CFD-DEM characterization and population balance modelling of a dispersive mixing process

This work investigates the breakup dynamics of solid agglomerates in a polymer compounding operation, by using computational fluid (CFD) simulations together with discrete element method (DEM) simulations. CFD are used to compute flow field and shear stress distribution inside 2D section typical internal mixer for compounding. DEM instead predict mechanical response detect critical viscous needed induce breakup. data distributions correlated first–time passage–statistics calibrate population balance model. The returned detailed insights into characteristics dispersive mixing kinetics. simulation strategy herein reported can be adapted study generic solid–liquid disperse flows which phase is found at core system behaviour.