Static Mixer With Sequential Chambers for Varying Liquid Arrival Times
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing static mixers are ineffective at mixing liquids delivered in a chronological order and fail to maintain a liquid-gas boundary, often promoting aeration when gas bubbles are introduced, and their residence time is dependent on flow rate and mixer volume.
Innovation Solution
A static mixing apparatus with a series of concentric chambers and offset orifices that allow for independent liquid residence time and gas bubble trapping, featuring a spiral pattern of orifices to ensure liquid-gas separation and efficient mixing of liquids with varying arrival times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing static mixers are used to mix liquids delivered in chronological order, then mixing of simultaneous liquid streams is achieved, but mixing effectiveness deteriorates when liquids arrive at different times
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) with sequential flow paths. Each chamber contains orifices that allow liquids to transition between chambers at controlled rates, enabling the mixer to accommodate liquids arriving at different times while maintaining effective mixing through the segmented progression path
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a temporal dimension to the mixing process by creating a multi-chamber sequential flow path. Instead of mixing all liquids simultaneously in a single chamber, liquids progress through chambers in sequence, allowing chronological delivery to be converted into spatial progression, thereby maintaining mixing effectiveness regardless of arrival timing
2Reliability
If existing static mixers are used with gas bubbles introduced into liquid streams, then liquid mixing is achieved, but aeration is promoted and liquid-gas boundary is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer is divided into multiple chambers with controlled orifices between them. Gas bubbles introduced into the liquid stream are trapped within specific chambers and prevented from escaping to the outlet, as the orifices are positioned and sized to maintain liquid-gas separation while allowing liquid progression
Solution Approach 2:
The orifices act as intermediaries between chambers, controlling the transition of liquid and trapped gas bubbles. The orifices are positioned and sized to allow liquid flow while preventing gas bubble escape, thereby maintaining the liquid-gas boundary without promoting aeration
3Reliability
If existing static mixers are used with liquids occupying all flow path volume, then mixing is achieved, but residence time becomes dependent on flow rate and mixer length
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer is divided into multiple chambers with controlled orifices between them. The orifices are sized and positioned to control the rate of liquid progression through each chamber, creating a residence time that is determined by the orifice characteristics rather than the overall flow rate or mixer length
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the controlling parameter for residence time from macroscopic (overall flow rate and mixer length) to microscopic (orifice size and position). By controlling the orifice parameters, the residence time becomes independent of the bulk flow rate, as the orifices regulate flow through each chamber segment
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 apparatus achieves uniform mixing of liquids with varying arrival times and maintains a liquid-gas boundary, independent of flow rate, with a surprisingly small hold-up volume and efficient gas bubble trapping.
Implementation Method 1
Overlapping of the start and end of each subsequent orifice enables the mixer also to function as a bubble trap, by ensuring the liquid/gas boundary is at the same level within and across each chamber of the mixer
Implementation Method 2
a spiral pattern of orifices to ensure liquid-gas separation and efficient mixing of liquids with varying arrival times
Data Source
AI summary
A static mixing apparatus for mixing a fluid, preferably a liquid is provided. The mixer comprises a plurality of chambers in series, the first chamber of the series comprising a fluid inlet, and the final chamber of the series comprising a fluid outlet, each chamber except the final chamber including orifices defining a flow path from the fluid inlet and into each chamber in series and to the fluid outlet and the final chamber including a gas outlet located at the opposite end of the static mixing apparatus to the fluid inlet and fluid outlet.