3.3 Planar (XY) Mixing Analysis
Active mixing images were taken from wells driven by RBL posts at 9,000
rpm. Frames from real-time videos were selected at intervals t=0, 0.5,
1, 1.5, and 2 min. Diffusion images without active mixing (static RBL
posts) were selected from time-lapse series at intervals t=0, 30, 60,
90, and 120 min. As demonstrated in Figure 3A, homogeneity was achieved
quicker when mixed via micropost agitation (t = 2 min) verse diffusion
alone (t = 120 min), indicating micropost agitation offers greater
radial mixing capabilities than diffusion alone.
Relative Mixing Index (RMI) as outlined by Hashmi, 2014 [14] was
utilized to compare the active mixing profile of three different
rotational mixing speeds: 3000, 6000, and 9000 rpm. As demonstrated in
Figure 3B, complete mixing was achieved sooner (90 s) at the highest
rotational speed (9000 rpm), however the moderate mixing speed (6000
rpm) achieved complete mixing the slowest (215 s).