Flow Pattern Evolution With Time Mixing of Non-Newtonian Fluid in a Stirred Tank Using Particle Image Velocimetry

This paper presents an experimental analysis of the evolution with time of the flow pattern in a stirred tank equipped with a rotor-stator mixer, when mixing a time dependent non-Newtonian fluid. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is used to determine 2D velocity maps. Polyacrylamide (PAAm) aqueous solution is used as model of time dependent shear thinning fluids. Creep compliance and recovery tests are performed to follow the evolution of the fluid rheology, from a viscoelastic behaviour to a purely viscous one. This indicates mixing has almost completely destroyed the initial network structure of the non-Newtonian fluid. The evolution of the flow pattern with the mixing time is compared with the flow patterns obtained in presence of Newtonian fluids as water and glycerol aqueous solution.