Abstract
Static mixers are an effective model system for investigating the effect of fluid rheology on pressure losses in laminar flow. Viscoelastic pressure drop enhancement in real process fluids was investigated using experimental methods and computer simulations of a SMX+TM mixer. The results were compared against classical friction factor correlations for non-elastic fluids and literature correlation for elastic fluids (developed using aqueous polymers). CFD predictions of pressure losses for both inelastic and viscoelastic process fluids were consistent with the measurements. The literature correlation for viscoelastic fluids progressively overestimated the friction factor with increasing Reynolds number. The CFD results were analysed to discern the impact of the flow field on laminar mixing.
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