator geometry and the process parameters
for the wide range of Reynolds number are correlated by the
where
suitable equations. In this paper the characteristics are given
1 λ for the wide range of Reynolds number.
ψ = (m/s K) (34)
ψ D • In this work the mean mass transfer indicator (βMTI ) and the
mean heat transfer indicator (αHTI ) for the reciprocating mul-
In Eqs. (31) and (33) the terms in the curly brack-
tiplates perforated agitators are proposed. From the point of
ets are the modified dimensionless Sherwood number,
view of the mass and the heat transfer rates, these indicators
Sh* , and the modified dimensionless Nusselt number, Nu* ,
may be used to the selection of the type of the reciprocating
respectively.
agitator with the optimum manufacturing costs.
• This indicator (29), (30) may be used to the comparison of the
5. Conclusions influence of the different types of agitators on the unit kinetics
operations of the chemical engineering.
The main concluding remarks concerning the unit operations
of the chemical engineering may be briefly summarized as fol- Appendix A. Nomenclature
lows:

• The number of the perforated multihole plates of the recipro- A amplitude (m)
cating agitators has the different influence on the unit opera- C concentration (kg m−3 )
tions of the chemical engineering. C̄ mean concentration (kg m−3 )
• The predicted equations are included the influence of the main C1 , C2 constants of Eq. (1)
geometrical and operational parameters on the power con- C3 , C4 constants of Eq. (8)
sumption, the mixing time, the mixing energy and the mass C5 , C6 constants of Eq. (17)
and the heat transfer. C7 , C8 constants of Eq. (22)
• The power consumption for reciprocating agitator increases cp specific heat (J kg−1 K−1 )
with increasing number of plates and considerable lower d agitator diameter (m)
decreasing take a place at the region of large vibrational d̄p mean diameter of the sampling probe (m)
Reynolds number. dh hydraulic diameter (m)
• The mixing time decreases with increasing number of plates doh diameter of hole in the plate (m)
and in the region of lower Reynolds number and decreases D vessel diameter (m)
sharply. Taking into consideration the region of large vibra- Ddiff diffusion coefficient (m2 s−1 )
tional Reynolds number, the mixing time decreases versus the f frequency (m−1 )
vibrational Reynolds number considerable slowly. F̄s mean area of sample (m2 )
• The dimensionless maximum mixing energy density F̄io mean inside and outside area of inner tube (m2 )
decreases with increasing number of plates of reciprocating Fi inside area of inner tube (m2 )
agitator. Also, the maximum mixing energy density sharply HL height of liquid level in the vessel (m)
increases in the turbulent region of the vibrational Reynolds m mass (kg)
number. n number of hole in plate of reciprocating agitator
• The rate of mass transfer increases with increasing number N number of plate
of plates. The mean modified dimensionless Sherwood num- Nu dimensionless Nusselt number
ber, Sh* , increases with increasing number of plates. Within Nu mean dimensionless Nusselt equation
the laminar region of the flow, the mass transfer character- Nu* modified dimensionless Nusselt number
istics obtain the extreme. In the region of large Reynolds P power (W)
number, the curves of the mean modified dimensionless Sher- Pmax maximum power consumption (W)
wood number, Sh* , versus the vibrational Reynolds number Pov vibrational power consumption number
decreases sharply. Pr dimensionless Prandtl number
• The rate of heat transfer increases with increasing number Prw dimensionless Prandtl number for wall
of plates. The mean modified dimensionless Nusselt num- Rev vibrational dimensionless Reynolds number
 S. Masiuk, R. Rakoczy / Chemical Engineering and Processing 46 (2007) 89–98 97

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