Lattice-Boltzmann and finite element simulations of fluid flow in a SMRX static mixer reactor

A detailed comparison between the finite element method (FEM) and the lattice-Boltzmann method (LBM) is presented. As a realistic test case, three-dimensional fluid flow simulations in an SMRX static mixer were performed. The SMRX static mixer is a piece of equipment with excellent mixing performance and it is used as a highly efficient chemical reactor for viscous systems like polymers. The complex geometry of this mixer makes such three-dimensional simulations non-trivial. An excellent agreement between the results of the two simulation methods was found. Furthermore, the numerical results for the pressure drop as a function of the flow rate were close to experimental measurements. Results show that the relatively simple LBM is a good alternative to traditional methods.