Agitating Nozzle for Jacketed Reactors
Data Sheet DS65-700-6
Good heating or cooling by
liquid flow in a jacketed reactor
is possible only when the circula-
tion of fluid is in the turbulent
range. With conventional jacket-
ed reactors, the Agitating Nozzle
has proven itself to be the most
efficient method for producing
such turbulence in the jacket.
How It Works
To produce turbulent flow in a
jacketed space requires either
a large flow capable of high
velocity from inlet to outlet, or
high entrance turbulence created
by sudden contraction or enlarge-
ment. The Agitating Nozzle meets
both conditions.
Projecting into the jacket space
(Figure 1), the simple hydraulic jet
gives a right-angle discharge. Its
efficiency is very high so that the
jet introduces a turbulent condi-
tion throughout the jacket.
Each nozzle is provided with an
integral impingement baffle. This
protects the vessel wall from
erosion and from undesirable
temperature differentials.
The nozzles are designed for long
service life under normal operat-
ing conditions. We do recom-
mend, as standard preventive
maintenance, that they be
inspected and cleaned every six
months. Any nozzles showing
undue wear should be replaced,
since they are relatively inexpen-
sive and are easy to install.
Operating Factors
The degree of turbulence and
volume of flow in a jacket
depend in part on the number
and size of Agitating Nozzles
used. This permits controlled
operation to meet a wide range
of application requirements.
Pfaudler has developed a com-
puter program that can be used
to optimize the number and size
of nozzles required for any speci-
fied application. Since the heat
transfer correlation used for
Tank
Jacket
Figure 1. Standard Nozzle Assembly
these nozzles is considered pro-
prietary information, Pfaudler or
GPS will provide data on jacket
film coefficients and pressure
drops for a given application
upon request.
Typical jacket film coefficients for
70 F water at various flow rates
and pressure drops for Pfaudler
vessels are shown in Table 1.
This table indicates the minimum
flow rate required to reach turbu-
lent flow. Data is also given for
jacket film coefficients at a pres-
sure drop of 20 psi.
Figure 2 shows the capacity of
various nozzle sizes. To determine
the total jacket pressure drop
using 70 F water, multiply by 1.25
the nozzle pressure drop obtained
from the graph.
Data Sheet DS65-700-6

Agitating Water at 70F

Vessel Designation Nozzles P = 20 psi
and Capacity (gal.) Minimum for Turbulence
Qty. Size (in.) P W h W h

P14: 5; 10 1 114 15 20 401 23 440

P20: 20; 30 1 114 15 20 516 23 566
P24: 50 1 114 17 21 548 23 577
P30: 100 1 114 12 18 535 23 631
E32: 50; 75; 100 2 112 4.0 30 592 68 1020
E40: 150; 200 2 112 3.5 28 574 68 1033
E48: 300; 500 2 112 8.9 45 338 68 448

RA and RS48: 300; 500 2 112 7.5 41 394 68 548

RA and RS60: 750; 1000 3 112 5.0 50 397 102 635
RA and RS78: 1500; 2000 3 112 6.0 55 350 102 526
RA and RS96: 3000; 4000 3 2 6.9 85 392 144 558
RA and RS102: 5000 4 2 8.5 125 347 192 459
RA and RS108: 6000 5 2 5.9 130 400 240 598
RA and RS120: 8000 6 2 5.4 150 414 288 637
RA and RS132: 10,000 4 3 4.0 198 241 448 520
RA and RS144: 12,500 5 3 5.4 290 346 560 535
RA and RS144: 15,000 6 3 4.3 310 338 672 569

RT14: 5; 10 1 114 15 20 529 23 580

RT20: 20; 30 1 114 15 20 554 23 607
RT24: 50 1 114 17 21 587 23 619
RT32: 50; 75; 100 2 112 4.0 30 592 68 1020
RT40: 150; 200 2 112 3.5 28 574 68 1033
RT48: 300; 500 2 112 8.9 45 794 68 1042

PPressure drop through jacket (psi) WTotal jacket flow rate (gpm) hJacket film coefficient (BTU/hr-ft2- F)
Table I Agitating Nozzle Data (for Pfaudler Vessels)
 Data Sheet DS65-700-6

Sample Calculations 55 gpm/3 = 18.3 gpm/nozzle. 20 psi/1.25 = 16 psi pressure

1. What is the pressure drop
through the jacket of an RA78-
2000 reactor equipped with
three 112 in. agitating nozzles,
and with 55 gpm of 70 F water
available?
120
From Figure 2, pressure drop drop per nozzle.
through a 112 in. nozzle at 18.3 From Figure 2, 16 psi requires
gpm = 4.8 psi. 34 gpm per nozzle.
Jacket pressure drop = 1.25 x Total required rate =
4.8 = 6 psi. 34 gpm x 3 = 102 gpm.
2. What water rate is required
for a 20 psi pressure drop in the
jacket of an RA78-2000 reactor
equipped with three 112 in.
agitating nozzles?

3 in. nozzle
100

2 in. nozzle
Water flow per nozzle (gpm)
80

11/2 in. nozzle

60

11/4 in. nozzle

40

1 in. nozzle
20

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Pressure drop through nozzle only (psi)

Figure 2. Capacity of Agitating Nozzles

Data Sheet DS65-700-6

Hook-Up Precautions For high-temperature applica- 6. See Figure 3 for recommended

1. Do not use Agitating Nozzles
as vapor inlets.
The resulting superheated
vapor is inefficient.
The high gas velocities erode
the tips, requiring frequent
nozzle replacement.
2. For liquid media, use Agitating
Nozzles suitable for the specified
temperature range.
Gray iron nozzles are suitable
to 450 F, cast steel nozzles up
to 650 F.
3. Use nozzles with Class 300
flanged connections for heating
media such as hot oil, Therminol,
Dowtherm, etc.
tions, we recommend use of
expansion joints to minimize
nozzle loading due to expan-
sion and contraction of piping.
4. Use the size and number of
Agitating Nozzles recommended
by Pfaudler for your application.
For standard Pfaudler vessels,
use Table 1 as a guide in
selecting suitable jacket water
flow rates.
5. Provide reliable temperature
control to prevent thermal shock
damage in glass-lined vessels
due to excessive temperature
differentials.
Vapor
inlet
Vent
hook-up connections.
Install nozzles so that flow
from all nozzles is in the same
direction.
Make sure nozzles in bottom
head jacket are positioned
properly. Otherwise, liquid
impinging on the jacket wall
may cause excessive erosion.
CAUTION: Provide a break in
the liquid overflow line to prevent
backflow through connections at
top of jacket.
This prevents possible thermal
stress failure in the glass when
using alternate vapor heating
and liquid cooling.
The use of check valves to
prevent liquid backflow has
proven to be unreliable.

(See detail at
right side) Liquid
Overflow

The information contained in this bulletin is believed

to be reliable general guidelines for consideration
of the products and services described herein.
The information is general in nature and should
not be considered applicable to any specific
process or application. Pfaudler, Inc. and Glasteel
Parts and Services expressly disclaim any war-
To pump ranty, expressed or implied, of fitness for any
or drain specific purpose in connection with the information
contained herein.

Auxiliary
connections
(provided on
larger vessels) 1000 West Avenue
Liquid inlets PO Box 23600
with agitating
nozzles
Rochester, NY 14692-3600
Jacket Drains Phone: 716 235 1000
(Hook-up to vapor Fax: 716 235 6393
trap if used) www.pfaudler.com

Agitating Nozzle

NOTE:
1. Arrow on casting shows
direction of flow.
FLOW

1999 Mt. Read Blvd.

2. Assemble to give clockwise PO Box 20857
liquid flow. Rochester, NY 14602
Phone: 716 235 1010
Use PTFE Fax: 716 235 7923
tape on
threads Copyright
Pfaudler, Inc. 2001
A Unit of Robbins & Myers, Inc.
Figure 3. Typical Jacket Connections All rights reserved.

6/01 1M Mech No. 65