Jet mixing

Jet mixing is very turbulent mixing technology. It is the most efficient method to mix fluids while minimizing the horsepower required for mixing. Jet mixing is usually done by jet nozzles which are submerged in a vessel or a tank. More than two jets may be used for mixing. Jet mixing is the phenomena to intermingle the solute in solvent to make the desired product. Jet mixer is used for this purpose to entrain the fluid in solvent. Jet mixing is a very effective way to distribute mixing energy while minimizing power input in large diameter reactors. It is an efficient way to control i.e.: mixed, suspend, blend, and generate flow or chemical reaction. The superior performance of jet mixers are due to the following:

The high velocity liquid stream creates a negative pressure in the mixing chamber inducing additional liquid flow through the suction inlets located circumferentially around the outer mixing jet. The transfer of horizontal momentum from the high velocity stream to the surrounding liquid entrains additional bulk flow. The thrust imparted to the bulk liquid creates a small head gain which produces a horizontal bulk fluid velocity.

Principle: The high velocity fluid from jet enters into the stagnant fluid which is maintained in the vessel. The velocity of fluid remains constant and uniform as long as it remains in core which disappears after certain length from nozzle. As the fluid from jet moves its velocity decreases which is accompanied by increase in pressure according to Bernoullis equation.

The velocity decreases and pressure increases as a result the fluid is accelerated, blended and absorbed into the stagnant fluid causing efficient mixing. High shear stresses of jet fluid with stagnant fluid tear off eddies at the boundary, causing turbulent which result in efficient mixing.

Working: Jet mixing employs a special dual nozzle assembly with entrainment ports. Tank liquid is pumped through a liquid line and then through the inner nozzle. High velocity is created by the inner nozzle forming a jet plume. This jet plume pulls tank liquid through the entrainment port and then discharges the liquid through the outer nozzle. Transfer of the high velocity stream to the surrounding liquid entrains additional flow increasing the pumping rate by as much as ten times the pumping capacity.

There are no moving parts within the jet mixing nozzle with several nozzles typically installed along a header system or radially around a central mounted cluster. Several different nozzle sizes are available depending on the particular application and type of mixing energy desired Each jet nozzle entrains a large volume of liquid, using a small amount of pumped fluid. This innovative system produces extremely high mixing rates and strong movement using very little energy.

Jet mixing has many advantages: o Long Life o Highly Efficient o Low Capital Cost o Reduced Installation Cost o No In-Tank Maintenance Items o Superior Corrosion and Abrasion Resistant o Materials of Construction

Significance and Applications of jet mixing: It is mostly used when high turbulence and local shear stresses are to be achieved. So it will take less time to from homogenous mixture. It is normally used for liquids and slurries with viscosities less than 1000cP. Mainly use for liquid blending e.g. neutralization and extraction. NEUTRALIZATION: Jet mixers are used for pH control in neutralization tanks. A typical holding time in neutralization tanks is 30 minutes to one hour. Typical mixing intensity for pH neutralization tanks is 100 BHP per million gallons. SOLIDS SUSPENSION: Jet mixers are used for suspending solids in process tanks. Typical applications include mixing sludge tanks, phosphoric acid storage tanks, and corn steep tanks.

EQUALIZATION BASINS: Jet mixers have been used for mixing large equalization basins where the liquid level can vary from 3 to 30 ft. The jet mixers are installed near the bottom of the tank such that the tanks can be mixed at low and high liquid level conditions. Typical HP intensity for mixing equalization basins is 40 to 80 BHP per million gallons. LIQUID/LIQUID BLENDING: Liquid blending is a mixing operation in which two or more miscible liquids are mixed together with the help of jet mixer until a certain degree of homogeneity is achieved. Liquid blending is a very important part of the consumer product industry. Perfume: In the manufacturing of perfume, blending is required to dilute the concentrated perfume oils by dissolving them in ethanol through jet mixer. Toothpaste: Blending is also required in the production of toothpaste. For example: Adding the flavoring agents through jet mixer the contents are mixed under vacuum to produce the desired smoothness and homogeneity in the final product. Flash Mixing: Jet mixers are used for high intensity flash mixing tanks. These mixers are used to contact the chemical directly through the mixing nozzles. Typical holding time in flash mixing tanks is 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

Aeration by mixing

JET AERATION HISTORY: Jet aerators or educators have been utilized for gas/liquid contacting and mixing for over hundred years. Over the past decades, jet aeration has become widely accepted, and increasingly popular in waste water treatment technology. Since 2006 the KLa Systems aerators we are implementing, are provided with a Slot Injector aeration system. This unique, innovative, high efficiency jet aeration system has been used worldwide in various industrial areas such as food and beverage, pulp and paper, chemical processing, and landfill treatment operations. Operating Principals of traditional jet aerators: Submerged jet aeration intermixes air with a motive liquid and injects the stream into the waste water. The aerator itself consists of two jet nozzles. The motive liquid - recirculated mixed liquor - is discharged from an inner nozzle into an outer mixing nozzle, within which compressed atmospheric air is introduced and sheared into tiny bubbles which are entrained in the motive liquid stream.

As the stream is discharged into the surrounding mixed liquor, it forms a highly turbulent jet plume. The plume entrains the surrounding mixed liquor and brings it into contact with the tiny air bubbles. The

Resultant oxygen transfer rate is extremely high. This efficiency is due to the high air/waste interface area created by the minuscule bubbles, the turbulence within the jet plume, and the extended bubble residence time. Slot Injector Aeration Technology: Introduced in 1979 by Bayer AG, the Slot Injector aerator is similar to a modern jet aerator, but uses a slot-shaped configuration to achieve higher efficiencies. The slot-shaped nozzle and mixing chamber provide a greater shear surface for mass transfer than a circular jet opening of identical area.

The unique shape of the Slot Injector results in a high percentage of gas dissolution and superior mass transfer rates. Complete System Solutions: A typical Slot Injector system consists of the Slot Injector aerators, in -basin piping system, back-flush system, liquid recirculation pumps, and air blowers. The pumps are either end suction centrifugal, submersible, or self-priming. Low pressure air is delivered by positive displacement blowers, screw compressors, multi-stage centrifugal blowers, or high speed turbo blowers. Other available components of the Slot Injector system included with the out-of-basin air and liquid piping system consists of stainless steel pipe, isolation valves, expansion bellows, supports, and pressure gauges. Additional scope of supply is available upon request. Back-Flush System: Water Environment Research Foundation studies show that fine-pore diffusers have reduced oxygen transfer performance and increased pressure requirements over time due to clogging, and the biggest drop-off is in the first 24 months of operation. It is not uncommon for these types of aeration systems to require frequent cleaning and replacement within the first 5 years of operation. This is not the case with Slot Injector systems due to much larger openings and self-cleaning capabilities, which allows for cleaning out the injectors without the need to drain or enter the basin. Back-flushing the Slot Injector system is conducted essentially with an airlift pump that reverses the flow through the inner injector nozzle resulting in a powerful air-liquid stream that clears trash and debris from the system. Slot Injector aeration systems are known for long-term, reliable operation.

Overall advantages of Jet aeration systems in wastewater treatment applications: Low Installed Cost Low Energy Cost Low Maintenance Cost High oxygen transfer efficiency Long-term and stable efficiency - Proven 20+ Years Design Life Superior mixing capacities, without extra mixing and without extra oxygen supply (anoxic periods) No aerosols No pre-cooling of the aerated liquid Frost insensitive Low foam formation sensitivity No moving parts in the aeration basins Very suitable for use in deep aeration basins Obstruction insensitive Reduced Off-gas Volume Superior Process Performance