Static Mixers

Description

A static mixer is a precision-engineered device for the continuous mixing of fluid materials. 

Normally the fluids to be mixed are liquid, but static mixers can also be used to mix gas streams, disperse gas into liquid or blend immiscible liquids.

The energy needed for mixing comes from a loss in pressure as fluids flow through the static mixer.   Moreover, One design of a static mixer is the plate-type mixer.  Another common device type consists of mixer elements contained in a cylindrical (tube) or squared housing.

Sizing

Mixer size can vary from about 6 mm to 6 meters in diameter.   Typical construction materials for static mixer components included stainless steel, polypropylene, Teflon, PVDF, PVC, CPVC, and polyacetal.  Finally, the latest design involves static mixing elements made of glass-lined steel.

Static Mixers Designs

In the plate-type design mixing is accomplished through intense turbulence in the flow.

In the housed-elements design the static mixer elements consist of a series of baffles made of metal or a variety of plastics.   Similarly, the mixer housing can be made of metal or plastic.  The housed-elements design incorporates a method for delivering two streams of fluids into the static mixer.

As the streams move through the mixer, the non-moving elements continuously blend the materials.  Complete mixing depends on many variables including the fluids’ properties and tube’s inner diameter.  Other variables include a number of elements and their design.  Also, the housed-elements mixer’s fixed, typically helical elements can simultaneously produce patterns of flow division and radial mixing:

• Flow division:  In laminar flow, a processed material divides at the leading edge of each element of the mixer and follows the channels created by the element shape.  At each succeeding element, the two channels are further divided.  this results in an exponential increase in stratification.   Also, the number of striations produced is 2ⁿ where ‘n’ is the number of elements in the mixer.
• Radial mixing:  In either turbulent flow or laminar flow, rotational circulation of a processed material around its own hydraulic center in each channel of the mixer causes radial mixing of the material.  Finally, the processed material is intermixed to reduce or eliminate radial gradients in temperature, velocity, and material composition.

Applications for Static Mixers

Today, static mixers are used for a wide range of different applications in many different market segments.  A common application is mixing two-component adhesives (e.g., epoxy) and sealants (see Resin casting).  In addition, other applications include wastewater treatment and chemical processing. 

Furthermore, Static mixers can be used in the refinery and oil and gas markets as well, for example in bitumen processing or for desalting crude oil.  In addition, in polymer production, static mixers can be used to facilitate polymerization reactions.  It is also used for the admixing of liquid additives.

• Thermal homogenization extrusion and injection molding
• Color blending
• Wastewater neutralizing
• PH control
• Heat exchangers
• Food mixing and blending
• Reactive mixes such as epoxies and urethanes
• Plastic pellets
• Gas-liquid dispersions
• Delustering of polymer dope
• Liquid-liquid dispersions
• Fuel oil blending
• Solvent dilution
• Pipeline reactions
• The blending of fruits in yogurt
• Catalyst additions
• Dye blending
• Dispersion of solids into liquid streams

Moreover, Pls contact SRS before ordering or if you have any specific questions or customization of the static mixer.