Vertical Agitators
The James Brinkley Company vertical agitators are two or three times more efficient than side insert agitators. This is because vertical units are large propellers operating at low speeds, providing more pumped flow for the same horsepower. Vertical agitators also avoid a stuffing box, which is the significant problem in side insert units.
Vertical agitators are sized by the tons of stock in the vessel to be mixed and its consistency. The larger the volume to be mixed, at higher consistency, the larger the unit required. We must also know the service, or degree of agitation. If tank height to diameter ratio exceeds 1.5:1, multiple propellers are required. Vertical agitator propellers must also have a diameter to tank diameter ratio generally not less than 0.3. In tanks with vertical agitators, if the tank width to length ratio exceeds 1.5:1, multiple agitators may be required.
Each agitator has its own momentum characteristic determined by propeller diameter, RPM, blade pitch and efficiency. However agitator testing is done in water, since velocity cannot be observed in stock. Water is a uniform Newtonian fluid. Stock is not…so agitator “efficiency” determined in water may not be meaningful in stock.
The James Brinkley Company believes in flexibility, both of the present unknowns and future uncertainties. For this reason, Brinkley uses adjustable pitch blades on all units over 36” in diameter and offers them as an option on smaller units.
- Cast blades and hubs for wear, corrosion and shock resistance. Castings can be of any common material, such as steel, stainless or better. Epoxy or rubber coatings are available.
- Adjustable pitch blades are standard, giving both flexibility in process and the best overall efficiency. Cast blade diameters up to 15 feet are available, allowing large turbine-to-tank diameter ratios, essential for efficient mixing in stock, coatings or sludge.
- Pipe shafts with heavy duty cast couplings and flanges are used on large units. Pipe shafts can be solid steel or stainless. Large diameter shafts are steel with stainless or 16-gauge sheet cladding for superior fatigue and shock resistance. Coated shafts are also available. Prop and shaft vertical loads are carried by coupling to the reducer. In units with bottom bearings, the bottom bearing carries the side loads. Props generally pump down to increase agitation at pump out and lower vertical loads.
- Bottom bearings with cast steel or stainless pedestals and ryertex bushings (with optional water lubrication). These allow deep tanks without oversize shafts, and keep shaft critical speed ratios low, insuring long life and high load capacity. Large ryertex bushing size insures low bearing loads and low wear.
- Single or double reduction right angle gear reducers, sized for AGMA II service factors. Provided with motor mounts, couplings and guards for your motor.