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Internal mixing: A practical investigation of the influence of intermeshing rotor configuration and operating variables on mixing characteristics and flow dynamics
Author(s) -
Freakley P. K.,
Patel S. R.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760271803
Subject(s) - materials science , rotor (electric) , mixing (physics) , mechanics , rheometer , flow (mathematics) , pressure sensor , rotational speed , mechanical engineering , composite material , engineering , physics , rheology , quantum mechanics
This paper deals with the measurement and interpretation of pressures and temperatures produced by the mixing of a rubber compound in the chamber of an internal mixer equipped with interlocking rotors. Pressure transducers and infrared/fiber optic temperature sensors were sited flush with the inner surface of the mixing chamber of a Francis Shaw KO Intermix of 2 L chamber volume. The variation of pressure with transducer position In the chamber wall and with rotor position was measured for selected fill factors and rotor speeds at “equilibrium” conditions (quasi‐static power requirement for the mixer) and at intervals during a complete mixing cycle. Two rotor designs were studied. Interpretation of the results was carried out with reference to biconical rotor rheometer measurements on the mixed rubber compounds and by reference to four regimes of viscoelastic behavior identified for two‐roll mill mixing. A basic flow analysis was carried out by use of the lubrication approximation in conjunction with an isothermal power‐law model.