title: Understanding and Optimizing the SMX Static Mixer.
abstract: Using the Mapping Method different designs of SMX motionless mixers are analyzed and optimized. The three design parameters that constitute a specific SMX design are: The number of cross-bars over the width of channel, N(x) , the number of parallel cross-bars per element, N(p) , and the angle between opposite cross-bars θ. Optimizing N(x) , somewhat surprisingly reveals that in the standard design with N(p)  = 3, N(x)  = 6 is the optimum using both energy efficiency as well as compactness as criteria. Increasing N(x) results in under-stretching and decreasing N(x) leads to over-stretching of the interface. Increasing N(p) makes interfacial stretching more effective by co-operating vortices. Comparing realized to optimal stretching, we find the optimum series for all possible SMX(n) designs to obey the universal design rule N(p)  = (2/3) N(x) -1, for N(x)  = 3, 6, 9, 12, ….
authors.affiliation: Materials Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mrityunjay K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Patrick D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Han E H
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Meijer