Overview of Pipeline Device Options by Flow Regime

7-3 OVERVIEW OF PIPELINE DEVICE OPTIONS BY FLOW REGIME 

There are a broad variety of method and equipment options for the continuous processing of fluids in pipelines to achieve objectives in mixing, dispersion, heat transfer, and reaction. The fluid flow regime is a main determinate for 

Fluid flow in the pipe itself may generate adeqnate turbulence to accomplish simple mixing and dispersion processes. This option is often used successfully in highly turbulent flow where mixing length and time are not important. 

Tee mixers, impingement jet mixers, and spray nozzles (for liquid into gas) are also often used, especially when adequate pressure energy is available or can be made available in the additive stream. These sidestream additive injection devices are sometimes used in combination with static mixers to optimize design and performance. The design and application of tee mixers are described in detail in the following section. 

In laminar flow, static mixers are typically required. The energy for mixing mnst be made available as pressnre that will be dissipated in the process. Line pressnre drop will be a design criterion. 

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