A simple cost-effective method was proposed to assess homogeneity of suspensions and the effectiveness of stirred vessels in suspending sinking solids. The method includes targeted sampling from two specific tank depths, and analysis using laser diffraction. In this study, the suspension homogeneity was experimentally investigated in a glass tank stirred by an impeller equipped with a four-bladed straight-turbine impeller positioned at one-third of the liquid column height. Key parameters, the radial impeller dimensions, solid concentration, and steering speed were systematically varied to assess their effect on mixture homogeneity. Small-Angle Light Scattering analysis was employed to determine the particle size distribution of solid particles in suspension samples. The results indicate that increasing the solid concentration amplifies the differences in particle size distribution between the top and bottom layers, reducing overall homogeneity. An increase in steering speed generally improves the suspension uniformity, with larger impeller blades achieving near-homogeneous conditions at lower speeds compared to smaller blades. The proposed method offers valuable insights for optimizing mixer design and operation in industrial applications.
Cite as:
Adnan Mujkanović, Eldina Saletović, Marina Jovanović (2025) Assessing particle suspension homogeneity in stirred vessels using light scattering technique. Quality 2025 (S. Jašarević, editor), ISSN 1512-9268, Neum, B&H, 3-5 June 2025., pp. 121-128
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