The mapping method for mixing optimization - Part I : the multiflux static mixer

The development of the mapping method [1, 2] and its application to viscous flow in a (multiflux) static mixer [3] is discussed. The mapping method describes the repeated transport of fluid from one domain to another and computes the concentration distribution, yielding a unique mixing measure, like e.g. the intensity and/or scale of segregation [4,5], the residence time distribution and structure parameters like e.g. the area tensor [6]. In the multiflux static mixer the domain is a (two dimensional) cross-section of the flow channels at the beginning and end of a single element. Since static mixers are build of a sequence of similar elements, we only need to determine one mapping matrix (a computation ally expensive operation). To simulate the complete mixer the mapping matrix is repeatedly applied (a computationally cheap operation). Three different geometries are analyzed. It is shown that an approach like the mapping method is a prerequisite in order to obtain meaningful results after a number of mixer elements. Moreover, it enables optimization of industrial mixers