Experimentaland numerical study on the flow visualization in a tri-helical static mixer

Abstract

In this work, the flow visualization in a tri-helical static mixer has been investigated in detailed both experimentally and numerically. The static mixer used for the present study consists of four elements with a series of alternating left and right helical elements. Each element has the aspect ratio of 1.5 (i.e., LID = 1.5) and twisted angle of 180°. The objective of this investigation is mainly to explore the flow pattern inside a tri-helical static mixer due to its novelty and originality. It is clearly observed that the flows at the trailing edge for both numerical and experimental results are in a tri-lobe-like pattern. Apparently, the numerical solution matches with experimental result. It is also found that the rotation tri-lobe-like pattern flow decreases as the flow goes downstream due to viscous dissipation as well as the decrease of Reynolds number.