Slurry tank mixer
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In GE’s coal slurry gasification technology, the mixer for the coal slurry tank is a crucial piece of equipment. Our mixer experiences extremely severe vibration when the liquid level is between 55% and 65%; in severe cases, this vibration can even cause the fixing bolts to come loose. The mixer blades are arranged in three layers: the lowest layer consists of smaller blades, while the middle and upper layers contain larger blades. Calculations show that the position of the largest blades corresponds to a liquid level of around 60%. At this liquid level, only part of the blades at the top of the mixer are submerged under the liquid surface, with the rest extending above it. It is at this point that the mixer experiences intense vibration. We would like professional equipment specialists to explain from a mechanical perspective why such severe vibration occurs when the mixer is at this liquid level
In the design of any mixer, it is not allowed for the blades to have part of them below the liquid surface and part above it.
I’ve forgotten how to calculate it using complex fluid dynamics principles; I’ll give a simple explanation based on my understanding: when the agitator rotates, it causes the liquid to move as well. The blades rotate at the same speed and in the same direction as the liquid. At this point, the rotational kinetic energy is converted into kinetic energy of the liquid plus rotational potential energy. Therefore, the rotational kinetic energy of the blades is not synchronized with, or is not identical to, the kinetic and potential energies of the liquid surface, which is what leads to vibrations.
We do produce such high-power mixers, ranging from 0.37 to 220 KW
It seems that the mixing design did not take into account the actual conditions on site, or perhaps the two parties failed to communicate regarding these aspects at that time