Optimization of rotor speed based on stretching, efficiency, and viscous heating in nonintermeshing internal batch mixer: Simulation and experimental verification

Abstract

Optimization of rotor speed based on stretching, efficiency, and viscous heating in nonintermeshing internal batch mixer has been investigated using polymer melt. A practical optimization technique was followed for optimization. Four different rotor speeds were used and characterized numerically with viscous dissipation and stretching. The heat distribution between rotor edge and mixer wall was calculated. Stretching experienced by the fluid was analyzed and the result was verified experimentally using particle tracking method. Exponential increase of energy dissipation between the rotor edge and the barrel at higher speed highlighted the importance of choosing the thermal properties of the polymer to avoid thermal degradation.

3D numerical investigations of the effect of fill factor on dispersive and distributive mixing of rubber under non‐isothermal conditions

“…Several experimental and numerical studies have been conducted previously to determine mixing quality and efficiency. Experimentally, techniques such as, optical microscopy, electrical resistivity, optical profilometry, and electron microscopy have been used in the past . For instance, previously, The mixing quality also depends upon operating condition and material properties, which was experimentally investigated by Cotten et al .…”

“…Collin et al investigated the effect of different initial pellet size on dispersive mixing both experimentally and numerically. More recently, the effect of rotor speed on stretching, efficiency and viscous heating for mixing of a polymer melt was experimentally studied by Salahudeen et al . They used an internal batch mixer to obtain experimental results and then compared them to numerical simulations.…”

3D Numerical Simulation of Reactive Extrusion Processes for Preparing PP/TiO2 Nanocomposites in a Corotating Twin Screw Extruder

“…As polymer mixing equipment, the mechanism of melt flow and mixing is very complex. With the development of the computational method, more and more researchers are studying the isothermal or non-isothermal flow mechanisms in TSEs by means of numerical simulation [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Recently, Zhang et al [ 11 ] analyzed the mixing of generalized Newtonian fluid in kneading zones of a TSE using finite element method (FEM) and experiment.…”

Fluid transportation and heat transfer analysis of PP/TiO2 nanocomposites in an internal mixer

“…The temperature distribution and the heat transfer between polymer melt and mixer wall were obtained. Salahudeen et al 15 optimized the rotor speed according to stretching, efficiency, and viscous heating in an internal mixer with Cam rotor using 2D finite element modeling. The temparature rise between the Cam rotor edge and mixer wall was analyzed.…”