Modeling of Mixing Bulk Materials

Based on the analysis of the mixing methods of bulk materials and mixer designs, the method of continuous mixing of bulk materials and the design of a spiral mixer for the implementation of the method is substantiated. The method involves the formation of a multi-layer flow of components in the desired ratio, with subsequent separation of the flow into portions of a small volume and mixing the components in a portion. After that, the mixing of portions of the finished mixture is carried out. The development of a new mixing method is due to the fact that known methods not providing a uniform distribution of components in the volume of the mixture are time-consuming and energy-intensive. Modeling different ways of mixing dragees has proved the effectiveness of the developed mixing method. Experiment has determined values of qualitative indicators of dragee mixes, in particular, the average contents of sweets of different colors of the mixture and the value of the heterogeneity of the mixture. Mixing of bulk materials in the developed way ensures uniform distribution of them in volume of mixture. Theoretical dependences are obtained for substantiation of rational structural and technological parameters of the equipment implementing the proposed method. It has been established that, in addition to improving the quality of the mixture, the developed method and the spiral mixer provide a reduction in the duration of the mixing process, do not cause damage to the components of the mixture and reduce the energy consumption for mixing process.