Novel optimization approach to mixing process intensification

Abstract

An approach was presented to intensify the mixing process. Firstly, a novel concept, the dissipation of mass transfer ability (DMA) associated with convective mass transfer, was defined via an analogy to the heat-work conversion. Accordingly, the focus on mass transfer enhancement can be shifted to seek the extremum of the DMA of the system. To this end, an optimization principle was proposed. A mathematical model was then developed to formulate the optimization into a variational problem. Subsequently, the intensification of the mixing process for a gas mixture in a micro-tube was provided to demonstrate the proposed principle. In the demonstration example, an optimized velocity field was obtained in which the mixing ability was improved, i.e., the mixing process should be intensified by adjusting the velocity field in related equipment. Therefore, a specific procedure was provided to produce a mixer with geometric irregularities associated with an ideal velocity.

Keywords

convective mass transfer / mass transfer ability / flow pattern optimization / calculus of variations / porous media model

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