Impinging jet mixers: A review of their mixing characteristics, performance considerations, and applications

Abstract

Optimal control over fast chemical processes hinges on the achievement of rapid and effective mixing. Impinging jet mixers are a unique class of passive mixing devices renowned for their exceptional ability to achieve rapid mixing at micro‐length scales, whilst offering the possibility of a high throughput. Comprising of two co‐linear jets flowing in opposite directions and colliding with each other within a small (usually confined) volume, these devices effectively intensify various mixing‐controlled processes in a reproducible manner. Impinging jet mixers find extensive use in both the chemical and pharmaceutical industry for a plethora of applications, such as reaction injection molding and precipitation processes. This review provides an overview of research related to impinging jet mixers, with an emphasis on the mixing characteristics and the influence of design and process parameters on the mixing performance. Lastly, specific applications for which these devices are exceptionally suited are discussed.