Chemical mixing in European chemical industries
Innovations in chemical mixing could be extensively utilised throughout Europe as they can be applied to various process industries. The process industries that could benefit from innovative chemical mixing techniques are industries such as food, minerals, cosmetics, water and pharmaceuticals. In fact, all chemical industries use chemical mixing in enclosed vessels and in-line as a large part of their activities. Also, more than half of the chemical production is conducted in batch stirred vessels. Due to the importance of chemical mixing, extensive research is carried out, yet this is done without a cohesive approach. MixNet is a successful thematic network of collaboration and information exchange on chemical mixing with eighteen industrial, research, and academic partners. MixNet's goal was to enhance communication and coordinate research in chemical mixing throughout the European chemical industry. By coordinating research in fluid mixing through information exchange, and sharing experiences in problem areas European chemical industries could benefit. These advantages are possible cost reductions, avoiding the duplication of effort, and decreasing the waste the industries create. Another important aspect of MixNet is that the information available on MixNet can be accessed by members and guests. MixNet could also benefit European society by improving safety and decreasing hazardous waste and environmental pollution. Chemical industries produce about half of the hazardous wastes, while the most dangerous wastes are caused by undesirable reactions in chemical batch reactors. MixNet could facilitate enhanced control over reaction processes and more effective reaction schemes, which could halve waste production. The advantages provided by MixNet could facilitate improvements in design, specification and operation of reactor processes, which would improve safety.
