Mixing Mechanism and Evaluation of the Dispersion Effect of a 3D Dynamic Mixer

Abstract

For homogeneous mixing of a polymer melt and micro/nano-inorganic particles, the researchers in our group developed a three-dimensional dynamic mixer with comprehensive effects of dispersion and distribution. To evaluate the distributive mixing effect, the expressions of diversion number and mixing degree were deduced according to the structure parameters of the mixer. To further investigate the diversion state of the melt and its velocity field in the mixer, this process was simulated with computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) software. In a pilot study, the working curves of the mixer were plotted according to the actual running state. Among other things, the pressure drop before and after mixing is discussed. This is helpful for formulating an extensional flow field and relevant to the dispersive mixing effect. Through laboratory and industrialized scale experiments it was determined with either very high or very low additions of inorganic particles, that the mixer can provide uniform and ultrafine dispersions.

Refractive Index-Matched PIV Experiments and CFD Simulations of Mixing in a Complex Dynamic Geometry

“…5 A dynamic mixer was developed by Jiang et al to homogeneously mix micro/nano-inorganic particles in polymer melts. 6 It is able to deal with a wide range of particle concentrations in their industrial applications. 6 A CTM usually consists of two parts, a rotor and a stator.…”

“…6 It is able to deal with a wide range of particle concentrations in their industrial applications. 6 A CTM usually consists of two parts, a rotor and a stator. Each part has multiple rows of hemispherical cavities, as shown in Figure 1.…”

“…The CTM was invented in the 1980s by Gale at Rapra Technology Limited to improve distributive mixing of high-viscosity fluids, and it is usually applied as an add-on unit for extruders . A dynamic mixer was developed by Jiang et al to homogeneously mix micro/nanoinorganic particles in polymer melts . It is able to deal with a wide range of particle concentrations in their industrial applications .…”

Mixing process of two miscible fluids in a lid-driven cavity

“…Dynamic mixers for blending polymers are commonly used in chemical, plastic and rubber industries [1][2]. Over the last decades, only few works about dynamic mixers can be found in the literature.…”