A new reduced geometric model for simulation and design of NETmix reactors: LoopNUB

Abstract

NETmix is a mesosized static mixer comprising a network of mixing chambers and channels, which has experienced a fast industrial uptake. The flow inside this mixer has been previously simulated using the NETmix Unit Block (NUB) - a vertical subdomain of the network that uses lateral Periodic Boundary Conditions (PBCs). A new model is introduced, enabling further reduction of the simulated space – the LoopNUB – that considers PBCs in the sidewalls and between the inlets and outlets, representing an infinite network. The LoopNUB with four rows proved suitable for simulating flow dynamics in NETmix for distances larger than 8 unit cells from inlet channels. LoopNUB was verified, and the results were validated from NUB simulations, which had been validated from experiments. LoopNUB enables the accurate simulation of flow dynamics and heat transfer while decreasing simulation time and computational resources such as disk and memory usage.