Abstract
New type of static mixer and reactor, "non-element static mixer and reactor", in which no paddles or elements are installed, is proposed for the enhancement of mixing and chemical reaction. This static mixer and reactor consist of a mainstream pipe (ID: 10mm) for main flow and branches (ID: 3mm) for additional flow. The high viscous fluid (glycerin) with reactant K4[Fe(CN)6] flows in the mainstream pipe in a steady state condition. The glycerin with reactant Fe(NO3)3 is supplied periodically from branches in a same phase. Reactants, K4[Fe(CN)6] and Fe(NO3)3, react as following, K4[Fe(CN)6] + Fe(NO3)3 = KFe[Fe(CN)6]. The color of K4[Fe(CN)6] is pink, Fe(NO3)3 is yellow and KFe[Fe(CN)6] is dark blue. Then the start of the chemical reaction can be identified by observing the change in color in fluid. Periodical supply of fluid from branches stretches and folds the fluid flow in a mainstream pipe many times and finally makes the flow chaotic. The color in the fluid significantly changes at the downstream region though few changes in color are seen in the case of a steady state mixing there. This indicates that the mixing of reactant K4[Fe(CN)6] in the main flow and Fe(NO3)3 in the branching flow is extremely enhanced compared to the steady state mixing and chemical reaction.
