A History of Motionless Mixers and Their Importance in the Process Field

Motionless mixers aid many different types of mixing applications across varied industries. Many of the products that we use on a daily basis undergo processing in a mixer of this type. But how many of know the origins of this simple yet effective device?

Let’s take a historical perspective:

A patent filing in 1965 by Arthur D. Little a Research and Development firm in Cambridge MA outlined the first design for a motionless mixer. This original design was commercialized and introduced to the market by a company involved with industrial processes.Over the years companies such as Komax Systems have entered the market and introduced improved motionless mixers that have rapidly gained favor in the marketplace. The success of these improved mixers have established motionless mixers as a proven component for many processes.

Today, this type of mixer is used in a myriad industrial applications. Some of the most common applications for motionless mixers include:

1. Mixing of adhesives and high viscosity polymers: Motionless Mixers are available that are specifically designed for mixing high viscosity solids. As the residence time in the mixer is so low, they are highly resistance to fouling and plugging. Motionless mixers are ideal for adhesives or other sticky materials. They can be used for mixing colorants or differing viscosity additives such as catalysts or hardening agents into polymers.

2. Water treatment: Motionless mixers are used for the treatment of water. They have usage in potable water, wastewater and desalination applications. The mixers are used for adding such chemicals as chlorine, coagulants, acids & caustic for pH control, and corrosion inhibitors.The advantage of these mixers include reductions in the amount of chemicals required, longer and more consistent residence times and improved chemical reactions.Fiberglass static mixers are used in many of these applications.

3. Chemical processing: Motionless Mixers are used in a multitude of chemical processes. Any chemical addition where there are two or more chemicals have to be mixed together is a good candidate for a mixer. Processes that require a liquid mixed in with a gas, or a gas mixed into a liquid greatly benefit by including a motionless mixer.

4. Oil and gas: Motionless Mixers are used in all sectors of the oil & gas marketplace. Mixers are used from downstream processes including drilling fluids and produced water through the refining process up to and including upstream processes such as blending gasoline and fuel oils.

5. Food and beverage industry: Motionless mixers are used for many food products. Inline static mixers and steam heaters are integral to the process of manufacturing jams and sauces such as ketchup. Steam Heaters and mixers are used for dairy product manufacturing, including cooking, preheating and mixing such products as yogurt and cheeses. Mixers are used for adding trace minerals to drinking water, mixing syrups and sugar with soft drinks and heating and adding flavoring to the wort during beer brewing. Virtually any food product in your grocery store will have had contact directly or indirectly with a motionless mixer.

If your process requires a Motionless Mixers, it is important to work with a company that is experienced in these applications. Komax Systems has the diverse experience that can assure optimum mixing and cost competitiveness for your application.