Investigation of a novel design propeller to agitate non-Newtonian fluids using experimental and numerical methods

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Mixing non-Newtonian fluids in stirred vessels is essential in process engineering, impacting various industrial applications. Understanding the physical and fluid mathematical phenomena governing these systems is vital for optimizing mixing quality and minimizing power consumption. The complex rheology of non-Newtonian fluids can lead to poor mixing performance, such as dead zones, which hinder impeller efficiency and increase power usage. Investigating methods to achieve desired mixing outcomes while evaluating power consumption is crucial. Previous research has focused on design processes to meet these objectives, often relying on experiential methods or specific applications, which can be error-prone. A new design approach, blade element momentum theory (BET), was proposed by Reviol et al. to predict power requirements without relying on experimental data. However, this method has yet to be experimentally validated. This dissertation aims to validate the power consumption of the new design propeller through experimental methods and examine the hydrodynamics of the propeller mixing non-Newtonian fluids in stirred vessels, considering both side-entry (Part-I) and top-entry configurations (Part-II).