Study of hydrodynamics and flow characteristics in a twin‐blade planetary mixer with non‐Newtonian fluids

Abstract

This study aims to characterize the hydrodynamics and flow characteristics in a twin‐blade planetary mixer with non‐Newtonian fluids by using CFD modeling technique. The kneading pressure was recorded using an experimental setup, and a CFD model was verified. The flow characteristics and hydrodynamics in the mixing vessel containing the power‐law fluids were analyzed quantitatively, particularly the influence of the flow behavior index n. Results revealed that as n increased from 0.25 to 1.75, the maximum shear rate decreased from 733 to 120 s−1 and the local apparent viscosity in the kneading regions increased significantly. The maximum kneading pressure and power consumption increased almost exponentially with increasing n. The correlation for the kneading pressure and the correlation for the power consumption were established by introducing the pressure‐oriented effective viscosity μe‐p, the pressure‐oriented effective shear rate trueγ̇e−p, the improved effective viscosity μei and the improved effective shear rate trueγ̇italicei.

Revealing Chaotic Advection Dynamics in the Chaotic Mixing of Non-Newtonian Fluids within a Stirred Tank Employing a Twisted-Punched Impeller

“…Stirred vessels are widely employed in the fields of various chemical engineering processes, and many chemical products could benefit from such devices. 1 As there is an increasing demand for greater mixing efficiency, further insights into flow characteristics, physical properties of fluids, the role of the impellers, and tank geometrical configurations are important foundations for optimizing performance effectiveness and efficiency. 2 Noting that mixing processes of a non-Newtoniantype liquid with high viscosity flow properties are employed in polymer, food, and biotechnology, satisfactory mixing requires tightly high torque and power consumption.…”

“…Stirred vessels are widely employed in the fields of various chemical engineering processes, and many chemical products could benefit from such devices . As there is an increasing demand for greater mixing efficiency, further insights into flow characteristics, physical properties of fluids, the role of the impellers, and tank geometrical configurations are important foundations for optimizing performance effectiveness and efficiency .…”