The characterization of the residence time distribution in a magnetic mixer by means of the information entropy

• The mixing behavior in a magnetic mixer is investigated using the RTD approach.
• This paper discusses a method to compute the information degree of mixing as a measure of mixing performance.
• It is observed that mixing of liquid phase increases with the increase in the magnetic field strength and the flow rate.

Mixing behavior in a magnetic mixer is investigated using an experimental approach. The concept of the residence time distribution (RTD) was applied to characterize a mixing process under the action of a rotating magnetic field (RMF). The main idea of the proposed approach is the utilization of experimental RTD measurements to determine the information entropy. This paper discusses a method to compute an information degree of mixing as a measure of mixing performance for a continuous flow system. The quality of mixing in the tested equipment is analyzed by means of a proposed mixing capacity. Different operating conditions with respect to liquid flow rates and a magnetic field strength are used to study corresponding effects on a recommended parameter. It is observed that mixing capacity increases with increasing magnetic field strength. This mixing parameter is analytically described as a function of operating flow rates and the applied magnetic field.