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Determination of mixing time by colourimetric diagnosis—Application to a new mixing system

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Abstract

A method for determining mixing times in a transparent stirred vessel for highly viscous fluids has been developed. The method involves a chemical decolourization with two acid-base indicators and a colourimetric diagnosis of digital images, deduced from a video captured during the mixing process. The advantages of the method developed are:(1) there is no disturbance of the fluid flow, and (2) measuring and determination of the degree of homogeneity is relatively effortless and cheap since it requires only a standard colour camera and commercial software for digital image analysis. This paper describes protocols for carrying this method out. In addition, examples of experimental results obtained for a standard impeller (of the helical ribbon agitator type) and a new piece of mixing equipment are given and discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Food Process Engineering Laboratory, INRA–LGPTA, 369 Rue Jules Guesde, B.P. 39, 59651 , Villeneuve d’ascq Cedex, France

    G. Delaplace

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  1. G. Delaplace
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  2. L. Bouvier
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  3. A. Moreau
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  4. R. Guérin
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  5. J-C Leuliet
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Correspondence to G. Delaplace.

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Delaplace, G., Bouvier, L., Moreau, A. et al. Determination of mixing time by colourimetric diagnosis—Application to a new mixing system. Exp Fluids 36, 437–443 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-003-0741-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-003-0741-7

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