A novel mixing insert for static mixers in building services installations– CFD and experimental investigation
author:
MARIAN KORDAS, KONRAD WITKIEWICZ, ANNA KIEŁBUS-RĄPAŁA, WOJCIECH IGNACZAK, MAGDALENA CZAJKOWSKA, RAFAŁ RAKOCZY, PIOTR JAWORSKI
ORCID ID:
0000-0001-9982-1658, 0000-0002-9827-4637, 0000-0001-7242-8979, 0000-0002-8251-0033, 0000-0002-5770-926X
No:
12/2025 Instal pp.33-37
DOI:
10.36119/15.2025.12.5
The paper presents a new structural solution for a mixing insert intended for static mixers installed in cylindrical pipes.
Based on a review of the literature and patent solutions in the field of static mixers, as well as on CFD calculations,
three variants of inserts were developed: a twisted lattice baffle, a twisted solid baffle, and a composite insert
combining both concepts.
In the experimental part, a prototype test installation was built and the pressure drop in the mixer was measured for
various insert configurations, as well as for a Kenics-type insert and for an empty pipe. On this basis, the friction factor
f and the pressure drop coefficient Z were determined as functions of the Reynolds number. The results indicate that the
composite insert with counter-rotating solid and lattice sections provides pressure drops comparable to a classical
Kenics insert, while ensuring favourable velocity and pressure fields in the near-wall region. The potential applications
of the new insert in central heating installations, domestic hot water systems, refrigeration installations and renewable
energy systems are discussed.
Keywords:
About Authors:
dr hab. inż. Marian Kordas https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9982-1658, dr hab. inż. Konrad Witkiewicz https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9827-4637,
dr inż. Anna Kiełbus-Rąpała https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7242-8979, dr inż. Wojciech Ignaczak https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8251-0033,
mgr inż. Magdalena Czajkowska, prof. dr hab. inż. Rafał Rakoczy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5770-926X, mgr inż. Piotr Jaworski ‒
Zachodniopomorski Uniwersytet Technologiczny w Szczecinie, Wydział Technologii i Inżynierii Chemicznej, Katedra Inżynierii Chemicznej i Procesowej.
Correspondig author: rrakoczy@zut.edu.pl
