Characterization of Mixing in Micromixers by a Test Reaction: Single Mixing Units and Mixer Arrays

Abstract

The mixing quality of a single mixing unit and mixer arrays having various designs was characterized. A known test reaction for mixing quality had to be optimized, since a much higher sensitivity as for the characterization of macroscopic mixers was needed. This adapted test reaction allowed not only the characterization of the mixing quality but also analysis of the homogeneity of the flow distribution between parallely aligned mixing units. A comparison of the mixing quality to those of macroscopic reference systems (like mixing in stirred and unstirred vessels as well as to laminar and turbulent mixing-tees) is presented. The mixing quality−volume flow dependence revealed a complex behavior, the hydrodynamic origin of which has been analyzed.