The material deposition
in a mixing tank agitated by the MAXBLEND
impeller in a turbulent state was quantified and compared between
cases with and without baffle clearance. Magnesium hydroxide formed
from the chemical reaction between calcium hydroxide and magnesium
chloride was used as a model of scale formation. Flow velocity in
the tank was investigated by employing computational fluid dynamics
simulation and experimentally validated by an ultrasonic velocity
profiler method. Results showed that the amount of scale decreased
with the increase in the rotational speed of the impeller due to
the erosion effect on the tank wall. In the case without baffle clearance,
the smaller weight of the scale was deposited on the front of the
baffle plate due to the flow impingement, which enhanced the removal
of the scale deposition. However, the lower-velocity magnitude behind
the baffles resulted in an enhancement in the formation of scale.
Installation of baffle clearance caused a contraction flow in between
the tank wall and baffles, and consequently, the higher flow velocity
reduced the amount and thickness of the scale. Measurement of the
torque showed that the baffle clearance did not affect the power consumption,
so the installation of baffle clearance can be a promising approach
to reduce scale deposition in terms of saving operational costs and
increasing process efficiency and safety.