Open-Channel Static Mixer Blades for Clog-Resistant Additive Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing static mixers are inefficient in rapidly mixing and homogenizing additives with fluids containing solids, such as waste water, leading to clogging and requiring additional dosing devices that obstruct flow.
Innovation Solution
A static mixer duct with blades inclined at a small angle within the channel, featuring additive injection openings on the downstream surfaces of the blades, creating counter-rotating vortex pairs for rapid mixing and homogenization without additional dosing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional static mixers are used for mixing additives with waste water, then mixing function is provided, but clogging occurs and operational period is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional additive dosing location from upstream to downstream of the blades. Additive injection openings are provided in or on the downstream surface of each blade, allowing additive to be introduced after the primary flow disturbance. This inversion prevents solids in waste water from blocking additive dosing mechanisms while maintaining effective mixing through the counter-rotating vortex pairs generated by the blade geometry.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional dosing devices are installed upstream for additive injection, then additive dosing function is achieved, but flow obstruction and increased complexity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the additive dosing function directly into the blade structure itself. The blade serves dual purposes: generating mixing flow patterns and providing the injection point for additive. The additive injection opening is integrated in or on the downstream surface of each blade, eliminating the need for separate upstream dosing devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the additive dosing function from the traditional upstream positioning and relocates it to the blade structure. By providing injection openings in the downstream surface of blades, the dosing function is separated from potential clogging zones while maintaining mixing effectiveness through the blade-generated vortex flow.
3Productivity
If conventional static mixers are used, then mixing occurs, but homogenization speed is insufficient for waste water applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs coplanar blades that generate dynamic counter-rotating vortex pairs as fluid passes through the mixing chamber. This dynamic flow pattern, created by the specific blade geometry and arrangement, enhances mixing intensity and accelerates homogenization of additive with waste water, achieving rapid and uniform distribution throughout the flow.
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
The solution ensures rapid and uniform mixing of additives with fluids, reduces clogging, saves additives, and maintains low pressure loss, while being easy to install and maintain.
Implementation Method 1
The blades of the static mixer duct in accordance with the present invention create big counter rotating vortex pairs carrying the additive from the additive injection opening(s) and homogenizes the resulting mixture fast and uniformly over the entire channel cross section
Implementation Method 2
at least one additive injection opening is provided in, on or above the downstream surface of each of the blades
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a static mixer duct (10) having the form of a channel (11) being open on its top, wherein the static mixer duct comprises an inlet (16) at an upstream end of the channel, an outlet (18) at an opposite downstream end of the channel and at least two blades (22, 22') being arranged at least substantially coplanar within the channel between the inlet and outlet, wherein substantially coplanar means that the blades are inclined with each other with regard to a plane extending through the channel by not more than 10°, wherein each of the blades has an upstream surface (32) being oriented towards the inlet and an opposite downstream surface (34), wherein at least one additive injection opening (44, 44') is provided in, on or above the downstream surface of each of the blades.