Design of a Novel μ-Mixer

In this work, the efficiency of a new μ-mixer design is investigated. As in this type of devices the Reynolds number is low, mixing is diffusion dominated and it can be enhanced by creating secondary flows. In this study, we propose the introduction of helical inserts into a straight tube to create...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fluids (Basel) 2018-03, Vol.3 (1), p.10
Main Authors: Kanaris, Athanasios, Mouza, Aikaterini
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Computational fluid dynamics
Design
Design parameters
Efficiency
Fluid dynamics
Fluid flow
Geometry
Inserts
Laboratories
Parameter estimation
Physical properties
Pressure drop
Process controls
Propeller blades
Reactors
Reynolds number
Simulation
Studies
Swirling
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In this work, the efficiency of a new μ-mixer design is investigated. As in this type of devices the Reynolds number is low, mixing is diffusion dominated and it can be enhanced by creating secondary flows. In this study, we propose the introduction of helical inserts into a straight tube to create swirling flow. The influence of the insert’s geometrical parameters (pitch and length of the propeller blades) and of the Reynolds number on the mixing efficiency and on the pressure drop are numerically investigated. The mixing efficiency of the device is assessed by calculating a number—i.e., the index of mixing efficiency—that quantifies the uniformity of concentration at the outlet of the device. The influence of the design parameters on the mixing efficiency is assessed by performing a series of ‘computational’ experiments, in which the values of the parameter are selected using design of experiments (DOE) methodology. Finally using the numerical data, appropriate design equations are formulated, which, for given values of the design parameters, can estimate with reasonable accuracy both the mixing efficiency and the pressure drop of the proposed mixing device.
ISSN:2311-5521
2311-5521
DOI:10.3390/fluids3010010