Evaluation of mixing profiles for a new micromixer design strategy

The relationship between mixing history and reaction performance in microreactors using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations is identified. In the idealized, simplified mixing model, mixing proceeds linearly and only the mixing time determined the reaction performance. However, in the case of realistic models where mixing proceeds unequally, the partial rapid progression of mixing, more than the mixing time, significantly impacts the reaction. The use of the fluid segment size distribution to capture this effect is proposed. The effective Damköhler number derived from the fluid segment size distribution predicted the reaction yield well. To demonstrate the utility of the mixing profile design strategy, we fabricated a novel micromixer with multiple partial rapid mixing zones. This micromixer achieved excellent results both in a CFD simulation and an experiment. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 1154–1161, 2016     

RIM混合室中对撞射流混合性能研究

以偶合反应的选择性,评价射流对撞混合器混合性能。研究了低粘流体低速条件下,结构参数(H/d、d/D)和流动参数(动量比)γ,Re)对混合质量的影响。认为 H/d 是非敏感参数,d/D 减小有利于混合,而动量比偏离l对混合稍不利,不能仅用雷诺数作为设计放大的准则。     

Cavitation behavior and mixing performance of antisolvent precipitation process in an ultrasonic micromixer

A facile and robust ultrasonic micromixer was developed to intensify antisolvent precipitation via ultrasonic cavitation. The gas supersaturation created from solvent–antisolvent mixing was found to be a novel driving force which facilitated the generation of cavitation bubbles (CBs). Instead of being attached on the channel wall, numerous CBs translated across the microchannel at a speed up to 1.7 m/s, inducing intense transverse flow over the cross-section. The unique cavitation behavior enabled rapid mixing (mixing time 15–45 ms at 30 W) of solvent–antisolvent over wide Reynolds number range (70–500) and flow rate ratio (5:1–2:3), providing better operability for antisolvent precipitation. The effects of ultrasonic power, total flow rate, flow rate ratio, and solvent on cavitation behavior and mixing performance were quantitatively studied. Finally, the potential of the ultrasonic micromixer as a new tool for antisolvent precipitation was demonstrated by synthesizing size-controllable and monodisperse polymeric nanoparticles in a high-throughput and reproducible manner.     

Numerical investigation of blade shape in static mixing

The mixing performance of the KMX and SMX static mixers have been compared using 3D high-resolution computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Although these mixers have a similar design composed of layers of blades, their blade shape is different: curved for the KMX and flat for the SMX. The flow of a Newtonian fluid in steady laminar regime has been considered as the benchmark of the study. The simulation was first validated by assessing the pressure drop vs. the number of mixer elements and the results were found to be in good agreement with experimental data. To evaluate the mixing quality, cross-section stream function, extensional efficiency, mean shear rate, residence time, intensity of segregation, stretching, and Lyapunov exponent have been selected. Analysis of the flow pattern and mixing parameters shows differences between the mixers and it appears that the curved blade is more efficient than the flat blade design at the expense of a slightly higher pressure drop. In practice, the KMX mixer should provide a higher mixing rate at high viscosity ratio than the SMX mixer. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 51: 44–58, 2005     

The numerical simulation of a new double swirl static mixer for gas reactants mixing

For the nitrogen oxide removal processes, high performance gas mixer is deeply needed for the injection of NH₃ or O₃. In this study, a new type of double swirl static mixer in gas mixing was investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The results obtained using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) correlated well with the results obtained from simulation. The comparisons in pressure loss between the experimental results and the simulation results showed that the model was suitable and accurate for the simulation of the static mixer. Optimal process conditions and design were investigated. When L/D equaled 4, coefficient of variation (COV) was < 5%. The inlet velocity did not affect the distributions of turbulent kinetic energy. In terms of both COV and pressure loss, the inner connector is important in the design of the static mixer. The nozzle length should be set at 4 cm. Taking both COV and pressure loss into consideration, the optimal oblique degree is 45°. The averaged kinetic energy changed according to process conditions and design. The new static mixer resulted in improved mixing performance in a more compact design. The new static mixer is more energy efficient compared with other SV static mixers. Therefore, the double swirl static mixer is promising in gas mixing.     

模块化微反应系统内溴化间甲基苯甲醚连续合成

根据微化工技术发展的主要趋势,针对4-溴-3-甲基苯甲醚间歇非均相合成技术存在的问题,以微筛孔反应器与玻璃微珠填充床为核心功能微设备单元构建了模块化微反应系统,并在此模块化微反应系统内对液-液非均相连续溴化合成4-溴-3-甲基苯甲醚开展研究。通过优化操作条件,在溴浓度(x_Br2)为17.5%(质量分数)、溴与间甲基苯甲醚摩尔比(n_Br2/n_M)为1.01、反应起始温度(T)为0℃、停留时间为0.78 min条件下,4-溴-3-甲基苯甲醚的收率大于98%,多溴代副产物的含量仅为1%。与传统间歇溴化反应相比,模块化微反应系统内连续溴化反应具有十分明显的优势:可将间歇过程连续化,在保证安全的基础上极大地提升了反应的效率(时空收率为6.5×10⁴kg/(m³·h));另外,该过程是由传质控制的,微反应器的传质性能优异,可极大地改善产品的选择性(多溴代副产物的量减少50%)。该研究为4-溴-3-甲基苯甲醚的连续高效安全合成提供了技术和设备依据。     

Continuous synthesis of 4-bromo-3-methylanisole in modular microreaction system

With the development of microreaction technology and the key issues of liquid-liquid batch bromination process for the synthesis of 4-bromo-3-methylanisole, a modular microreaction system was constructed by taking microreactor and microbead-packed bed as the major functional microdevice units to intensify the bromination of methylanisole. And in this modular microreaction system, the liquid-liquid heterogeneous continuous bromination of 4-bromo-3-methylanisole was studied. The following optimized conditions were obtained, concentration of Br₂ (x_Br2): 17.5 wt%, molar ratio of Br₂ to methylanisole (n_Br2/n_M): 1.01, initial reaction temperature (T): 0℃, residence time (τ): 0.78 min, with yield of 4-bromo-3-methylanisole more than 98%, and percentage of polybrominated side product less than 1%. Comparing with the conventional batch process, the continuous microreaction technology has obvious advantages. For example, it can change the traditional batch process to a continuous one with a significant increase of productivity (space time yield: 6.5×10⁴ kg/(m³·h)). Besides, since this process is mainly controlled by mass transfer, the modular microreaction system with excellent mass transfer could reduce 50% of polybrominated side product. The study might provide a good foundation for the continuously controllable synthesis of 4-bromo-3-methylanisole in safety.     

氯苯连续绝热硝化合成硝基氯苯过程设计

依据氯苯绝热硝化反应合成硝基氯苯工艺过程的特点和中试试验结果,对5万t/a硝基氯苯生产过程中,氯苯连续绝热硝化反应合成硝基氯苯过程进行了设计。该过程主要由SV-5/100型18 m长静态混合硝化反应器、耐腐高压泵、涡轮流量计、氯苯槽、混酸槽等组成。该工艺过程具有反应速率高、过程安全可靠、物料及能量的利用效率高、三废量少、操作费用低、产品质量稳定等优点。     

Modeling mixing dynamics in uncovered baffled and unbaffled stirred tanks

This paper presents results of measurements performed in uncovered baffled and unbaffled stirred tanks. The Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) set consists of a 300 mW argon-ion laser generating two pairs of blue and green beams. Additionally, three turbulence models are verified to simulate mixing dynamics in uncovered baffled and unbaffled stirred tanks. Simulations are performed using both the steady- and the transient-state approach. The unbaffled tank was modeled using both the single- and the multiphase approaches. The cited correlations of the central vortex depth are used to verify the multiphase calculations. In order to reduce the computational time, a simplified numerical model is proposed. It assumes a single-phase simulation without the central vortex. The flow fields below the central vortex level are compared between the single- and the multiphase approach. The simplified model can be used both to design and optimize the mixing process.     

稀释水掺混用薄板式静态混合器结构设计与优化

稀释水掺混是油田或炼油厂原油电脱盐系统的关键环节,直接影响电脱盐的效率和运行能耗。为进一步简化设备结构、助力系统降本增效,提出将薄板式静态混合器应用于稀释水掺混环节。在对薄板式静态混合器进行初步结构设计的基础上,对油水混合情况进行计算流体动力学(CFD)三维数值模拟,以离析强度的平方根(IOS0.5)、管路压降(Δp)等作为评价指标,考察了注水管长度、注水管?弯曲薄板间距、弯曲薄板导向位置、弯曲薄板厚度四个结构参数对油水两相混合程度及运行能耗的影响。以混合管路内径D为基准参照,借助响应曲面法(RSM)对关键结构参数进行优化,并对最优结构参数组合下的混合性能进行预测。优化所得最优结构参数组合为注水管长度为1/3D、注水管-弯曲薄板间距为4/25D、弯曲薄板导向位置为1/8π、弯曲薄板厚度为1/25D,结构优化后的IOS0.5相比优化前降低了43.06%。定性分析薄板式混合器内的水相速度云图和流线图可知,当注水比为2%时,油水两相在注水管下游3D处即可达到均匀混合状态,可见薄板式静态混合器能够在小注水比下快速实现油水均匀混合。     

管式反应制备氧化锆纳米晶微粉的研究

本文采用管式ＳＫ－１０／２０型表态混合反应器对ＺｒＯＣｌ２·８Ｈ２Ｏ·ＹＣｌ３与ＮＨ·Ｈ２Ｏ进行液相共沉淀反应以制备ＺｒＯ２（Ｙ２Ｏ３）纳米晶微粉。研究了表态混合器反应过程中的流速、混合特性和反应浓度对粉体粒径与粒径分布的关系,并进行了分析探讨。     

Pressure drop and mixing behaviour of non‐Newtonian fluids in a static mixing unit

Static or motionless mixers have received wide application in chemical and allied industries due to their low cost and high efficiency. The pressure drop and mixing behaviour of such mixers have been widely studied. However, the available information for non‐Newtonian fluids is scanty. The results of pressure drop and mixing studies conducted with a locally made motionless mixer (MALAVIYA mixer) and four non‐Newtonian fluids—aq. CMC, PVA, and PEG solutions are reported in this article. The new mixer causes less pressure drop compared to some of the commercial mixers. Mixing behaviour of the unit is more closer to plug flow and a two‐parameter model correlates the dispersion data.     

Experimental characterization and multi-scale modeling of mixing in static mixers

Mixing in static mixers is studied using a set of competitive-parallel chemical reactions and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in a wide range of operating conditions. Two kinds of mixers, a wide angle Y-mixer and a two jet vortex mixer, referred to as Roughton mixer, are compared in terms of reaction yields and mixing times. It is found that the Roughton mixer achieves a better mixing performance compared to the Y-mixer. The effect of flow rate ratio on mixing in the Roughton mixer has been studied as well and it is shown that the mixing efficiency is not affected by the flow rate ratio. Moreover, experimental results and model predictions are in good agreement for all mixer geometries and operating conditions. CFD is used to calculate absolute mixing times based on the residence time in the segregated zone and it is shown that mixing times of less than 1 ms can be achieved in the Roughton mixer. In addition, CFD provides insight in local concentrations and reaction rates and serves as a valuable tool to improve or to scale-up mixers.     

Lattice-structured SiC ceramics obtained via 3D printing,gel casting,and gaseous silicon infiltration sintering

In view of technical difficulties in preparing ceramics with complex shapes, gel casting combined with 3D printing was here adopted to prepare silicon carbide ceramic green body, and gaseous silicon infiltration sintering was used to prepare 3D lattice-structured ceramics. The preparation of the slurry, gel curing, and ceramic molding was investigated. Results demonstrate that the ratio of components affects the fluidity and stability of slurry. However, when volume fraction of the solid phase of the slurry reaches 56%, the viscosity of slurry is only 300 mPa s, and drying shrinkage rate of green body is 6.6%; these characteristics make slurry suitable for 3D complex model injection molding. Furthermore, both the temperature and the initiator affect gel curing speed. As the temperature and initiator content increase, the induction and gel time are rapidly shortened. When demolding at 300 °C and when gaseous silicon infiltration sintering is carried out at 1550 °C, a 3D lattice-structured ceramic with relative density of 87% and average compressive strength of 433 MPa can be obtained.     

Experimental characterization and multi-scale modeling of mixing in static mixers. Part 2. Effect of viscosity and scale-up

Static micro-mixers are used in precipitation processes to avoid mixing limitations. The mixing performance of these mixers, which are used in this study to mix two streams of different viscosity, is characterized using competitive-parallel chemical reactions and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This work is an extension of a previous paper where mixing of fluids with equal viscosity has been studied [Lindenberg, C., Schöll, J., Vicum, L., Brozio, J., Mazzotti, M., 2008. Experimental characterization and multi-scale modeling of mixing in static mixers. Chemical Engineering Science 63, 4135-4149]. It is found that the mixing performance in terms of reaction yield and mixing time decreases slightly with increasing viscosity ratio in a two jet vortex mixer (Roughton mixer). In the Y-mixer the trend is the same at low flow rates, but it is the opposite at large flow rates due to a symmetry breaking phenomenon. The Roughton mixer is scaled-up using the CFD model and a linear relationship between scale-up factor and mixing time is observed. Finally, it is shown that mixing times can be described satisfactorily as a function of velocity, jet diameter and viscosity.     

Ross LPD型静态混合器内湍流传热与混合强化特性

在湍流状态Re=2640~17600下,采用恒热通量传热实验与数值模拟相结合的方法,系统研究Reynolds数Re和交错角对Ross LPD型静态混合器内湍流流动与传热性能影响,采用Nusselt数、Darcy摩擦系数、综合传热系数、速度场与温度梯度和压力梯度协同角等参数评价混合器内传热强化性能;基于CFD与LPT相耦合分析混合器内流体微元拉伸率。研究结果表明：SST k-ω模型预测Ross型静态混合器湍流阻力及传热结果与实验结果具有很好一致性;Ross混合器流场内形成与流场尺度较为接近的纵向涡,其涡心在圆形截面与半圆形截面中心间周期性迁移,横截面内湍流分散混合效率是Kenics的3.36~1.72倍;当Re>7040时,Ross LPD综合传热性能明显优于KSM;当叶片夹角为30°时,综合传热性能系数具有最大值;Ross LPD内插件具有高效低阻的技术优势和结构改进潜力。     

Ross LPD型静态混合器内湍流传热与混合强化特性

在湍流状态Re=2640~17600下,采用恒热通量传热实验与数值模拟相结合的方法,系统研究Reynolds数Re和交错角对Ross LPD型静态混合器内湍流流动与传热性能影响,采用Nusselt数、Darcy摩擦系数、综合传热系数、速度场与温度梯度和压力梯度协同角等参数评价混合器内传热强化性能;基于CFD与LPT相耦合分析混合器内流体微元拉伸率。研究结果表明：SST k-ω模型预测Ross型静态混合器湍流阻力及传热结果与实验结果具有很好一致性;Ross混合器流场内形成与流场尺度较为接近的纵向涡,其涡心在圆形截面与半圆形截面中心间周期性迁移,横截面内湍流分散混合效率是Kenics的3.36~1.72倍;当Re>7040时,Ross LPD综合传热性能明显优于KSM;当叶片夹角为30°时,综合传热性能系数具有最大值;Ross LPD内插件具有高效低阻的技术优势和结构改进潜力。     

仿柳叶形静态混合器的流动及混合特性

对仿柳叶形静态混合器内混合气流进行了速度场与浓度场的试验研究,结果表明该混合器内速度场与浓度场偏差均达到了非常理想的效果（优于国家标准偏差值）。同时采用CFD软件对该静态混合器内的流场进行了数值模拟,试验与模拟的数值结果以及两者的浓度云图分布都有着较好的一致性。随后的研究结果表明：在混合元件尾迹区域出现了纵向涡和发卡涡来促进混合;在经过混合元件区域时因为湍流动能耗散率增加形成的高湍流动能耗散率区能够使物质交换更加频繁;整个静态混合器的流动阻力也主要发生在该区域,随之出现的返混现象也在一定程度上加强了混合效果。     

Design and operation of an enhanced pervaporation device with static mixers

Pervaporation has a high potential for separating miscible solutions, particularly azeotropic mixtures. However, mass transfer limitations have long been a common concern in pervaporation device design. Therefore, in this work, we design a static mixer-based pervaporation device using water–ethanol separation as a model system and further develop computational fluid dynamics tools to investigate systematically all the influencing parameters. In the experiments, we use three-dimensional printed helical static mixers in the feed liquid channel to enhance mass transfer and implement a Sulzer pervaporation membrane for fast removal of water from ethanol. Using flow and mass-transfer simulations, we fit the membrane mass transfer coefficient and provide predictive models for optimal process design. Our pervaporation assembly exhibits promising performance and potential toward pervaporation processes for the removal of water from organics and is preferably scaled out by using stackable designs.     

翼片间距和尾距对HEV型静态混合器混合特性的影响

以变异系数作为评价混合器混合性能的指标,利用实验和数值模拟相结合的方法研究了翼片间距和尾距对HEV型静态混合器混合特性的影响。首先利用实验方法测量了静态混合器出口处示踪流体的体积分数,基于实验结果对数值模拟中的5种湍流模型(standard k-ε、RNG k-ε、realizable k-ε、SST k-ω、standard k-ω)进行对比分析,选出最优计算模型,在此基础上,模拟研究了不同翼片间距在同一基准断面处示踪流体变异系数的变化规律,以及翼片间距在0.8D~2.0D之间时,出口处示踪流体的变异系数随着尾距的变化规律。结果表明:RNG k-ε模型模拟的结果与实验结果最为接近(相对误差为3.37%),即该模型最能真实地反映此混合器的流场特性;HEV型静态混合器混合的均匀程度随着翼片间距的增大呈现先提高再降低的趋势,当翼片间距 ≤1.7D时,随着翼片间距的增大,变异系数迅速降低,当翼片间距 ≥1.7D时,随着翼片间距的增大,变异系数呈上升趋势,翼片间距为1.7D时,CV值最低,混合效果最好;在一定长度范围内,出口处示踪流体的变异系数随着尾距的增加迅速降低,但是尾距增加到一定距离以后,继续增加尾距对混合效果的改善不明显。