Students are able to understand the basic principles of mixing technology and apply them in designing mixing systems for various industrial applications.

• Apply the concepts of mass balance, momentum and energy, chemical engineering thermodynamics, displacement and process units, and chemical reactions in mixing processes.
• Design and develop components of process units and mixing process systems, considering engineering, economic, energy, environmental, and sustainability aspects.

• Definition of Mixing

  • Introduction to the concept of mixing in industrial processes
  • Importance of mixing in various applications (chemical, pharmaceutical, food, etc.)

• Basic Principles and Concepts of Mixing

  • Overview of key principles in mixing: velocity, turbulence, and mass transfer
  • Basic concepts such as homogeneity, energy input, and process efficiency

• Mixing Mechanisms

  • Understanding the forces and processes involved in mixing
  • Mechanisms of flow, shear, diffusion, and dispersion during mixing

• Mixing Thermodynamics

  • Thermodynamic principles relevant to mixing processes
  • Energy consumption and heat effects during mixing

• Mixing Fluid Flow

  • Types of fluid flow in mixing: laminar vs turbulent
  • Understanding the impact of flow patterns on mixing efficiency

• Friction in Mixing

  • Role of friction in energy dissipation during mixing
  • Methods to reduce friction for better mixing performance

• Types of Mixing

  • Gas-Liquid Mixing: Techniques for effective gas dispersion in liquids
  • Liquid-Liquid Mixing: Mixing of immiscible liquids (e.g., emulsification)
  • Liquid-Solid Mixing: Mixing of liquids with solids (e.g., slurry formation)
  • Suspension Mixing: Keeping solid particles suspended in liquids
  • Emulsification: Formation and stabilization of emulsions

• Mixing Techniques

  • Agitation: Mechanical stirring to enhance mixing
  • Blending: Combining different materials to achieve uniformity
  • Particle Size Reduction: Methods to decrease particle size for better mixing
  • Shear Mixing: Using shear forces for effective mixing

• Mixing Equipment (Batch and Continuous)

  • Overview of batch and continuous mixers
  • Types of mixers: turbine, ribbon, paddle, and others
  • Drainage-type mixers and their applications

• Mixing Monitoring and Control

  • Techniques for monitoring mixing efficiency and consistency
  • Control strategies for optimizing mixing performance (e.g., flow, speed, temperature)

• Examples of Blending in the Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic, and Food Industries

  • Application of mixing and blending technologies in various industries
  • Case studies on blending processes in pharmaceuticals (e.g., tablet production), food (e.g., homogenization), cosmetics (e.g., emulsions), and chemicals (e.g., polymerization)

1. Paul, Edward L., Atiemo-Obeng, Victor A., & Kresta, Suzanne M. (Eds.), Handbook of Industrial Mixing: Science and Practice, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2003.
2. Cullen, P. J. (Ed.), Food Mixing: Principles and Applications, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2007.
3. Cullen, P. J. (Editor), Romañach, Rodolfo J. (Editor), Abatzoglou, Nicolas (Editor), & Rielly, Chris D., Pharmaceutical Blending and Mixing, 1st ed., John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2015.