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Mixing Studies Related to the Cleaning of Molten Aluminium
Author(s) -
Kimata M.,
Nayan N.,
Bujalski W.,
Nienow Alvin W.,
Song J.L.,
Jolly M.R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.200401982
Subject(s) - impeller , mixing (physics) , entrainment (biomusicology) , particle image velocimetry , aluminium , materials science , agitator , metallurgy , mechanics , dissipation , chlorine , chemistry , thermodynamics , physics , acoustics , turbulence , quantum mechanics , rhythm
Molten aluminium is traditionally “cleaned” by a chlorine‐based fluxing gas. This gas also has to provide the motive power for mixing. Recently, mechanical agitation with solid fluxes has been considered as a replacement for environmental reasons. Here, these two methods of mixing are compared using particle image velocimetry (PIV), decolourisation for homogenisation and power measurement for comparison of efficiencies. A geometrically scaled‐down vessel was used, with air to mimic “chlorine” fluxing and with water as the working fluid. At equivalent mean specific energy dissipation rates, $ \bar \varepsilon $ T , maximum velocities are higher and mixing times are shorter with an impeller. This improved performance is achieved with the impeller without causing surface gas entrainment, the latter being detrimental to fluxing.