Micromixing assessment of confined impinging jet mixers used in RIM

The simultaneous azo couplings of 1- and 2-naphthols with diazotized sulfanilic acid have been widely used to study the influence of mixing on the product distribution of fast chemical reactions with fluids of low viscosities. The aim of this work is to assess the micromixing performance of the mixing chamber of a RIM (Reaction Injection Molding) machine, when high viscosity fluids are used. The mixing characterization study in the RIM machine has shown that an increase of Reynolds number, over a very short range, 100

► A micromixing test reaction is implemented with a thickener.
► Micromixing in RIM is characterized for actual process conditions.
► Reynolds number and jets balance control are critical for the micromixing quality.
► RIM is proven to operate with fast mixing at low Reynolds number.
► Operation Reynolds number below 150 compromises mixing in RIM.