Static mixer

A static mixer, comprising:

• a housing defining an internal mixing cavity that longitudinally extends along a central axis between an inlet and an outlet and is adapted for axial flow of a fluid therethrough;
• and
• a mixing element disposed within the mixing cavity, the mixing element configured to be free from an impingement surface oriented substantially perpendicular to a main direction of fluid flow through the internal mixing cavity and comprising an elongated mixing blade oriented longitudinally within the mixing cavity and having a nose axially oriented toward the inlet;
• wherein the nose of the mixing blade comprises at least one leading edge extending obliquely inward and toward the inlet from a lateral side of the mixing blade to an apex;
• wherein each leading edge is tapered toward the inlet and comprises a pair of longitudinally opposing taper surfaces convergent at a taper angle (α1) subtended by a thickness of the mixing blade at the nose, where 0<α1<π radians;
• and
• wherein:
• (i) the mixing blade is further defined as a helical mixing blade, the helical mixing blade comprising a curved elongated chevron-shaped sheet describing a single-twist circular helical shape and a pair of opposing lateral edges adjacent to and in sealed relation with an interior surface of the mixing cavity;
• (ii) the mixing blade is further defined as a corrugated mixing blade, the corrugated mixing blade comprising a corrugated planar chevron-shaped sheet having a pair of opposing lateral edges adjacent to and in sealed relation with an interior surface of the mixing cavity;
• or
• (iii) both (i) and (ii).