Mixing Process of Binary Polymer Particles in Different Type of Mixers

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the mixing process offree flowing polymers binary mixts. at different densities and colors intwo different mixers, namely the bubbling fluidized bed and V-mixer.Themixing of solids was studied by analyzing the variation of the proportionsof the marked particles with time and position in the bed or in the mixer.The variation of mixt. compn. based on the samples was incorporated intoLacey mixing index which describes the degree of mixing of the particlesat particular time.The performance and the mixing behavior in these twomixers were also presented.Results showed that gas velocity and beddepth were important parameters influencing solids mixing in a bubblingfluidized bed.While the rotation speeds and filled up levels were provedas important parameters in influencing the solids mixing in V-mixer.Fromthe results, complete mixings were attained at a bed depth of 17 cm andgas velocity of 1.38Umf in the fluidized bed and 40 % filled up level and40 rpm in the V-mixer.From the energy consumption point of view, it wasfound that the fluidized bed mixer offers the most efficient andeconomical process compared to V-mixer.