X-Grid Static Mixer
(Type GX)

The GX static mixer has been used successfully for the laminar flow mixing and/or dispersion of viscous fluids for over 25 years.  It is a high performance static mixer capable of mixing materials with equal or very large differences in viscosity and volumetric ratio.  Mixing is accomplished in a short length with a very high degree of mixing. 
 
Figure #1: GX static mixer with 4-mixing elements
Figure #1
Figure #2: GX mixing elements are available in sizes as small as 9.8 mm (0.39”) diameter and in much larger
Figure #2
 
Mixing Capabilities
  • Mix fluids with similar viscosity
  • Mix fluids with high and low viscosity (1 million : 1)
  • Mix fluids with large differences in volumetric ratio (1,000 : 1)
  • Disperse and mix polymers with blowing agents
  • Thermal homogenization
  • Viscosity homogenization
 
 
Applications
  • Polymer manufacture and processing.
  • Two (2) component viscous materials such as Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR), adhesives, polysulfide, sealants, epoxy resins, polyurethanes, etc.
  • Plastics Extrusion
  • Food processing

 

Figure #3: Homogeneous mixing with GX static mixing elements
Figure #3
 
Geometric Configuration Variables
The standard GX mixing element (Figures #1 -3) is constructed with 8-mixing bars across its diameter and with a 45º blade angle relative to the pipe axis.  Depending on process requirements, the number of mixing bars and the blade angle can vary (Figures #4 – 5).
 
Figure #4: GX-L static mixer with 4-mixing bars and a gentle 30o blade angle relative to pipe axis
Figure #4
Figure #5: GX-LR static mixer with 4-mixing bars, a gentle 30o blade angle relative to the pipe axis and where each ellipse blade is oriented 90o relative to the adjacent set.
Figure #5
 
Materials of Construction, Housings and End-Connections
The GX static mixer can be supplied in most materials of construction, pipe/tube housings with virtually any end connection (Figure #6).  GX-P mixing elements in 9.8 mm outside diameter size are also available in plastic construction (Figure #7).
 
Figure #6: A typical GX inline mixing installation includes mounting inside a pipe with flanged ends, threaded ends or beveled ends prepared for welding
Figure #6
Figure #7: Plastic GX-P mixing elements in 50% glass-filled Nylon and Polypropylene construction
Figure #7
 
History of GX Static Mixing Structure
The GX static mixer was invented by Bayer AG of Leverkusen, Germany in the early 1980’s.  Bayer used the GX static mixer extensively in their polymer plants and subsequently licensed the design to Sulzer Chemtech of Winterthur, Switzerland who trademarked the design as the SMX* static mixer.  Sulzer did a tremendous amount of fundamental high quality R&D work on the SMX structure and commercialized the SMX static mixer in tens-of-thousands of successful installations.  The founders of StaMixCo held key technical and management positions in the Koch Engineering-Sulzer Chemtech team that commercialized the SMX static mixer.  Bayer licensed their 2nd generation of the SMX static mixer to StaMixCo which is branded as the GXR structure with integral support ring around the X-Grid mixing bars as described in a previous section of this web site..

* StaMixCo is not a distributor of or affiliated with Sulzer Chemtech.  SMX is a brand and trademark of Sulzer Chemtech.

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