Model GX™ (Inclined Plate Static Mixer)

The GX™ static mixer has been used successfully for the laminar flow mixing and/or dispersion of viscous fluids for over 40 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 #2: GX mixing elements are available in sizes as small as 9.8 mm (0.39) diameter and in much larger

Figure #2: GX™ mixing elements are available in sizes as small as 3.75 mm (0.15”) diameter and in much larger standard and custom static mixer materials and sizes.

Mixing Capabilities

Mix fluids with similar viscosity
Mix fluids with high and low viscosity (viscosity ratios up to 1,000,000:1)
Mix fluids with large differences in volumetric ratio (volumetric ratios up to 10,000:1)
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.

Geometric Configuration Variables

The standard GX™ mixing element (Figures #1 -3) is constructed with 8-inclined plates across its diameter and with a 45° blade angle relative to the pipe axis. Depending on process requirements, the number of inclined plates 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: GXL™ static mixer with 4-inclined plates and a gentle 30° blade angle relative to pipe axis.

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: GXL-R™ static mixer with 4-inclined plates, a gentle 30° blade angle relative to the pipe axis and where each mixing blade set is oriented 90° relative to the adjacent mixing element blade set.

Materials of Construction, Housings and End-Connections

The GX™ static mixer can be supplied in most materials of construction, pipe/tube housings and end connection (Figure #6). Plastic GXP™ mixing elements in 9.4 mm outside diameter are also available (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 #7: Plastic GX-P™ mixing elements in 50% glass-filled Nylon and Polypropylene construction.

History of GX™ Static Mixing Structure

The GX™ static mixer geometric structure was invented by Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany in the early 1980’s. Bayer used this 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 SMX static mixer to StaMixCo which is branded as the StaMixCo GXR™ static mixer structure with integral support ring around the inclined plate static mixing structure 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.

More Information
Technical Bulletin (pdf 736 kb)
Customer Specification Questionnaire (Excel 33 kb)