SK285721B6 - Static mixer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a static mixer for mixing liquids and/or for preparation of dispersed liquid systems such as, emulsions and suspensions. In pipes the balls are stored with the same or different calibre, whereby ratio between calibre pipes and calibre balls is between 1.10 to 3.00.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a static mixer as a device for the continuous mixing of liquid mixtures and / or for the preparation of heterogeneous dispersed liquid systems such as emulsions and suspensions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of different static mixer designs are known, the common feature of which is a suitably shaped stationary installation installed in a pipeline. In particular, installations with elements in the form of suitably arranged and oriented helical or planar surfaces are used. Descriptions of selected static mixer designs are given, for example, in Chemie-Ingenieur-Technik 51 (1979), p. In the turbulent flow, various injectors, swirling devices and other elements are used to ensure intensive cross-mixing. In the laminar flow, the principle of multiple separation and repeated bonding of liquid fibers is applied. Static mixers can be installed in existing pipelines, have no rotating elements, are noiseless, maintenance-free and have negligible wear. They are applicable over a wide range of viscosities of mixed materials. A common disadvantage of the previously known structural mixers of static mixers is their complicated construction, high cost, manufacturing complexity and existence for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These drawbacks are eliminated in the static mixer according to the invention, which is based on the fact that balls are placed in the pipeline, the ratio between the clearance of the pipeline and the diameter of the balls is 1.10 to 3.00.

The static mixer of the invention has several advantages. It is structurally simple, the balls are easy to make from a variety of materials such as glass, metal, plastic and the like. It is easy to remove and thus easy to clean. The shape of the built-in construction does not even allow the formation of coves with the possibility of their clogging. In the static mixer according to the invention, alternate repeating expansion and compression spaces are provided, related to the geometry of the installation, with a significantly varying local flow rate. These irregularities represent significant turbulent factors, ensuring intensive mixing of the liquids while maintaining the nature of the piston flow. While low pressure drop is emphasized in the prior art static mixer designs, the static mixer according to the invention deliberately exhibits a higher pressure drop. However, the input energy is purposefully and purposefully utilized; after conversion to thermal energy it will be reflected in local overheating and in cavitation-like effects. In the liquid, due to local overheating in the tapered cross-section, the formation of vapor bubbles, the implications of which are an increased mixing effect. These effects are even more pronounced in the pulsed mode of fluid flow through the static mixer of the invention. The free volume of the static mixer can be intentionally varied both by the size of the spheres and by the use of spheres with two or more different diameters. The mode of flow of the liquid through the static mixer can also be partly influenced by the surface roughness of the spheres, and the increased roughness may be related, for example, to the supported catalyst on their surface. The static mixer according to the invention can also be used as a chemical reactor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a static mixer according to the invention with spheres whose diameter is close to the pipe diameter. In FIG. 2 is a diagram of a static mixer with balls having a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the pipe; and FIG. 3 is a static mixer with balls of three different diameters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The construction of the static mixer according to the invention is simple. The balls 2 according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 of the same diameter, according to FIG. 3 of different diameters. At the ends of the static mixer there are suitable compartments 3 which ensure the static position of the balls 2 in the pipeline 1, even at increased pressure differences.

Industrial usability

The static mixer according to the invention can be used in mixing and mixing liquid mixtures, especially dispersed heterogeneous systems such as emulsions and suspensions. It can be used, for example, in the production of methyl esters of higher fatty acids as an alternative fuel for diesel engines by alkaline catalyzed transesterification of vegetable oils and animal fats with methanol. The heterogeneous reaction mixture of triacyiglycerols with an alkaline solution in methanol is vigorously stirred continuously by passing through a static mixer according to the invention. The static mixer according to the invention can also be used as a chemical reactor.

Claims (3)

PATENT CLAIMS Static mixer for mixing liquids and / or preparing dispersed liquid mixtures, such as emulsions and suspensions, characterized in that balls (2) are arranged in the conduit (1), the ratio between the clearance of the conduit (1) and the diameter of the balls ( 2) is in the range 1.10 to 3.00. Static mixer according to claim 1, characterized in that the balls (2) in the duct (1) have the same or different diameters. Static mixer according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the balls (2) in the pipe (1) have a smooth or textured surface. 3 drawings