Micromixing performance of a static mixer with an internal triply periodic minimal surface structure

Abstract

This study explores TPMS-Diamond structures in static mixers to enhance mixing and reaction processes. Pressure drops were measured in the fine chemicals flow range (0.6–3 L/min), and correlations between Reynolds number, porosity, unit size, and friction factor were established. Energy dissipation rates were calculated, and micromixing performance was evaluated using the Villermaux–Dushman reaction system.The results indicated that micromixing predominantly occurred in the initial contact region, with smaller unit sizes enhancing micromixing performance. When the porosity, ε, is greater than or equal to 0.75, the local energy dissipation rate of the TPMS-Diamond structure was found to be similar to that of the Kenics mixer, yet it achieved significantly better micromixing performance. Additionally, the effects of H+ concentration, flow rate, and volume flow ratio on the micromixing performance of the TPMS-Diamond structure were analyzed. By applying experimental data and agglomeration model techniques, micromixing times for TPMS-Diamond structures with different unit sizes and porosity were determined to range from 0.15 to 1.02 ms, all shorter than those of Kenics mixers. The relationship between micromixing time and energy dissipation rate demonstrates the excellent energy efficiency of TPMS structures. These results demonstrate the substantial potential of TPMS structures in optimizing chemical reaction processes.