DYNAMICS OF AGGLOMERATE SIZE DISTRIBUTION IN LINEAR SHEAR FLOW FIELDS

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Abstract
A dispersive mixing model was developed and analyzed for the case when separation of the fragments following rupture of agglomerates primarily determines the dynamics of the mixing process. The model incorporates the effects of van der Waals forces within agglomerates and hydrodynamic interactions between fragments as they are convected apart from each other by the applied shear field. The essential features of the model are illustrated by examining the effect of shear on the breakage of parent agglomerates and their first five generations of fragments for a particular test case. In addition, the dynamics of the agglomerate size distribution produced by linear shear flow fields in gaps of various aspect ratios was analyzed for two types of initial conditions. These results provide insight to the design of the high shear zones in actual mixing equipment.