| Abstract: | A detailed comparison between the finite element method (FEM) and the lattice‐Boltzmann method (LBM) is presented. As a realistic test case, three‐dimensional fluid flow simulations in an SMRX static mixer were performed. The SMRX static mixer is a piece of equipment with excellent mixing performance and it is used as a highly efficient chemical reactor for viscous systems like polymers. The complex geometry of this mixer makes such three‐dimensional simulations non‐trivial. An excellent agreement between the results of the two simulation methods was found. Furthermore, the numerical results for the pressure drop as a function of the flow rate were close to experimental measurements. Results show that the relatively simple LBM is a good alternative to traditional methods. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
