Investigation into\nDroplet Size Distribution and Turbulent\nMixing Enhancement Performance in a Lightnin Static Mixer

The CFD–PBM coupled model was utilized to investigate\nthe\nliquid–liquid turbulent mixing and enhancement performance\nin a Lightnin static mixer (LSM). The droplet size distribution (DSD),\nSauter mean diameter (<i>d</i><sub>32</sub>), and mixing\nindex of the LSM were studied. The effects of the length–diameter\nratio (<i>l</i>/<i>D</i><sub>0</sub>), gap-diameter\nratio (G/<i>D</i><sub>0</sub>), and arrangement were analyzed.\nThe correlation among <i>d</i><sub>32</sub>/<i>D</i><sub>0</sub>, the Fanning friction factor (<i>f</i>), and\nthe Weber number was established. The <i>d</i><sub>32</sub> and Poiseuille number calculated from simulation were in good agreement\nwith experiments, and the <i>d</i><sub>32</sub> decreased\nby 93.52%. Meanwhile, the analysis of turbulent higher-order moments\nof DSD showed that the DSD in the L–R LSM with <i>l</i>/<i>D</i><sub>0</sub> = 1 was narrower than that in other\nstatic mixers. Gray relational analysis revealed that the addition\nof gaps in the LSM can improve distribution mixing performance with\na lower pressure drop. The L–R LSM with <i>l</i>/<i>D</i><sub>0</sub> = 1 and G/<i>D</i><sub>0</sub> =\n1 is recommended based on the enhancement factor and gray analysis.