Tank internals

Definition

Tank internals refer to the components and structures within a tank, designed to enhance mixing, mass transfer, and heat exchange during processes like chemical reactions. These components, such as baffles, impellers, and support structures, play a critical role in ensuring that the contents of the tank are well-mixed and that the desired chemical processes occur efficiently.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tank internals can significantly impact the efficiency of chemical reactions by improving mixing and ensuring uniform distribution of reactants.
2. Different types of tanks may require specific internals based on the intended process, such as fermentation, crystallization, or chemical synthesis.
3. The design and arrangement of tank internals can affect factors like residence time, heat transfer rates, and overall energy consumption.
4. Properly designed internals help minimize dead zones within the tank where fluid motion is stagnant, leading to better performance.
5. Selection of materials for tank internals is important to prevent corrosion and ensure longevity in various processing environments.

Review Questions

• How do tank internals influence the efficiency of chemical reactions within stirred tank reactors?
  • Tank internals play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of chemical reactions by ensuring thorough mixing and uniform distribution of reactants. Components like baffles disrupt fluid flow patterns, which helps to prevent stagnant areas within the tank. Additionally, well-designed impellers aid in circulating the contents, allowing for better mass transfer and heat exchange, ultimately leading to more effective reaction conditions.
• Compare different types of tank internals and their specific functions in relation to stirred tank reactors.
  • Various types of tank internals serve distinct purposes in stirred tank reactors. For instance, baffles are primarily used to enhance mixing by preventing vortex formation, while impellers are responsible for stirring the fluid to promote circulation. Other internals like spargers may be used for introducing gases into the liquid phase. The choice of internals depends on the specific requirements of the process being carried out, such as mixing intensity and mass transfer needs.
• Evaluate the impact of poorly designed tank internals on the performance of a stirred tank reactor.
  • Poorly designed tank internals can severely hinder the performance of a stirred tank reactor by creating dead zones where fluid motion is minimal. This stagnation can lead to incomplete reactions due to uneven distribution of reactants and reduced mass transfer efficiency. Furthermore, inadequate heat transfer caused by improper internal arrangements can result in temperature gradients that negatively affect reaction rates. Overall, ineffective design compromises the reactor's intended function and can lead to lower yields or longer processing times.

Related terms

Baffles: Vertical plates installed inside a tank that help disrupt fluid flow patterns to enhance mixing and prevent vortex formation.

Impeller: A rotating device that stirs or pumps fluids within a tank, contributing to the mixing and circulation of the contents.

Mass Transfer: The movement of substances from one phase to another, crucial in chemical processes taking place within a tank.