LIQUID DISPERSION MECHANISMS IN AGITATED TANKS PART III. LOW VISCOSITY DISCRETE PHASE INTO HIGH VISCOSITY CONTINUOUS PHASE

Abstract

The dispersion or a low viscosity liquid into a high viscosity liquid was investigated in an agitated tank using a pitched blade turbine. The trailing vortex system was found to be responsible for the formation of ligaments and sheets of the low viscosity liquid. Dispersion, though, was found to occur due to: 1) the break-up of ligaments and 2) small drop production from large drops in a recirculation flow; both dispersion mechanisms were a classical Rayleigh type break-up. The drop size produced in the recirculation flow from large drops was on the order of those observed in the turbulent fragmentation mechanism. The flow, though, was entirely laminar.