Dispersive Mixing in an Internal Mixer by a CFD-DEM Approach

This work deals with the numerical investigation of the breakup of filler aggregates in an internal mixer during a compounding operation. The work employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations together with discrete element method (DEM) simulations. CFD simulations are performed to compute the flow field and the typical shear stresses inside a 2D section of an internal mixer. DEM simulations are instead used to predict the mechanical response of the aggregates and to detect the critical viscous shear stress needed to induce breakup. Results provided detailed insights into the flow field characteristics and aggregate breakup dynamics.