Investigation of Continuous-Flow Mixing of Non-Newtonian Fluids through Advanced Flow Visualization Techniques (e.g. Tomography and Ultrasonic Velocimetry) and Computational Fluid Dynamics

通过先进的流动可视化技术（例如断层扫描和超声波测速）和计算流体动力学研究非牛顿流体的连续流动混合

• 批准号: RGPIN-2014-03957
• 负责人: EinMozaffari, Farhad
• 金额: $ 1.46万
• 依托单位: Ryerson University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=610747
• 关键词: Investigation; Continuous; Flow; Mixing; Non

The mixing of non-Newtonian fluids plays a significant role in chemical, biochemical, food, polymer, pulp and paper, cosmetic, wastewater treatment, and pharmaceutical industries. Previous studies have focused on the mixing of non-Newtonian fluids in the batch mode and little information is available regarding the continuous-flow mixing of these complex fluids. Continuous-flow mixing is prevalent in most of chemical and allied process industries because it provides high production rates, improves process control, and saves operation time and labor costs. The studies conducted in our research lab show that the complex rheology of non-Newtonian fluids creates non-ideal flows (e.g. channeling, recirculation, and dead zone) that significantly affect the efficiency of continuous-flow mixers. A comprehensive literature review reveals that our current understanding and implementation of continuous mixing of non-Newtonian fluids is insufficient to ensure good mixing. The current design of continuous mixing of non-Newtonian fluids is based on limited published information, and trial and error method. In fact, this issue has not been fully delineated yet and there is a clear need to explore this topic in more detail. Thus, our long term research program goal is to develop methodology and tools to design continuous mixing systems for fluids with complex rheology through advanced flow visualization techniques (e.g. tomography and ultrasonic velocimetry) and advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods. The work is of great importance to the chemical industry of Canada. Mixing is a critical unit operation and is not operating to its fullest potential. Failure to provide the necessary mixing may result in severe manufacturing problems ranging from costly corrections in the plant to complete failure of a process. The annual loss due to poor mixing is estimated at $10 billion in the North America chemical industry alone. The proposed experimental and modeling research program will improve our understanding of continuous mixing of non-Newtonian fluids and enable us to develop the reliable design criteria. Applying the findings of this study will improve variability reduction in the continuous mixing processes. This will lead to capital cost savings, chemical cost reduction, improved equipment design and selection, more reliable process monitoring and control, increased throughput for existing plant, improved quality of products, and more efficient use of power. Thus, the proposed research will contribute to the increased economic activity of the Canadian chemical industry, and will impact our society, quality of life, health and environment. It will also contribute to the education and training of highly qualified personnel (HQP) in the field of mixing technology, advanced flow visualization techniques, computational fluid dynamics, rheology, and dynamic modeling and identification.

非牛顿液的混合在化学，生化，食物，聚合物，纸浆和纸，化妆品，废水处理和制药行业中起着重要作用。先前的研究集中在批处理模式下非牛顿流体的混合，几乎没有有关这些复杂流体的连续流混合的信息。在大多数化学和相关工艺行业中，连续流混合都普遍存在，因为它提供了高生产率，改善过程控制并节省了运营时间和人工成本。在我们的研究实验室中进行的研究表明，非牛顿液的复杂流变学会产生非理想的流动（例如渠道，再循环和死区），从而显着影响连续流搅拌器的效率。全面的文献综述表明，我们目前对非牛顿流体连续混合的理解和实施不足以确保良好的混合。非牛顿流体连续混合的当前设计基于有限的发布信息和反复试验方法。实际上，此问题尚未完全描述，并且显然需要更详细地探讨该主题。因此，我们的长期研究计划的目标是开发方法和工具，以通过先进的流动可视化技术（例如，层析成像和超声速度计）和高级计算流体动力学（CFD）方法来设计具有复杂流动性流体的连续混合系统。这项工作对于加拿大的化学工业非常重要。混合是一个关键的单位操作，并且没有发挥最大的潜力。不提供必要的混合可能会导致严重的制造问题，从工厂的昂贵校正到完全失败。仅在北美化学工业中，由于混合不良而造成的年损失估计为100亿美元。提出的实验和建模研究计划将提高我们对非牛顿流体持续混合的理解，并使我们能够制定可靠的设计标准。应用这项研究的发现将改善连续混合过程的可变性。这将导致节省资本成本，降低化学成本，改进的设备设计和选择，更可靠的过程监控和控制，增加现有工厂的吞吐量，改进的产品质量以及更有效地使用功率。因此，拟议的研究将有助于加拿大化学工业的经济活动增加，并影响我们的社会，生活质量，健康和环境。它还将在混合技术，高级流动可视化技术，计算流体动力学，流变学以及动态建模和识别领域的高度合格人员（HQP）的教育和培训中做出贡献。