High Efficiency Impeller for Slurry Storage

Authors:

Ronald N. Salzman

Chandler K. Coyle

Ronald J. Weetman

Jean-Claude Pharamond 

The paper discusses the development and application of the high-efficiency A310 impeller for slurry storage systems, highlighting its superior performance compared to conventional pitched-blade turbines (PBTs). Testing at both small and large scales demonstrates that the A310 reduces power requirements, start-up torque, and fluid forces while improving solids suspension and mixing uniformity. Industrial case studies show significant energy savings, improved product quality, and optimized tank and mixer design across various slurry applications, including metal oxides, gypsum, clay, and coal.

Key Learnings

• The A310 high-efficiency impeller significantly improves slurry mixing performance compared to conventional pitched-blade turbines (PBTs).
• It reduces power consumption by up to 50%, lowers start-up torque, and decreases mechanical stresses on mixer components.
• The impeller achieves better solids suspension and more uniform mixing, even in high-viscosity or high-solids slurries.
• Smaller and less expensive baffle and mixer support structures can be used due to reduced torque and fluid forces.
• Laboratory-scale testing using laser velocimetry can effectively predict large-scale industrial performance.
• Industrial applications demonstrate both operational cost savings and enhanced product quality.
• The A310’s design enables continuous operation without temperature buildup, unlike traditional high-power PBTs.
• Scale-up and scale-down testing confirms consistent performance across different tank sizes and slurry types.