Study on Particle Dispersion Mechanism of Ribbon-Type Composite Impeller Based on CFD-DEM

For the solid-liquid mixing of hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene, which is a high-viscosity fluid with a viscosity of 3.5 Pa · s, and micron-sized silicon dioxide particles, this study employs the CFD-DEM numerical simulation method to analyze the solid-liquid mixing process of the ribbon-type composite impeller (RTC impeller). The stirring performance of the RTC impeller is investigated from perspectives including fluid flow field distribution and particle dispersion mechanism. The research results show that the main circulating flow generated by the RTC impeller generally exhibits a roughly symmetric distribution characteristic, and the flow pattern of the main circulating flow on both sides of the central structure is relatively balanced; however, there is a certain difference in the flow trend of the secondary circulating flow pattern on both sides of the central structure. The main circulating flow provides basic flow power for the secondary circulating flow, while the secondary circulating flow adjusts the local energy distribution through vortex motion. These two flows act synergistically to achieve an efficient solid-liquid mixing process.