MECHANICAL OPERATIONS MEE 226

U NIT 5

B LENDING

&

M IXING

In-Line Mixers
In-line mixers are small mixing devices placed in the same line where the materials to be mixed are flowing. Two types of in-line mixers exist: dynamic mixers, where the mixing energy is provided from the outside static (motionless) mixers where the fluid itself provides the mixing energy

In-Line Dynamic Mixers

In-line dynamic mixers consist of small high-speed mixers placed inside a casing fed with a continuous stream of the materials to be mixed. The residence time of in-line mixers is usually of the order of seconds.

Example of a Dynamic In-Line Mixer

Example of In-Line, High Shear, Homogenizing Mixer

Greerco (Chemineer)

Example of a Two-Stage Rotor Stator for In-Line High Shear Mixer

Greerco (Chemineer)

Applications of Dynamic In-Line Mixers

In-Line Static Mixers

Static mixers consist of mirror image inserts (elements) placed inside a pipe, capable of altering the fluid flow, and rearranging the distribution of fluid elements across the pipe cross section. Static mixers are only capable of homogenizing the content of the pipe across its cross section but not along its length.

Static Mixers

Source: Chemineer

Classification of Static Mixers

Static mixers are classified according to the flow regime under which they operate. Static mixers are available for: laminar flow transitional flow turbulent flow

Static Mixers for Laminar Flow

In laminar flow the only mechanism for radial mixing is molecular diffusion. Each element in a laminar static mixers typically produces spit and a rotation (90 or 180) of the flow, which is then fed to the next element. Such actions result in further sub-divisions of the flow and the generation of striations leading to mixing.

Static Helical Mixer for Laminar Flow

After Myers et al., Chem. Eng. June 1997

Static Helical Mixer for Laminar Flow

Static Helical Mixer for Laminar Flow

Static Helical Mixer for Laminar Flow

Static Mixers for Turbulent Flow

In turbulent flow, turbulent eddies are responsible for radial mixing Flow in open pipes produces radial mixing if enough pipe length is provided (at least 100 pipe diameters) Static mixers for turbulent flow rely on vortex generation to produce mixing

Static Vortex Mixer for Turbulent Flow

Static Vortex Mixer for Turbulent Flow

Source: Chemineer

Static Vortex Mixer for Turbulent Flow

After Myers et al., Chem. Eng. June 1997

Double cone mixer

Arm kneader

Ribbon Blender

Blades In A Ribbon Blender

Muller Mixer