Mixer Disk Layout With Contra-Rotating Eddies for Compact Fluid Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing devices in industrial plants face inefficiencies in fluid mixing, particularly in achieving uniformity and reducing flow resistance, especially when incorporating additives into fluid streams.
Innovation Solution
The mixing device features multiple mixer disk rows arranged side by side in a flow channel, with disks angled alternately in positive and negative approach angles, creating interpenetrating leading edge eddy systems that generate a global spiral flow, enhancing mixing efficiency and reducing flow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mixer disk rows are arranged one after another in the direction of flow, then mixing uniformity is improved, but the device length and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from arranging mixer disk rows sequentially in the flow direction (one-dimensional arrangement) to arranging multiple mixer disk rows side by side in parallel (two-dimensional arrangement). This dimensional change allows multiple mixing elements to operate simultaneously within the same flow channel section, achieving improved mixing uniformity without increasing the device length in the flow direction.
2Productivity
If multiple mixer disk rows are arranged side by side, then mixing efficiency is improved, but flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of mixer disk rows with alternating positive and negative approach angles. This asymmetric configuration creates complementary flow patterns where the wake regions of one row are positioned to receive enhanced mixing from adjacent rows, improving overall mixing efficiency while the distributed arrangement prevents excessive flow resistance concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different mixer disk rows are positioned at different locations across the flow channel with varying approach angles, creating localized mixing zones with different characteristics. This allows each row to address specific flow non-uniformities in its local region, achieving comprehensive mixing efficiency improvement without uniformly increasing flow resistance across the entire channel.
3Manufacturing precision
If mixer disks are arranged with alternating positive and negative angles, then flow distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing device is segmented into multiple independent mixer disk rows, each capable of operating with a specific approach angle. This segmentation allows the complex task of achieving uniform flow distribution to be divided into multiple simpler sub-tasks, where each row contributes to the overall uniformity through its specific angular configuration, making the system manageable despite its complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration achieves more efficient fluid mixing with reduced flow resistance and eliminates hot spots and temperature imbalances, while allowing for compact design in space-constrained industrial settings.
Implementation Method 1
creating leading edge eddies in a fluid flowing through the flow channel
Implementation Method 2
a particularly stable leading edge eddy system develops on the back of these mixer disks facing away from the flow
Implementation Method 3
disks angled alternately in positive and negative approach angles, creating interpenetrating leading edge eddy systems that generate a global spiral flow
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a mixing device which is arranged in a flow channel and a mixing method for mixing a fluid flowing through the flow channel in a main direction of flow. The mixing device has a plurality of mixer disks which generate leading edge eddies in a fluid flowing through the flow channel in a main direction of flow. The mixer disks are arranged in mixer disk rows in row axes running essentially across the main direction of flow. The mixer disk rows are arranged side by side in the main direction of flow in a common flow channel section where the mixer disks of neighboring mixer disk rows are alternately angled in a positive angle of attack and in a negative angle of attack with respect to the main direction of flow.According to this process, the fluid flowing through the flow channel is mixed thoroughly by a leading edge eddy system, whereby in the mixing method presented here at least two contra-rotating leading edge eddy systems are generated in a common flow channel section.