Power consumption in a double planetary mixer with non-Newtonian and viscoelastic materials

Planetary mixers are frequently used for the mixing of highly viscous and v iscoelastic media in the food and chemical industries. In this article, the power consumption characteristics of a double arm planetary mixer is inves tigated in the case of non-Newtonian and viscoelastic fluids. Using experim ental measurements of torque vs, speed and rheology characterization, the g eneralized power curve of the system is established. The study is complemen ted with an analysis of the power consumption as a function of instantaneou s blades position to provide more insight of geometrical effects on the mix er behaviour.