Propeller Blades
Propeller Blades use a bladed propeller design, similar in geometry to a marine propeller impeller, to generate axial flow for bulk fluid movement and blending at lower shear. Norstone, Inc. supplies Propeller Blades through Blade Depot® in smaller diameters for laboratory mixing and larger diameters for production tanks. The design directs flow along the tank axis, producing thrust at the blade tip rather than the radial or perimeter shear generated by High Shear Impellers or Turbine Blades. Propeller Blades are available as standard products or as custom CNC-machined configurations.
Characteristics
Propeller Blades are defined by the following properties:
- Axial flow design. The bladed propeller geometry directs flow along the tank axis, producing thrust for bulk fluid movement rather than the radial or perimeter shear used by dispersing blade styles.
- Higher speed range. Propeller Blades are suited to higher rotational speeds than High Viscosity Blades, generating axial thrust at the blade tip.
- Low to medium viscosity fit. The design is effective in low to medium viscosity fluids, where axial flow rather than high shear is the primary requirement.
- Range of diameter options. Propeller Blades are available in smaller diameters for laboratory vessels through larger diameters for production-scale tanks.
- Material options. Propeller Blades are available in stainless steel or Polyblade® polymer construction where metal contamination is a concern.
Because Propeller Blades are generally selected for pumping and circulation rather than dispersion, they should be compared against High Shear Impellers or Turbine Blades where high shear dispersion is the process requirement.
When Propeller Blades Are Typically Selected
Propeller Blades are generally chosen for bulk blending and homogenization in low to medium viscosity fluids, and for solids suspension and blending applications requiring axial flow rather than high shear. Compared to Turbine Blades, which produce radial or mixed flow and higher shear for dispersing and emulsifying applications, Propeller Blades are selected when bulk circulation is the priority rather than dispersion. Compared to High Viscosity Blades, which operate at lower speeds for high viscosity mixing, Propeller Blades are selected for lower viscosity fluids at higher rotational speeds.
Applications
Propeller Blades support pumping and circulation applications across the following use cases:
- Bulk blending and homogenization in low to medium viscosity fluids
- Solids suspension and blending applications requiring axial flow rather than high shear
- Marine and industrial mixing applications using propeller impeller geometry for bulk fluid movement
- Laboratory to production-scale batch circulation where axial thrust, not dispersion, is the process requirement
Related Products
Propeller Blades are one of seven product lines under Blade Depot®. For high shear or high viscosity applications, see Turbine Blades or High Shear Impellers. For a polymer alternative where metal contamination is a concern, see Polyblade®.