Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	EP/M506795/1
Title:	In silico evaluation of manufacturing concepts for non-Newtonian products
Principal Investigator:	Prosser, Dr R
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Mechanical Aerospace and Civil Eng
Organisation:	University of Manchester, The
Scheme:	Technology Programme
Starts:	01 October 2014	Ends:	31 January 2017	Value (£):	184,824
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Design & Testing Technology Fluid Dynamics Manufacturing Machine & Plant
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The main aim of the work is to establish the optimal geometric configuration for a particular configuration of process mixer (a Controlled Deformation Dynamic Mixer (CDDM)). The project will seek to understand the unique flow dynamics found inside the mixer itself and, through that understanding, improve the quality of the mixture that the device produces. At the same time, the work will establish changes to the mixer geometry such that the overall mixture is improved, while simultaneously reducing the power required. The analysis of the mixer is made more complex because the flow within is typically non-Newtonian, and demonstrates a viscosity that is dependent (in the first instance) on the shear rate and (in the second instance) on the processing history of the fluid itself. The physics of the process material, coupled with the competing influences of high angular velocities (the mixer typically runs at approximately 50000rpm), high pressure drops and extremely small flow geometries preclude easy characterisation of the flow. In addition, the channels through the mixer are sinuous and change with the mixer rotor position. In the light of these, the flow will be studied initially in the laminar flow mode and static configuration; as understanding develops, increasingly complex dynamics will be introduced---either through the mixer motion itself, through the action of the viscosity, through turbulent flow physics or some combination of all three. The work is of considerable interest to the academic partner, as the evolving rheology represents an application of multiphysics; it couples together CFD, rheology and (in the longer term) meso-scale modelling. The wider goal of the project is to accelerate the introduction of new & better products into the market by the simulation of manufacturing processes for complex multiphase liquid products for fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), and unifies computational fluid dynamics (CFD), rapid prototyping (RP) and experimental evaluation.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Project URL:
Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.man.ac.uk