Fluid Mixing Process and Thermal Hydraulic Engineering

Framatome Ltd’s expertise in fluid mixing processes is delivered through consultancy, training courses and, in particular, through the FMP consortium to support the worldwide chemical and other processing industries. The Fluid Mixing Processes industrial research consortium (FMP) develops exploitable knowledge and software tools to help design, troubleshoot, optimise, intensify and scale mixing processes.

The mixing processes covered by FMP include liquid blending, liquid-liquid dispersions, jet mixing, gas-liquid contacting, solid-liquid mixing, chemical reactive mixing, and both in-line static and dynamic mixing. Experimental data are collected using a range of test rigs in Framatome’s fully equipped pilot-plant facilities. These facilities are supported by laboratory measurements using rheometers and a laser diffraction particle sizer.

Many measurements use specialist techniques and procedures developed internally to understand the complex fluid flow phenomena. Most stirred vessel and in-line mixing tests are performed in transparent tanks and pipes, allowing visualisation of the process which aids understanding and interpretation. FMP also tests the validity of publicly available information under industrially relevant conditions. Test data are analysed carefully to develop correlations for the prediction of key design variables.

FMP provides a software tool to allow easy prediction of mixer performance using its own methods and data.  Rather than a licensed piece of software with the models and supporting data being hidden, it is in the form of a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet, albeit one with a graphical user interface and a large number of practical features aiding its useability. The software tool is regularly updated to include new correlations and other features developed by FMP.

Most FMP Members are large global manufacturing companies representing most process engineering sectors including bulk and specialty chemicals, energy, pharmaceutical and food sectors. The membership is also supported by most of the major agitator manfactureres. All industries face common challenges of rapidly developing high performance innovative products in an environment with increased regulations, quality assurance requirements, and pressure on costs.  FMP focusses on providing critical information required for this not available anywhere in the public domain.

FMP Members help to steer the work through regular steering committee meetings held every Spring and October. Membership also includes customised training on industrial mixing fundamentals, key concepts, practical advice and good practice. Framatome Ltd also undertake consultancy and research projects for companies who are not FMP Members, so taking advantage of the unique Framatome lab and experimental mixing expertise.

To find out more contact Mark Willey at: mark.willey@framatome.com

Framatome is exhibiting at CHEMUK 2025 - Stand No: L12. 

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