Impellers for axial and radial flow industrial agitators
One of the fundamental components for industrial agitators is the impeller, also known as the turbine or profile. Axial flow and radial flow impellers can carry out tasks such as emulsion and homogenization processes.
The flow type is determined by the fluid’s direction when agitated; this is key if you want to know the difference between axial and radial flow impellers.
It is axial if the movement is parallel to the rotation shaft, and radial when perpendicular. For this reason, we will tell you more about the impellers according to the flow type that they perform, their characteristics, and the application where they are used. Join us to learn more about this.
Axial profiles Gamma, Nabla, and Sabre types
Let’s begin by asking a question: What impellers have axial flow? And now we’ll answer. As we know the axial flow impellers are those the movement is parallel to the rotation shaft.
The axial flow impellers are suitable for a wide variety of tasks. Therefore, there are different types according to functions, so we start with the Gamma, Nabla, and Sabre Autmix impellers.
Gamma axial profile
Gamma axial impeller design offers low power consumption. It can reach high revolutions per minute (rpm) and requires a low energy demand. It is a very profitable mobile when it requires generating shear force and maintaining an axial flow.
Find the ideal axial impeller for your processes. Contact us.
Nabla axial profile
This impeller, Nabla is considered the reference model in Autmix Flow due to its unmatched relation between consumption and performance. Its main features include rotation at high speeds, even with diameters greater than 10 m., without having to be mounted next to a large power unit.
All these features make it an ideal choice for homogenization processes and even for solids suspension.
Sabre axial profile
The axial profile Sabre is used in high-capacity pumping operations. Therefore, it needs high power consumption to work properly. However, these characteristics make it the ideal element for even the most demanding process. An example is the mining industry, with a leaching process, where a high flow rate is required to maintain suspended solids. In addition, it is important to say that turbulence fingers can be added to this impeller to be used in “tacho” type tanks for crystallization processes.
Now that you can identify the axial flow impellers Gamma, Nabla and Sabre, let’s continue with the folding blade profiles.
Folding blades impeller
The folding blade profile is a component for compact industrial agitators from 1- to -4 m3 capacity tanks. Due to their size, it does not consume too much power and can apply in low to moderate viscosity.
Axial turbine
This 3- or 4-blade axial impeller is designed for high-intensity agitation applications. It can generate moderate turbulence, so it is recommended for mixing low-viscosity products. Similarly, it stands out for its versatility, since it can be used in both small and large equipment.
Such qualities give it entry into various industries such as:
- Paint
- Mining
- Paper
- Chemical
- Oil and Gas
- Sugar
- Water treatment
Double flow axial impeller
This equipment's main feature is the ability to generate upward and downward axial flow. This is possible due to its design consisting of two axial blades with a second blade, "C" shaped at their ends. Double flow axial impeller can rotate at 90°, allowing the flow in two directions simultaneously.
In addition, the Double flow axial impeller is made to work with high-viscosity products and rotate at low speeds. Likewise, it can be used in containers of any size without diminishing efficiency. It is worth mentioning that it can be used in different tasks, such as:
- Homogenization
- Neutralization
- Coagulation
- Heat-exchange
Double flow blade
This Double flow blade is made-up of two blades that have a small visor on top. Design is mainly intended to perform flocculation and coagulation tasks, common in the water treatment industry. These processes must agglutinate the unstable particles to form a floc at the tank’s bottom.
To make that happen, due to its application in high-viscosity products, the Double flow blade must rotate at very low revolutions per minute. And it is necessary to mention that this profile is made for large dimension tanks.
Marine impeller
The Marine profile is an excellent option for mixing products with very low viscosity. This impeller can reach a high rotation speed, generating a turbulent flow. It is a small unit designed for small tanks, for this reason, it doesn’t need a high energy consumption.
We recommend using this mobile for homogenization tasks. Under the right conditions, it can be used in applications such as:
- Emulsion
- Neutralization
- Heat-exchange
Then, the axial flow agitators are elemental equipment for a wide variety of industrial processes. Now, if you are asking about which impellers provide radial flow? We’ll review some features and applications.
Radial turbine
A Radial turbine is mobile with flat blades developed to carry out gas dispersion tasks in liquid. In addition, it can be equipped with 4- or-5 blades, that help the mixing process in different sizes tanks and with various fluids.
It is an excellent option to carry out gas dispersion in liquid and some of the industries that use this component include chemicals, paper, and painting, among others.
Cowles disc
Reviewing the radial flow impellers, we need to discuss the Cowles disc. This is an ideal profile for very high-viscosity products, such as pseudoplastic fluids, which reduce their viscosity due to the high shear stress that creates.
This characteristic’s advantages are useful in applications where an emulsion is produced, but mainly in the dispersion of solids or powders in liquids. For example, in the paint industry, reducing viscosity and mixing pseudoplastic fluids is possible by applying the shear force created by the impeller.
That effect is achieved thanks to the impeller’s particular geometry. The design consists of a saw blade with smaller blades placed alternately in the upper and lower part of each one, as we will see in the past image, that design allows it to rotate at high revolutions.
Rotor-Stator mobile
This is another radial flow impeller and stands out for how efficiently emulsions are carried out. Its purpose is to mix two immiscible liquid substances in a relatively homogeneous way.
Due to Rotor-Stator mobile design, created with 4 flat blades, together with a slotted stator around it, emulsion processes are possible. In addition, it can turn at high revolutions per minute, a characteristic that makes it a very good option for small or medium-sized tanks.
Finally, choosing a mobile or profile for industrial agitators depends on the application or product to obtain. That’s the reason you can find a wide range of axial flow and radial flow impellers in Autmix Flow, to cover the project needs.
Our priority is to give you the best service, offering high-quality agitation and mixing equipment available on the market. Contact us!
Division specialized in research, design, and production of high quality equipment for industrial agitation procedures.
