Reactive flow static mixer with cross flow obstructions

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mixing apparatus. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a mixing apparatus for mixing fluid components such as phosgene and amine during a highly reactive chemical reaction. One embodiment provides a mixing conduit ( 100 ) comprising a cylindrical sidewall ( 101 ) defining an inner volume, wherein one or more jets are formed through the cylindrical sidewalls and connect to the inner volume and one or more flow obstructions ( 103 ) disposed in the inner volume, wherein each flow obstruction is positioned upstream from an associated aperture ( 102 ).

1 . A mixing conduit, comprising:
 a cylindrical sidewall defining an inner volume, wherein one or more jets are formed through the cylindrical sidewalls and connect to the inner volume; and   one or more flow obstructions disposed in the inner volume, wherein each flow obstruction is aligned upstream from an associated aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The mixing conduit of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more jets comprise a plurality of apertures formed along a circumference of the cylindrical sidewall, and the one or more flow obstructions comprises a plurality of spokes inserted into the inner volume along the circumference of the cylindrical sidewall. 
     
     
         3 . The mixing conduit of  claim 2 , wherein each spoke has a section in the shape of one of a circle, oval, triangle, diamond, non-symmetrical diamond, or tear-drop. 
     
     
         4 . The mixing conduit of  claim 2 , wherein each spoke is tapered having a large end coupled to the cylindrical sidewall and a small end near a central axis of the mixing conduit. 
     
     
         5 . The mixing conduit of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of spoke are coupled to a disk substantially concentric to the cylindrical sidewall. 
     
     
         6 . The mixing conduit of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of spokes are coupled to one or more rings substantially concentric to the cylindrical sidewall. 
     
     
         7 . The mixing conduit of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of spoke are coupled to a torpedo disposed along a central axis of the mixing conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The mixing conduit of  claim 2 , wherein each jet comprises a tapered aperture having a large opening outside the mixing conduit and a small opening inside the mixing conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The mixing conduit of  claim 2 , wherein an additional jet is disposed adjacent each of the plurality of jets downstream on a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical sidewall. 
     
     
         10 . The mixing conduit of  claim 2 , wherein each jet comprises two apertures disposed concentrically. 
     
     
         11 . The mixing conduit of  claim 1 , wherein each jet comprises an aperture tilted at an angle relative to a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the mixing conduit. 
     
     
         12 . The mixing conduit of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more obstructions are mounted at an angle relative to a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the mixing conduit. 
     
     
         13 . A static mixer comprising:
 one or more fluid receiving conduits defining one or more outer walls of an annular chamber; and   a mixing conduit of  claim 1  disposed in a first conduit defining at least an inner wall of the annular chamber, wherein the annular chamber is in fluid communication with the one or more jets of the mixing conduit.   
     
     
         14 . A method for mixing comprising:
 flowing a first flow along a longitude of the mixing conduit of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more obstructions of the mixing conduit are upstream to the one or more jets of the mixing conduit; and   flowing a second flow through the one or more jets of the mixing conduit of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first flow comprises phosgene and the second flow comprises amines. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second flow comprises at least one of methylene diphenyl diamine, toluene diamine, and hexamethylene diamine. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more flow obstructions disposed in the inner volume modifies velocity profiles in the first flow such that an amount of ureas, carbodiimides, and uretonimines formed are less than in a method where no obstructions are disposed in the inner volume.