Quality and efficiency are often used as buzzwords when selling a product, but what do those terms really mean?  And how do those terms affect the operation of a static mixer?  Unfortunately, these terms are often used interchangeably even though they refer to very different things.  It’s important to understand the distinction when using a static mixer.

Mixer Quality

The mixing quality refers to the variation coefficient.  In other words, the quality of the mixture is how well the materials have been mixed.  Is it completely homogeneous?  Then its quality is very good.  Typically, a value of 0.05 is considered to very totally homogenous.

Mixer Efficiency

The mixing efficiency, on the other hand, refers to HOW that quality was achieved.  It has nothing to do with the actual homogeneity of the mixture itself.  It’s all about the process.  An efficient mixing design will have a low drop in pressure and a short mixing time; however, an inefficient design has a high drop in pressure or a long mixing time.

Achieving Both

The goal, of course, is to achieve both quality and efficiency in the same mixing process.  Fortunately, Komax offers the Triple Action Static Mixer, which can achieve high efficiency as a result of its triple action mixing process.  Its counter-rotating vortices and back-mixing capabilities eliminate streaming or tunneling effects, which considerably improves the efficiency of the mixer.  Its two by two division and cross current mixing repeatedly divides and randomizes the materials in the process stream creating the best quality mixture that you possibly can.

Don’t let vague jargon confuse you during the static mixing process.  Know the right terms, and choose the static mixer that’s right for you.  If you’re still not sure, contact Komax today, and our specialists can help you make the right choice.