1. What is Tip Speed?

Tip speed refers to the linear velocity at the outermost point of a rotating impeller or blade. In reactor mixer applications, it's a critical parameter that affects mixing efficiency, shear rates, and overall process performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the tip speed formula:

Where:

• \( \pi \) — Mathematical constant (approximately 3.1416)
• \( D \) — Impeller diameter in meters
• \( N \) — Rotational speed in revolutions per second (rps)

Explanation: The formula calculates the linear velocity at the impeller tip by multiplying the circumference (πD) by the rotational speed.

3. Importance of Tip Speed Calculation

Details: Tip speed is crucial for determining mixing intensity, shear sensitivity of materials, power consumption, and ensuring proper scale-up between different mixer sizes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter impeller diameter in meters and rotational speed in revolutions per second. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is tip speed important in reactor mixers?
A: Tip speed directly affects mixing efficiency, dispersion quality, and can impact product quality in sensitive applications like pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

Q2: What are typical tip speed ranges for different applications?
A: Typically ranges from 2-10 m/s for gentle mixing, 10-20 m/s for standard applications, and up to 25 m/s for high-shear operations.

Q3: How do I convert RPM to RPS?
A: Divide RPM by 60 to get RPS. For example, 1800 RPM = 30 RPS.

Q4: What factors affect optimal tip speed selection?
A: Viscosity, particle size, shear sensitivity, mixing objectives, and equipment limitations all influence optimal tip speed selection.

Q5: Can tip speed be too high?
A: Yes, excessive tip speed can cause unwanted effects like foam generation, particle degradation, excessive power consumption, and equipment wear.