Comparative Study of Clogging in Valve and Cascade Mixers. Issue 8 (16th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xie, Duanpeng; Zhou, Jinghong; Tian, Shizhe; Mleczko, Leslaw; Zhou, Xinggui
• Is Part Of: Chemical engineering & technology. Volume 39:Issue 8(2016:Aug.)
• Page Start: 1451
• Page End: 1456
• Publication Date: 2016-06-16
• Subjects: Clogging behavior -- Fouling -- Micromixers -- Pressure transients -- Ultrasonic treatment; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical processes -- Periodicals; 660.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201500756
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0930-7516

Abstract

Abstract: A cascade mixer and a valve mixer were applied for the precipitation of CaCO3 . This model reaction has been used for benchmarking both mixer types with respect to their robustness against fouling. The valve mixer was found to be much less susceptible to fouling and clogging. Pressure changes during precipitation in both types of mixers differed significantly. This parameter can be easily used for identification of clogging in the valve mixer and applied as input in clean‐in‐place (CIP) procedures. The pressure trend in the cascade mixer is quite complex and, therefore, difficult to apply for CIP. Ultrasonic treatment has been evaluated as a measure to prevent clogging. Abstract : One significant obstacle for the broader use of microreaction technology is its susceptibility to clogging. A comparative study of CaCO3 precipitation in cascade and valve mixers confirmed that the latter is more robust against fouling and clogging. Ultrasonic treatment turned out to be an effective way to minimize fouling also when applied to micromixers with complex channel geometries.