Baffles
There is need for agitation in a fermentor for both aerobic and anaerobic operation. Liquids placed into cylindrical fermentation tanks containing centrally mounted agitators exhibit poor mixing characteristics if baffles are absent. Baffles reduce the time for reaching homogeniety. In other words, if a dye is poured into a region of the tank, it will be blended in less time when baffles are present. Their main drawback is the additional power required to operate the agitator. Baffles enable the impellers in the fermentation tank to deliver power to the fluid by preventing it from swirling.
The effects of baffles on agitation in a fermentor can best be seen in the accompanying figure below.
Agitation with and without baffles
email us at: farroj@rpi.edu or harrij3@rpi.edu
Last updated April 22, 1997