IMPINGEMENT CASTING PROCESS: TURBULENT MIXING IN AN IMPINGEMENT MIXER

Theoretical analysis for turbulent mixing in an isotropic turbulent field was carried out. Depending on the material properties and flow field, either viscous shear force or dynamic pressure force breaks-up the globules. From an order of magnitude analysis, generalized equations for predicting globule sizes were derived. Experimental work on turbulent impingement mixing of kerosene and water revealed that macromixing and micromixing vary dramatically depending on the mixing chamber geometry. Best mixing (fast macromixing and small globule sizes) was obtained in an arrow shaped mixing chamber where the incoming jets were opposite to each other and slanted upward toward the mixing head. The coefficients of the equation for predicting the maximum globule size of immiscible liquids were obtained from the experimental results of arrow-shaped impingement mixers.