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Periodic section modeling of convective continuous powder mixing processes
Author(s) -
Gao Yijie,
Ierapetritou Marianthi,
Muzzio Fernando
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.12563
Subject(s) - mixing (physics) , residence time distribution , homogeneity (statistics) , convective mixing , continuous flow , convection , mechanics , process (computing) , discrete element method , flow (mathematics) , materials science , mathematics , computer science , physics , statistics , quantum mechanics , operating system
This study aims to develop a general model of the convective continuous mixing process. The main idea is that continuous mixing can be considered as a combination of powder flow and mixing processes. Although powder flow is characterized by the residence time distribution (RTD), powder mixing can be described by a batch mixing process simulated in one periodic section of the continuous mixer. By characterizing the two processes separately, we can calculate the number of sections required to achieve certain homogeneity. In this study, continuous mixing is simulated using the discrete element method, and segregating and non‐segregating mixing cases are tested to investigate the applicability of the model. Results show satisfactory predictions by the model, which is able to characterize the continuous mixing performance of both mixing cases. On the basis of this study, we were also able to suggest a novel method in design and control of continuous powder mixing systems. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J , 2012