Finite‐element simulation of mixing: 1. Two‐dimensional flow in periodic geometry

Complex mixing flows and mixing parameters are calculated to evaluate mixing quality on the basis of kinematic parameters together with a statistical analysis. The results allow for a comparative evaluation in terms of geometry and flow parameters. The evaluation is limited to two‐dimensional flows with moving boundaries in periodic motion such as the flow in the cross section of a twin‐cam mixer. The finite‐element calculation requires a remeshing procedure for every time step with special techniques to upgrade mixing variables from one time step to the next. The relative mixing quality of single cam and co: or counterrotating cam devices are compared by evaluating segregation scale, length stretch, and efficiency. The numerical results exhibit a good correspondence with their experimental counterpart.