Results of Preliminary Studies of a Y-Shaped Feed Material Mixer
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32515/2664-262X.2026.14(45).452-460Keywords:
feed materials, mixer, mixture homogeneity, CFD–DEM modeling, design parameters, experimental studiesAbstract
The quality of feed mixture preparation is a determining factor in livestock efficiency, as the uniform distribution of components directly affects the nutritional value and balance of the feed. This article presents the results of preliminary studies on the mixing process of feed materials in a Y-shaped mixer with controllable operating modes. The design and technological scheme of the mixer and its operating principle are justified. To analyze the physical patterns of the process, numerical modeling was used combining computational fluid dynamics and discrete element methods (CFD–DEM) in the Simcenter Star-CCM+ environment. The influence of geometric and operational parameters on the mixing kinetics and the mixture homogeneity coefficient was investigated. Rational values of the main parameters were determined, ensuring a homogeneity coefficient of 0.95 with minimal processing time. A laboratory test bench was designed and manufactured, and a methodology for experimental studies was developed, forming the basis for further optimization of the design and assessment of the energy efficiency of the Y-shaped feed mixer.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Elchyn Aliiev, Ruslan Ponomarenko
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