At 5:16 PM 3/6/5, RC Macaulay wrote: [snip] >As we continue to test various parabolic shaped segments in our designs >for vacuum induction mixer feeding of products into process streams there >are certain shapes of 3450 rpm speed rotating members that produce >extremely " tight" vortexes in the clear plexiglas test tank. The vortex >forms at the bottom of the tank and extends up to the face of the >rotating member. Observing the vortex " hunt" around the rotating member, >it randomly " strikes" the member.. NEVER at the center but at the >discharge orifices on the periphery. This event occurs at around 20 sec. >intervals and is quite visible causing the entire unit with submersible >motor ( 2HP) to " jump" on its sliding mount. Entrained air in the water >is also sheared off the member. Beside the main vertical vortex created, >there are a host of free spinning " pups" released that are visible >(contain an air center) for a short duration that bounce off all four >walls in every direction horizontal to diagonal in orientation plus an >occasional glowing bubble ( may only be reflection on the bubble from the >light below the tank) [snip]
The vortex is the fluid which rotates. The thing striking the rotating member is the vortex core which is probably composed of near vacuum water vapor. The jump is probably caused by a sudden drop in pressure on the rotor combined with a rapid fluctuation in resistance to torque. You seem to be describing phenomena which would be expected from such a device. A clear description of the objectives of the design and the problems to be solved is needed. It appears the objective of the machine is to mix. Are there other objectives? How will you measure the performance achieved by the machine? It appears the problems to be solved are (1) cavitation erosion and (2) the jump caused when the vacuum core strikes the rotor. Regards, Horace Heffner
