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Tech. Note No. 102
SIZING THE ADMIXER™ STATIC MIXER AND SANITARY STATIC BLENDER
INTRODUCTION
This article provides the necessary information for sizing an ADMIXER™ for liquid/liquid (single phase) mixing. It is designed to be
an accurate yet simple method for obtaining the correct static mixer for various liquid applications.
The proceeding calculation will determine the length, diameter, number of elements and pressure drop of the static mixer.
These calculations do not apply to gas/liquid or gas/gas dispersions or emulsions, please contact Admix directly regarding any
such cases, or refer to Tech Note #105.
Step 1: Tell us the FACTS! Step 3: It’s Elementary!
(Select the number of Elements)
Before actual sizing can begin, the initial conditions must
be identified. The following chart has been provided for Using the pipe Reynold’s Number (Re) determined, locate
this use: the proper flow regime and Re to select the number of
elements required. As explained by the table, it is
necessary to add more elements when wide ratios of fluid
Sizing Variable Value Units
viscosities and/or volumes are present. Please remember
Mixing Medium (s) that these values are guidelines, and should be checked
by your local rep or home office.
(Q) Flow Rate GPM
(D) Existing Pipe Diameter INCHES # of # of
elements Elements to
(μ) Absolute Viscosity CPS
to add if add if
No.
(SG) Specific Gravity Reynold’s Viscosity Viscosity
of
Flow Regime Number ratio ratio
(ΔP) Max Allowable Head Loss PSI Elem
(Re) between between
ents
(T/P) Temperature/Pressure ºF / PSI fluids fluids
exceeds exceeds
Existing Pipe Material
1000:1 100:1
Sidestream Injection Laminar <1 24 6 6
1-10 18 6 6
Special Requirements
11-50 14 6 6
51-100 12 6 6
Step 2: Go with the FLOW! 101-500 10 6 6
Transitional 501-1000 8 4 4
Reynold’s number must be calculated in order to identify if 1001-2000 6 4 4
the pipe flow is turbulent, laminar or transitional. Reynolds Turbulent 2001-5000 4 2 2
number can be calculated as follows: 5001+ 2 2 2
REYNOLD’S # (Re): 3157● Q ●SG Diameter and Length
μ●D For most circumstances, the in-situ piping will determine
the mixer diameter. However, it is possible that alternate
Q= Flow Rate (GPM) sizes are needed to accomplish more through mixing,
SG= Specific Gravity reduce pressure drop, or increase dispersion capability.
μ= Absolute Viscosity (cps) The mixer length will be based on the number of elements
D= Pipe Inside Diameter (inches) required. An approximate length can be determined by
multiplying the number of elements by 1.5.
Step 3: Check Your Pressure!
(Calculate Pressure Drop ΔP)
1. To graphically determine pressure drop:
If the process materials are water like, with S.G. = 1.0 and viscosity less than 10 cps. The graph below will provide an
approximate value of expected pressure drop per element. If the fluids have properties other than that of water, a
manual calculation of pressure drop follows.
PRESSURE DROP PER ELEMENT VERSUS FLOWMATE
FOR 1” THROUGH 12” DIAMETER STATIC MIXERS
1” 2” 3” 4” 6”
100
8”
10”
PRESSURE DROP PER ELEMENT (PSI)
10
12”
1.0
.01
10 100 1,000 10,000
FLOWRATE (GPM)
Step 5: Watch your speed
(Check Mixer Velocity)
2. Non-water like materials where viscosity is greater
than 10: For turbulent flow applications, it is generally
recommended that a minimum velocity of 1.0
a. Recheck the value for Reynold’s number Ft/sec be maintained.
calculated at step #2. Using this value,
determine the associated friction factor for the
mixing housing using the graph on page 4
(Friction Factors for Clean Commercial Steel (V) = 0.408 Q_
and Wrought Iron Pipe). D²
b. Now calculate PH of the empty housing
without mixing elements. V- Velocity in Ft/Sec
PH = 0.0135 f L SG Q² SAMPLE WORKSHEET
D5
Results:
Where F= Friction Factor Step 2:
L= Length of Pipe Re ___________________________________________
c. Using the Reynold’s number from step #2,
calculate the flow factor, Fƒ to compensate Step 3:
for the headloss caused by mixing elements. N (# of elements) ____________________________
Diameter ____________________________________
Length _______________________________________
If Re<10, Fƒ=6.5
If 10<Re<1000, Fƒ= 1.53(Re) 0.45
If Re>1000, Fƒ= 8.5In (Re) - 16 Step 4:
ƒ _____________________________________________
PH ____________________________________________
Fƒ ____________________________________________
∆P (PSI) _______________________________________
d. Does this compute?
Step 5:
The total mixer pressure drop or head loss can now V
be found by multiplying the housing head loss (PH) ______________________________________________
by element flow factor (Fƒ)
∆P (PSI) = PH x Fƒ
Friction Factor Example
From the chart on page 4, a mixer with a Reynold’s
Number (Re) of 200,000 within a 4” Sched. 40 pipe
will have a friction factor (ƒ) of .0185.
