Study on pilot-scale inline jet flow high shear mixer: Discharge, macro-mixing time, and residence time distribution

Abstract

High shear mixers with long residence times are essential to intensify finite rate reactions. Therefore, the discharge, residence time distribution (RTD), and macro-mixing time characteristics of a pilot-scale inline jet flow high shear mixer (JFHSM) were systematically investigated. Using experimental and CFD simulation methods, the effects of rotational speed N, feed flow rate QI, feed position, stator bottom opening ratio φ, and rotor angle α were studied. The results show that the inline JFHSM is a perfect mixing reactor, and the effect of QI is weak. The stator’s presence or increased N enhance dispersion and mixing effects. A closer feed position to the mixing head results in better dispersion and a smaller tM. Alterations to the φ and the α result in notable modifications to the flow pattern. tM is smaller at φ ≥ 0.250, with an optimal value at φ = 0.567, and the inline JFHSM has the smallest Po at α = 30° and the lowest tM at α = 90°.Moreover, the correlation equations for FlT, Po, Srave, A, and εave, A provide guidance for optimizing and scaling up inline JFHSM.