Laminar Flow in Static Mixers with Helical Elements

The flow pattern, pressure drop and the mixing characteristics of Kenics™ static mixers are investigated by means of computer simulations. The static mixer consists of a series of alternating left and right hand helical elements. The simulations gave new insights in the flow pattern in the helical mixing elements. The pressure drop predictions compare favorably with literature data. Mixing in the elements occurs through a combination of flow splitting and shearing at the junctions of successive elements and a stretching and folding mechanism within the elements. This makes the Kenics element an excellent radial mixing device.