Characteristics of a motionless mixer for dispersion of immiscible fluids-III. Dynamic behaviour of the average drop size and dispersed phase hold-up

The modified electroresistivity method published previously was used to measure the dynamic response of droplet size and organic phase hold-up in a water-kerosene system. The experiments were performed in a motionless mixer, using Sulzer SMV-4 mixing elements of stainless steel (SS 316) and identical elements coated with a film of Teflon. The experimental results show time delays in the response of both hold-up and droplet size, which can be explained as a result of the trapping of part of the dispersed phase in the corners of the mixing elements. The results are consistent with the previously observed influence of the two different surfaces used, stainless steel and Teflon.