Three-dimensional computational analysis of fluted mixing devices

Mixing is a fundamental unit operation which is common to most polymer processing procedures. Mixing processes can be broadly characterized as falling into one of two classes: intensive and extensive mixing. Intensive (dispersive) mixing reduces the scale of dispersed phase by application of locally high stresses, while extensive (distributive) mixing is akin to blending and is related to cumulative strain history. Single screw mixing devices, now generally referred to as 'Maddock' mixers, are used to achieve both types of mixing. Optimizing machine design for either aspect requires detailed modelling previously unattainable by one- or two- dimensional techniques. This work presents an analysis based upon three-dimensional Finite Elements. (from paper.)