The process of mixing is perhaps applicable to all industries, be it construction, food processing, paper, or manufacturing.
This is exactly where a wafer mixer comes into use. It offers excellent mixing facilities with a negligible COV and is particularly suitable for confined spaces.
The wafer mixer combines multiple distribution elements with centerline upstream injection to get the desired mixing results at varying flow conditions.
The mixing process’s major part happens at the mixer’s three outlets where a high velocity flow interacts with the downstream bulk flow. Turbulent eddies are generated behind the elements in the mixer’s low pressure parts, enhancing the overall mixing performance.
When it comes to pressure loss, the wafer mixer’s unique design reduces the flow’s energy loss with more flow remaining attached to the mixer’s walls. This prevents flow separation which conventional mixers don’t.
The additive chemical is injected to the mixer’s center line on its upstream side. A discharge cone distributes this chemical through the three passages for vortex-inducing, evenly.
Reversed flow is produced from the pressure difference between the front and rear sides of each element. This carries the chemical to the mixer’s rear side for intensive mixing by way of the resulting vortical structure created by the 3-way counter-rotating vortex pairs.
The wafer mixer has certain unique features that give it the cutting edge over conventional mixers. These include the ability to clamp between pipe flanges that are existing; enabling a maximum of three injection ports; counter-flow injection that’s clog-resistant; and operates on vortex-generating element technology
The available sizes for wafer mixers range from 4” to 60” nominal diameter and these are made of carbon and stainless steel, FRP, PVC, special alloys or Titanium, depending on requirements. The capital cost too, is low and the absence of mobile parts helps cut maintenance costs. The user is also assured of a long service life and low head loss.
The wafer mixer finds maximum use in units where space constraints are a problem, particularly pipe line space and where traditional static mixers can’t be placed. This mixer is fixable in the main water stream between two pipe flanges.
The technology used creates a 3-way counter-rotating vortex for vortex generating to achieve any desirable mixing quality as compared to 2-way mixers.
The design of the latest wafer mixer is such that it offers the shortest mixing length with a lower pressure loss in multiple and varying flow conditions.