Static mixer

Abstract

Provided is a static mixer in which a pipeline and an agitation element are integrally constituted, and the agitation element is not readily affected by stress from a fluid in the pipeline. A static mixer 1 comprises: a pipe wall 10 that constitutes a pipeline for circulating a fluid; and an agitation part 13 that includes a projection part 13a formed on an inner surface of the pipe wall 10. The projection part 13a has a top part 133 formed by a linear side, a curve, a plane, or a curved surface, and a first inclined surface 132 and a second inclined surface 132 arranged to sandwich the top part 133 between the pipe wall 10 and the top part. The top part 133 is disposed so as to form an angle θa, which is larger than 0° and smaller than 90° clockwise with respect to a pipeline axis of the pipeline, or an angle θb, which is larger than 0° and smaller than 90° counterclockwise with respect to the pipeline axis of the pipeline. In a cross section orthogonal to the top part 133, the size of an apex angle between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface sandwiching the top part 133 is an angle α of 75° or more and 150° or less. The top part occupies a range of an angle β less than 360° around the pipeline axis. The agitation part 13 is integrated with the pipe wall 10.

Description

Static Mixer

[0001] The present invention relates to a static mixer.

[0002] Static mixers are used to agitate and mix fluids. A static mixer is a static mixing device with no moving parts, and can mix a variety of fluids.

[0003] In conventional static mixers, for example, a rectangular plate twisted by 180° as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-40198 (Patent Document 1) or an intermesh crisscross plate as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-122465 (Patent Document 2) is fixed inside a pipeline as a mixer element.

[0004] Furthermore, U.S. Patent No. 2,016,720 (Patent Document 3) and U.S. Patent No. 3,358,749 (Patent Document 4) describe integrating a stirring section for stirring a fluid with the wall of a pipeline in order to change the direction of fluid flow in the pipeline.

[0005] JP-A No. 60-40198 JP-A No. 9-122465 U.S. Patent No. 2,016,720 U.S. Patent No. 3,358,749

[0006] However, in the static mixers described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the shape of the mixer element is complex, and the mixer element is produced separately from the pipeline and then incorporated and fixed inside the pipeline, making it difficult to integrate the pipeline and the mixer element.

[0007] On the other hand, the stirring parts integrated with the pipeline walls described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 have a thin top wall thickness due to the manufacturing process, which tends to result in low strength. However, pressure from the fluid flowing through the pipeline tends to concentrate at the top of the stirring part. If pressure from the fluid concentrates at the thin top of the stirring part, there is a risk that the stirring part will be damaged.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a static mixer in which the pipeline and the stirring element are integrally constructed, and in which the stirring element is less susceptible to the effects of stress from the fluid in the pipeline.

[0009] Generally, when the pipe wall and the stirring portion are molded integrally, i.e., when a hollow material is poked from the outside to form inward-projecting protrusions, the molded stirring portion tends to be thin, especially near the top, and its strength tends to decrease. The inventors have found that, whether using this manufacturing method or other manufacturing methods, by setting the angle of the top of the stirring portion within a specific range, it is possible to reduce the stress generated in the stirring portion when it is subjected to pressure from the fluid flowing through the pipe. Based on this finding of the inventors, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0010] A static mixer according to the present invention comprises a pipe wall forming a conduit for circulating a fluid, and a stirring unit including a convex portion formed on the inner surface of the pipe wall, wherein the convex portion has an apex formed by straight sides, a curved line, a flat surface, or a curved surface, and a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface disposed between the pipe wall and the apex, the apex being disposed at an angle θa greater than 0° and less than 90° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis of the conduit, or at an angle θb greater than 0° and less than 90° counterclockwise with respect to the pipe axis of the conduit, the apex angle between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface sandwiching the apex being an angle α of 75° or greater and 150° or less, and the apex occupies an angle β of less than 360° around the pipe axis, and the stirring unit is formed integrally with the pipe wall.

[0011] In this way, it is possible to provide a static mixer in which the pipeline and the stirring element are integrally constructed and the stirring element is less susceptible to the influence of stress from the fluid in the pipeline.

[0012] (A) A perspective view, (B) a front view, (C) a cross-sectional view seen from the left side, (D) a schematic cross-sectional view of the stirring section seen from the direction of line D-D in Figure 1(B) , and (E) a plan view of Figure 1(C) , which are translucent schematic views of the static mixer of the first embodiment. (A) A perspective view, (B) a front view, (C) a schematic cross-sectional view of the first stirring section seen from the direction of line C-C in Figure 2(B) , (D) a schematic cross-sectional view of the second stirring section seen from the direction of line D-D in Figure 2(B) , and (E) a plan view of Figure 1(A) . (A) A front view, (B) a perspective view, and (C) a side view seen from the direction of the inlet, which are translucent schematic views of the static mixer of the third embodiment. (A) a front view, (B) a perspective view, and (C) a side view viewed from the inlet direction, showing a semi-transparent static mixer of a fourth embodiment. (A) a perspective view, (B) a cross-sectional perspective view, (C) a front view, (D) a right side view, and (E) a plan view, showing a semi-transparent static mixer of a fifth embodiment. (A) a perspective view, (B) a plan view, (C) a front view, (D) a schematic cross-sectional view of the first stirring section viewed from the direction of line D-D in Figure 6(B) , (E) a schematic cross-sectional view of the second stirring section viewed from the direction of line E-E in Figure 6(B) , and (F) a side view viewed from the outlet direction. (A) a perspective view, (B) a front view, (C) a right side view, and (D) a side view of the area around the outlet viewed from the inlet direction, showing a semi-transparent static mixer of a seventh embodiment. (A) is a perspective view showing a translucent overall static mixer of an eighth embodiment, and (B) is a view showing the components disassembled. (A) is a perspective view showing a translucent overall static mixer of a ninth embodiment, and (B) is a view showing the components disassembled. (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a front view, (C) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the stirring section as seen from the direction of line CC in FIG. 1(B), and (D) is a right side view showing a translucent overall static mixer of a tenth embodiment. (A) is a perspective view showing a translucent overall static mixer and (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the stirring section when the displacement amount S of the static mixer of the tenth embodiment is 0.11. (A) A perspective view, (B) a front view, (C) a plan view, (D) a right side view, and (E) a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E in (B) of FIG. 11, showing a static mixer according to an eleventh embodiment in a semi-transparent state. (A) A perspective view, (B) a front view, and (C) a right side view showing a static mixer according to a twelfth embodiment in a semi-transparent state. (A) A perspective view, (B) a cross-sectional view of a static mixer according to a thirteenth embodiment in a semi-transparent state with the lid removed, taken along line B-B in (A) of FIG. 14, (C) a cross-sectional view taken along the direction of the outlet in (A) of FIG. 14, and (D) an enlarged perspective view of the stirring section. (A) A diagram showing a schematic representation of stress when the static mixer according to Example 1 is under positive pressure, (B) a diagram showing the maximum principal stress at the apex of a convex portion when the apex angle is changed, and (C) a diagram showing the maximum principal stress at the deepest point of a concave portion when the apex angle is changed. 1A is a schematic diagram of stress when the static mixer of Example 1 is under negative pressure, (A) is a diagram showing the maximum principal stress at the apex of the convex portion when the apex angle is changed, and (B) is a diagram showing the maximum principal stress at the deepest point of the concave portion when the apex angle is changed.

[0034] For the static mixer of Example 2, (A) is a diagram comparing the simulation results of temperature distribution with that of the cylinder of Comparative Example 1, and (B) is a diagram showing mixing efficiency.

[0035] For the static mixer of Example 2, (A) is a diagram showing the simulation results of streamline vectors for Example 3.

[0036] For the simulation results of flow velocity vectors for Example 4.

[0037] For the simulation results of flow velocity vectors for Comparative Example 2.

[0038] For the simulation results of flow velocity vectors for Example 5, (A) is a perspective view and (B) is a partially enlarged view showing the simulation results of flow velocity vectors for Example 6.

[0039] For the static mixer of Example 7, (A) is a diagram showing the turbulence energy per 1 Pa of pressure loss when the apex angle is changed, and (B) is a diagram showing the flow velocity rotational component per 1 Pa of pressure loss when the apex angle is changed. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the turbulence energy per 1 Pa of pressure loss when the magnitude of the displacement S of the static mixer in Example 8 is changed.

[0013] The vibrating channel device of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific examples. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0014] In this specification, the term "fluid" includes liquids, gases, and powders.

[0015] 1A to 1C, a static mixer 1 according to a first embodiment includes a cylindrical pipe wall 10 having an inlet 11 and an outlet 12, which constitute a cylindrical pipe for circulating a fluid. The pipe wall 10 has a single agitator 13, which includes a convex portion 13a formed on the inner surface of the pipe wall 10. The convex portion 13a has an apex 133 formed by straight sides. The apex 133 occupies an angle β of less than 360° around the pipe axis Z. Instead of a straight side, the apex 133 may be formed by a curve, such as a portion of a circular arc. The apex 133 may also be formed by a flat or curved surface. In this embodiment, a concave portion 13b having a shape corresponding to the convex portion 13a of the agitator 13 is formed on the outer surface of the pipe wall 10. The convex portion 13a and the concave portion 13b are substantially similar in shape.

[0016] 1C and 1D , the convex portion 13a has an apex 133 formed by straight sides, and a first inclined surface 131 and a second inclined surface 132 disposed between the pipe wall 10 and the apex 133. When viewed from the outside of the pipe (or from the back side, the recess 13b side), the apex 133 is disposed at an angle θa greater than 0° and less than 90° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe, or at an angle θb greater than 0° and less than 90° counterclockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe. More preferably, the apex 133 is disposed at an angle θa greater than 30° and less than 60° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe, or at an angle θb greater than 30° and less than 60° counterclockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe. In this embodiment, the apex 133 is disposed at an angle θa clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1D , in a cross section perpendicular to the apex 133 (side), the magnitude of the apex angle α between the first slope 131 and the second slope 132 on either side of the apex 133 is an angle α of 75° to 150°, and preferably an angle α of 90° to 135°. When the first slope 131 or the second slope 132 has an uneven surface, the apex angle can be determined as the angle of the line connecting the apex 133 (vertex) and the lowest point of each slope. When the apex 133 is formed by a flat or curved surface, the first slope 131 and the second slope 132 are not directly connected as in FIG. 1 , but a flat or curved apex with a certain width exists between the first slope 131 and the second slope 132.

[0018] 1, when the fluid flows into the static mixer 1 from the inlet 11, the fluid is urged to rotate clockwise as it travels through the pipeline by the single agitator 13. The portion of the fluid that is swirled under the influence of the agitator 13 collides with the other portion of the fluid that has not passed through the agitator 13, and together they change direction again.

[0019] The stirring section 13 is formed integrally with the tube wall 10. For example, when the static mixer 1 is formed of glass, the stirring section 13 can be formed by, for example, heating and softening a specific portion of a glass tube that has been pre-formed into a tubular shape, and then poking the tube wall 10 from the outside with a thin plate-like jig, thereby simultaneously forming a convex portion 13a on the inner surface of the tube wall 10 and a concave portion 13b on the outer surface of the tube wall 10. The stirring section 13 may also be formed by another method.

[0020] Generally, when the pipe wall and the stirring portion are molded integrally, i.e., when a hollow material is poked from the outside to form protrusions that protrude inward, the molded stirring portion tends to be thin, especially near the top, and its strength tends to decrease. The inventors have discovered that, whether using this manufacturing method or another manufacturing method, by setting the angle α between the first inclined surface 131 and the second inclined surface 132, which sandwich the top 133 of the stirring portion 13, within a specific range, it is possible to reduce the stress generated in the stirring portion 13 when it is subjected to pressure from the fluid flowing through the pipe.

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a static mixer 1 in which the pipeline and the stirring element are integrally formed and which is less susceptible to the influence of stress from the fluid in the pipeline.

[0022] Furthermore, since the convex portion 13a and the concave portion 13b are substantially similar in shape, the temperature of the air outside the pipe wall 10 is more easily transmitted to the fluid in the pipe than in conventional static mixers. Also, even when it is necessary to irradiate the fluid with electromagnetic waves, since the convex portion 13a and the concave portion 13b are substantially similar in shape, the electromagnetic waves irradiated from outside the pipe wall 10 are more easily transmitted to the fluid in the pipe. The outside of the pipe wall 10 does not need to be air, and may be an appropriate fluid as needed. The outside of the pipe wall 10 may also be a vacuum as needed.

[0023] 2 , the static mixer 2 includes a cylindrical pipe wall 20 having two inlets 21 formed at the lower end of the pipe and one outlet 22 formed at the upper end of the pipe, which constitute a cylindrical pipe for circulating a fluid. The cylindrical pipe wall 20 has a first stirring section 23 formed by a convex portion 23a formed on the pipe wall 20, a second stirring section 24 formed by a convex portion 24a formed on the pipe wall 20 downstream of the first stirring section 23, and a further first stirring section 23 formed downstream of the second stirring section 24b. The convex portions 23a, 24a have apexes 233, 243 formed by linear sides. In this embodiment, the outer surface of the pipe wall 20 is formed with a concave portion 23b having a shape corresponding to the convex portion 23a of the first stirring section 23 and a concave portion 24b having a shape corresponding to the convex portion 24a of the second stirring section 24.

[0024] The first stirring section 23 and the second stirring section 24 are integrally formed with the pipe wall 20. In this embodiment, in the first stirring section 23 and the second stirring section 24, the convex section 23a and the concave section 23b, and the convex section 24a and the concave section 24b, are approximately similar in shape.

[0025] The protrusion 23a has an apex 233 formed by a straight side, and a first inclined surface 231 and a second inclined surface 232 disposed between the pipe wall 20 and the apex 233 and sandwiching the apex 233. The apex 233 is disposed at an angle θa greater than 0° and less than 90° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe, more preferably at an angle θa greater than 30° and less than 60°. The protrusion 24a has an apex 243 formed by a straight side, and a first inclined surface 241 and a second inclined surface 242 disposed between the pipe wall 20 and the apex 243 and sandwiching the apex 243. The apex 243 is disposed at an angle θb greater than 0° and less than 90° counterclockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe, more preferably at an angle θb greater than 30° and less than 60°.

[0026] In a cross section perpendicular to the apex 233 (side), the magnitude of the apex angle between the first slope 231 and the second slope 232 on either side of the apex 233 is angle α of 75° or more and 150° or less, and preferably angle α of 90° or more and 135° or less. In a cross section perpendicular to the apex 243 (side), the magnitude of the apex angle between the first slope 241 and the second slope 242 on either side of the apex 243 is also angle α of 75° or more and 150° or less, and preferably angle α of 90° or more and 135° or less. Each of the apexes 233, 234 occupies an angle β of 174° around the pipeline axis Z.

[0027] In this embodiment, the distance between the center 233a of the top 233 of the first stirring section 23 and the center 243a of the top 243 of the second stirring section 24 downstream thereof is 2.5 times or more the width L of the pipeline (also referred to as the "width of the flow path"). The distance between the tops of the stirring sections relative to the width L of the pipeline (flow path) is referred to as the pitch P. The distance between the center 243a of the top 243 of the second stirring section 24 and the center 233a of the top 233 of the first stirring section 23 downstream thereof is also 2.5 times or more the width L of the pipeline. In this specification, the width L of the pipeline refers to the distance between the inner walls of the pipeline in the direction of the height of the tops of the stirring sections from the inner surface of the pipeline wall.

[0028] 2, the static mixer 2 includes two rows of three agitators, namely, a first agitator 23, a second agitator 24, and a first agitator 23, which are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the fluid flow along the pipeline axis Z. The two rows are opposed to each other across the pipeline axis Z.

[0029] As described above, the static mixer 2 preferably includes a plurality of at least one of the stirring units 23 and 24. More preferably, the static mixer 2 includes a plurality of at least one of the first stirring units 23 and the second stirring units 24 along the pipeline axis Z. More preferably, the static mixer 2 includes a plurality of rows, each row including a plurality of at least one of the first stirring units 23 and the second stirring units 24 along the pipeline axis Z. The number and arrangement of the first stirring units 23 and the second stirring units 24 may be different.

[0030] 2, when the fluid flows into the static mixer 2 from the inlet 21, the fluid is first urged by the convex portions 23a of the first agitating section 23 to rotate clockwise as it progresses through the pipeline. The fluid is then urged by the convex portions 24a of the second agitating section 24 to rotate counterclockwise as it progresses through the pipeline. The fluid is then urged by the convex portions 23a of the first agitating section 23 to rotate clockwise as it progresses through the pipeline. By repeating this process up to the outlet 12, the fluid is agitated, and if the fluid contains multiple components, the multiple components are mixed.

[0031] Furthermore, for example, fluids of different temperatures can be introduced through the two inlets 21, respectively.

[0032] The other configurations and effects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0033] 3, the static mixer 3 includes a cylindrical pipe wall 30 having an inlet 31 and an outlet 32 ​​that constitute a cylindrical conduit for circulating a fluid, and a plurality of stirring sections 33 each composed of a protrusion 33a formed on the pipe wall 30. The protrusion 33a has an apex 333 formed by straight sides. In this embodiment, recesses 33b having shapes corresponding to the protrusions 33a of the stirring section 33 are formed on the outer surface of the pipe wall 30. The protrusions 33a and recesses 33b of the stirring section 33 are substantially similar in shape.

[0034] Each stirring section 33 is formed integrally with the pipe wall 30. Each stirring section 33 is formed in the same manner as the stirring section 13 (FIG. 1) of the first embodiment.

[0035] The convex portion 33a has an apex 333 formed by straight sides, and a first inclined surface 331 and a second inclined surface 332 disposed between the pipe wall 30 and the apex 333. The apex 333 is disposed at an angle θa greater than 0° and less than 90° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe, more preferably at an angle θa greater than 30° and less than 60°.

[0036] In a cross section perpendicular to the apex 333 (side), the apex angle α between the first inclined surface 231 and the second inclined surface 232 on either side of the apex 333 is an angle α of 75° to 150°, and preferably an angle α of 90° to 135°. Each apex 333 occupies an angle β of 200° around the pipeline axis Z.

[0037] The static mixer 3 includes two rows of four agitators 33 arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the fluid flow along the pipeline axis Z. The two rows face each other across the pipeline axis Z.

[0038] In this embodiment, in each row of stirring portions 33, the interval between centers 333a of the apexes 333 along the pipeline axis Z is 2.5 times or more the width of the pipeline (pitch P is 2.5 or more). In each row of stirring portions 333, the centers 333a of the apexes 333 are arranged at equal intervals.

[0039] By doing this, when the fluid flows into the static mixer 3 from the inlet 31, the fluid is urged to gradually rotate clockwise as it travels through the pipeline by the convex portions 33a of the multiple stirring portions 33 in the embodiment of Figure 3.

[0040] The other configurations and effects of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0041] <Fourth embodiment> As shown in FIG. 4 , a static mixer 4 includes a cylindrical pipe wall 40 having an inlet 41 and an outlet 42 that form a cylindrical conduit for circulating a fluid, a first stirring section 43 that is composed of convex portions 43 a formed on the inner surface of the pipe wall 40, and a second stirring section 44 that is composed of convex portions 44 a formed on the pipe wall 40.

[0042] 4, the static mixer 4 includes two rows of four agitators, namely, a first agitator 23, a second agitator 24, a first agitator 23, and a second agitator 24, which are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the fluid flow along the pipeline axis Z. The two rows are opposed to each other across the pipeline axis Z.

[0043] In this embodiment, recesses 43b having a shape corresponding to the protrusions 43a of the first stirring portion 43 and recesses 44b having a shape corresponding to the protrusions 44a of the second stirring portion 44 are formed on the outer surface of the pipe wall 40. In the first stirring portion 43 and the second stirring portion 44, the protrusions 43a and the recesses 43b, and the protrusions 44a and the recesses 44b have approximately similar shapes, respectively.

[0044] The first stirring section 43 and the second stirring section 44 are integrally formed with the pipe wall 40. The first stirring section 43 and the second stirring section 44 are respectively configured in the same manner as the first stirring section 23 and the second stirring section 24 (FIG. 2) of the second embodiment.

[0045] In this embodiment, the distance between the center 433a of the top 433 of the first agitating section 43 and the center 443a of the top 443 of the second agitating section 44 downstream thereof is 2.5 times or more the width of the pipeline. In addition, the distance between the center 443a of the top 443 of the second agitating section 44 and the center 433a of the top 433 of the first agitating section 43 downstream thereof is also 2.5 times or more the width of the pipeline.

[0046] By doing this, when the fluid flows into the static mixer 4 from the inlet 41, in the embodiment of Fig. 4, the fluid is first urged by the convex portions 43a of the first agitating section 43 to rotate clockwise as it progresses through the pipeline. The fluid is then urged by the convex portions 44a of the second agitating section 44 to rotate counterclockwise as it progresses through the pipeline. The fluid is then urged by the convex portions 43a of the first agitating section 43 to rotate clockwise as it progresses through the pipeline, and then by the convex portions 44a of the second agitating section 44 to rotate clockwise as it progresses through the pipeline. By repeating this process up to the outlet 42, the fluid is agitated, and if the fluid contains multiple components, the multiple components are mixed.

[0047] The other configurations and effects of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0048] 5, the static mixer 5 includes a cylindrical pipe wall 50 having an inlet 51 and an outlet 52 that form a cylindrical conduit for circulating a fluid, a first stirring section 53 formed from a convex portion 53a formed on the pipe wall 50, and a second stirring section 54 formed from a convex portion 54a formed on the pipe wall 50. The convex portions 53a, 54a have apexes 533, 543 formed by straight sides. The first stirring section 53 and the second stirring section 54 are integrally formed with the pipe wall 50. The first stirring section 53 and the second stirring section 54 are configured similarly to the first stirring section 23 and the second stirring section 24 of the second embodiment, respectively.

[0049] The static mixer 5 includes four rows of three agitating units, namely, a second agitating unit 54, a first agitating unit 53, and a second agitating unit 54, which are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the fluid flow along the pipeline axis Z. The four rows are arranged at 90° intervals around the pipeline axis Z.

[0050] In this embodiment, the distance between the center 533a of the top 533 of the first agitating section 53 and the center 543a of the top 543 of the second agitating section 54 downstream thereof is 2.5 times or more the width of the pipeline. In addition, the distance between the center 543a of the top 543 of the second agitating section 54 and the center 533a of the top 533 of the first agitating section 53 downstream thereof is also 2.5 times or more the width of the pipeline.

[0051] Another difference from the first embodiment is that in the fifth embodiment, an inner cylinder 55 is inserted inside the pipe, and therefore the inlet 51 and the outlet 52 are formed to protrude in the circumferential direction from the pipe wall 50. For example, a fluid different from the fluid may be circulated inside the inner cylinder 55 in order to control the temperature, and an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit for emitting electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the inner cylinder may be included.

[0052] Other configurations and effects of the static mixer 5 of the fifth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0053] Sixth Embodiment As shown in FIG. 6 , a static mixer 6 of the sixth embodiment includes a plate-like pipe wall 60 having an inlet 61 and an outlet 62, which constitute a pipeline having a square cross section for circulating a fluid, a first stirring section 63 consisting of convex portions 63 a formed on the pipe wall 60, and a second stirring section 64 consisting of convex portions 64 a formed on the pipe wall 60 on the upstream and downstream sides of the first stirring section 63.

[0054] The protrusions 63 a, 64 a have tops 633, 643 formed by straight sides. In this embodiment, the outer surface of the pipe wall 60 is formed with a recess 63 b having a shape corresponding to the protrusion 63 a of the first stirring portion 63 and a recess 64 b having a shape corresponding to the protrusion 64 a of the sixth stirring portion 64.

[0055] The first stirring portion 63 and the second stirring portion 64 are integrally formed with the pipe wall 60. In this embodiment, in the first stirring portion 63 and the second stirring portion 64, the convex portion 63a and the concave portion 63b, and the convex portion 64a and the concave portion 64b are approximately similar in shape.

[0056] The convex portion 63a has an apex 633 formed by a straight side, and a first inclined surface 631 and a second inclined surface 632 disposed between the pipe wall 60 and the apex 633 and sandwiching the apex 633. The apex 633 is disposed at an angle θa greater than 0° and less than 90° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe, more preferably at an angle θa greater than 30° and less than 60°. The convex portion 64a has an apex 643 formed by a straight side, and a first inclined surface 641 and a second inclined surface 642 disposed between the pipe wall 60 and the apex 643 and sandwiching the apex 643. The apex 643 is disposed at an angle θb greater than 0° and less than 90° counterclockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe, more preferably at an angle θb greater than 30° and less than 60°.

[0057] In a cross section perpendicular to the apex 633 (side), the magnitude of the apex angle between the first inclined surface 631 and the second inclined surface 632 on either side of the apex 633 is angle α of 75° or more and 150° or less, and preferably angle α of 90° or more and 135° or less. In a cross section perpendicular to the apex 643 (side), the magnitude of the apex angle between the first inclined surface 641 and the second inclined surface 642 on either side of the apex 643 is also angle α of 75° or more and 150° or less, and preferably angle α of 90° or more and 135° or less. Each of the apexes 633, 634 occupies an angle β of 240° around the pipeline axis Z.

[0058] The distance between the center 643a of the top 643 of the second stirring section 64 and the center 633a of the top 633 of the first stirring section 63 downstream thereof is 2.5 times or more the width L of the pipeline (the pitch P is 2.5 or more). In addition, the distance between the center 633a of the top 633 of the first stirring section 63 and the center 643a of the top 643 of the second stirring section 64 downstream thereof is also 2.5 times or more the width of the pipeline.

[0059] As described above, the static mixer 6 preferably includes a plurality of at least one of the first stirring units 63 and the second stirring units 64. More preferably, the static mixer 6 includes a plurality of at least one of the first stirring units 63 and the second stirring units 64 along the pipeline axis Z. More preferably, the static mixer 6 includes a plurality of rows along the pipeline axis Z, each row including a plurality of at least one of the first stirring units 63 and the second stirring units 64, and the first stirring units 63 and the second stirring units 64 are arranged alternately. The number and arrangement of the first stirring units 63 and the second stirring units 64 may differ.

[0060] Other configurations and effects of the static mixer 6 of the sixth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0061] 7, a static mixer 7 of the seventh embodiment includes a pipe wall 70 having an inlet 71 and an outlet 72 that form a spiral pipe for circulating a fluid, and a first stirring section 73 and a second stirring section 74 formed on the pipe wall 70. The first stirring section 73 and the second stirring section 74 are configured similarly to the first stirring section 23 and the second stirring section 24 (FIG. 2) of the second embodiment, respectively.

[0062] The first agitation units 73 and second agitation units 74 are arranged alternately along the pipeline. The second agitation unit 74 is arranged on the most upstream side, and the first agitation unit 73, second agitation unit 74, and first agitation unit 73 are arranged alternately downstream of the second agitation unit 74, with the first agitation unit 73 being arranged most downstream. A total of seven agitation units 73, 74 are arranged along the pipeline axis Z.

[0063] The other configurations and effects of the static mixer 7 of the seventh embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0064] 8, a static mixer 4A of the eighth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that it includes an outer cylinder 46 that covers the outside of the pipe wall 40 of the static mixer 4 of the fourth embodiment. The outer cylinder 46 may be, for example, an electromagnetic wave generating source such as a sheet-shaped infrared heater that can irradiate electromagnetic waves toward the interior.

[0065] The other configurations and effects of the static mixer 4A of the eighth embodiment are the same as those of the fourth embodiment.

[0066] 9 , a static mixer 5A of the ninth embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that it includes an inner cylinder 55 inserted into the pipe wall 50 of the static mixer 5 of the fifth embodiment, a reflective cover 57 covering the upper and lower ends of the pipe, and an outer cylinder 56 covering the outside of the pipe wall 50. The inner cylinder 55 may be, for example, an electromagnetic wave generating source such as an infrared heater or an ultraviolet source capable of irradiating electromagnetic waves outward. In this case, the reflective cover 57 and the outer cylinder 56 are preferably made of a reflective material that reflects the electromagnetic waves emitted by the inner cylinder 55 and irradiates the fluid. The reflective material may be, for example, aluminum, or any known reflective material appropriate for the electromagnetic waves to be irradiated to the fluid.

[0067] The other configurations and effects of the static mixer 5A of the ninth embodiment are the same as those of the fifth embodiment.

[0068] Tenth Embodiment As shown in FIG. 10 , a static mixer 8 according to the tenth embodiment includes a cylindrical pipe wall 80 having an inlet 81 and an outlet 82, which define a cylindrical pipe for circulating a fluid. The static mixer 8 also includes a stirring section 83 formed on the inner surface of the pipe wall 80 and a convex portion 83a. The convex portion 83a has a curved apex 833. The apex 833 occupies an angle β of less than 360° around the pipe axis Z. The apex 833 may be formed by a flat surface instead of a curved surface. Alternatively, the apex 833 may be formed by a straight edge or a curved shape such as a portion of a circular arc. In this embodiment, a concave portion 83b having a shape corresponding to the convex portion 83a of the stirring section 83 is formed on the outer surface of the pipe wall 80. The convex portion 83a and the concave portion 83b are substantially similar in shape.

[0069] 10(C) and 10(D), the convex portion 83a has an apex 833 formed by a curved surface, and a first inclined surface 831 and a second inclined surface 832 disposed between the pipe wall 80 and the apex 833. When viewed from the outside of the pipe (or from the back side, the recess 83b side), the apex 833 is disposed at an angle θa greater than 0° and less than 90° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe, or at an angle θb greater than 0° and less than 90° counterclockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe. More preferably, the apex 833 is disposed at an angle θa greater than 30° and less than 60° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe, or at an angle θb greater than 30° and less than 60° counterclockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe. In this embodiment, the apex 833 is disposed at an angle θa clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe.

[0070] 10(C), in a cross section perpendicular to the apex 833, the apex angle α between the first inclined surface 831 and the second inclined surface 832 on either side of the apex 833 is an angle α of 75° to 150°, and preferably an angle α of 90° to 135°. When the first inclined surface 831 or the second inclined surface 832 has an uneven surface, the apex angle can be determined as the angle of a line connecting the apex 833 (vertex) and the lowest point of each inclined surface. Because the apex 833 is formed by a curved surface, the first inclined surface 831 and the second inclined surface 832 are not directly connected, but a curved apex 833 with a certain width exists between the first inclined surface 831 and the second inclined surface 832.

[0071] The static mixer 8 of the tenth embodiment has two rows of agitators 83. The two rows R1 and R2 face each other across the pipeline axis Z, with the centers of the tops 833 of the agitators 83 shifted by an offset amount S along the pipeline axis Z. A gap G is formed between the tops 833 of the agitators 83 in the two rows R1 and R2.

[0072] The deviation S is the ratio (S1 / inner diameter) of the spacing S1 between the tops of the stirring portions that are closest to each other in adjacent rows to the inner diameter. In this embodiment, the deviation S is the value of the ratio of the spacing S1 between the tops 833 of the stirring portions 83 in row R1 and the tops 833 of the stirring portions 83 in row R2 to the inner diameter. Even when three or more rows of stirring portions are arranged (R1, R2, R3), the deviation S is expressed as the ratio of the spacing S1 between the tops of the stirring portions that are closest to each other in adjacent rows (R1 and R2, R2 and R3, R3 and R1) to the inner diameter.

[0073] In this way, when a fluid flows into the static mixer 8 from the inlet 81, the fluid is urged to rotate clockwise as it travels through the pipe by the agitating sections 83, each of which is arranged in two rows R1 and R2 in the embodiment of Fig. 10. The portion of the fluid that is swirled under the influence of the agitating sections 83 collides with the other portion of the fluid that has not passed through the agitating sections 83, and the two portions combine to change their direction of travel again.

[0074] More specifically, the static mixer 8 is configured as follows, but is not limited to this. The conduit 80 is formed of a quartz glass tube with an outer diameter of 6 mm, an inner diameter of 4 mm, and a length of 100 mm. The apex 833 of the convex portion 83a of the stirring portion 83 is formed as a curved surface with a curvature radius of 2 mm. The gap G between the apex 833 of the stirring portion 83 in row R1 and the apex 833 of the stirring portion 83 in row R2 is 0.8 mm. The apex angle α is 120°. The deviation S is 1 (S1 / inner diameter = 1).

[0075] A modified example of the static mixer 8 of the tenth embodiment is shown in FIG. 11 . The outer walls of the pipes are not shown in FIG. 11 . The static mixer 8A shown in FIG. 11 differs from the static mixer 8 in that the tops 833 of the agitators 83 are disposed at an angle θb greater than 0° and less than 90° counterclockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe when viewed from the outside of the pipe (or from the back side, the recess 83b side). Furthermore, the offset S is 0, and the agitators 83 in the two rows R1 and R2 face each other at the same position in the pipe axial direction, sandwiching the pipe axis Z. Furthermore, the tops 833 are formed by flat surfaces rather than curved surfaces.

[0076] In the static mixer 8A, when a fluid flows into the static mixer 8A from the inlet 81, the fluid is urged to rotate counterclockwise as it travels through the pipeline by the agitators 83, one in each of the two rows R1 and R2. The part of the fluid that is swirled under the influence of the agitators 83 collides with the other part of the fluid that has not passed through the agitators 83, and they become one, and their direction of travel is changed again.

[0077] Other configurations and effects of the static mixers 8, 8A of the tenth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0078] 11th Embodiment As shown in FIG. 12 , a static mixer 9 according to an eleventh embodiment includes a cylindrical pipe wall 90 having an inlet 91 and an outlet 92, which define a cylindrical pipe for circulating a fluid. The static mixer 9 also includes a stirring unit 93 having a convex portion 93a formed on the inner surface of the pipe wall 90. The convex portion 93a has a curved apex 933. The apex 933 occupies an angle β of less than 360° around the pipe axis Z. The apex 933 may be formed by a flat surface instead of a curved surface. Alternatively, the apex 933 may be formed by a straight edge or a curved shape such as a portion of a circular arc. In this embodiment, a concave portion 93b having a shape corresponding to the convex portion 93a of the stirring unit 93 is formed on the outer surface of the pipe wall 90. The convex portion 93a and the concave portion 93b are substantially similar in shape.

[0079] The convex portion 93a has an apex 933 formed by a curved surface, and a first inclined surface 931 and a second inclined surface 932 disposed between the pipe wall 90 and the apex 933 and sandwiching the apex 933. When viewed from the outside of the pipe (or from the back side, the recess 93b side), the apex 933 is disposed at an angle θa greater than 0° and less than 90° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe, or at an angle θb greater than 0° and less than 90° counterclockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe, more preferably at an angle θa greater than 30° and less than 60° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe, or at an angle θb greater than 30° and less than 60° counterclockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe. In this embodiment, the apex 933 is disposed at an angle θa clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe.

[0080] 12(E), in a cross section perpendicular to the apex 933, the apex angle α between the first inclined surface 931 and the second inclined surface 932 on either side of the apex 933 is an angle α of 75° to 150°, and preferably an angle α of 90° to 135°. When the first inclined surface 931 or the second inclined surface 932 has an uneven surface, the apex angle can be determined as the angle of a line connecting the apex 933 (vertex) and the lowest point of each inclined surface. Because the apex 933 is formed by a curved surface, the first inclined surface 931 and the second inclined surface 932 are not directly connected, but a curved apex 933 with a certain width exists between the first inclined surface 931 and the second inclined surface 932.

[0081] The static mixer 9 of the eleventh embodiment includes three rows (row R1, row R2, and row R3) of agitators 93. The three rows R1, R2, and R3 are arranged along the pipeline axial direction with the centers 933a of the tops 933 of the agitators 93 not shifted along the pipeline axis Z. The three rows R1, R2, and R3 may also be arranged to face each other across the pipeline axis Z with the centers of the tops 933 of the agitators 93 shifted along the pipeline axis Z by a shift amount S.

[0082] The three rows R1, R2, and R3 are arranged around the pipeline axis so that the centers of the tops 933 of the agitators 93 in adjacent rows are spaced 120° apart. That is, the angle between the tops 933 of the agitators 93 in row R1 and the tops 933 of the agitators 93 in row R2 about the pipeline axis Z is 120°, the angle between the tops 933 of the agitators 93 in row R2 and the tops 933 of the agitators 93 in row R3 about the pipeline axis Z is 120°, and the angle between the tops 933 of the agitators 93 in row R3 and the tops 933 of the agitators 93 in row R1 about the pipeline axis Z is 120°. Even when each row includes multiple agitators along the pipeline axis Z, the agitators in adjacent rows can be arranged so that the centers of the tops are spaced 120° apart. Furthermore, the centers of the tops of the stirring portions in adjacent rows can be spaced apart at any interval, such as 120°, 90°, 60°, or 30°.

[0083] In this way, when a fluid flows into the static mixer 9 from the inlet 91, the fluid is urged to rotate clockwise as it travels through the pipe by the agitating sections 93, each of which is arranged in three rows R1, R2, and R3 in the embodiment of Fig. 12. The portion of the fluid that is swirled under the influence of the agitating sections 93 collides with the other portion of the fluid that has not passed through the agitating sections 93, and the two portions combine to change their traveling direction again.

[0084] More specifically, the static mixer 9 is configured as follows, but is not limited to this. The conduit 90 is formed of a quartz glass tube with an outer diameter of 6 mm, an inner diameter of 4 mm, and a length of 100 mm. The apex 933 of the convex portion 93a of the stirring portion 93 is formed as a curved surface with a radius of curvature of 2 mm. The apex angle α is 120°. The deviation amount S is 0 (S1 / inner diameter = 0). The distance from the apex 933 to the opposing inner wall of the tube is 2.8 mm.

[0085] Other configurations and effects of the static mixer 9 of the eleventh embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0086] 12th Embodiment As shown in FIG. 13, a static mixer 1A of the 12th embodiment has the same configuration as the static mixer 1 of the first embodiment (FIG. 1), except that the shape of the stirring section is different and the recess 13b is not formed.

[0087] 13C, the agitating section 13A of the static mixer 1A has a flat top 133A. The first inclined surface 131 and the second inclined surface 132 are not directly connected, but the flat top 133A with a certain width exists between the first inclined surface 131 and the second inclined surface 132.

[0088] More specifically, the static mixer 1A is configured as follows, but is not limited to this. The conduit 10 is formed of a quartz glass tube having an outer diameter of 10 mm, an inner diameter of 8 mm, and a length of 100 mm. The apex 133A of the convex portion 13a of the stirring section 13 is formed as a flat surface with a width of 1 mm. That is, the width of the apex 133A between the first inclined surface 131 and the second inclined surface 132 is 1 mm. The apex angle α is 120°. The height of the apex 133A from the inner wall is 1 / 2 of the inner diameter.

[0089] The other configurations and effects of the static mixer 1A of the twelfth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0090] 14 , a static mixer 6A according to a thirteenth embodiment includes a plate-shaped pipe wall (substrate) 60A having an inlet 61 and an outlet 62, which constitute a piping path with a rectangular cross section for circulating a fluid, an agitation unit 63A formed of a convex portion 63Aa formed upward on the floor surface of the pipe wall 60A, and a lid 68. The agitation unit 63A is integrally formed with the pipe wall 60A.

[0091] The protrusion 63Aa has a top 633A formed by a flat surface. In this embodiment, no recess corresponding to the protrusion 63Aa is formed on the outer surface of the pipe wall 60A.

[0092] The convex portion 63Aa has an apex 633A formed by a flat surface, and a first inclined surface 631A and a second inclined surface 632A disposed between the pipe wall 60A and the apex 633A, sandwiching the apex 633A. The apex 633A is disposed at an angle θa greater than 0° and less than 90° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z of the pipe, more preferably at an angle θa greater than 30° and less than 60°.

[0093] The apex angle α between the first inclined surface 631A and the second inclined surface 632A, which sandwich the apex 633A, is 75° to 150°, and preferably 90° to 135°. The apex 633A occupies an angle β of 240° around the pipe axis Z.

[0094] More specifically, the static mixer 6A is configured as follows, but is not limited to this. The tube wall 60A is formed of a quartz glass plate having a width of 40 mm, a length of 110 mm, and a thickness of 2 mm. The lid 68 is formed of a quartz glass plate having a width of 40 mm, a length of 110 mm, and a thickness of 0.5 mm. The flow path is 2 mm wide, 1 mm deep, and 100 mm long. The top 633A of the stirring section 63A is formed of a flat surface having a width of 1 mm. That is, the width of the top 633A between the first inclined surface 631A and the second inclined surface 632A is 1 mm. The apex angle α is 120°. The height of the top 633A from the inner wall is 1 / 2 the depth of the flow path.

[0095] The other configurations and effects of the static mixer 6A of the thirteenth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0096] The present invention can be summarized as follows.

[0097] (1) A static mixer according to the present invention comprises a pipe wall forming a conduit for circulating a fluid, and a stirring unit including a convex portion formed on the inner surface of the pipe wall, wherein the convex portion has an apex formed by straight sides, a curved line, a flat surface, or a curved surface, and a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface disposed between the pipe wall and the apex, the apex being disposed at an angle θa greater than 0° and less than 90° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis of the conduit, or at an angle θb greater than 0° and less than 90° counterclockwise with respect to the pipe axis of the conduit, the apex angle between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface sandwiching the apex being an angle α of 75° or more and 150° or less, and the apex occupies an angle β of less than 360° around the pipe axis, and the stirring unit is formed integrally with the pipe wall.

[0098] (2) In the static mixer according to the present invention, the apex angle α is preferably 90° or more and 135° or less.

[0099] (3) The static mixer according to the present invention preferably has a plurality of rows of stirring units arranged around the axis of the pipeline, and each row preferably includes one or more stirring units.

[0100] (4) In the static mixer according to the present invention described in (3) above, the plurality of rows includes a first row and a second row, and it is preferable that the center of the top of the agitator in the first row is offset from the center of the top of the agitator in the second row that is closest to the agitator in the first row.

[0101] (5) In the static mixer according to the present invention described in (4) above, the center of the top of the agitator in the first row and the center of the top of the agitator in the second row that is closest to the agitator in the first row are preferably offset in position along the axial direction of the pipeline.

[0102] (6) In the static mixer according to the present invention described in (4) above, the center of the top of the agitator in the first row and the center of the top of the agitator in the second row that is closest to the agitator in the first row are preferably offset along the axial direction of the pipeline by an amount of offset that is a ratio of 0.75 to 1.5 relative to the inner diameter of the pipeline.

[0103] (7) The static mixer according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of stirring sections, which include a first stirring section and a second stirring section formed upstream or downstream of the first stirring section, and the distance between the center of the top of the first stirring section and the center of the top of the second stirring section is preferably 2.5 times or more the width of the pipeline.

[0104] (8) In the static mixer according to the present invention, the pipe wall is preferably made of a material that transmits electromagnetic waves.

[0105] (9) In the static mixer according to the present invention, the tube wall is preferably made of glass.

[0106] (10) In the static mixer according to the present invention, it is preferable that recesses are formed on the outer surface of the pipe wall at positions corresponding to the stirring portions on the inner surface of the pipe wall.

[0107] (11) The static mixer according to the present invention preferably includes an outer cylinder that covers the pipe wall from the outside, and the outer cylinder is configured to emit electromagnetic waves toward the inside of the outer cylinder.

[0108] (12) The static mixer according to the present invention preferably includes an inner cylinder inserted into the pipe, and the inner cylinder is configured to emit electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the inner cylinder.

[0109] (13) The static mixer according to the present invention preferably includes an outer cylinder that covers the recess from the outside, and the outer cylinder is configured to reflect electromagnetic waves.

[0110] The static mixer according to the present invention will be described in more detail below by showing specific manufacturing examples and test results.

[0111] Example 1 As described above, the pipe wall tends to become thin in the stirring section, and stress from the fluid flowing through the pipe tends to concentrate thereon. When pressure is applied to the stirring section from the fluid in the pipe, the stirring section breaks when the maximum principal stress of the stirring section reaches its strength. In Example 1, the maximum principal stress at the apex of the stirring section was found by fluid analysis simulation, with the magnitude of the apex angle changed.

[0112] In the static mixer 1 (FIG. 1) of the first embodiment used as an analytical model, the center position of the top portion 133 was taken as the inner wall apex 133a, as shown in FIG. 15(A), and the maximum principal stresses of the inner wall apex 133a and the outer wall apex (deepest point of the recess) 133b located on the back side (the outer surface of the pipe wall 10) were determined.

[0113] The analytical model static mixer 1 (Figure 1) was a quartz glass tube with an inner diameter of 20 mm, an outer diameter of 22 mm, and a length of 240 mm. The inner wall had a convex shape near the center of the length, with the apex of the convex portion located at the center of the inner diameter. The apex 133 formed by the linear edges of the convex portion 13a was tilted 45° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z. The apex 133 occupied an angle β of 180° around the pipe axis Z. Stress analysis was performed on this model when a pressure of 0.1 MPa was applied to the entire inner wall. The calculations varied the apex angle α from 30° to 165° in 5° increments. The arrows in Figure 15(A) schematically represent the direction of pressure exerted by the fluid.

[0114] 15, the maximum principal stress at the inner wall apex 133a showed a significant upward trend when the apex angle α was less than 75°. The maximum principal stress at the outer wall apex (deepest point of the recess) 133b showed a significant upward trend when the apex angle α exceeded 150°.

[0115] Next, we performed stress analysis on the same model when a pressure (negative pressure) of -0.1 MPa was applied to the entire inner wall. For the calculation, the apex angle α was changed in 5-degree steps from 30° to 165°. The arrows in Figure 16(A) schematically show the direction of the pressure exerted by the fluid.

[0116] 16, the maximum principal stress at the inner wall apex 133a showed a significant upward trend when the apex angle α exceeded 150°. The maximum principal stress at the outer wall apex (deepest point of the recess) 133b showed a significant upward trend when the apex angle α was less than 75°.

[0117] From the above results, it is possible to prevent damage to the stirring portion 13 integrated with the pipe wall 10 by setting the apex angle α to 75° or more and 150° or less, preferably 90° or more and 135° or less.

[0118] Example 2, Comparative Example 1 When multiple stirring sections are arranged along the axial direction of the flow channel, the pitch P between the stirring sections affects the stirring (mixing) efficiency. In Example 2, the relationship between the pitch of the stirring sections and the mixing efficiency was investigated by finite element analysis.

[0119] In the static mixer 2 ( FIG. 2 ) of the second embodiment used as an analytical model, a quartz glass tube with an inner diameter of 20 mm, an outer diameter of 22 mm, and a length of 200 mm was formed with a convex inner wall near the center of the length, with the apex of the convex portion located at the center of the inner diameter. The apex 233 formed by the straight sides was tilted 45° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z, and the apex 243 formed by the straight sides was tilted 45° counterclockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z. The apex angle α of the apexes 233 and 234 was set to 75°. Each apex 233 and 234 occupied an angle β of 174° around the pipe axis Z. The centers 233a of the first apex 233, the center 234a of the second apex 234, and the center 233a of the second first apex 233, from the upstream side, were arranged at equal intervals. In the simulation, the temperature distribution was investigated by varying this interval.

[0120] In this model, to simplify the calculations, the body of the pipe was not included, and water alone was used as the fluid body, and the temperature distribution was calculated when equal amounts of water at 25°C and water at 100°C flowed in through the inlet 11 and out through the outlet 12. As an example, the results when the pitch was 2.5 (the spacing between the tops of the stirring sections was 2.5 times the width of the flow path (20 mm)) are shown in Figure 17(A).

[0121] In addition, as Comparative Example 1, a quartz glass tube with no stirring section, an inner diameter of 20 mm, an outer diameter of 22 mm, and a length of 200 mm was used as an analytical model, and in order to simplify the calculations, the body of the tube was not included, and water alone was used as the fluid body. The temperature distribution was calculated when equal amounts of water at 25°C and water at 100°C were flowed in from the bottom end of the tube and allowed to flow out from the top end.

[0122] Furthermore, the mixing efficiency was calculated as the ratio of the decrease in temperature variation at the outlet 12 of the static mixer 2 of the second embodiment to the temperature variation at the outlet (upper end) of the pipe without a stirring section of Comparative Example 1. The results are shown in Figure 17(B).

[0123] 17(B), the mixing efficiency exceeds 98% when the pitch P is 2.5 or more (the temperature variation in the second embodiment is reduced to less than 2% when the temperature variation in the comparative example is 100%), and it was found that a stable high mixing efficiency can be obtained. Note that, by the same calculation method, it was found that the pitch P is preferably 12.7 or less.

[0124] Examples 3 and 4, Comparative Example 2 As Example 3, the static mixer 3 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and as Example 4, the static mixer 4 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 4 were configured as follows, and steady-state analysis was performed using a fluid analysis simulation to observe the flow velocity vectors and streamlines.

[0125] In the static mixer 3 ( FIG. 3 ) of the third embodiment used as an analytical model for Example 3, a quartz glass tube with an inner diameter of 8 mm, an outer diameter of 10 mm, a length of 100 mm, and a wall thickness of 1 mm was formed with a convex shape on the inner wall near the center of the length, with the apex of the convex portion located at the center of the inner diameter. The apex 333 formed by the straight sides was tilted 45° clockwise with respect to the pipe axis Z. The apex angle α of the apex 333 was 90°. Each apex 333 occupied an angle β of 200° around the pipe axis Z. The height H of the apex 333 from the inner surface of the pipe wall 30 was 3.3 mm. The pitch between the apexes 333 along the pipeline axis Z direction was 2.5 times the inner diameter (8 mm) of the pipeline, and the apexes 333 were arranged in four rows along the pipeline axis Z direction, with the rows arranged in two rows at 180° intervals around the pipeline axis Z, i.e., the two rows were arranged opposite each other with the pipeline axis Z in between. The inflow velocity was 100 mm / sec, the outflow was natural, and the fluid material was water. The results are shown in Figure 18.

[0126] In the static mixer 4 ( FIG. 4 ) of the fourth embodiment used as an analytical model for Example 4, a quartz glass tube with an inner diameter of 8 mm, an outer diameter of 10 mm, a length of 100 mm, and a wall thickness of 1 mm was formed with a convex inner wall near the center of the length, with the apex of the convex portion positioned at the center of the inner diameter. The apex 433 of the first stirring section 43, formed by straight sides, was tilted 45° clockwise with respect to the pipeline axis Z, and the apex 434 of the second stirring section 44 was tilted 45° counterclockwise with respect to the pipeline axis Z. The apex angle α of the apexes 433 and 443 was 90°. Each apex 433 and 434 occupied an angle β of 200° around the pipeline axis Z. The height H of the apexes 433 and 434 from the inner surface of the pipeline wall 40 was 3.3 mm. The pitch between the apexes 433 and 434 along the pipeline axis Z direction was 2.5 times the inner diameter (8 mm) of the pipeline, and the apexes 433 and 434 were arranged alternately in rows of four along the pipeline axis Z direction, with the rows arranged in two rows at 180° intervals around the pipeline axis Z, i.e., the two rows were arranged opposite each other across the pipeline axis Z. The inflow velocity was 100 mm / sec, the outflow was natural outflow, and the fluid material was water. The results are shown in Figure 19.

[0127] As an analytical model for Comparative Example 2, a quartz glass tube with an inner diameter of 8 mm, an outer diameter of 10 mm, a length of 100 mm, and a wall thickness of 1 mm was used as a straight tube without a stirring section. The left end of the straight tube in Figure 20(A) was the inlet, and the right end was the outlet. The inflow velocity was 100 mm / sec, the outflow was natural, and the fluid material was water. The results are shown in Figure 20(B).

[0128] As shown in Figures 18 to 15, in Example 3, the fluid rotated clockwise, in Example 4, the fluid alternated between clockwise and counterclockwise, and in Comparative Example 2, the fluid that flowed in from the inlet flowed to the outlet without changing its direction.

[0129] Example 5 In Example 5, the static mixer 5 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 5 was configured as follows, and steady state analysis was performed using a fluid analysis simulation, and the flow velocity vectors and streamlines were observed.

[0130] In the static mixer 5 (FIG. 5) of the fifth embodiment, a quartz glass tube with an inner diameter of 40 mm, an outer diameter of 44 mm, a length of 204 mm, and a wall thickness of 2 mm was formed with a convex inner wall, with the apex of the convex portion located at the center of the inner diameter. The inner cylinder 55 was a quartz glass tube with an inner diameter of 16 mm, an outer diameter of 20 mm, a length of 204 mm, and a wall thickness of 2 mm. The width L of the pipe was 10 mm. The branch pipes of the inlet 51 and the outlet 52 had an outer diameter of 14 mm and an inner diameter of 10 mm.

[0131] The apex 533 of the first stirring section 53, formed by a straight side, was tilted 45° clockwise with respect to the pipeline axis Z, and the apex 534 of the second stirring section 54 was tilted 45° counterclockwise with respect to the pipeline axis Z. The apex angle α of the apexes 533 and 543 was 90°. Each apex 533 and 534 occupied an angle β of 110° around the pipeline axis Z. The height H of the apexes 533 and 534 from the inner surface of the pipe wall 50 was 9.6 mm. The pitch P between the apexes 533 and 534 along the pipeline axis Z was five times the inner diameter (8 mm). The apexes 433 and 434 were arranged alternately in rows of four along the pipeline axis Z, with the rows spaced 180° apart around the pipeline axis Z, i.e., the two rows were arranged facing each other across the pipeline axis Z. The inflow velocity was 100 mm / sec, the outflow was natural, and the fluid material was water. The results are shown in Figure 21.

[0132] As shown in Figure 21, it can be seen that the fluid flowing in from the inlet 51 passes through the second stirring section 534, changes its flow direction counterclockwise, passes through the first stirring section 533, and changes its flow direction clockwise, repeatedly flowing toward the outlet 52.

[0133] Example 6 In Example 6, the static mixer 6 of the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 6 was configured as follows, and steady state analysis was performed using a fluid analysis simulation, and the flow velocity vectors and streamlines were observed.

[0134] In the static mixer 6 of the sixth embodiment (FIG. 6), quartz glass measuring 50 mm x 25 mm was used, and the cross section of the conduit was 2 mm x 2 mm. A stirring section 63 with a height H of 1.5 mm was inserted into a channel with a channel width of 2 mm. A second stirring section 64 with a 45° counterclockwise apex angle relative to the conduit axis Z, a first stirring section 63 with a 45° clockwise apex angle relative to the conduit axis Z, and a second stirring section 64 with a 45° counterclockwise apex angle relative to the conduit axis Z were arranged in a row along the conduit axis Z from the inlet 61 to the outlet 62. The apex angle α of the apexes 633 and 634 was 90°. Each apex 633 and 634 occupied an angle β of 240° around the conduit axis Z. The pitch between adjacent apexes 633 and 634 was 5 times the conduit width (2 mm). The inflow velocity was 100 mm / sec, the outflow was natural, and the fluid material was water. The results are shown in FIG. 22.

[0135] As shown in Figure 22, it can be seen that the fluid flowing in from the inlet 61 passes through the second stirring section 634, changes its flow direction counterclockwise, and then passes through the first stirring section 633, changes its flow direction clockwise.

[0136] Example 7 In Example 7, the static mixer 7 of the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 7 was configured as follows, and steady state analysis was performed using a fluid analysis simulation, and the flow velocity vectors and streamlines were observed.

[0137] The static mixer 7 (FIG. 7) of the seventh embodiment had an inner diameter of 10 mm, an outer diameter of 13 mm, a central axis diameter of the spiral of 50 mm, a helical pitch (the dimension of vertical movement per rotation) of 20 mm, and two turns. The apex 733 of the first agitating section 73, formed by a straight edge, was tilted 45° clockwise with respect to the pipeline axis Z, and the apex 734 of the second agitating section 74 was tilted 45° counterclockwise with respect to the pipeline axis Z. The apex angle α of the apexes 733 and 743 was 90°. Each apex 733 and 734 occupied an angle β of 260° around the pipeline axis Z. The pitch between the apexes 733 and 734 along the pipeline axis Z was four times the inner diameter (10 mm). The inflow velocity was 100 mm / sec, the outflow was natural, and the fluid material was water. The results are shown in FIG. 23.

[0138] As shown in Figure 23, it can be seen that the fluid flowing in from the inlet 71 changes its flow direction counterclockwise after passing through the second stirring section 734, and then changes its flow direction clockwise after passing through the first stirring section 733.

[0139] Example 8 In Example 8, the magnitude of the apex angle was changed, and the turbulent energy per pressure loss of 1 Pa and the rotational component of the flow velocity per pressure loss of 1 Pa were obtained by fluid analysis simulation. In addition, the deviation amount S was changed, and the turbulent energy per pressure loss of 1 Pa was obtained by fluid analysis simulation.

[0140] The static mixer 8A (FIG. 11) of the eighth embodiment was used as the analytical model. The analytical model static mixer 8A (FIG. 11) had a quartz glass tube with an inner diameter of 8 mm and a length of 60 mm. Two rows of stirring sections 83 with convex inner walls were formed near the center of the length. The tops 833 of the stirring sections 83 were flat surfaces with a width of 1 mm. The apex angle α was 120°. The two rows of stirring sections 83 were arranged facing each other across the pipeline axis Z so that the deviation amount S was 0. The distance between the centers of the tops 833 of the two opposing stirring sections 83 was 0.8 mm. The tops 833 were tilted 45° clockwise with respect to the pipeline axis Z. The tops 833 occupied an angle β of less than 360° around the pipeline axis Z.

[0141] In this model, the intensity distribution of the turbulent energy and the rotational component of the flow velocity, which is an index of the magnitude of the swirling flow, was calculated for each apex angle using fluid analysis using the finite element method (FEM). This was then divided by the pressure loss to determine the value per 1 Pa of pressure loss. The reason for dividing by the pressure loss is to eliminate the influence of pressure loss, as changing the apex angle also changes the pressure loss. The element size (mesh size) of the finite element method was set to 0.5 mm.

[0142] The fluid was water, the inflow condition was a flow rate of 100 mm / sec, and the outflow condition was natural outflow.

[0143] 24A shows the turbulent energy per 1 Pa of pressure loss when the apex angle is changed for the static mixer of Example 8, and (B) shows the flow velocity rotational component per 1 Pa of pressure loss when the apex angle is changed. It was found that within the apex angle range of 75 to 150°, the turbulent energy and flow velocity rotational component each showed opposite trends in changes with respect to the apex angle, but had a nearly linear relationship.

[0144] Therefore, by setting the apex angle in the range of 75 to 150°, it is possible to select and design an appropriate combination of turbulent energy and flow velocity rotational component depending on the application. When the apex angle is less than 75°, the flow velocity rotational component tends to saturate slightly, and the rate at which turbulent energy decreases tends to become larger. On the other hand, when the apex angle exceeds 150°, the magnitude of turbulent energy tends to saturate, and the rate at which the flow velocity rotational component decreases tends to become slightly smaller.

[0145] Next, the amount of deviation S was changed, and the turbulent energy per 1 Pa of pressure loss was calculated by fluid analysis simulation.

[0146] The static mixer 8 ( FIG. 10 ) of the eighth embodiment was used as the analytical model. The static mixer 8 ( FIG. 10 ) of the analytical model was a quartz glass tube with an inner diameter of 8 mm and a length of 60 mm. Two rows of stirring sections 83 with convex inner walls were formed near the center of the length. The apexes 833 of the stirring sections 83 were curved with a radius of curvature of 2 mm. The apex angle α was 120°. The two rows of stirring sections 83 were arranged facing each other across the pipeline axis Z. The offset S of the static mixer 8 shown in FIG. 10 was 1. When the offset S was 0, the distance between the centers of the apexes 833 of the two opposing stirring sections 83 was 0.8 mm. The apexes 833 were tilted 45° clockwise with respect to the pipeline axis Z. The apexes 833 occupied an angle β of less than 360° around the pipeline axis Z.

[0147] In this model, the displacement S was changed using fluid analysis using the finite element method (FEM), and the intensity distribution of turbulent energy was calculated. This was then divided by the pressure loss to determine the value per 1 Pa of pressure loss. The reason for dividing by the pressure loss is to eliminate the influence of pressure loss, since changing the displacement S also changes the pressure loss. The element size (mesh size) of the finite element method was set to 0.5 mm.

[0148] The fluid was water, the inflow condition was a flow rate of 100 mm / sec, and the outflow condition was natural outflow.

[0149] 25 is a graph showing the turbulent energy per 1 Pa of pressure loss when the magnitude of the displacement S of the static mixer in Example 8 is changed. It was found that the turbulent energy per 1 Pa of pressure loss changes depending on the magnitude of the displacement S. It was found that the turbulent energy increases sharply when the displacement S is 0.75 or more, is particularly large when the displacement is 1.0 or more, and is particularly large when the displacement S is around 1.0.

[0150] The embodiments and examples disclosed above should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0151] 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 5A, 6, 6A, 7, 8, 8A, 9: Static mixer 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90: Pipe wall 13, 33, 63A, 83, 93: Stirring section 23, 43, 53, 63, 73: First stirring section 24, 44, 54, 64, 74: Second stirring section 13a, 23a, 33a, 43a, 53a, 63a, 63Aa, 73a, 83a, 93a: Convex section 13b, 23b, 33b, 43b, 53b, 63b, 73b: Concave section 131, 231, 241, 631, 631A, 641, 831, 931: First inclined surface 132, 232, 242, 632, 632A, 642, 832, 932: Second inclined surface 133, 233, 333, 433, 533, 633, 633A, 733, 833, 933: Top 55: Inner cylinder 46, 56: Outer cylinder 57: Reflective cover 68: Lid

Claims

1. A static mixer comprising: a pipe wall forming a pipeline for circulating a fluid; and a stirring unit including a convex portion formed on the inner surface of the pipe wall, wherein the convex portion has an apex formed by a straight side, a curved line, a flat surface, or a curved surface, and a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface arranged between the pipe wall and the apex, with the apex sandwiched between them; the apex is arranged at an angle θa greater than 0° and less than 90° clockwise with respect to the pipeline axis of the pipe, or at an angle θb greater than 0° and less than 90° counterclockwise with respect to the pipeline axis of the pipe; in a cross section perpendicular to the apex, the apex angle between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface sandwiching the apex is an angle α of 75° or more and 150° or less; the apex occupies an angle β of less than 360° around the pipeline axis; and the stirring unit is formed integrally with the pipe wall.

2. The static mixer according to claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the apex angle is an angle α of 90° or more and 135° or less.

3. The static mixer according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of rows of said agitating units around said pipeline axis, each of said rows including one or more of said agitating units.

4. The static mixer according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of rows include a first row and a second row, and the center of the top of the agitator in the first row is offset from the center of the top of the agitator in the second row that is closest to the agitator in the first row.

5. A static mixer as described in claim 4, wherein the center of the top of the agitator in the first row and the center of the top of the agitator in the second row that is closest to the agitator in the first row are offset in position along the axial direction of the pipeline.

6. A static mixer as described in claim 4, wherein the center of the top of the agitator in the first row and the center of the top of the agitator in the second row that is closest to the agitator in the first row are offset in position along the direction of the pipeline axis by an amount of offset that is a ratio to the size of the inner diameter of the pipeline of 0.75 to 1.

5.

7. A static mixer according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of said stirring sections, said plurality of stirring sections including a first stirring section and a second stirring section formed upstream or downstream of said first stirring section, and wherein the distance between the center of the top of said first stirring section and the center of the top of said second stirring section is 2.5 times or more the width of said pipeline.

8. A static mixer according to claim 1, wherein the pipe wall is made of a material that transmits electromagnetic waves.

9. The static mixer of claim 1, wherein the tube wall is formed of glass.

10. A static mixer according to claim 1, wherein a recess is formed on the outer surface of the pipe wall at a position corresponding to the stirring portion on the inner surface of the pipe wall.

11. The static mixer according to claim 1, further comprising an outer cylinder that covers the pipe wall from the outside, the outer cylinder being configured to emit electromagnetic waves toward the inside of the outer cylinder.

12. The static mixer according to claim 1, further comprising an inner cylinder inserted into the pipe, the inner cylinder being configured to emit electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the inner cylinder.

13. The static mixer according to claim 1, further comprising an outer cylinder that covers the recess from the outside, the outer cylinder being configured to reflect electromagnetic waves.

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