Development of Operating Model for the Design of Stirrer Arms of Slurries: Design and Fabrication of Stirrer Arms

Abstract

The “Development of Operating Model for the Design of Stirrer Arms of Slurries: Design and Fabrication of Stirrer Arms” is reported. In the previous research titled “Development of Operating Model for the Design of Stirrer Arms of Slurries: A Review”, a research gap was identified to exist between the Two Z and TETE blade stirrer arms. The aim of this current research was to demonstrate a model/design and fabrication of the Two Z and TETE blade stirrer arms with the view of creating a platform for the future comparative tests of these stirrer arms. The specific objectives for this research include the identification and selection of all the materials needed to achieve the aim of the research (including the selection of the mixer that will host the stirrer arms); Design of the Two Z and TETE blades of the stirrer arms (with the application of the Solid Work software) in tandem with the selected mixer; Design calculations for the Two Z and TETE blades; Fabrication of the Two Z and TETE blades of stirrer arms in tandem with the selected mixer; Constitution of the slurry to be mixed and Calibration of the slurry viscosity. All the set objectives for this research were achieved and consequent on the foregoing, the theoretical (predicted or expected) mixing power consumption for the Two Z, TETE and hybrid Two Z – TETE blade stirrer arms were determined. The order of merit analysis for the theoretical (predicted or expected) power revealed the Two Z stirrer arm as the most efficient. Further future work should include empirical performance tests of the Two Z, TETE and hybrid Two Z – TETE stirrer arms. This will establish/validate the level of degree of agreement between the theoretical (expected) and empirical (observed) mixing power consumption of the stirrer arms. Also such tests will highlight the comparative mixing power and energy efficiency of these stirrer arms hence the order of merit of being called to bar.