2D TIME AVERAGED FLOW MAPPING OF DIE ENTRY IN FLOW OF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED SHEAR-THINNING AND SHEAR-THICKENING SUSPENSIONS

Abstract

In this work a methodology for high-resolution time averaged 2D flow mapping (e.g. Takeda, 1999) of converging flows was explored. Flow of non-transparent, highly concentrated shear-thinning and shear-thickening suspensions was circulating through the entrance flow adapter with the adjustable position of the die entry. The entrance region was scanned with the distance resolution of 2.7 x 1 mm, radial to axial displacement respectively. Time averaged flow map was composed from 1D flow profiles measured along the ultrasonic sensor beam using Ultrasonic Pulsed Echo Doppler technique (UVP product of Met-Flow SA, e.g. Takeda 1986, 1991, 1995). Priory to die entry visualization an investigation of flow properties was performed using a novel in-line non-invasive measuring technique. The method is based on combination of the UVP velocity monitoring and pressure difference (PD) method (e.g