Hydrodynamics of Rotor-Stator Mixers

There are few published data for power draw and pumping capacity in either batch or in-line rotor-stator mixers. Even less is known about the velocity fields in these devices, so there is little hard evidence to support proposed mechanisms for dispersion and emulsification. As a result it is often necessary to rely on equipment vendors for scale-up rules. Although many vendors have facilities for customer trials, few have well-equipped laboratories for acquisition of basic data for performance characterization. In reality, it is difficult to know how many vendor data are available, since many consider the information to be proprietary. Until recently, there has been little academic interest in high-shear mixers. This work is only starting to appear in the open literature, and it is important for the practitioner to stay informed as a body of knowledge evolves. 

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Detailed hydrodynamic studies have been performed for pump-fed in-line mixers with rotors and stators comprised of teeth with slots between them. LeClair (1995) reported an early attempt for a Kady mixer. Although the simulation was quite simplistic and considered only a small section with assumed perfect symmetry, the results revealed a complex circulation pattern in the stator slot. 

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