Influence of crosswise non-homogeneity of particulate flow on residence time distribution in a continuous mixer

V. Mizonov (1) , Henri Berthiaux (2) , Cendrine Gatumel (2) , E. Barantseva (1) , Y. Khokhlova (1)

1 Department of Applied Mathematics (Ivanovo, Russie)
2 RAPSODEE - Centre de recherche d'Albi en génie des procédés des solides divisés, de l'énergie et de l'environnement

The objective of the study is to develop a mathematical model of continuous mixing of granular materials, which takes into account the crosswise non-homogeneity of particulate flow inside a mixer. The target function of modeling is the residence time distribution of a tracer injected into the inflow. The model is built on the basis of the theory of Markov chains. The working space of a mixer is presented as a 2D array of perfectly mixed cells, through which the tracer travels according to the matrix of transition probabilities. The model covers the tendency of the tracer to upward/downward segregation. Finally, for a given flow pattern, the model allows calculating the RTD curves for various throughputs and for various properties of an imperfect tracer.

Mots clés: Mixing; Markov chain; Flow pattern; Tracer; Residence time distribution

Domaines: Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]

V. Mizonov, Henri Berthiaux, Cendrine Gatumel, E. Barantseva, Y. Khokhlova. Influence of crosswise non-homogeneity of particulate flow on residence time distribution in a continuous mixer. Powder Technology, 2009, 190 (1-2), pp.6-9. ⟨10.1016/j.powtec.2008.04.052⟩. ⟨hal-01649519⟩