Effect of mixing speed and time on the homogeneity of multi-particle size sugarcane leaves product in horizontal paddle mixer for pelletized

Peeranat Ansuree, Somposh Sudajan, Chaiyan Junsiri and Kittipong Laloon

Abstract: The objective of this research study was to examine the effect of mixing speed and time on the homogeneity of multi-particle size sugarcane leaves that were crushed by hammer mill and sieved through mesh sizes of 3, 4, and 5 mm, respectively. The study used a prototype horizontal paddle mixer, with batch operation, built for laboratory studies which was able to mix 4 kg at a time. Mixed materials consisted of randomized samples in nine different positions of the mixer. Sieve analysis was conducted for the multi-particle sizes which remained in 8 class intervals of sieve layers. Mixing indices and coefficient of variation (CV) of mixtures were used as indications of homogeneity. The results showed that the particle size of sugarcane leaves which passed through the three sieve mesh sizes, at a mixing speed of 75 rpm for 4 min, resulted in a homogeneous mixture as the mixing index approached 1 and the CV of mixtures was < 10%.

Keywords: Mixing index; Mixing, Particle size; Sugarcane leaves

Date published: 2021-10-19