Static mixers have a long, fascinating history. For nearly half a century, these motionless feats of magnificence have been used in a variety of settings. From working as inline mixers for mixing and dispersing to creating reactions to initiating the multi-phase contact of gases, they’re capable of many fantastic things. These days, you can find static mixers in almost every industry on the planet, working hard to keep companies moving across the globe.
Getting a Good Start
The static mixer was initially created by the Arthur D. Little Company and was licensed to the Kenics Corporation. For the markets, it was dubbed the Kenics Motionless Mixer. The original patent was issues in 1969. Since that time, though, much has changed. The entire process has shifted toward creating a more powerful machine without the added energy consumption.
Creating Efficiency
As with any process, static mixing demands a solid flow of energy, yet most industries are looking for a higher level of efficiency, and static mixers are actually becoming part of that. In fact, they’re some of the most efficient machines on the planet. How can that be? The energy required for static mixing actually comes from the pressure drop as fluids flow through the mixer itself, not from outside sources as happens with so many other pieces of equipment.
Built to Last
A big part of the reason so many companies rely on static mixers today is the fact that they’re reliable again and again. Mixers are made from various parts, depending on what you plan to do with it. Stainless steel and PVC are fairly common, but if you’re dealing with acids or other corrosive materials, you can choose lined versions that include Teflon for the protection you need. Either way, you’re getting materials that will be around for a long time to come.
Many Options
One of the best parts about today’s static mixers is that the designs themselves are far from static. In fact, they’re quite dynamic. Available in almost all shapes and sizes, they’ll fit even in the tightest possible spaces. In fact, we’ve designed a wafer static mixer that is perfect for the smallest spaces where a static mixer is an absolute must.
Is a static mixer right for your application? Contact us today to learn more.