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Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol.34, No.15, 1224-1230, 1994
Flow-Field Analysis of a Cavity Transfer Mixer
The cavity transfer mixer (CTM) was primarily designed as a distributive mixing device to be used as an add-on unit to existing extruders. In determining the CTM overall mixing efficiency as well as its potential use for various applications, the flow patterns/characteristics within this mixer must be well understood. In this work, a fluid dynamics analysis package, FIDAP, based on the finite element method was employed to simulate the flow patterns in a CTM with 6 rows and 4 cavities per row. A 3D, isothermal flow analysis was carried out and the fluid of choice was a flexible polyvinylchloride whose rheological behavior is described by a power-law model fluid. The flow field was characterized in terms of velocity profiles, pressure distributions, shear rates/shear stresses generated and a parameter lambda quantifying the elongational flow components. The results of the flow simulations were compared with experimental data. The CTM potential use for dispersive mixing was discussed.
Keywords:BANBURY MIXER;HYDRODYNAMIC ANALYSIS