A static mixer is a precision-engineered device that is used for the continuous mixing of fluid materials without moving components.  Typically, the fluids to be mixed are liquid, however, they can mix gas streams, disperse gas into a liquid or blend immiscible liquids.  There are many designs of static mixers and construction materials as they fulfill so many applications.  From wastewater treatments, chemical processing, refineries, food and beverage, and oil and gas, they utilize static mixers in a number of ways.

The Basics of a Static Mixer

A static mixer is also called a motionless mixer.  It has no moving parts and a series of internal elements within a tube.  They use it to effectively mix and create a uniform mixture that is consistent.  A static mixer also eliminates air from getting into the mixture, which can affect bonding in liquids.

Fiber Glass (FRP) Static Mixers

We mostly find Fiberglass static mixers in the municipal waste and wastewater treatment industry.

There are several versions of the fiberglass static mixer from FRP inline static mixers, FRP nonclogging static mixers, and FRP wafer static mixers.

They allow for easy mounting of the static mixer into the processing pipeline.

PVC Static Mixer

They design PVC Static Mixers to suit every application from small sizes ½” to large 20”.  They encase the mixing elements in the PVC pipe.

Other types of plastic that can be used are CPVS, PVDF, PFTE Lined Steels, HDPE, and Polypropylene.

Lined Static Mixers

When you are mixing harsh and aggressive chemicals, there is the need for a corrosion-resistant static mixer.  Lined static mixers are dedicated to industries and applications where harsh chemicals need to be mixed without pipeline corrosion.  Teflon & Kynar lined so that the concentrated acid or other aggressive chemicals can be mixed.

Non-Clogging Static Mixer

The Komax Hi-Pass Sludge Mixer design is to effectively mix polymer solutions into sludge flows prior to the dewatering process.

This mixer is capable of handling municipal sludges with solid content up to 5% and of passing individual solid items with a nominal major diameter up to 25% that of the mixer.  It prevents the “stapling” of stringy materials in the flow.

The design is non-clogging, as the municipal sludge contains solid and fibrous materials of sufficient quantities and types to accumulate and cause fouling and plugging conditions in standard mixers.

Custody Transfer (CT) Static Mixer

The biggest problem with custody transfer is the ability to distribute water and bottom sediments across the crude oil pipeline for accurate crude oil sampling and crude oil metering.  Water is heavier and tends to flow on the bottom of the pipeline where oil will flow above the water.  This is where a custody transfer static mixer comes into play.  The configuration is specifically for custody transfer arrangements and ensuring that the water and oil are homogenous and dispersed.

Sanitary Static Mixer

Specifically, for the food and beverage industry that requires clean in place within their process pipeline, a sanitary static mixer has a place.  A stainless steel static mixer can come as one unit with removable elements for easy cleaning.  They are perfect for a wide variety of food and beverage applications such as margarine, yogurt, tomato pastes, batter, soft drinks, beer, and more.

By incorporating sanitary inline static mixers and metering pumps, the mixing process can be carried out on a continuous basis.

Wafer Static Mixer

When there is a space limitation available and a traditional static mixer will not work, the wafer static mixer is what you will need.  The design of the patent Komax wafer type static mixer is to fit between existing pipe flanges of any specification, making the wafer mixer easier for new and retrofit installations.