The mixer applied to fast stirring and distribution of chemical reagents in a stream of liquid. But, the use of a pipe mixer will allow you to perform a variety of tasks in various fields of application.
In particular, with the help of a mixer, it is possible to saturate the solution and gases with reagents. And carry out chemical reactions, grind (disperse) liquids, and much more. Also, mixers can be used for the homogenization process. And creating a homogeneous liquid structure for liquids of various viscosities and flow rates.
Homogenization of solutions with a static mixer is carried out in continuous processes without the use of rotating or moving mechanical devices. The whole process is provided by a pump and compressor, which create the necessary flow and pressure. The size of diameter of the mixers used in laboratory processes can be from a few millimeters to one meter and even more.
What is a static pipe mixer?
Pipe mixers are an essential piece of equipment for many industries, including the food and beverage industry. In the construction industry, pipe mixers are used to mix concrete and other materials. Pipe mixers are also used in the mining industry to mix explosives.
Pipe mixers can be used to mix a variety of materials, including liquids, powders, and granules. The material being mixed will determine the size and number of blades needed for the mixer. Pipe mixers are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different projects.
Pipe mixers are versatile pieces of equipment that can be used in a variety of industries. They are an essential part of many processes, including the food and beverage industry, where they are used to mix ingredients for recipes. In the construction industry, pipe mixers are used to mix concrete and other materials.
Why do you need a static mixer?
It is well known that color streak problems in the injection molding process can be eliminated by the correct use of static mixers. It is less known that a large number of other quality problems can be solved in this way. Besides improving reliability and reducing manufacturing costs.
Over the past few years, the screw geometry and electronic control of injection molding machines. Extruders have been improved to ensure efficient and fast plasticization. And the application of mixture and other additives.
Since injection molding is an intermittent process, the melt remains in the barrel for varying periods of time. To keep the melting process as short as possible, it is also necessary to heat the cylinder from the outside using ring heaters.
Thus, the heated melt has different temperatures, both in cross-section and during injection. This, in turn, leads to different viscosities and flow rates. This is where mixing nozzles come into play.
Many of the quality problems that occur in injection molding are related to different temperatures, viscosities, and flow rates. By achieving a better temperature distribution and flow rate. Dimensional tolerances can be improved, and surface effects such as glossy areas can be avoided.
The role of static mixers in extrusion processes
Static mixing has been proven to improve the quality of molded and extruded products. The molten material is pumped through a series of static mixing elements installed inside a nozzle with annular heating elements before dying assembly.
The use of static mixers offers several benefits, including, uniform viscosity, density, and improved mixing of colors. And minor additives, efficient use of all raw materials, elimination of streaks or clouds in the finished product, consistent quality, and higher yield (less scrap). A static mixer on a very short pipe length can correct various inconsistencies in the expelled flow.
Ease of cleaning and ease of maintenance
Static mixers are ideal for extrusion, not only in terms of mixing performance but also because the removable elements can be easily removed from the body and can be cleaned individually. A set of 5 or 6 elements of a static mixer is commonly used in the production of molded and extruded products.
Where is the static mixer installed?
The static mixer is installed in the injection molding machine after the cylinder and before the mold gate. The static mixer, which is used on injection molding machines, consists of a mixer, a nozzle for a particular model of the injection molding machine, and a heating element (nozzle ring heater) with a thermocouple.
For more thorough mixing of the molten plastic, static mixers are installed on extruders after the barrel but immediately before the mold head.
Where is the static mixer located?
The static mixer is installed on the injection molding machine in place of the regular nozzle. The static mixing device includes the mixer itself, consisting of four to six mixing elements. A nozzle made for a specific machine model, an adapter for connecting to the material cylinder body, a nozzle heater, and a heater controller. As an option, a melt filter is installed in the body of the device.
What is a static mixer made of?
It includes:
- Mixer, which includes several parts with different types of fixed mixing elements;
- nozzle;
- Adapter for connection with the body of the material cylinder;
- One or more annular nozzle heaters (micanite, ceramic, or brass);
- Thermocouple for temperature control.
- A melt filter can also be installed in the body of the device.
Conclusion
Modern methods and means of engineering analysis make it possible to select technological equipment at a high level. The use of methods and tools of modern computational fluid dynamics makes it possible to test the efficiency of static mixing devices with high reliability. The authors are convinced that static mixers of various designs can serve as a cheap and effective solution to the issues of organizing mixing. Both in water treatment systems and in organizing other technological operations. The most important advantages of static mixers are their compactness. Which allows them to be integrated into existing production lines at a minimal cost. Also, with the right choice of design, static mixers provide high technological mixing efficiency. So high efficiency of the main technological processes associated with mixing.
