Static mixer

Abstract

A static mixer (1) includes two, three, or more mixing sections (100), each mixing section (100) including an inlet section (101), an outlet section (102) disposed opposite to the inlet section, a longitudinal axis (20) defined between the inlet section (101) and the outlet section (102), a plurality of mixing channels (121, 122, 123, 124), and a common distributor (110) connected to each of the plurality of mixing channels of the mixing section. The common distributor (110) is arranged at the inlet section (101). Furthermore, the inlets of the channels of the mixing section (100) are formed at the distributors (110) of the respective mixing section (100) to form an inlet arrangement, and the outlets of the channels of individual mixing sections are formed at the outlet sections (102) of the respective mixing sections to form an outlet arrangement. Thus, the outlet arrangement differs from the inlet arrangement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a static mixer having two, three or more mixing sections. Background Technology

[0002] Static mixers are used to mix the individual components of multi-component materials (such as adhesives, dental materials, etc.) prior to application. Typically, high-viscosity and / or low-viscosity materials are thus mixed in a laminar flow. After mixing, the mixture usually cures and hardens due to a chemical reaction. The physical and chemical properties of the cured material generally depend on the homogeneity of the mixture produced by the static mixer and improve with increasing homogeneity.

[0003] A static mixer consists only of stationary elements that do not move relative to each other. Mixing is typically achieved at intersections that separate and combine the materials to be mixed. These intersections are usually positioned sequentially along the longitudinal axis of the static mixer, which may comprise multiple consecutive mixing sections of the same shape, size, and / or design, arranged parallel to each other or rotated 90° and / or 180° relative to each other. Because the homogeneity of the mixed materials increases with the number of consecutive intersections along the longitudinal axis, static mixers capable of uniformly mixing individual components and / or mixing material components with significantly different viscosities can have considerable lengths. This length can limit accessibility in many applications.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide a mixing section and a static mixer that are configured to uniformly mix multi-component materials while exhibiting a short length. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a static mixer according to the independent claims. Embodiments are given in the dependent claims, the specification, and the drawings.

[0006] In one aspect, this disclosure relates to a static mixer comprising two, three, or more mixing sections, each mixing section including an inlet section, an outlet section disposed opposite the inlet section, a longitudinal axis defined between the inlet section and the outlet section, a plurality of mixing channels, and a common distributor connected to each of the plurality of mixing channels of the mixing section. The common distributor is arranged at the inlet section. Furthermore, the inlets of the channels of each mixing section form an inlet arrangement at the distributor of the corresponding mixing section, and the outlets of the channels of each mixing section form an outlet arrangement at the outlet section of the corresponding mixing section. Thus, the outlet arrangement differs from the inlet arrangement.

[0007] Because the outlet arrangement differs from the inlet arrangement, the channels of each mixing section are rearranged between the common distributor of their respective mixing sections and the outlet section. This allows for efficient mixing in the common distributor of subsequent mixing sections. Therefore, the common distributor can be configured to distribute the individual portions of the mixed material received at its inlet from the individual channels of the preceding mixing section onto all channels at the inlet arrangement of the subsequent channel. For example, the distributor can distribute the mixed material in such a way that each channel connected to the distributor at the inlet arrangement receives a portion of material from each channel of the preceding section. Thus, the distributor of a given mixing section can redistribute the portion of material received from the individual channels of the preceding section onto all channels of its own mixing section.

[0008] A static mixer includes an inlet and an outlet disposed opposite to the inlet along a longitudinal axis. The flow direction of the mixed material from the inlet to the outlet is then defined. The individual mixing sections of the static mixer are arranged one after another along the longitudinal axis. Therefore, adjacent mixing sections are joined to each other via an outlet section of a preceding mixing section and an inlet section of a subsequent mixing section. For example, the outlet section of a preceding mixing section can be directly connected to the inlet section of a subsequent mixing section. Alternatively, all adjacent mixing sections can be directly joined to each other by directly connecting the outlet section of a preceding mixing section to the inlet section of a subsequent mixing section.

[0009] The outlet section of each mixing section can be formed by the outlet of the mixing channel of the corresponding mixing section, and the inlet section of each mixing section can be formed by the inlet of the common distributor of the corresponding mixing section, such that the outlet of the channel of each preceding mixing section is directly connected to the inlet of the common distributor of the corresponding subsequent mixing section. Alternatively, one or all the outlet sections of the preceding mixing sections can also be connected to the inlet section of the subsequent mixing section via at least one other type of mixing section.

[0010] Each common distributor in the mixing section may have an inlet arranged in a manner corresponding to the outlet arrangement of the mixing channel. Alternatively, a separate common distributor may have an outlet arranged in a manner corresponding to the inlet arrangement of the mixing channel.

[0011] The exit arrangement differs from the inlet arrangement in that, compared to the corresponding inlet of a corresponding passage in the inlet arrangement, the exit of a separate passage in the exit arrangement has a different absolute position and / or relative position and / or shape and / or orientation and / or order. The shape of a separate passage may form an inlet pattern in the inlet arrangement, and the shape of a separate passage may form an exit pattern in the exit arrangement. The exit pattern may correspond to a rotational variation of the inlet pattern. Alternatively, the exit pattern may deviate from the inlet pattern. In conjunction with this disclosure, the inlet and outlet patterns are defined by the relative arrangement and orientation of the individual shapes of the mixed passages, regardless of any association between the individual shapes and the individual mixed passages.

[0012] The relative positions of individual passageways within an exit arrangement may differ from those within an entrance arrangement, allowing for a redistribution of passageways between their entrances and exits. Alternatively, passageways may have the same relative position in both entrance and exit arrangements.

[0013] A static mixer can be configured to mix a mixture comprising at least two material components. The mixed material can be a viscous material that exhibits laminar flow within the mixing section.

[0014] A static mixer may receive mixed materials at an inlet section located at the inlet of the static mixer and discharge the mixed materials via an outlet section located at the outlet of the static mixer. The inlet section may be configured to receive unmixed material components via a single opening or via separate openings, such as an opening for each material component. The openings may be circular. The inlet section may be configured to dispense material components onto the inlet of a subsequent first mixing section of the static mixer. For example, the inlet section may include a separate mixing channel guiding the material components to the inlet of the first mixing section.

[0015] The inlet section can be configured to direct all mixing components to each inlet of the first mixing section. Alternatively, the inlet section can be configured to direct essentially only a single mixing component to each inlet of the first mixing section, such that each inlet of the first mixing section receives essentially a single mixing component. Thus, at each inlet of the first mixing section, the mixing of additional mixing components with the corresponding single mixing component can be at most 10%, for example, at most 1% or at most 0.5%.

[0016] The outlet section can be configured to discharge the mixed material components via a single opening, such as a circular opening. The outlet section can receive the mixed material from the final mixing section of the static mixer, for example, directly from the final mixing section. The individual channels of the final mixing section can be directly connected to the outlet section. For example, the outlet section may have an inlet for each mixing channel of the final mixing section. The outlet section may include a single outlet collector that receives the mixed material from the mixing channels of the final mixing section and discharges the mixed material via the outlet of the static mixer.

[0017] The individual mixing sections of the static mixer can be formed monolithically from a single material and connected to each other as a single unit. The material of the mixing sections can be a photopolymer, such as Photo-Resins X004M or UltraCur3D ST45, both supplied by BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH in Heidelberg, Germany. Alternatively, the material can also be ceramic or metallic.

[0018] The mixing and / or inlet and / or outlet sections of a static mixer can be manufactured using additive manufacturing. Therefore, they may exhibit a non-uniform surface structure due to the placement of multiple material layers on top of each other. The material layers can be oriented perpendicular to or parallel to the longitudinal axis. Additive manufacturing can include material extrusion, material jetting, powder bed melting, stereopolymerization (stereopolymerization, VAT photopolymerization), etc.

[0019] For example, the hybrid segment can be additively manufactured using a liquid resin, such as a liquid polymer, like a liquid photopolymer. Hybrid segments made from liquid resins can be easily cleaned after being made from unreacted raw materials. Furthermore, manufacturing based on liquid resins allows for the formation of filament components.

[0020] Each mixing channel of a separate mixing section can be closed along its length. For example, each mixing channel can be constructed as a tube. Individual mixing channels can be constructed as separate tubes spaced apart from each other. Therefore, the walls of individual mixing channels can be separate from the walls of all other mixing channels. The mixing section may include gaps between the individual channels, which separate the channels from each other.

[0021] At least some or all of the mixing channels may include inner walls that divide a given channel into two sub-channels directly adjacent to the inner wall. The inner walls may be spiral-shaped. The inner walls within each channel can improve the mixing of the materials within the channel.

[0022] Individual mixing channels can be straight and / or inclined relative to the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, individual mixing channels can be curved.

[0023] A single common distributor may have a flat inlet surface and / or a flat outlet surface. The inlet and / or outlet surfaces may be oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In the inlet surface, the common distributor may have an inlet for connecting to a mixing channel of a previous section of a static mixer. In the outlet surface, the common distributor may have an outlet for connecting to a mixing channel of its own mixing section. This flat inlet and / or outlet surface allows for a stable connection between the distributor and adjacent channels.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the ratio of the length of the dispenser along the longitudinal axis of at least one mixing section to the maximum extent of the dispenser perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is selected in the range of 0.1 to 0.6. By keeping the length of the dispenser shorter than its maximum extent perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the static mixer can be relatively compact along the longitudinal axis. The minimum ratio of 0.1 also allows for uniform mixing within the common dispenser. The diameter of the common dispenser can be defined as its maximum extent perpendicular to the longitudinal axis over its entire length. For example, for all mixing sections of the static mixer, the ratio of the length of the dispenser along the longitudinal axis of each mixing section to the maximum extent of the dispenser perpendicular to the longitudinal axis can be selected in the range of 0.1 to 0.6.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the ratio of the length of the dispenser of at least one mixing section to the length of each channel along the longitudinal axis is selected in the range of 0.6 to 1.5. Therefore, the mixing channels have substantially the same length along the longitudinal axis as the dispensers, and the entire static mixer can have a compact size along the longitudinal axis. For example, for all mixing sections of the static mixer, the ratio of the dispenser length of each mixing section to the length of each channel of the corresponding mixing section along the longitudinal axis is selected in the range of 0.6 to 1.5.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the entrances of the channel are arranged in an entrance sequence parallel to a first transverse axis within the entrance arrangement, and the exits of the channel are arranged in an exit sequence parallel to a second transverse axis within the exit arrangement. Therefore, the second transverse axis differs from the first transverse axis and is preferably perpendicular to the first transverse axis.

[0027] By rotating the outlet of the mixing channel relative to the alignment direction of the mixing channel inlet, the mixing of material components within the distributor between the mixing channels of the continuous mixing elements can be based on the realignment of the mixed material from the second transverse axis to the first transverse axis within the common distributor.

[0028] If the second transverse axis is perpendicular to the first transverse axis, then the wall sections of adjacent channels facing each other at the channel outlet are arranged on opposite sides of their respective channels at the channel inlet, and thus on opposite sides of the common distributor that are perpendicular to the first transverse axis and parallel to the second transverse axis. This results in a mixing section with high mixing efficiency.

[0029] The inlets may be aligned with the first transverse axis, or they may be individually displaced relative to the first transverse axis. Similarly, the outlets may be aligned with the second transverse axis, or they may be individually displaced relative to the second transverse axis.

[0030] In alternative embodiments, the first transverse axis may also be parallel to the second transverse axis. In these embodiments, the inlet arrangement may differ from the outlet arrangement, for example, in the order of the individual channels within the inlet and outlet sequence.

[0031] Typically, and regardless of their orientation, the exit sequence can differ from the inlet sequence. For example, channels arranged adjacent to each other within the inlet sequence can be separated by at least one additional channel within the exit sequence.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the exit sequence is a permutation of the inlet sequence, preferably an alternating and / or derangement. A permutation of the inlet sequence means that the exits of each channel in the exit sequence are arranged in a different order than the inlets of the corresponding channels in the inlet sequence.

[0033] In the alternating arrangement, each channel in the inlet sequence is adjacent to its corresponding channel in the outlet sequence on the same side. In the staggered arrangement, the relative position of each channel in the outlet sequence differs from its relative position in the inlet sequence, such that the outlet of each channel does not appear in the same position in the outlet sequence as the inlet of the corresponding channel appears in the inlet sequence. This arrangement produces high mixing efficiency.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the outlet sequence alternately includes an outlet with a channel having an inlet within the first half of the inlet sequence and an outlet with a channel having an inlet within the second half of the inlet sequence. This rearrangement also contributes to high mixing efficiency.

[0035] For example, the mixing section may include a total of four mixing channels, with the inlets of the first, second, third, and fourth mixing channels arranged sequentially in an inlet sequence. The outlet sequence will alternately include one of the outlets of the first and second mixing channels and one of the outlets of the third and fourth mixing channels.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the dispenser has an inlet and an outlet, the outlet being positioned opposite the inlet along a longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the dispenser has an inlet cross-section at the inlet having an elongated inlet shape oriented parallel to a first transverse axis, and an outlet cross-section at the outlet having an elongated outlet shape oriented parallel to a second transverse axis, wherein the first transverse axis differs from, and preferably is perpendicular to, the second transverse axis. The inlet and outlet cross-sections of the dispenser with different orientations facilitate efficient mixing of material components within a common dispenser.

[0037] The elongated inlet shape has a length parallel to a first transverse axis, which is greater than its width perpendicular to the first transverse axis, and the elongated outlet shape has a length parallel to a second transverse axis, which is greater than its width perpendicular to the second transverse axis. The first transverse axis parallel to which the inlet shape of the dispenser is oriented can correspond to the first transverse axis parallel to which the inlet sequence of the mixing channel is aligned. Similarly, the second transverse axis along which the outlet shape of the dispenser is oriented can correspond to the second transverse axis along which the outlet sequence of the mixing channel is aligned.

[0038] Typically, the inlet shape and / or outlet shape can be symmetrical with respect to the first transverse axis and / or the second transverse axis.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the inlet cross-section has an inlet length parallel to a first transverse axis and an inlet width perpendicular to the first transverse axis, and the outlet cross-section has an outlet length parallel to a second transverse axis and an outlet width perpendicular to the second transverse axis. Therefore, the inlet length is equal to the outlet length and / or the inlet width is equal to the outlet width.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the inlet and outlet shapes are identical but have different orientations in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Therefore, when rotated about the longitudinal axis, the outlet shape is equal to the inlet shape. For example, the outlet shape could be equal to the inlet shape rotated 90° about the longitudinal axis. This shape allows the mixing components to be uniformly mixed within separate mixing sections and additionally provides a constant flow rate within the common distributor.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the cross-section of the distributor perpendicular to the longitudinal axis changes from an inlet shape to an outlet shape via an intermediate shape at an intermediate longitudinal position between the inlet and outlet, wherein the intermediate shape differs from the inlet shape and / or outlet shape. This transformation results in effective mixing of material components, such as effective mixing with material components exhibiting laminar flow within a static mixer. Therefore, the intermediate shape is defined by the cross-sectional shape of the common distributor perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at an intermediate longitudinal position between the inlet and outlet of the common distributor.

[0042] The range of the distributor's cross-section parallel to the first longitudinal axis can continuously, for example linearly, decrease from the range of the inlet cross-section parallel to the first transverse axis to the range of the outlet cross-section parallel to the first transverse axis, for example, from the inlet length to the outlet width. Similarly, the range of the distributor's cross-section parallel to the second longitudinal axis can continuously, for example linearly, increase from the range of the inlet cross-section parallel to the second longitudinal axis to the range of the outlet cross-section parallel to the second longitudinal axis, for example, from the inlet width to the outlet length.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of each channel, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mixing section or perpendicular to the respective axis of each channel, is circular at at least at one location along their longitudinal range, preferably circular over their entire longitudinal range. The circular cross-section of each channel prevents the rearrangement or rotation of the laterally arranged different material portions within each channel, thereby enhancing the mixing effect of the common dispenser.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of each channel, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mixing section or perpendicular to the respective axis of each channel, is non-circular at at least one location along its longitudinal range, preferably throughout its entire longitudinal range, and preferably oval. According to this disclosure, the oval shape is defined as a shape having a closed, convex, non-intersecting, and smooth (distinguished) outer boundary.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of channels is constant along its longitudinal direction. This essentially limits the mixing effect of each mixing section to the possible rearrangement of the mixing channels between the common distributors of each mixing section and restricts it to mixing within the common distributor. Therefore, the mixing sections exhibit well-defined mixing characteristics.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of channels varies along its longitudinal direction. This variation provides further mixing within each channel.

[0047] For example, the cross-sectional shape of a longitudinal channel perpendicular to its longitudinal axis can change from an inlet shape to an outlet shape over the longitudinal range of each channel, with the intermediate shape differing from the inlet and / or outlet shapes. For example, the range of individual channels parallel to a first transverse axis and / or parallel to a second transverse axis can continuously change from their corresponding range in the inlet arrangement to their corresponding range in the outlet arrangement.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​each of the plurality of channels is constant over its longitudinal direction. This ensures a continuous flow rate within each channel. The constant area cross-section can therefore be oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the static mixer or perpendicular to a local direction of the mixing channel.

[0049] According to one embodiment, each mixing section includes three, four, or more channels. The inlets of these channels can then be arranged in an inlet sequence parallel to a first transverse axis, and the outlets of these channels can then be arranged in an outlet sequence parallel to a second transverse axis. In the case of four channels, the outlet sequence may include two outer channels of the inlet sequence between two inner channels of the inlet sequence, and the two inner channels of the inlet sequence may form two outer channels of the outlet sequence.

[0050] In the case of four mixed passages, the outer passages may have the same shape in the entrance and / or exit arrangements. Additionally or alternatively, the inner passages may have the same shape in the entrance and / or exit arrangements. For example, all passages may have the same shape in the entrance and / or exit arrangements. The orientation of the shape of the inner passages may differ from, for example, from, the orientation of the shape of the outer passages within the entrance and / or exit arrangements.

[0051] On the other hand, this disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a static mixer according to this disclosure, wherein the mixing segments are formed by sequentially placing material layers forming the mixing segments in a cross-sectional plane of the mixing segments. The cross-sectional plane may be oriented perpendicular to or parallel to the longitudinal axis. Thus, the mixing segments are manufactured by additive manufacturing in a cross-sectional plane that may be oriented perpendicular to or parallel to the longitudinal axis. Additive manufacturing may include material extrusion, material spraying, powder bed melting, stereopolymerization, etc. Attached Figure Description

[0052] Exemplary embodiments and functions of this disclosure are described herein in conjunction with the following accompanying drawings, which schematically illustrate:

[0053] Figure 1 A first static mixer according to this disclosure is shown;

[0054] Figure 2 The mixing section of the first static mixer is shown;

[0055] Figure 3 The cross-section of the first static mixer at its inlet is shown;

[0056] Figures 4 to 18 Further cross-sections of the first static mixer at consecutive locations along its longitudinal axis are shown;

[0057] Figure 19A second static mixer according to this disclosure is shown;

[0058] Figure 20 The mixing section of the second static mixer is shown;

[0059] Figure 21 The cross-section of the second static mixer at its inlet is shown;

[0060] Figures 22 to 34 Another cross-section of the second static mixer is shown at consecutive locations along its longitudinal axis;

[0061] Figure 35 A third static mixer according to this disclosure is shown;

[0062] Figure 36 The mixing section of the third static mixer is shown;

[0063] Figure 37 The cross-section of the third static mixer at its inlet is shown;

[0064] Figures 38 to 50 Another cross-section of the third static mixer is shown at consecutive positions along its longitudinal axis;

[0065] Figure 51 A fourth static mixer according to this disclosure is shown;

[0066] Figure 52 The mixing section of the fourth static mixer is shown;

[0067] Figure 53 The cross-section of the fourth static mixer at its inlet is shown;

[0068] Figures 54 to 66 Further cross-sections of the fourth static mixer at consecutive locations along its longitudinal axis are shown;

[0069] Figure 67 A fifth static mixer according to this disclosure is shown;

[0070] Figure 68 The mixing section of the fifth static mixer is shown;

[0071] Figure 69 The cross-section of the fifth static mixer at its inlet is shown;

[0072] Figures 70 to 82 Another cross-section of the fifth static mixer is shown at consecutive locations along its longitudinal axis. Detailed Implementation

[0073] Figure 1A first static mixer 1 according to the present disclosure is depicted. The first static mixer 1 has a longitudinal axis 20, along which an inlet section 130, five mixing sections 100 and an outlet section 140 are arranged sequentially in the flow direction 25.

[0074] The mixing sections 100 between the inlet section 130 and the outlet section 140 are constructed identically. Each mixing section 100 has an inlet section 101 and an outlet section 102. For adjacent mixing sections 100, the outlet section 102 of the preceding mixing section 100 directly engages with the inlet section 101 of the following mixing section 100 in the flow direction 25. Each mixing section 100 has a common distributor 110, which is placed at the inlet section 101 of the corresponding mixing section 100. The distributor 110 of each mixing section 100 discharges along the flow direction 25 into the first mixing channel 121, the second mixing channel 122, the third mixing channel 123, and the fourth mixing channel 124 of the corresponding mixing section 100. At the outlet section 102 of each mixing section 100, the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 engage with the common distributor 110 of the subsequent mixing section 100.

[0075] At the circular inlet 30 of the static mixer 1, the inlet section 130 has an inlet distributor 132, which is adjacent at its downstream end to the first mixing channel 121, the second mixing channel 122, the third mixing channel 123, and the fourth mixing channel 124 of the inlet section 130 in the flow direction 25. The mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the inlet section 130 are constructed in the same manner as the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the mixing section 100. In particular, the connection between the inlet distributor 132 and the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the inlet section 130 is the same as the connection between the common distributor 110 and the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the mixing section 100. The outlets of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the inlet section 130 are directly connected to the common distributor 110 of the first mixing section 100 of the static mixer 1.

[0076] The outlet section 140 includes an outlet collector 142, which is directly connected to the outlets of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the final mixing section 100 along the flow direction 25. The connection between the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the final mixing section 100 and the outlet collector 142 is constructed in the same manner as the connection between the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the remaining mixing sections 100 and the common distributor 110 of their respective subsequent mixing sections 100. The outlet collector 142 continuously transforms into a circular outlet 32 ​​of the static mixer 1 at its downstream end along the flow direction 25.

[0077] Figure 2 One of the mixing sections 100 of the first static mixer 1 is shown. The inlets 125 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 are arranged parallel to a first transverse axis 21 at the distributor 110, which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20. The outlets 126 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 are arranged parallel to a second transverse axis 22 at the common distributor 110 of the continuous mixing section 100, whereby the second transverse axis 22 is oriented perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis 20 and the first transverse axis 21.

[0078] The mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 are constructed as straight tubes, separated from each other by gaps, and inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 20. Each of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 has a circular cross-section perpendicular to its respective longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 are connected in parallel between the distributors 110.

[0079] At its inlet 111, the common distributor 110 is adjacent to the mixing channel of the preceding elements 100, 130 of the static mixer 1. At its outlet 115, the common distributor 110 is connected to the inlet 125 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, 124. The extent of the distributor 110 parallel to the second transverse axis 22 decreases linearly from its inlet 111 toward its outlet 115. Similarly, the extent of the distributor 110 parallel to the first transverse axis 21 increases linearly from its inlet 111 to its outlet 115.

[0080] The common distributor 110 has a length 118 along the longitudinal axis 20 and a diameter corresponding to the maximum range of its longitudinal length 118 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 between its inlet 111 and its outlet 115. For the first static mixer 1, the length 112 of the distributor 110 at its inlet 111 along the second transverse axis 22 is equal to the length of the distributor 110 at its outlet 115 along the first transverse axis 21. Therefore, the diameter of the distributor 110 is equal to the length 112 of the distributor 110 at its inlet 111 along the second transverse axis 22 and its length at its outlet 115 along the first transverse axis 21.

[0081] The ratio of the length 118 of the distributor 110 along the longitudinal axis 20 to the diameter of the distributor 110 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 is 0.2. In addition, the ratio of the length 118 of the distributor 110 along the longitudinal axis 20 to the longitudinal length 128 of the channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 along the longitudinal axis 20 is 0.3.

[0082] Figure 3A cross-section of the inlet distributor 132, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, is shown at the circular inlet 30. The inlet 30 receives a first material component 10 and a second material component 12 of the mixed material, whereby material components 10 and 12 remain unmixed at the inlet 30. Material components 10 and 12 fill opposite halves of the inlet 30, and the dividing line 14 between material components 10 and 12 is a straight line parallel to the first transverse axis 21.

[0083] Figures 4 to 6 The cross-section of the inlet distributor 132, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, is shown at consecutive locations along the flow direction 25. The inlet distributor 132 deforms toward its outlet 115 and connects to the inlet 125 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, 124 of the inlet section 130. Therefore, the extent of the inlet distributor 132 parallel to the second transverse axis 22 decreases linearly, while the extent of the inlet distributor 132 parallel to the first transverse axis 21 remains substantially constant. Figure 6 As shown at its outlet 115, the inlet distributor 132 has a cross-section with an elongated outlet shape that is oriented parallel to the first transverse axis 21, such that the length 116 of the distributor 132 parallel to the first transverse axis 21 is greater than the width 117 of the distributor 132 parallel to the second transverse axis 22.

[0084] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The inlet arrangement of the inlets 125 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 at the outlet 115 of the inlet distributor 132 is shown. Within the inlet arrangement, the inlets 125 of the first mixing channel 121, the second mixing channel 122, the third mixing channel 123, and the fourth mixing channel 124 are arranged continuously in an inlet sequence parallel to the first longitudinal axis 21.

[0085] Channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 have identical oval shapes with equal cross-sections at each inlet 125. The outermost channels 121 and 124 are oriented parallel to each other, and the inner channels 122 and 123 are also oriented parallel to each other. Furthermore, the shapes of the outermost channels 121 and 124 are rotated relative to the shapes of the inner channels 122 and 123. For the first static mixer 1, the shapes of the outermost channels 121 and 124 are perpendicular to the shape orientation of the inner channels 122 and 123.

[0086] Figures 7 to 12 The diagram shows cross-sections of the inlet section 130 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 at other consecutive locations along the flow direction 25. (As shown from...) Figure 11 What can be seen and such Figure 7 As shown by the dashed lines, the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 are located in... Figure 6 The entrance shown is arranged to Figure 12 The outlet arrangement shown is rearranged along the flow direction 25 as the longitudinal position increases.

[0087] Although channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 are in Figure 6 In the entrance arrangement, they are positioned in an entrance sequence along the first transverse axis 21, but they are in Figure 12 The outlets are arranged in a sequence along the second transverse axis 22. The outlet sequence continuously includes the second mixing channel 122, the fourth mixing channel 124, the first mixing channel 121, and the third mixing channel 123. Therefore, the outlet sequence is a non-equivalent arrangement of the inlet sequence, i.e., alternating and staggered arrangement. Furthermore, the outlet pattern of the outlet 115 of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 is equal to... Figure 6 The entrance pattern shown is rotated 90° around the longitudinal axis 20.

[0088] The different arrangements of the exit sequence and the inlet sequence mean that the channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 are in the order along the first transverse axis 21 in the inlet sequence, which includes the first channel 121, the second channel 122, the third channel 123, and the fourth channel 124 in sequence. This is different from the order of the channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 along the second transverse axis 22 in the exit sequence, which includes the second channel 122, the fourth channel 124, the first channel 121, and the third channel 123 in sequence.

[0089] An alternating arrangement of the exit sequence and the inlet sequence means that for each channel 121, 122, 123, 124 in the inlet sequence, the adjacent channels 121, 122, 123, 124 are located on the same side of the corresponding channels 121, 122, 123, 124 in the exit sequence. For example, in Figure 6 The adjacent channels of the second channel 122 in the entrance arrangement shown, namely the first channel 121 and the third channel 123, are in Figure 12 In the illustrated outlet arrangement, all outlets are located on the same side of the second channel 122. Similarly, the third channel 123 and the first channel 121 are located on... Figure 6 In the entrance arrangement shown, the passage is considered to be adjacent to the fourth passage 124. Figure 12 The outlets shown are all placed on the same side of the fourth channel 124.

[0090] The exit sequence is a misaligned arrangement of the inlet sequence, meaning that the relative position of each channel 121, 122, 123, 124 in the exit sequence is different from its relative position in the inlet sequence. For example, the second channel 122 is placed at the second relative position in the inlet sequence and the first relative position in the exit sequence.

[0091] The first half of the inlet sequence consists of inlets 125 of the first channel 121 and the second channel 122, and the second half of the inlet sequence consists of inlets 125 of the third channel 123 and the fourth channel 124. The outlet sequence alternately includes outlets 126 of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 having inlets 125 in the first half of the inlet sequence (i.e., outlets 126 of the second channel 122 and the first channel 121) and outlets 126 of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 having inlets 125 in the second half of the inlet sequence (i.e., outlets 126 of the fourth and third channels 124 and 123).

[0092] The cross-sectional shapes and absolute orientations of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 remain constant along their entire length 128. Therefore, similar to the inlet 125, the outlets 126 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 all have the same oval shape and equal areas. Consequently, the outermost channels 122 and 123 are arranged parallel to each other, and the inner channels 121 and 124 are also arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the shapes of the outermost channels 122 and 123.

[0093] Figure 12 The connection between the outlets 126 of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 and the inlet 111 of the common distributor 110 of the first mixing section 100 of the static mixer 1 is shown. The inlet 111 of the common distributor connects all outlets 126 along a second transverse axis 22. It has an elongated shape along the second transverse axis 22, such that its length 112 along the second transverse axis 22 is less than its width 113 along the first transverse axis 21.

[0094] like Figure 6 As shown, the dividing line 14 between material components 10 and 12 extends substantially parallel to the first transverse axis 21 and the inlet sequence, and is centered along the second transverse axis 22 with respect to channels 121, 122, 123, and 124. Therefore, each mixing channel 121, 122, 123, and 124 receives approximately the same amount of the first material component 10 and the second material component 12. This means that the relative amounts of the first material component 10 and the second material component 12 received by each channel 121, 122, 123, and 124 are in the range of 30% to 70%.

[0095] As from Figure 7 As can be seen, the first and second material components 10 and 12 are stacked along the second transverse axis 22 within individual channels 121, 122, 123, and 124. During the rearrangement of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124, this stacking remains substantially constant, ensuring that... Figure 12In the outlet arrangement shown, adjacent channels 121, 122, 133, and 124 contain different material compositions 10 and 12 in the facing sections of their cross-sectional areas.

[0096] Figures 12 to 17 The cross-section of the common distributor 110, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, is shown at continuous positions along the flow direction 25. The cross-section of the common distributor 110 is shown from... Figure 12 The entrance shape shown is via Figures 13 to 16 The intermediate shape at the middle longitudinal position shown is continuously deformed. Figure 17 The outlet shape is shown in the diagram. Thus, the cross-section of the common distributor 110 decreases linearly along the second transverse axis 22 from its length 112 at its inlet 111 to its width 117 at its outlet 115, and the range of the common distributor 110 along the first transverse axis 21 increases linearly from its width 113 at its inlet 111 to its length 116 at its outlet 115.

[0097] like Figure 12 As shown, the inlet shape of the common distributor 110 is elongated in an orientation parallel to the second transverse axis 22 because its length 112 along the second transverse axis 22 is greater than its width 113 along the first transverse axis 21. Similarly, the outlet shape of the common distributor 110, as... Figure 17 As shown, the orientation along the first transverse axis 21 is elongated because its length 116 along the first transverse axis 21 is greater than its width 117 along the second transverse axis 22.

[0098] like Figure 17 The common distributor 110 shown has an outlet shape at its outlet 115 that is similar to... Figure 12 The inlet shape shown is the same at its inlet 111, thus the inlet shape and outlet shape have different orientations in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20. The outlet shape is elongated along the first transverse axis 21 and oriented along the first transverse axis 21, and the inlet shape is elongated along the second transverse axis 22 and oriented along the second transverse axis 22. Overall, the outlet shape is equal to the inlet shape rotated 90° about the longitudinal axis 20.

[0099] Figure 12 and Figure 17 The minute shape differences in the cross-section shown are caused by the different relative longitudinal positions of the depicted cross-sectional cuts with respect to the common distributor 110. Furthermore, the shape and orientation of the outlet 115 of the common distributor 110 are the same as the shape and orientation of the outlet 115 of the inlet distributor 132, thereby… Figure 6 and Figure 17The slight differences in the cross-sections shown are also caused by the different relative longitudinal positions of the depicted cross-sectional cuts with respect to distributors 132 and 110.

[0100] Distributor 110 discharges in parallel at its outlet 115 into the first, second, third, and fourth mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of mixing section 100. The mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of mixing section 100 are connected to... Figures 5 to 12 The mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the inlet segment 130 shown are constructed in the same manner. From Figure 17 As can be seen, the inlets 125 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the mixing section 110 are along the first transverse axis 21 and are aligned with... Figure 6 The mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the inlet segment 130 shown in the diagram have the same inlet sequence arrangement.

[0101] As from Figures 12 to 17 As can be seen, the common distributor 110 redistributes each portion of material it receives from the individual channels 121, 122, 123, 124 at its inlet 111 onto all channels 121, 122, 123, 124 at its outlet 115. Thus, the relative stacking of the material portions from the individual inlet channels 121, 122, 123, 124 along the second transverse axis 22 remains constant, and the individual material portions from channels 121, 122, 123, 124 at the inlet 111 of the distributor 110 extend along the entire length 116 of the distributor 110 at its outlet 115.

[0102] Along the longitudinal length 118 of the flow direction 25, the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the mixing section 100 are combined with Figures 5 to 12 The mixed passages 121, 122, 123, and 124 for the inlet section 130 are rearranged in the same manner as described and shown. This rearrangement and the resulting outlet arrangement are... Figure 18 The arrows and dashed lines indicate the points respectively.

[0103] Since the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, 124 of the mixing section 110 are connected one after another to the dispenser 110 along the first transverse axis 21 at the outlet 115 of the dispenser 115, each mixing channel 121, 122, 123, 124 receives material portions 10, 12 that are stacked in the same order relative to the second transverse axis 22. At the outlet 126 of the channels 121, 122, 123, 124, the rearrangement of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, 124 then results in the material portions 10, 12 being rearranged in such a way that the facing sections of adjacent channels 121, 122, 123, 124 along the second transverse axis 22 contain material portions from the opposite side of the dispenser 110 along the second transverse axis 22. This can be seen from... Figures 5 to 12 This is best seen in the corresponding rearrangement of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the entrance section 130 shown.

[0104] Figure 19 A second static mixer 2 according to this disclosure is shown. Unless otherwise described or apparent from the drawings, the second static mixer 2 is configured as shown and described in conjunction with the first static mixer 1.

[0105] The second static mixer 2 has an inlet section 230, five mixing sections 200, and an outlet section 240, which are arranged continuously along the longitudinal axis 20 of the second static mixer 2. The inlet section 230 includes an inlet distributor 232 at the inlet 30 of the second static mixer 2, which is connected in the flow direction 25 parallel to four mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the inlet section 230. The mixing sections 200 include a common distributor 210 at their inlets 101, each of which is connected parallel to the four mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124. The mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the mixing sections 200 are constructed in the same manner as the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the inlet section 230. The final mixing section 200 discharges into the outlet collector 242 of the outlet section 240, which directs the mixed material to the circular outlet 32 ​​of the second static mixer 2.

[0106] Figure 20One of the mixing sections 200 of the second static mixer 2 is shown. The ratio of the longitudinal length 118 of the common distributor 210 to its diameter is 0.6, whereby the diameter corresponds to the length 112 of the distributor 210 at its inlet 111 along the second transverse axis 22 and its length at its outlet 115 along the first transverse axis 21. Furthermore, the ratio between the longitudinal length 118 of the common distributor 210 and the longitudinal length 128 of the channels 121, 122, 123, 124 along the longitudinal axis 20 is equal to 1. Unlike the common distributor 110 of the first static mixer 1, the common distributor 210 of the second static mixer 2 has a flat inlet surface at its inlet 111 and a flat outlet surface at its outlet 115, both of which are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20.

[0107] The mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 are constructed as separate and curved tubes spaced apart from each other by gaps. The inlets 125 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 are placed directly adjacent to each other along the second transverse axis 22 at the outlets 125 of the distributor 210, and the outlets 126 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 are also placed directly adjacent to each other along the first transverse axis 21 at the inlet of the distributor 210 of the subsequent mixing section 200.

[0108] Figure 21 A cross-section of the inlet distributor 232, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, is shown at the inlet 30. Figure 22 and Figure 23 The diagram shows cross-sections of the inlet distributor 232 at consecutive locations along the flow direction 25, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20. The inlet distributor 232 continuously transforms from its circular cross-section at the inlet 30 to an elongated cross-section along the first transverse axis 21 at its outlet 115. Figure 23 As shown in the diagram. At its outlet 115, the inlet distributor 232 is connected parallel to the inlets 125 of the first mixing channel 121, the second mixing channel 122, the third mixing channel 123, and the fourth mixing channel 124. All mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 have an oval cross-section at their inlets 125.

[0109] like Figure 23 As shown, the inlet 125 forms an inlet arrangement in which the inlets 125 of the first, second, third and fourth mixing channels 121, 122, 123, 124 are arranged one after another along the first transverse axis 21, and in which the oval shape of the inlet 125 is oriented parallel to each other along the second transverse axis 22.

[0110] Figures 24 to 28Cross-sections of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the inlet segment 230 at consecutive locations along the flow direction 25 are shown, and Figure 29 The connection between channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 and the inlet 111 of the common distributor 210 of the first mixing section 200 is shown. Figure 24 As shown by the dashed lines, the relative positions of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the second static mixer 2 are rearranged between the distributors 232 and 210. Relative to the longitudinal axis 20, the relative positions of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the second static mixer 2 are rearranged in the opposite direction to those of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the first static mixer 1.

[0111] Figure 29 The outlets of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 shown are arranged in a sequence of outlets of outlet 126, including the second mixing channel 122, the fourth mixing channel 124, the first mixing channel 121, and the third mixing channel 123. Figure 29 The shapes of the various passages 121, 122, 123, and 124 in the shown exit arrangement are similar to... Figure 23 The passages 121, 122, 123, and 124 in the shown entrance arrangement have the same shape. Therefore, all shapes in the exit arrangement are rotated 90° relative to the shapes in the entrance arrangement.

[0112] like Figures 23 to 29 As shown in the sequence, the cross-sectional shapes of each channel 121, 122, 123, 124 are oval shapes aligned along the second transverse axis 22 from their inlets 125. Figures 25 to 28 The intermediate shapes shown are continuously deformed into oval shapes aligned along the first transverse axis 21 at their outlets 126.

[0113] Figures 29 to 33 The cross-sections of the common distributor 210, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, are shown at consecutive locations along the flow direction 25. The cross-sections of the common distributor 210 are shown from... Figure 29 The shape of its entrance shown is via Figures 30 to 32 The intermediate shape shown is continuously deformed into Figure 33 The outlet shape is shown. At its outlet 115, the distributor 210 is connected to the inlet 125 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, 124 of the mixing section 200.

[0114] Figure 33 The outlet shape of the dispenser 210 shown is similar to Figure 29The dispenser 210 shown has the same inlet shape as the inlet shape, and thus the outlet shape is rotated 90° relative to the inlet shape. The length 116 of the outlet shape along the first transverse axis 21 is equal to the length 112 of the inlet shape along the second transverse axis 22, and the width of the outlet shape 117 along the second transverse axis 22 is equal to the width 113 of the inlet shape along the first transverse axis 21.

[0115] Figure 34 Cross-sections of mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the mixing section 200 are shown downstream of the distributor 210 in the flow direction 25, with their outlet arrangements indicated by dashed lines. The rear arrangement of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the mixing section 200 corresponds to... Figures 23 to 29 The rearrangement of passages 121, 122, 123, and 124 in the entrance section 230 shown.

[0116] Figure 35 A third static mixer 3 according to this disclosure is shown. Unless otherwise described or apparent from the accompanying drawings, the third static mixer 3 is configured as shown and described in conjunction with the second static mixer 2.

[0117] The third static mixer 3 has an inlet section 330, five mixing sections 300, and an outlet section 340, which are continuously arranged along the longitudinal axis 20 of the third static mixer 3. The inlet section 330 includes an inlet distributor 332, and the mixing sections 300 include a common distributor 310 at their inlets 101, each distributor being followed by four mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124, respectively. The final mixing section 300 discharges into the outlet collector 342 of the outlet section 340.

[0118] Figure 36 One of the mixing sections 300 of the third static mixer 3 is shown. The ratio of the longitudinal length 118 of the common distributor 310 to its diameter is 0.3, the diameter corresponding to its length 112 along the second transverse axis 22 at its inlet 111 and its length along the first transverse axis 21 at its outlet 115. Furthermore, the ratio between the longitudinal length 118 of the common distributor 310 and the longitudinal length 128 of the channels 121, 122, 123, 124 along the longitudinal axis 20 is equal to 0.5.

[0119] Figure 37 A cross-section of the inlet distributor 332, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, is shown at the inlet 30. Figure 38 and Figure 39 The cross-section of the inlet distributor 332, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, is shown at consecutive positions along the flow direction 25. Figure 39The outlet cross-section of the distributor 332 at its outlet 115 and the inlet arrangement of the inlet 125 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, 124 are configured to be the same as those of the second static mixer 2.

[0120] Figures 40 to 44 Cross-sections of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the inlet segment 330 at consecutive locations along the flow direction 25 are shown, and Figure 45 The arrangement of the inlet 111 and the outlets of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the common distributor 310 of the first mixing section 300 is shown.

[0121] Mixed channels 121, 122, 123, 124 from Figure 39 The entrance arrangement shown has been rearranged to Figure 40 and Figure 45 The outlet arrangement is indicated by the dashed line. The positions of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the third static mixer 3 are rearranged between the distributors 332 and 310 in the same manner as the relative positions of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the second static mixer 2.

[0122] The cross-sectional shape of the outlet 126 of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 within the outlet arrangement is circular. Each mixing channel 121, 122, 123, and 124 exits from its elliptical inlet 125 via... Figures 41 to 44 The intermediate shape depicted in the text continuously transforms into a circular shape at its outlet 126. Figure 39 The area of ​​the entrance shape of the individual channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 shown is greater than [the area of ​​the entrance shape]. Figure 45 The area of ​​the corresponding outlet shape shown.

[0123] Figures 45 to 49 The cross-section of the common distributor 310, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, is shown at consecutive locations along the flow direction 25. The cross-section of the common distributor 310 is shown from... Figure 45 The entrance shape shown is via Figures 46 to 48 The intermediate shape shown is continuously deformed. Figure 49 The outlet shape is shown in the diagram. The length 112 of the inlet 111 of the common distributor 310 along the second transverse axis 22 is equal to the length 116 of its outlet 115 along the first transverse axis 21. The width 113 of the inlet 111 along the first transverse axis 21 is less than the width 117 of the outlet 115 along the second transverse axis 22. Typically, the shape of the inlet 111 of the distributor 310 along the second transverse axis 22 is elongated, and the shape of the outlet 115 of the distributor 310 along the first transverse axis 21 is also elongated.

[0124] Figure 50 Cross-sections of mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the mixing section 300 are shown downstream of the distributor 310 in the flow direction 25, with their outlet arrangements indicated by dashed lines. The rear arrangement and variations of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the mixing section 300 correspond to... Figures 39 to 45 The rearrangement and deformation of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 in the entrance section 330 shown.

[0125] Figure 51 A fourth static mixer 4 according to this disclosure is shown. Unless otherwise described or apparent from the drawings, the fourth static mixer 4 is configured as shown and described in conjunction with the first static mixer 1. Figure 51 A fourth static mixer 4 is shown, starting from a lateral position relative to... Figure 1 The lateral position is rotated 90° around the longitudinal axis 20.

[0126] The fourth static mixer 4 has an inlet section 430, five mixing sections 400, and an outlet section 440. The inlet section 430 includes an inlet distributor 432, and the mixing sections 400 include a common distributor 410 at their inlets 101. Each distributor 432, 410 is followed by four mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124, respectively. The final mixing section 400 discharges into the outlet collector 442 of the outlet section 440.

[0127] Figure 52 This shows one of the mixing sections 400 of the fourth static mixer 4, starting from a lateral position, relative to... Figure 2 The common distributor 410 is rotated 90° around the longitudinal axis 20. The ratio of its longitudinal length 118 to its diameter is 0.4, which corresponds to its length 116 along the first transverse axis 21 at its outlet 115 and its length along the second transverse axis 22 at its inlet 111. Furthermore, the ratio of the longitudinal length 118 of the common distributor 410 to the longitudinal length 128 of the channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 along the longitudinal axis 20 is equal to 1.

[0128] Similar to the common distributors 210 and 310 of the second and third static mixers 2 and 3, the common distributor 410 of the fourth static mixer 4 has flat inlet and outlet surfaces oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20. At the inlet and outlet surfaces of the distributor 410, the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 are placed directly adjacent to each other along the second transverse axis 22 and the first transverse axis 21, respectively.

[0129] Figure 53A cross-section of the inlet distributor 432, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, is shown at the inlet 30. Figure 54 and Figure 55 The cross-section of the inlet distributor 432, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, is shown at consecutive positions along the flow direction 25. Thus, Figure 55 The diagram shows the outlet cross-section of the distributor 432 at its outlet 115 and the inlet arrangement of the inlets 125 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, 124.

[0130] The outlet 115 has an elongated shape oriented parallel to the first transverse axis 21. The length 116 of the outlet 115 along the first transverse axis 21 is greater than the width 117 of the outlet 115 along the second transverse axis 22. The inlets 125 of the channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 have a circular shape and are arranged in an inlet sequence along the first transverse axis 21.

[0131] The inlet section 430 receives material components 10 and 12 in opposite halves of its inlet 30, whereby a dividing line 14 between material components 10 and 12 extends parallel to the second transverse axis 22. This results in the dividing line 14 between material components 10 and 12 also extending parallel to the second transverse axis 22 at the outlet 115 of the inlet distributor 430. Therefore, the dividing line 14 is substantially located between the inner channels 122 and 123, i.e., between the second and third channels 122 and 123. Thus, each channel 121, 122, 123, and 124 substantially receives a single material component 10 and 12. This means that the mixture of additional material components 10 and 12 is less than 10%, for example, less than 5% or less than 1%. The first and second channels 121 and 122 receive the same material component, i.e., the first material component 10, and the third and fourth channels 123 and 124 also receive the same material component, i.e., the second material component 12. Material component 10 received by the first and second channels 121, 122 is different from material component 12 received by the third and fourth channels 123, 124.

[0132] Figures 56 to 60 Cross-sections of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the inlet segment 430 at consecutive locations along the flow direction 25 are shown, and Figure 61 The arrangement of the inlet 111 and the outlets of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the common distributor 410 of the first mixing section 400 is shown.

[0133] Mixed channels 121, 122, 123, 124 from Figure 55 The entrance arrangement shown has been rearranged to Figure 56 and Figure 61The outlet arrangement is indicated by the dashed line. The mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the fourth static mixer 4 are rearranged between distributors 432 and 410 in the same manner as the relative positions of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the first static mixer 1.

[0134] Similar to the first and second static mixers 1 and 2, the shapes of the individual cross-sections of the channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the fourth static mixer 4 maintain their shape, area, and orientation during rearrangement. In the case of the fourth static mixer 4, this means that they remain circular during rearrangement.

[0135] Figures 61 to 65 The cross-section of the common distributor 410 at consecutive locations perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 along the flow direction 25 is shown. The cross-section of the common distributor 410 is shown from... Figure 61 The entrance shape shown is via Figures 62 to 64 The intermediate shape shown is continuously deformed. Figure 65 The outlet shape is shown in the diagram. The length 112 of the inlet 111 of the common distributor 410 along the second transverse axis 22 is equal to the length 116 of its outlet 115 along the first transverse axis 21, and the width 113 of the inlet 111 along the first transverse axis 21 is equal to the width 117 of the outlet 115 along the second transverse axis 22. Typically, the shape of the inlet 111 of the common distributor 410 along the second transverse axis 22 is elongated, and the shape of the outlet 115 of the common distributor 410 along the first transverse axis 21 is also elongated.

[0136] Since each mixing channel 121, 122, 123, 124 essentially receives a single material component 10, 12, the individual material components 10, 12 are distributed onto four adjacent portions of the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 111 of the dispenser 410. These four adjacent portions alternately contain the first and second material components 10, 12. This differs from the lateral stacking of material components 10, 12 within the common dispensers 110, 210, 310 of the first, second, and third static mixers 1, 2, 3, where material components 10, 12 are alternately distributed across eight portions of the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 111 of the dispensers 110, 210, 310.

[0137] Figure 66 Cross-sections of mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 penetrating the mixing section 400 downstream of the distributor 410 in the flow direction 25 are shown, with their outlet arrangements indicated by dashed lines. The rear arrangement and variations of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the mixing section 400 correspond to... Figures 55 to 61The rearrangement and deformation of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the entrance section 430 shown.

[0138] Figure 67 A fifth static mixer 5 according to this disclosure is shown. Unless otherwise described or apparent from the accompanying drawings, the fifth static mixer 5 is configured as shown and described in conjunction with the fourth static mixer 4.

[0139] The fifth static mixer 5 has an inlet section 530, four mixing sections 500, and an outlet section 540. The inlet section 530 includes an inlet distributor 532, and the mixing sections 500 include a common distributor 510 at their inlets 101. Each distributor 532, 510 is followed by four mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124, respectively. The final mixing section 500 discharges into the outlet collector 542 of the outlet section 540.

[0140] Figure 68 One of the mixing sections 500 of the fifth static mixer 5 is shown. The ratio of the longitudinal length 118 of the common distributor 510 to its diameter is 0.3, the diameter corresponding to its length 116 along the first transverse axis 21 at its outlet 115 and its length along the second transverse axis 22 at its inlet 111. Furthermore, the ratio between the longitudinal length 118 of the common distributor 510 and the longitudinal length 128 of the channels 121, 122, 123, 124 along the longitudinal axis 20 is equal to 0.5.

[0141] Similar to the common distributors 210, 310, and 410 of the second, third, and fourth static mixers 2, 3, and 4, the common distributor 510 of the fifth static mixer 5 has flat inlet and outlet surfaces oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20. At the inlet and outlet surfaces of the distributor 510, mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 are spaced apart from each other along the second transverse axis 22 and the first transverse axis 21, respectively.

[0142] Figure 69 A cross-section of the inlet distributor 532, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, is shown at the inlet 30. Figure 70 and 71 The cross-section of the inlet distributor 532, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, is shown at consecutive positions along the flow direction 25. Therefore, Figure 71 The diagram shows the outlet cross-section of the distributor 532 at its outlet 115 and the inlet arrangement of the inlets 125 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124.

[0143] In the inlet arrangement, the inlets 125 of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 have an elliptical shape and are arranged in an inlet sequence along the first transverse axis 21. The relative orientation of the inlets 125 thus corresponds to the relative orientation of the inlets 125 of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the first static mixer 1.

[0144] Figures 72 to 76 Cross-sections of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the inlet section 530 at consecutive locations along the flow direction 25 are shown. Figure 77 The arrangement of the inlet 111 and the outlets of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the common distributor 510 of the first mixing section 500 is shown.

[0145] Mixed channels 121, 122, 123, 124 from Figure 71 The entrance arrangement shown has been rearranged to Figure 72 and Figure 77 The outlet arrangement is indicated by dashed lines. The mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the fifth static mixer 5 are rearranged between distributors 532 and 510 in the same manner as the relative positions of the mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the third static mixer 3. Thus, the shape, area, and orientation of each cross-section of the channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the fifth static mixer 5 are maintained during the rearrangement. In the context of the fifth static mixer 5, this means that they maintain an elliptical shape with a constant orientation during the rearrangement.

[0146] Figures 77 to 81 The cross-section of the common distributor 510, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, is shown at consecutive locations along the flow direction 25. The cross-section of the common distributor 510 is shown from... Figure 77 The entrance shape shown is via Figures 78 to 80 The intermediate shape shown is continuously deformed. Figure 81 The outlet shape is shown in the figure.

[0147] Figure 82 Cross-sections of mixing channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the mixing section 500 are shown downstream of the distributor 510 in the flow direction 25, with their outlet arrangements indicated by dashed lines. The rear arrangement and variations of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the mixing section 500 correspond to... Figures 71 to 77 The rearrangement and deformation of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 in the entrance section 530 shown.

[0148] Static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 constitute different embodiments of the static mixer according to this disclosure. All of these mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are characterized by an inlet section having an inlet distributor and four mixing channels, several mixing sections, and an outlet section having an outlet collector, each mixing section having a common distributor followed by four mixing channels.

[0149] The inlet sections of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are indicated by reference numerals 130, 230, 330, 430, and 530, respectively, and their mixing sections are indicated by reference numerals 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500, respectively. The outlet sections of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are indicated by reference numerals 140, 240, 340, 440, and 540, respectively. All inlet sections 130, 230, 330, 430, and 530 have the function of guiding unmixed material components 10 and 12 to the first mixing sections 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 of the corresponding mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and all outlet sections 140, 240, 340, 440, and 540 have the function of collecting the mixed material components from the final mixing sections 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500.

[0150] The inlet distributors of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are indicated by reference numerals 132, 232, 332, 432, and 532, respectively; their common distributors are indicated by reference numerals 110, 210, 310, 410, and 510, respectively; and their outlet collectors are indicated by reference numerals 142, 242, 342, 442, and 542, respectively. The first, second, third, and fourth mixing channels of the inlet sections 130, 230, 330, 430, and 530, and the first, second, third, and fourth mixing channels of the mixing sections 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 of the individual mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are indicated by reference numerals 121, 122, 123, and 124, respectively. For each mixer 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, the individual mixing channels 121, 122, 123, 124 of the inlet sections 130, 230, 330, 430, 530 and the individual mixing channels 121, 122, 123, 124 of the mixing sections 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 each have the same shape and arrangement.

[0151] All other components common to the static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this disclosure and performing the same function are indicated by the same reference numerals in each mixer 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, although these components may have different shapes in each mixer 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

[0152] For all mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Figure 12 , Figure 29 , Figure 45 , Figure 61 and Figure 77 The outlet arrangement of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 of each of the mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 shown is... Figure 17 , Figure 33 , Figure 49 , Figure 65 and Figure 81 The entrances of these two species are arranged differently as shown in the diagram.

[0153] For all static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, the ratio of the length 118 of the distributors 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 along the longitudinal axis 20 to the diameters 111, 116 of the distributors 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 is selected in the range of 0.1 to 0.6.

[0154] For the second and fourth static mixers 2 and 4, the ratio of the length 118 of the distributors 110, 210, 310, 410, and 510 of the mixing sections 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 along the longitudinal axis 20 to the length 128 of each channel 121, 122, 123, and 124 along the longitudinal axis 20 is selected in the range of 0.6 to 1.5.

[0155] For all static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, the inlet 125 of channels 121, 122, 123, 124 is parallel to... Figure 17 , Figure 33 , Figure 49 , Figure 65 and Figure 81 The inlet sequence of the first transverse axis 21 shown is arranged in the inlet arrangement, and the outlets 126 of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 are parallel to... Figure 12 , Figure 29 , Figure 45 , Figure 61 and Figure 77 The outlet sequence of the second transverse axis 22 shown is arranged in the outlet arrangement. Thus, the second transverse axis 22 is different from the first transverse axis 21, that is, it is perpendicular to the first transverse axis 21.

[0156] For all static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Figure 12 , Figure 29 , Figure 45 , Figure 61 and Figure 77The exit sequences of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 shown are... Figure 17 , Figure 33 , Figure 49 , Figure 65 and Figure 81 The corresponding entry sequences shown are not the same arrangement, namely alternating arrangement and misaligned arrangement.

[0157] For all static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Figure 12 , Figure 29 , Figure 45 , Figure 61 and Figure 77 The exit sequence shown alternately includes exit 126 of channels 121, 122, 123, and 124, which has in Figure 17 , Figure 33 , Figure 49 , Figure 65 and Figure 81 The inlet 125 is shown in the first half of the inlet sequence, and the outlet 126 of the channels 121, 122, 123, 124 has an inlet 125 in the second half of the inlet sequence.

[0158] like Figure 12 , Figure 29 , Figure 45 , Figure 61 and Figure 77 As shown, the distributors 110, 210, 310, 410, and 510 of all static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 have elongated inlet shapes oriented parallel to the first transverse axis 21. Furthermore, as... Figure 17 , Figure 33 , Figure 49 , Figure 65 and Figure 81 As shown, the distributors 110, 210, 310, 410, and 510 of all static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 have elongated outlet shapes and are oriented parallel to the second transverse axis 22.

[0159] For all static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the inlet length 112 of the inlet cross-section of distributors 110, 210, 310, 410, and 510 is equal to the outlet length 116 of the outlet cross-section of their respective distributors 110, 210, 310, 410, and 510. Furthermore, for the first, second, fourth, and fifth static mixers 1, 2, 4, and 5, the inlet width 113 of the inlet cross-section of distributors 110, 210, 310, 410, and 510 is equal to the outlet width 117 of their respective outlet cross-sections.

[0160] For the first, second, fourth, and fifth static mixers 1, 2, 4, and 5, Figure 12, Figure 29 , Figure 45 , Figure 61 and Figure 77 The entrance shape shown and Figure 17 , Figure 33 , Figure 49 , Figure 65 and Figure 81 The corresponding outlet shapes shown are identical, but they have different orientations in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20. Thus, when rotated 90° about the longitudinal axis 20, the outlet shape is equal to the inlet shape.

[0161] For all static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, the cross-sections of each distributor 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 change from their inlet shape through an intermediate shape at an intermediate longitudinal position to their respective outlet shape. The intermediate shape of each distributor 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 is different from their respective inlet and outlet shapes.

[0162] For the third and fourth static mixers 3 and 4, the cross-sectional shape of each channel 121, 122, 123, 124 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 of the mixing sections 300 and 400 is circular at at least one location along its longitudinal direction. For the fourth static mixer 4, the cross-sectional shape of each channel 121, 122, 123, 124 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 of the mixing section 400 is circular throughout its entire longitudinal direction.

[0163] For the first, third, and fifth static mixers 1, 3, and 5, the cross-sectional shape of each channel 121, 122, 123, and 124 perpendicular to the respective axes of the respective channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 is circular at at least one location along its longitudinal direction. For the first and fifth static mixers 1, 5, the cross-sectional shape of each channel 121, 122, 123, and 124 perpendicular to the respective axes of the respective channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 is circular over its entire longitudinal direction.

[0164] For the first, second, third, and fifth static mixers 1, 2, 3, and 5, the cross-sectional shape of each channel 121, 122, 123, and 124 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 of the mixing sections 100, 200, 300, and 500 is non-circular, i.e., oval, at at least one location along its longitudinal direction. For the first, second, and fifth static mixers 1, 2, and 5, the cross-sectional shape of each channel 121, 122, 123, and 124 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 of the mixing sections 100, 200, and 500 is non-circular, i.e., oval, throughout its entire longitudinal direction. For the first and fifth static mixers 1, 5, the cross-sectional shape of each channel 121, 122, 123, and 124 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20 of the mixing sections 100 and 500 is elliptical throughout its entire longitudinal direction.

[0165] For the second, third, and fourth static mixers 2, 3, and 4, the cross-sectional shape of each channel 121, 122, 123, and 124 perpendicular to the respective axes of the respective channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 is non-circular, i.e., oval, at at least one location along its longitudinal direction. For the second and fourth static mixers 2, 4, the cross-sectional shape of each channel 121, 122, 123, and 124 perpendicular to the respective axes of the respective channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 is non-circular, i.e., oval, over its entire longitudinal direction.

[0166] For the first, fourth, and fifth static mixers 1, 4, 5, the cross-sectional shape of each of the multiple channels 121, 122, 123, 124 is constant within its longitudinal direction.

[0167] For the second and third static mixers 2 and 3, the cross-sectional shape of each of the multiple channels 121, 122, 123, 124 varies along their longitudinal range.

[0168] For the first, second, fourth, and fifth static mixers 1, 2, 4, and 5, the cross-sectional area of ​​each of the multiple channels 121, 122, 123, and 124 is constant along their longitudinal direction. For other embodiments of the first, second, fourth, and fifth static mixers 1, 2, 4, and 5, the cross-sectional area may also vary along the longitudinal direction of the individual channels 121, 122, 123, and 124.

[0169] For all static mixers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, each mixing section 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 includes four channels 121, 122, 123, 124.

[0170] The simulated mixing results of a viscous material with a viscosity of 10 Pa·s in laminar flow for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth mixers are as follows: First static mixer 1: pressure drop Δp = 2.42 bar, coefficient of variation of mixing CoV = 0.0028, and waste material 4.54 ml; Second static mixer 2: Δp = 0.86 bar, CoV = 0.0248, and waste material 6.53 ml; Third static mixer 3: Δp = 1.84 bar, CoV = 0.0262, and waste material 3.77 ml; Fourth static mixer 4: Δp = 2.92 bar, CoV = 0.0021, and waste material 2.54 ml; Fifth static mixer 5: Δp = 1.97 bar, CoV = 0.0049, and waste material 3.62 ml.

[0171] Further exemplary embodiments of the static mixer according to this disclosure are summarized in the following list of embodiments:

[0172] 1. A static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) comprising two, three, or more mixing sections (100, 200, 300, 400, 500), wherein each mixing section (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) includes an inlet section (101), an outlet section (102) disposed opposite to the inlet section (101), a longitudinal axis (20) defined between the inlet section (101) and the outlet section (102), a plurality of mixing channels (121, 122, 123, 124), and a connection to said mixing section (100, 200, 300, 400, 500). A common distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) for each of the multiple mixing channels (121, 122, 123, 124) of 0, 500, wherein the common distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is arranged at the entrance section (101), wherein the ratio of the length of the distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) along the longitudinal axis (20) to the diameter of the distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (20) is selected in the range of 0.25 to 0.6.

[0173] 2. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to Embodiment 1, wherein the ratio of the length of the distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) to the length of each channel (121, 122, 123, 124) along the longitudinal axis (20) is selected in the range of 0.6 to 1.5.

[0174] 3. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of channels (121, 122, 123, 124) is non-circular along the longitudinal axis (20).

[0175] 4. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to embodiment 3, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of channels (121, 122, 123, 124) is oval along the longitudinal axis (20).

[0176] 5. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to Embodiment 3 or Embodiment 4, wherein the dimensions of the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of channels (121, 122, 123, 124) vary along the length of the plurality of channels (121, 122, 123, 124).

[0177] 6. A static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) comprising two, three, or more mixing sections (100, 200, 300, 400, 500), wherein each mixing section (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) includes an inlet section (101), an outlet section (102) disposed opposite to the inlet section (101), a longitudinal axis (20) defined between the inlet section (101) and the outlet section (102), a plurality of mixing channels (121, 122, 123, 124), and a connection to said mixing section (100, 200, 300, 400, 500). A common distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) for each of the multiple mixed channels (121, 122, 123, 124) of 200, 300, 400, 500, wherein the common distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is arranged at the entrance section (101), wherein the ratio of the length of the distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) to the length of each channel (121, 122, 123, 124) along the longitudinal axis (20) is selected in the range of 0.6 to 1.5.

[0178] 7. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to Embodiment 6, wherein the ratio of the length of the distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) along the longitudinal axis (20) to the diameter of the distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (20) is selected in the range of 0.25 to 0.6.

[0179] 8. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to Embodiment 6 or Embodiment 7, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of channels (121, 122, 123, 124) is non-circular along the longitudinal axis (20).

[0180] 9. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to embodiment 8, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of channels (121, 122, 123, 124) is oval along the longitudinal axis (20).

[0181] 10. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to Embodiment 8 or Embodiment 9, wherein the dimensions of the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of channels (121, 122, 123, 124) vary along the length of the plurality of channels (121, 122, 123, 124).

[0182] 11. A static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) comprising two, three or more mixing sections (100, 200, 300, 400, 500), wherein each mixing section (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) includes an inlet section (101), an outlet section (102) disposed opposite to the inlet section (101), a longitudinal axis (20) defined between the inlet section (101) and the outlet section (102), a plurality of mixing channels (121, 122, 123, 124) and a connection to the mixer. A common distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) for each of the multiple mixed channels (121, 122, 123, 124) of the segments (100, 200, 300, 400, 500), wherein the common distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is arranged at the entrance section (101), wherein the cross-sectional shape of each of the multiple channels (121, 122, 123, 124) is non-circular along the longitudinal axis (20).

[0183] 12. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to embodiment 11, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of channels (121, 122, 123, 124) is oval along the longitudinal axis (20).

[0184] 13. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to Embodiment 11 or Embodiment 12, wherein the dimensions of the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of channels (121, 122, 123, 124) vary along the length of the plurality of channels (121, 122, 123, 124).

[0185] 14. A static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to one of embodiments 11 to 13, wherein the ratio of the length of the distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) to the length of each channel (121, 122, 123, 124) along the longitudinal axis (20) is selected in the range of 0.6 to 1.5.

[0186] 15. A static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to one of embodiments 11 to 14, wherein the ratio of the length of the distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) along the longitudinal axis (20) to the diameter of the distributor (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (20) is selected in the range of 0.25 to 0.6.

[0187] 16. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to at least one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the two, three or more mixing segments (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) are integrally formed and connected to each other as a single component.

[0188] 17. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to at least one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) is made of metal.

[0189] 18. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to at least one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) is made of plastic.

[0190] 19. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to at least one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) is formed by 3D printing.

[0191] 20. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to Example 19, wherein the 3D printing method includes VAT photopolymerization and / or powder bed method.

[0192] 21. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to at least one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein each segment (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) includes four channels (121, 122, 123, 124).

[0193] 22. A static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to at least one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein each channel (121, 122, 123, 124) is closed along its length.

[0194] 23. The static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to at least one of the foregoing embodiments,

[0195] The outlet section (102) of some of the two, three or more mixing sections (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) is connected to the inlet section (101) of the directly adjacent mixing section (100, 200, 300, 400, 500).

[0196] 25. A static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to at least one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein an outlet section (102) of one of the mixing sections (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) is connected to the outlet of the static mixer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

[0197] List of reference numerals

[0198] 1 First Static Mixer

[0199] 2 Second Static Mixer

[0200] 3 Third Static Mixer

[0201] 4. Fourth Static Mixer

[0202] 5. Fifth Static Mixer

[0203] 10 First Component

[0204] 12 Second Component

[0205] 14 Separator Line

[0206] 20 Longitudinal axis

[0207] 21 First transverse axis

[0208] 22 Second transverse axis

[0209] 25. Flow direction

[0210] 30 entrances

[0211] 32 Exports

[0212] 100 Mixed Section

[0213] 101 Entrance Section

[0214] 102 Exit Section

[0215] 110 Public Distributor

[0216] Entrance 111

[0217] 112 Length

[0218] 113 width

[0219] 115 Exports

[0220] 116 Length

[0221] 117 width

[0222] 118 Length

[0223] 121 First Passage

[0224] 122 Second Channel

[0225] 123 Third Channel

[0226] 124 Fourth Channel

[0227] Entrance 125

[0228] 126 Exports

[0229] 130 Entrance section

[0230] 132 Inlet Distributor

[0231] 140 Export Section

[0232] 142 Exit Collector

[0233] 200 Mixed Section

[0234] 210 Public Distributor

[0235] 230 Entrance Section

[0236] 232 Inlet Distributor

[0237] 240 Export Section

[0238] 242 Exit Collector

[0239] 300 Mixed Section

[0240] 310 Public Distributor

[0241] 330 Entrance Section

[0242] 332 Inlet Distributor

[0243] 340 Export Section

[0244] 342 Exit Collector

[0245] 400 Mixed Section

[0246] 410 Public Distributor

[0247] 430 Entrance Section

[0248] 432 Inlet Distributor

[0249] 440 Export Section

[0250] 442 Exit Collector

[0251] 500 Mixed Section

[0252] 510 Public Distributor

[0253] 530 Entrance Section

[0254] 532 Inlet Distributor

[0255] 540 Export Section

[0256] 542 Exit Collector

Claims

1. A static mixer comprising two, three, or more mixing sections, in, Each mixing section includes an inlet section, an outlet section opposite to the inlet section, a longitudinal axis defined between the inlet section and the outlet section, and multiple mixing channels. A common distributor, which is connected to each of the plurality of mixing channels of the mixing section. The public distributor is located at the entrance section. In this configuration, the entrances to the multiple mixing channels of each individual mixing section are arranged at the common distributor of the respective mixing section. The outlets of the plurality of mixing channels of the individual mixing section are arranged at the outlet sections of the respective mixing sections. The outlet arrangement therein differs from the inlet arrangement. The common distributor has an inlet and an outlet positioned relative to the inlet along the longitudinal axis. The outlet of the common distributor is connected to the inlet of the plurality of mixing channels. Its features are, The common dispenser has an inlet cross-section with an elongated inlet shape, the elongated inlet shape being oriented parallel to a first transverse axis, and the common dispenser has an outlet cross-section with an elongated outlet shape, the elongated outlet shape being oriented parallel to a second transverse axis. The first transverse axis is different from the second transverse axis.

2. The static mixer according to claim 1, in, The ratio of the length of the common distributor of at least one mixing section along the longitudinal axis to the maximum range of the common distributor perpendicular to the longitudinal axis over its entire length is selected in the range of 0.1 to 0.6, and / or The ratio of the length of the common distributor of at least one mixing section along the longitudinal axis to the length of each of the plurality of mixing channels along the longitudinal axis is selected in the range of 0.6 to 1.

5.

3. The static mixer according to claim 1 or 2, in, The inlets of the plurality of mixing channels are arranged in an inlet sequence parallel to the first transverse axis within the inlet arrangement. The outlets of the plurality of mixing channels are arranged in an outlet sequence parallel to the second transverse axis within the outlet arrangement.

4. The static mixer according to claim 3, in, The exit sequence is a different permutation of the inlet sequence.

5. The static mixer according to claim 3, in, The exit sequence alternately includes the exit of a channel in one of the plurality of mixed channels having an inlet within the first half of the inlet sequence and the exit of a channel in one of the plurality of mixed channels having an inlet within the second half of the inlet sequence.

6. The static mixer according to claim 1 or 2, in, The first transverse axis is perpendicular to the second transverse axis.

7. The static mixer according to claim 1 or 2, The inlet cross-section of the common distributor has an inlet length parallel to the first transverse axis and an inlet width perpendicular to the first transverse axis. in, The outlet cross-section of the common distributor has an outlet length parallel to the second transverse axis and an outlet width perpendicular to the second transverse axis. Wherein the inlet length is equal to the outlet length and / or wherein the inlet width is equal to the outlet width.

8. The static mixer according to claim 1 or 2, in, The inlet shape and the outlet shape of the common dispenser are the same, but they have different orientations in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

9. The static mixer according to claim 1 or 2, in, The cross-section of the common distributor perpendicular to the longitudinal axis changes from the inlet shape to the outlet shape via an intermediate shape at an intermediate longitudinal position between the inlet and the outlet. The intermediate shape is different from the inlet shape and / or the outlet shape.

10. The static mixer according to claim 1 or 2, in, The cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of mixing channels, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mixing section or perpendicular to the corresponding axis of the individual channel, is circular at at least one location along the longitudinal range of the channel.

11. The static mixer according to claim 1 or 2, in, The cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of mixing channels, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mixing section or perpendicular to the corresponding axis of the individual channel, is non-circular at at least one location along the longitudinal range of the channel.

12. The static mixer according to claim 1 or 2, in, The cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of mixing channels is constant along its longitudinal direction.

13. The static mixer according to claim 1 or 2, in, The cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of mixing channels varies along its longitudinal direction.

14. The static mixer according to claim 1 or 2, in, The cross-sectional area of ​​each of the plurality of mixing channels is constant over its longitudinal direction.

15. The static mixer according to claim 1 or 2, in, Each mixing section includes three, four or more channels.

16. The static mixer according to claim 4, in, The exit sequence is an alternating and / or misaligned arrangement of the inlet sequence.

17. The static mixer according to claim 10, in, The cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of mixing channels, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mixing section or perpendicular to the corresponding axis of the individual channel, is circular over the entire longitudinal range of the channel.

18. The static mixer according to claim 11, in, The cross-sectional shape of each channel, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mixing section or perpendicular to the corresponding axis of the individual channel, is non-circular over the entire longitudinal range of the channel.

19. The static mixer according to claim 11, The cross-sectional shape of each channel, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mixing section or perpendicular to the corresponding axis of the individual channel, is oval at at least one location along the longitudinal range of the channel.

20. The static mixer according to claim 19, in, The cross-sectional shape of each channel, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mixing section or perpendicular to the corresponding axis of the individual channel, is oval over the entire longitudinal range of the channel.

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