Turbine Blades
Turbine Blades, supplied through Blade Depot®, a division of Norstone, Inc., provide radial and axial flow patterns for mixing, blending, and gas dispersion applications. Norstone, Inc. supplies Turbine Blades in three primary configurations: Rushton turbine impellers, with flat, disc-mounted blades for radial flow; pitched blade turbines, with angled blades for axial flow; and flat blade turbines, non-disc mounted, also generating radial flow. Blade Depot® turbine impellers are available in multiple materials and mounting configurations to fit existing shaft and tank geometries, positioning Turbine Blades as a higher shear alternative to Propeller Blades and High Vane Impellers within the Blade Depot® line.
Because Turbine Blades cover three distinct flow patterns under a single product category, selecting the correct configuration is a more involved decision than selecting most other Blade Depot® product lines, which generally offer one flow pattern per blade style. The correct configuration depends on whether the process requires gas dispersion, solids suspension, or axial tank turnover, and on the tank geometry and mounting configuration already in place.
Characteristics
Turbine Blades are defined by the following properties:
- Three configuration options. Rushton turbine, pitched blade turbine, and flat blade turbine configurations each produce a different flow pattern within the same general blade category.
- Radial and axial flow patterns. Rushton and flat blade turbines generate radial flow, while pitched blade turbines generate axial flow, distinguishing Turbine Blades from the single flow pattern used by Propeller Blades or High Vane Impellers.
- Material options. Turbine Blades are available in stainless steel, Norblade® metal alloys, and Polyblade® polymer construction, matching the material range available across other Blade Depot® product lines.
- Mounting configuration options. Set screw, welded hub, and split hub mounting configurations are available to fit existing shaft geometries.
- Blade count options. Four blade and six blade configurations are available, depending on the flow pattern and shear requirement of the process.
- Disc-mounted and non-disc-mounted options. Rushton turbines mount blades to a central disc, while flat blade turbines mount directly to the hub without a disc, a distinction relevant to gas handling and shear profile.
Because Turbine Blades span three distinct flow patterns within one product line, confirming which configuration fits the process is a necessary first step before treating Turbine Blades as a single, interchangeable product.
When Turbine Blades Are Typically Selected
Turbine Blades are generally chosen where gas dispersion, gas-liquid mixing, solids suspension, or uniform tank turnover is required, with the specific configuration selected based on the flow pattern needed. Rushton turbine impellers are selected for gas dispersion and gas-liquid mixing, where the disc-mounted design helps break up gas bubbles introduced below the impeller. Flat blade turbines are selected for solids suspension and blending in low to medium viscosity fluids, where the non-disc design supports direct radial movement of suspended solids. Pitched blade turbines are selected for axial flow applications requiring uniform tank turnover, particularly in taller vessels where top-to-bottom circulation is a priority.
Compared to Propeller Blades, which generate axial flow at lower shear for bulk circulation, Turbine Blades are selected when the process requires more shear than propeller-style circulation provides. Compared to High Vane Impellers, which are built for minimal shear at high volume, Turbine Blades are selected when the process calls for a defined shear zone rather than gentle, high volume movement across the entire batch.
Applications
Turbine Blades support mixing and dispersing applications across the following use cases:
- Gas dispersion and gas-liquid mixing using Rushton turbine configurations
- Solids suspension and blending in low to medium viscosity fluids using flat blade turbine configurations
- Axial flow applications requiring uniform tank turnover using pitched blade turbine configurations
- Combined tank agitation setups pairing Turbine Blades with mixing impellers and dispersing impellers within the same shaft assembly
- Multi-impeller shaft configurations in taller tanks, where a turbine stage is paired with a second impeller type to address both shear and circulation
Related Products
Turbine Blades are one of seven product lines under Blade Depot®. For lower shear bulk circulation, see Propeller Blades. For minimal shear, high volume mixing, see High Vane Impellers. For high shear dispersion of solids into a liquid carrier, see High Shear Impellers.