Design and assessment of a novel static mixer

This paper examines the performance of a novel static mixer comprising a circular tube fitted with eight alternating equi‐spaced semicircular rigid insert (baffles) as the mixer elements. Experiments were carried out to obtain the coefficient of variance (CoV) for the mixing of two streams of water and brine for Reynolds number between 60 and 700. Decreasing the baffles clearance ratio significantly reduces the CoV but at a cost of an increase in the pressure drop across the static mixer. The presence of the mixing elements (baffles) promotes a non‐laminar, turbulent‐like flow which considerably enhances the mixing. The static mixer described here represents a cost effective, easy to manufacture, low maintenance, and flexible alternative to the more sophisticated static mixers currently in use.