Mixer for flow systems

A mixing process comprising:

• a) delivering a process fluid to a tube which is sealed, wherein the tube is provided with:
• i) a first end flange at a first end of the tube;
• ii) a second end flange at a second end of the tube opposing the first end;
• iii) a tube wall;
• and
• iv) one or more inlets and one or more outlets;
• b) rotating the tube in arcs around a longitudinal axis of the tube;
• wherein the tube contains a mixing element comprising:
• i) a plurality of blade carriers, including:
• i1) a first blade carrier located at the first end of the tube and rotatably mounted to the first end flange of the tube;
• i2) a second blade carrier located at the second end of the tube and rotatably mounted to the second end flange of the tube;
• ii) a plurality of blades having a first end and a second end opposing the first end, wherein the plurality of blades are mounted at the first end to the first blade carrier and mounted at the second end to the second blade carrier;
• iii) a center of rotation which is concentric with a center of the tube;
• wherein the plurality of blade carriers are mounted so that the plurality of blades are not touching the tube wall;
• wherein the tube and the mixing element are free of a shaft which extends between the first blade carrier and the second blade carrier to support the blades;
• wherein the plurality of blade carriers are supported within the tube in a manner whereby the plurality of blades rotate in a same direction and angular velocity as the tube rotates in the arcs to thereby effect mixing of the process fluid;
• and
• wherein the plurality of blades are straight in an axial plane are bent or curved in a radial plane.

A mixer system comprising:

• a) a tube which is sealed and is rotatable in arcs around a longitudinal axis of the tube, wherein the tube includes:
• i) a first end flange at a first end of the tube;
• ii) a second end flange at a second end of the tube opposing the first end;
• iii) a tube wall;
• and
• iv) one or more inlets and one or more outlets for a process fluid;
• b) a mixing element within the tube and having:
• i) a plurality of blade carriers, including:
• i1) a first blade carrier located at the first end of the tube and rotatably mounted to the first end flange of the tube;
• i2) a second blade carrier located at the second end of the tube and rotatably mounted to the second end flange of the tube;
• ii) plurality of blades having a first end and a second end opposing the first end, wherein the plurality of blades are mounted at the first end to the first blade carrier and mounted at the second end to the second blade carrier;
• iii) a center of rotation which is concentric with a center of the tube;
• wherein the plurality of blade carriers are mounted so that the plurality of blades are not touching walls of the tube;
• wherein the mixer system is free of a shaft which extends between the first blade carrier and the second blade carrier to support the plurality of blades;
• wherein the plurality of blades each have a longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the tube;
• wherein the plurality of blade carriers are supported within the tube in a manner that allows the plurality of blades to rotate in a same direction and angular velocity as the tube rotates in the arcs, and
• wherein the plurality of blades are straight in an axial plane and are bent or curved in a radial plane.