Numerical research of flow performance and structure optimization of the U‐tooth impeller

Abstract The mixing performance of stirring devices is commonly encountered in the process industries. This study focuses on the mixing performance and structure optimization of the U‐tooth impeller, aiming at providing the theoretical support for improving the particle suspension performance in the mixing tank and reducing energy consumption. The single‐phase and two‐phase mixing processes of the U‐tooth impeller were simulated and compared with the Rushton impeller. The results showed that the stirring torque of the U‐tooth impeller is higher by 20% approximately than that of the Rushton impeller during single‐phase mixing. The torque of the improved six‐blade U‐tooth impeller is about 50% higher than that of the U‐tooth impeller, and about 30% of that of the Rushton impeller. It still has the advantage of low power consumption, and the particle suspension performance has been significantly improved. The critical suspension speed of the Rushton impeller, U‐tooth impeller and improved U‐tooth impeller are 282, 1047, and 609 rpm, respectively. The improved U‐tooth impeller effectively reduces the critical suspension speed, improves particle suspension performance, and provides a useful reference for optimizing the slurry mixing process.