Tank Mixing Eductors

Tank Mixing Eductors

Tanks Eductors are stocked in sizes from 3/8″ up to 3″ in both Carbon Steel and 316LSS.   We also stock PPL & PVDF materials in sizes from 1/4″ thru 1-1/2″.

Tank Eductors (also referred to as circulating tank eductors & tank liquid agitators) provide an effective way to mix liquids in open or enclosed tanks. They produce an intimate mixing action between the components of a liquid, while keeping the contents of the tank in constant motion. In many cases they produce a mixing action that cannot be duplicated using mechanical methods. Tank eductors can handle a variety of viscosities and types of liquids, including slurries and suspensions. Their thorough mixing action makes them especially useful for maintaining uniform liquid characteristics throughout the tank contents , such as temperature, pH , or solids distribution. The tank eductor is also used to prevent separation of non-mixable liquids or stratification of liquids having different specific gravities. Tank eductors offer low initial cost, lightweight and easy installation. They are inherently non-clogging and with no moving parts, require little or no maintenance . Tank eductors allow the use of a smaller recirculating pump than normally would be needed to move a given volume of liquid. This saves energy while providing more effective mixing and circulation. They are available in materials to suit a variety of applications in food, chemical, refining and other process industries.

How tank mixing eductors work
A predetermined amount of liquid (called operating fluid) is pumped through a header to one or more tank eductors submerged inside the tank. Depending upon the application , the operating fluid can be liquid drawn from the tank, or it can be a second liquid from another source that is to be mixed with the tank contents. As the operating fluid leaves the nozzle of the tank eductor, it entrains material from the tank. The operating fluid and entrained material are thoroughly mixed inside the parallel section of the tank eductor before being discharged . The discharge flow, or plume, continues the mixing and agitation of the liquid throughout the tank.

 

An approximation of the discharge plume length can be obtained by substituting operating fluid pressure for 6. P in the above relationships. In some fluids (dilatent), the length of the discharge plume decreases as the operating fluid pressure is increased. In still other fluids (thixotropic), very little flow will be evident at the circulating tank eductor discharge until the operating fluid pressure is increased beyond a critical value, after which lo increases rapidly. If necessary, contact us when dealing with such fluids.Turnover rate
The rate at which fluid in the tank must be completely turned over will determine the overall capacity of the tank eductors needed. When the inlet pressure supplied to the tank eductor is within a range of 20 to 70 PSI (133 to 483 kPa) , 3-5 gallons of tank contents can be mixed for every gallon of operating fluid passing through the tank eductor . That is, the volume of fluid discharged from the tank eductor will be four times greater than the volume of operating fluid entering the circulating tank eductor inlet. The ratio of tank contents that can be mixed for each gallon of operating fluid will be approximately 2.6:1 for pressures outside the 20 to 70 PSI (1 38 t o 483 kPa) range, listed in the capacity chart. Fluid viscosity In fluids such as water or mineral oil (Newtonian fluids), the length of the tank eductor discharge plume increases proportionally with increased operating fluid pressure . Flow will b e evident one foot away from the tank eductor discharge for every 1 PSI of pressure drop across the nozzle (or one meter away for every 23 kPa pressure drop).

Tank shape and size
Tank shape and size influence the placement and number of circulating tank eductors required to assure even agitation of the entire volume of fluid. A spherical tank with a single circulating tank eductor mounted as shown in the illustration makes the best use of the mixing and flow characteristics of the circulating tank eductor. With no corners to impede fluid flow, the fluid circulates evenly and naturally. A single circulating tank eductor will often be sufficient to circulate the entire tank contents. The angular intersection of surfaces in cylindrical , square or rectangular tanks can interrupt fluid flow patterns and cause fluid stagnation in these areas. A single circulating tank eductor, mounted as shown in the illustration, will tend to minimize this effect . However, multiple circulating tank eductors can often produce more efficient mixing when using these tank shapes.

Long, narrow tanks such as tank trucks or railroad cars, normally require multiple circulating tank eductors when the ratio of their length to diameter is greater than 2:1. This applies to horizontal or vertical tanks and for any shape of tank cross section.

Larger tanks of any shape may require multiple circulating tank eductors to maintain agitation in all parts of the tank.

Circulating Tank Eductor Performance Table

Operating Fluid Flow – GPM
Pressure Differential – Inlet to Tank Pressure – PSI

Size & Std Connection	10 PSI	20 PSI	30 PSI	40 PSI	50 PSI	60 PSI	70 PSI	80 PSI	90 PSI	100 PSI
3/8″ MNPT	7	11	13	15	16	18	20	21	22	23
3/4″ MNPT	15	22	27	31	35	38	41	44	47	50
1-1/2″ FNPT	32	45	55	64	71	78	84	90	95	100
2″ FNPT	62	87	105	120	140	150	160	175	185	200
3″ FNPT	150	210	255	290	330	360	390	415	440	460
4″ Flanged	251	355	435	502	561	615	664	710	753	794
6″ Flanged	601	850	1041	1202	1345	1473	1591	1700	1803	1901
8″ Flanged	1005	1422	1742	2011	2249	2463	2660	2844	3016	3180