The effect of interparticle cohesion on powder mixing in a ribbon mixer

The effect of interparticle cohesion on powder mixing in a ribbon mixer was studied by means of the discrete element method. It is shown that with an increase in the cohesion, the mixing rate and uniformity of mixing deteriorate, the coordination number increases indicating the loss of the ability of particles to be engaged in free flowing motion, and a majority of particles have a stronger tangential velocity allowing bulk angular motion of particles. Conversely, with a decrease in the cohesion, more particles have larger axial velocities, which will increase convective motion in the axial direction. When the cohesion is reduced, the number of particles having large radial stresses increases, and normal stress in the axial direction remains mostly unchanged. The ribbon mixer can mix cohesive particles in a wide range of the Bond numbers without causing large stresses.