DEM simulation for optimal design of powder mixing in a ribbon mixer

A ribbon mixer is often employed in powder mixing in a wide range of engineering fields. The structure of the ribbon mixer is extremely complicated. This structure makes it difficult to understand the mixing mechanism by experimental approaches due to problems related to accurate sampling. At present, the mixing mechanism in the ribbon mixer is empirically identified as convection, despite a lack of precise assessment. Additionally, experimental investigations to find the optimal design of the ribbon mixer have not been sufficiently conducted because of its prohibitive cost. As such, there is a lack of sufficient discussion concerning the design for better mixing in the ribbon mixer. Numerical technologies represent a promising approach for solving the aforementioned problems. Significant improvements in computer hardware have enabled numerical models such as the discrete element method (DEM) to be positively employed in powder mixing. In the current study, an identification approach is developed for convective mixing, and besides, the study explores an effective parameter for better mixing in the ribbon mixer using the DEM. A swept volume measurement approach due to paddle movement is newly developed to identify the main mixing mechanism as convection. Sensitivity analyses are performed to find an effective parameter for better mixing. Through the sensitive analyses, the blade width is indicated as an important factor for achieving better mixing. Moreover, this study shows that the relationship between the swept volume and mixing index remains, even if the paddle width changes. Thus, the swept volume measurement method is revealed as useful for identifying the mechanism as convection in the ribbon mixer. Thus, not only novel finding regarding the blade width for better mixing but also the development of an approach for identifying convective mixing in the ribbon mixer is presented herein. Incidentally, convection being the dominant mechanism is consistent with the novel finding regarding blade width achieving better mixing.     

A review of processing techniques for graphene-reinforced metal matrix composites

In the quest to enhance reinforcement efficiency of graphene in metal matrices, various processing techniques have been devised over recent years. As the advancement in this field nowhere seems to slow down, the processing aspects of graphene-reinforced metal matrix composites are becoming more relevant than ever. In that premise, there lies an imminent need for a critical assessment of existing fabrication routes and their ability to extend a solution for the primary challenges of agglomeration, dispersion, interfacial interaction and structural integrity of graphene in metal matrix composites. This review presents a brief yet a meaningful insight to the processing techniques for graphene-reinforced metal matrix composites, while highlighting the key findings from individual studies, thereby expressing the primitive challenges and strengthens of these techniques. A critical evaluation of state of the art is presented alongside an inclusive review of improvement in mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of composites fabricated by various processing routes. In the consideration of reviewed literature, it is established that a comprehensive processing strategy with a potential to simultaneously address all of the key processing challenges of graphene, is yet to nurture. Conclusively, future road map and a potential solution encompassing hybrid processing strategies, is opined.     

On the processing properties and friction behaviours during compaction of powder mixtures

ABSTRACT

Iron-based powder mixtures were prepared by dry and wet mixing method. The friction properties during compaction were tested by measuring the internal and external friction coefficient. The test results showed that the wet mixing process could realise the homogeneity of lubricant and improve the processing properties of the powder mixtures. With 0.6 wt-% lubricants, wet mixing powder mixtures have a flow rate of 29.6 s/50?g, an apparent density of 3.18?g?cm^–3, a repose angle of 35.5°, and the friction coefficient during the compaction is 0.223. An equation to calculate the total (both internal and external) friction forces during the compaction process is proposed, and then the factors influencing the friction coefficient during compaction were quantitatively analysed.     

Preparation of nitinol by non-conventional powder metallurgy techniques

The aim of the present paper was to compare the evolution of Ni–Ti intermetallics in two non-conventional production techniques for the synthesis of NiTi shape memory alloy. Short term ultrahigh energy mechanical alloying is proposed to be able to describe the early stages of the milling process, which was not described in the literature previously, and to obtain intermetallics in shorter process durations. The reactive sintering using high heating rate (>300°C?min^??1) is a process designed to suppress the formation of secondary intermetallics and to reduce the porosity of the product. The same phases' formation sequence was determined for both processes. The detrimental Ti₂Ni phase forms preferentially, and therefore, its presence cannot be avoided in any of the investigated techniques.     

Preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline Nd-YAG powder

Nanocrystalline materials have assumed notable importance in a wide variety of fields owing to numerous possible applications offered by them. These include transparent ceramics wherein they facilitate synthesis as well as sintering at significantly lower temperatures. We report preparation of nanocrystalline neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) with an ultimate intent to make transparent Nd-YAG ceramic. The Liquid Mix method employed involves mixing of metal nitrates with excess amounts of citric acid followed by dissolution and polymerization in ethylene glycol to form complex chelates. Amorphous powder obtained by firing of polymeric chelate compound at 400 °C permits formation of nanoparticles of Nd:YAG at as low a crystallization temperature as 920 °C as shown by the thermal analysis. Progressive evolution of well crystallized phase-pure YAG was studied by XRD of amorphous powders subjected to different calcination temperatures. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study of the crystalline material shows that particle size ranges between 50 and 100 nm.     

Explosion risk evaluation during production of coating powder

Powder coating is widely used in industry to prevent equipment corrosion. More than 600 companies produce coating powder in China, but most do not understand the explosion hazard of such products. In the present investigation the explosibility parameters of a coating powder were determined. Results showed that the coating powder is explosible, though the ignition energy is higher than those of normal dusts such as coal powder and corn starch. Based on these experimental findings, a systematic explosion protection method is proposed, with explosion isolation and explosion venting being adopted as the main protective methods.     

A review of co-milling techniques for the production of high dose dry powder inhaler formulation

Drug delivery by inhalation offers several advantages compared to other dosage forms, including rapid clinical onset, high bioavailability, and minimal systemic side effects. Drug delivery to the lung can be achieved as liquid suspensions or solutions in nebulizers and pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDI), or as dry powders in dry powder inhalers (DPIs). Compared to other delivery systems, DPIs are, in many cases, considered the most convenient as they are breath actuated and do not require the use of propellants. Currently, the delivery of low drug doses for the treatment of lung conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are well established, with numerous commercial products available on the market. The delivery of low doses can be achieved from either standard carrier- or aggregate-based formulations, which are unsuitable in the delivery of high doses due to particle segregation associated with carrier active site saturation and the cohesiveness of micronized aggregates which have poor flow and de-agglomeration properties. High-dose delivery is required for the treatment of lung infection (i.e. antibiotics) and in the emerging application of drug delivery for the management of systemic conditions (i.e. diabetes). Therefore, there is a demand for new methods for production of high-dose dry powder formulations. This paper presents a review of co-mill processing, for the production of high-efficiency inhalation therapies, including the jet mill, mechanofusion, or ball mill methodologies. We investigate the different techniques, additives, and drugs studied, and impact on performance in DPI systems.     

A review on the light extraction techniques in organic electroluminescent devices

Organic electroluminescent devices are becoming increasingly important because of their potential applications for large area flat-panel displays and general lighting. The internal quantum efficiency of these devices have been achieved near 100% using electro-phosphorescent materials with proper management of singlet and triplet excitons, however, the external quantum efficiency of conventional devices remains near 20% because of losses due to wave-guiding effect. Recently, there has been great progress to enhance the light out-coupling efficiency of organic electroluminescent devices by means of various internal and external device modification techniques. In this review we report recent advances in light out-coupling techniques, such as, substrate modification methods, use of scattering medium, micro-lens arrays, micro-cavity effect, photonic crystals and nano-cavity, nano-particles, nano-structures and surface plasmon-enhanced techniques that have been implemented to enhance the external extraction efficiency of organic electro-luminescent devices.     

Investigating the effects of excipients on the powder flow characteristics of theophylline anhydrous powder formulations

Pharmaceutical excipients may have a great effect on properties affecting tablet production. To determine if formulations containing theophylline anhydrous would have properties allowing them to be easily tableted, functional parameters affecting powder flow were evaluated. The Carr Flowability Indices were used for this evaluation. Formulations to be studied include theophylline anhydrous as the active ingredient, hydrous lactose and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate as diluents, polyvinylpyrrolidone as a binder, and fumed silica as a flow promoter. The effect of each component on powder flow is discussed.     

A density-dependent endochronic plasticity for powder compaction processes

This paper is concerned with the numerical modeling of powder cold compaction process using a density-dependent endochronic plasticity model. Endochronic plasticity theory is developed based on a large strain plasticity to describe the nonlinear behavior of powder material. The elastic response is stated in terms of hypoelastic model and endochronic plasticity constitutive equations are stated in unrotated frame of reference. A trivially incrementally objective integration scheme for rate constitutive equations is established. Algorithmic modulus consistent with numerical integration algorithm of constitutive equations is extracted. It is shown how the endochronic plasticity describes the behavior of powder material from the initial stage of compaction to final stage, in which material behaves as solid metals. It is also shown that some commonly used plasticity models for powder material can be derived as special cases of the proposed endochronic theory. Finally, the numerical schemes are examined for efficiency in the modeling of a plain bush, a rotational-flanged and a shaped tablet powder compaction component.     

A system for powder transport based on piezoelectrically excited ultrasonic progressive waves

The transport and dosage of granular materials are an important part of Process Engineering. Thereby, the food, chemical, pharmaceutical and coating industries set high demands on the transport and dosage performances of the used plants. In this context, Ultrasound Process Technology in the past years has developed itself into an attractive alternative compared to presently used classical technologies.

This paper describes the application of ultrasonic progressive waves in a powder-feeding device. The use of a specific pipe material with appropriate damping characteristics allows to generate a progressive wave using a single piezoelectric actuator. Small objects can be carried along the surface of a pipe by the elliptic motion at the surface, which is the result of a flexural progressive wave. The operational principle is the same as in travelling wave ultrasonic motors.

It was experimentally confirmed that the device can be used for feeding and supplying small amounts of powder. The powder-fed performance, however, strongly depends on environmental conditions, so that a control of the system is required. Construction and characteristics of a trial device are shown.     

Binder jetting of well-controlled powder agglomerates for breakage studies

Based on the similarity between the solidification process of the Additive Manufacturing (AM) binder jetting technique and wet granulation mechanisms, binder jetting is used to print powder granules with controlled geometry and strength. Powder granules with different strengths were achieved by changing the printing parameters, including the layer thickness and saturation level. The printed powder granules were then characterised for their structural properties such as their porosity and printing accuracy. Different parameter settings were found to have a significant influence on surface roughness. The strength of powder granules was improved by increasing the print saturation level, without compromising the printed geometry. A breakage study was carried out by compression tests of granules printed with different shapes and strengths. The relationship between print setting, structure and strength was established and discussed. This study demonstrates that AM powder granules with designed shapes and well-controlled strengths may act as ideal calibration particles for a range of industrial applications.     

A study of gas and solid mixing behaviors in a three partitioned fluidized bed

A previously unknown partitioned fluidized bed gasifier (PtFBG) has been developed for improving coal gasification performance. The basic concept of the PtFBG is a fluidized bed divided into two parts, a gasifier and a combustor, by a partitioned wall. Char is burnt in the combustor and the generated heat is supplied to the gasifier along with the bed materials. During that time, highly concentrated CO₂ is inevitably generated in the combustor. Therefore, vigorous solid mixing is an essential precondition as well as minimizing horizontal gas mixing. In this study, gas and solid mixing behaviors were verified in a cold model three partitioned fluidized bed (3-PtFB). Glass beads with an average diameter of 150 μm and a particle density of 2500 kg/m³ were used as bed materials. For the gas mixing experiments, CO₂ and N₂ were introduced into the beds through each distributor. Then, outlet gas flow rates and concentrations were measured by gas flow meters and an IR gas analyzer respectively. The calculated gas exchange ratios ranged from 3% to 10% with varying gas flow rates. For the solid mixing experiments, 1000 μm polypropylene particles with a density of 883 kg/m³ were continuously fed into the reactor. Then, the polypropylene particles were distributed to the entire beds evenly. Solid mixing behaviors were very analogous to liquid mixing behaviors in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR).     

现场混装乳化炸药静态敏化器混合特性研究

为了研究现场混装乳化炸药静态敏化器的混合特性以及安全性,釆用数值模拟和试验相结合的方法,分析了设计的静态敏化器的混合机理、参数变化对混合流场特性的影响规律以及其混合安全性,对比分析了两种混合单元组合方式下乳化基质与敏化剂的混合效果。研究表明:两种不同结构的混合单元能起到让乳化基质与敏化剂初步混合和强化混合的作用;当乳化基质、敏化剂混合流流经静态混合单元时,压力值在乳化基质管路安全泵送的压力范围内,应用安全;在两个缩径混合单元中间加一个网状结构混合单元组成的静态敏化器具有良好的混合敏化效果。     

Estimation of mixing parameters for cancellation of discretized eddy current signals using time and frequency domain techniques

In this paper, we present two methods for estimating the mixing parameters used in scaling, rotating, and time shifting discrete time eddy current impedance plane trajectories in order to suppress unwanted support plate signals. One method operates directly on the time signals. The other method operates on the frequency domain representation of these signals and consequently is computationally more involved. Both methods require the minimization of a functional which measures the energy difference between the horizontal and vertical components of the high and low frequency data. Three illustrative examples are presented, and it is shown that the use of the frequency domain method is justified if the data are corrupted with random noise as well as with unknown multisample time shifts.     

A new method for evaluating powder flowability using constant-volume shear tester,

This is an article translated from the original version published in the Journal of the Society of Powder Technology, Japan. A new method for evaluating powder flowability is developed using a constant-volume shear tester; this tester measures the upper and lower normal stresses and the shear stress acting on a powder bed. A single shear test provides a series of characteristics, such as the powder yield locus (PYL), consolidation yield locus (CYL), critical state line (CSL), shear cohesion, stress relaxation ratio, stress transmission ratio, and void fraction. The values of shear stress as a function of the normal stress and void fraction are visualized in three-dimensional diagrams. Furthermore, powder flowability is evaluated using a flow function obtained from the PYL.     

Material processing of hydroxyapatite and titanium alloy (HA/Ti) composite as implant materials using powder metallurgy: A review

The bio-active and biodegradable properties of hydroxyapatite (HA) make this material a preferred candidate for implants such as bone replacement in replacing natural tissues damaged by diseases and accidents. However, the low mechanical strength of HA hinders its application. Combining HA with a biocompatible material with a higher mechanical strength, such as a titanium (Ti) alloy, to form a composite has been of interest to researchers. A HA/Ti composite would possess characteristics essential to modern implant materials, such as bio-inertness, a low Young’s modulus, and high biocompatibility. However, there are issues in the material processing, such as the rheological behavior, stress-shielding, diffusion mechanism and compatibility between the two phases. This paper reviews the HA and Ti alloy interactions under various conditions, in vitro and in vivo tests for HA/Ti composites, and common powder metallurgy processes for HA/Ti composites (e.g., pressing and sintering, isostatic pressing, plasma spraying, and metal injection molding).     

Vibroacoustic monitoring of the homogeneity and workability of concrete mixes by their hydromechanical state in the process of mixing

The method of monitoring of the homogeneity and determination of the workability index of a concrete mix from the level of vibroacoustic vibrations excited in the mixer in mixing of concrete has been described. The vibration-level values dependent on the hydromechanical state of a concrete mix and its rheological characteristics in the process of mixing and formation of its vibroacoustic image have been measured at the check point of the lining of the concrete mixer and have mathematically been processed. Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 82, No. 2, pp. 342–347, March–April, 2009.     

Evaluation of various digestion procedures for trace element contents of some food materials

The levels of trace elements in different types of food material consumed in Turkey were determined by flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Food samples were digested with dry ashing, wet ashing and microwave digestion procedures in this study. The microwave digestion procedure was chosen for the digestion of all the food samples because it required shorter time and made higher recovery (specially for Se). Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Al and Se were determined by flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively. Relative standard deviations (RSD) were found below 10%. The accuracy of the procedure was confirmed by certified reference materials. Moreover, this procedure was easier to use when compared with dry and wet digestions.