Abstract: Apparatus and method for the production of expandable plastics granulate (C). A plastics melt (A′) is impregnated by a fluid blowing agent (B), which is, at an elevated pressure within a predetermined pressure range, only partly soluble in the melt. The method comprises the following steps: 1. dispersion of the blowing agent in the melt, 2. retaining of the mixture within a predetermined pressure range for a predetermined retention time, 3. cooling of the melt impregnated by the blowing agent to a temperature which is several degrees Celsius above the solidification temperature of the melt, and 4. granulating the cooled mixture.

Abstract: A process is provided for blending two fluids having widely differing viscosities, such that the ratio of the two viscosities is at least 10,000:1. The low viscosity fluid is injected into the high viscosity fluid as it flows through a conduit, such that the low viscosity fluid is at least 30% by weight of the total weight of the low viscosity fluid and the high viscosity fluid. The two fluids are then forwarded to a second conduit containing a first set of static mixing elements providing a fluid shear rate in excess of 0.57 sec−1. The two fluids are then further forwarded to a third conduit containing a second set of static mixing elements of a larger diameter than the first set, providing a fluid shear rate in excess of 0.20 sec−1. Within the third conduit the two fluids form a homogeneous blend.

Abstract: A process is provided for blending two fluids having widely differing viscosities, such that the ratio of the two viscosities is at least 10,000:1. The low viscosity fluid is injected into the high viscosity fluid as it flows through a conduit, such that the low viscosity fluid is at least 30% by weight of the total weight of the low viscosity fluid and the high viscosity fluid. The two fluids are then forwarded to a second conduit containing a first set of static mixing elements providing a fluid shear rate in excess of 0.57 sec−1. The two fluids are then further forwarded to a third conduit containing a second set of static mixing elements of a larger diameter than the first set, providing a fluid shear rate in excess of 0.20 sec−1. Within the third conduit the two fluids form a homogeneous blend.

Abstract: The static laminar mixing device for mixing media of widely different viscosities has two mixers of different cross-sections arranged one after the other with the cross-section of the first mixer being smaller than the second mixer. An admixing device for metering additive of lower viscosity than the medium of the main flow is also provided. This admixing device has a plate which defines a converging orifice for passage of the main flow and additive therethrough into the first mixer while a nozzle is aligned with the orifice for adding the additive flow.

Abstract: The static laminar mixing device for mixing media of widely different viscosities has two mixers of different cross-sections arranged one after the other with the cross-section of the first mixer being smaller than the second mixer. An admixing device for metering additive of lower viscosity than the medium of the main flow is also provided. This admixing device has a plate which defines a converging orifice for passage of the main flow and additive therethrough into the first mixer while a nozzle is aligned with the orifice for adding the additive flow.

Abstract: A mixing device for mixing a low-viscosity fluid into a high-viscosity fluid comprises the following parts: a main line for carrying the high-viscosity fluid and having inbuilt static mixing units of a main mixer; a branch line for a branch flow which is routed from the main line to the inlet of the main mixer, the main line and branch line of the main mixer being constructed from pipe sections with essentially parallel axes; a pump located in the branch line; a static auxiliary mixer at the end of the branch line; and a nozzle at the inlet to the auxiliary mixer for feeding in the low-viscosity fluid.