Studies on mixing characteristics of non newtonian fluids using static mixer

Abstract

Mixing is an essential unit operation in most chemical and allied industries. It ensures the homogeneity of phases by converting heterogeneous mixture to homogeneous mass by dissolution, dispersion, and diffusion. It can be suitably carried out by using either moving (mechanical agitators) or without moving parts (static mixers). Static mixer is a device, designed in such a way that the motionless elements are incorporated in a pipe of tubular arrangement. Based on the static element design, fluid flows in various directions resulting in continuous mixing of fluids. From recent literature, a thorough study of numerous works discloses that the significant energy losses in process industries are caused by improper mixing of fluids. Static mixers are cost-effective, consume less power, easy to install, have no moving parts, and occupy less floor space. It has an immense application in the field of chemicals mixing, food processing, heat and cooling process, dispersion and stripping operations, water treatment plants, etc. Continuous mixing of fluids using static mixers in the process industry is a promising approach that assures the final product and process quality. The research framework was made to design, fabricate, and test a new static mixer (Komax) in a pipeline for inline mixing under laminar flow conditions. The effects of design modifications in existing Static mixer (SM) geometries of the Komax element is studied and investigated. Very few works were done on the continuous processing of non-Newtonian fluids. Hence in this work, non-Newtonian fluids like starch, xanthan gum, and carbopol 940 (of varying concentrations in weight %) were selected, and experiments were performed to enhance mixing and minimizing the pressure drop across the mixer. The rheological behavior of the selected process fluids was studied. newline