CFD analysis of asymmetric mixing at different inlet configurations of a split-and-recombine micro mixer

Abstract In the scope of ENPRO II initiative (Energy Efficiency and Process Intensification for Chemical Industry), a major challenge process intensification polymer synthesis in continuous systems is fouling. Pre-mixing key aspect to prevent fouling achieved through milli micro structured devices (Bayer et al. 1). While equal volume flow ratios are well investigated systems, asymmetric mixing tasks have received less attention. This paper investigates dependency phenomena on different rate modified inlet geometries. A split-and-recombine (SAR) mixer by means an injection capillary facilitate task. Asymmetric flows between 1:15 1:60 investigated; velocity range from 0.5 2. The setup simulated with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tool ANSYS ®; Fluent . species equation solved directly without use models. simulation validated concentration field Tee using Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM). three dimensional structures quality analyzed as measure mixing. calculated fields show good agreement experimental results reveal secondary chaotic advection within channel. small feed stream found be very efficient when drawn into structures, increasing potential diffusive CFD simulations help understand locate such improve performance.