Abstract
A distributor element comprising: at least two fractal plates each defining a level below an adjacent fractal plate, an uppermost fractal plate comprising a first number of first openings, each of the first openings surrounded at a lower side by one of a plurality of first walls and, in the first level between the first walls, one or more first hollow spaces defining one or more first fluid paths, a second fractal plate comprising a second number of second openings, each of the second openings surrounded at a lower side by one of a plurality of second walls and, in the second level between the second walls, one or more second hollow spaces defining one or more second fluid paths, the second number being higher than the first number, and each of the first fluid paths and each of the second fluid paths having substantially a same length.
Claims
1. A distributor element for uniformly distributing a first fluid on a cross-sectional plane or collecting the first fluid distributed on the cross-sectional plane, wherein a second fluid flows in at least one of co-current flow and counter-current flow with respect to the first fluid through the distributor element, the distributor element comprising: at least two fractal plates arranged substantially parallel to each other and each defining a level below one of the fractal plates, a first uppermost fractal plate of the at least two fractal plates comprising a first number of first openings, each of the first openings surrounded at a lower side by one of a plurality of first walls extending downwardly and defining in a first level below the first uppermost fractal plate one of a plurality of first channels through which the second fluid flows, in the first level between the first walls defining the first channels, one or more first hollow spaces defining one or more first fluid paths being formed, through which the first fluid is configured to flow, a second fractal plate of the at least two fractal plates forming a bottom of the first level and comprising a second number of second openings, each of the second openings surrounded at a lower side by one of a plurality of second walls extending downwardly and defining in a second level below the second fractal plate one of a plurality of second channels through which the second fluid flows, in the second level between the second walls defining the second channels, one or more second hollow spaces defining one or more second fluid paths being formed, through which the first fluid is configured to flow, the second number of second openings being higher than the first number of first openings, each of the first channels and each of the second channels being connected with at least one channel of an adjacent level, at least one of the one or more first fluid paths and at least one of the one or more second fluid paths being connected with at least one fluid path of an adjacent level by at least one aperture located in one of the at least two fractal plates separating adjacent levels from each other, the first channels and the second channels through which the second fluid flows being fluid-tightly separated by the first walls and the second walls from all of the one or more first hollow spaces and the one or more second hollow spaces defining the first fluid paths and the second fluid paths, and each of the first fluid paths and each of the second fluid paths having substantially a same length such that each of the first fluid paths and each of the second fluid paths does not vary by more than 20% in a length compared to a length of any other fluid path of a same level.
2. The distributor element in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the distributor element comprises at least three fractal plates arranged substantially parallel to each other and each defining a level between two adjacent fractal plates, the third fractal plate of the at least three fractal plates forming a bottom of the second level comprises a third number of third openings, each of the third openings surrounded on a lower side by one of a plurality of third walls extending downwardly and defining in a third level below the second fractal plate one of a plurality of third channels through which the second fluid flows, in the third level between the third walls defining the third channels, one or more third hollow spaces defining one or more third fluid paths are formed, through which the first fluid is configured to flow, the third number of third openings is higher than the second number of second openings, each of the third channels is connected with at least one channel of an adjacent level, and at least one of the one or more third fluid paths is connected with at least one fluid path of an adjacent level by at least one aperture located in one of the at least two fractal plates separating adjacent levels from each other.
3. The distributor element in accordance with claim 2, wherein: each of the at least two fractal plates has a substantially rectangular or square form, the first openings, the second openings and the third openings are substantially rectangular or square, and the first openings, the second openings and the third are arranged in each of the at least two fractal plates in a grid-like pattern.
4. The distributor element in accordance with claim 2, wherein the first number of first openings, the second number of second openings and the third number of third openings are each equal to 4×(4).sup.n, n being a number of a respective fractal plate in relation to the first uppermost fractal plate, with the first uppermost fractal plate being fractal plate 1.
5. The distributor element in accordance with claim 1, comprising 2 to 15 fractal plates, wherein: each lower fractal plate has a higher number of openings than a respective upper fractal plate, and each fractal plate comprises a plurality of apertures and a number of the apertures is between 0.1 and 200% of a total number of openings in the fractal plate.
6. The distributor element in accordance with claim 1, wherein: below a lowest one of the at least two fractal plates, at least one distribution plate is provided, each of the at least one distribution plate is arranged at least substantially parallel to an adjacent upper plate defining a level between the adjacent upper plate and the at least one distribution plate, each of the at least one distribution plate has a same form and a same number of openings as an adjacent upper plate, the openings of each of the at least one distribution plate have a same form and dimensions as openings of the adjacent upper plate and are formed in each of the at least one distribution plate at a same location as in the adjacent upper plate, the distributor element comprises 1 to 3 distribution plates, and each of the distribution plates has a higher number of apertures than the adjacent upper plate.
7. The distributor element in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first uppermost fractal plate has a substantially rectangular or square form and comprises sixteen at least substantially rectangular or square first openings arranged in a grid-like pattern, each of the first openings having at least substantially a same size and form, the sixteen first openings being arranged in the first uppermost fractal plate equidistantly in four rows and four columns.
8. The distributor element in accordance with claim 7, wherein each of the sixteen openings of the first uppermost fractal plate is surrounded by one of the first walls extending downwardly from a lower surface of the first uppermost fractal plate to an upper surface of the second fractal plate, thus forming sixteen first channels in the first level through which the second fluid flows and forming the one or more first hollow space between the first walls defining the first fluid paths.
9. The distributor element in accordance with claim 7, wherein: the second fractal plate arranged below the first uppermost fractal plate has a substantially rectangular or square form and comprises 64 substantially rectangular or square second openings, each of the second openings having substantially a same size and form, the 64 second openings are arranged in the second fractal plate equidistantly in eight rows and eight columns, each of the 64 second openings is surrounded by one of the second walls extending downwardly from a lower surface of the second fractal plate to an upper surface of a plate located beneath h second fractal plate, thus forming 64 second channels in the second level through which the second fluid flows and forming the one or more second hollow spaces between the second walls defining the second fluid paths, and the second fractal plate comprises four apertures connecting the first fluid paths with the second fluid paths, one of the four apertures being formed at a crossing point between four of the second channels of first and second columns of first and second rows of the eight rows, one of the four apertures being formed at a crossing point between four of the second channels of third and fourth columns of the first and second rows, one of the four apertures being formed at a crossing point between four of the second channels of first and second columns of third and fourth rows of the eight rows, and one of the four apertures being formed at a crossing point between four of the second channels of third and fourth columns of the third and fourth rows.
10. The distributor element in accordance with claim 7, comprising at least a third fractal plate arranged below the second fractal plate, wherein: the third fractal plate has a substantially rectangular or square form and comprises 256 substantially rectangular or square openings arranged in a grid-like pattern, each of the openings of the third fractal plate having a substantially same size and form, the 256 openings are arranged in the third fractal plate equidistantly in sixteen rows and sixteen columns of openings, each of the 256 openings of the third fractal plate is surrounded by a wall extending downwardly from a lower surface of the third fractal plate to an upper surface of a plate located beneath the third fractal plate, thus forming in a third level 256 channels through which the second fluid flows and forming one or more hollow spaces between the walls defining fluid paths through which the first fluid is configured to flow, and four opening of the third fractal plate are provided below each of the second openings of the second fractal plate.
11. The distributor element in accordance with claim 10, comprising at least a third fractal plate arranged below the second fractal plate, wherein: the third fractal plate comprises sixteen apertures connecting the second fluid paths of the second level with the fluid paths of the third level, the apertures are formed adjacent to the one or more hollow spaces defining the fluid paths of the third level at crossing points between the channels of first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, eleventh, thirteenth and fifteenth columns of first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, eleventh, thirteenth and fifteenth rows of the sixteen rows, and the distributor element comprises, below the third fractal plate, a fourth fractal plate having a substantially rectangular or square form and comprising 1.024 substantially rectangular or square openings arranged in a grid-like pattern, each of the 1.024 openings having a substantially same size and form, the 1.024 openings being arranged in the fourth fractal plate equidistantly in 32 rows and 32 columns of openings.
12. The distributor element in accordance with claim 11, further comprising, below the third fractal plate, a distribution plate, the distribution olate having a same form and same number and dimensions of openings as the third fractal plate, wherein: the distribution plate has no apertures adjacent to the one or more hollow spaces defining the fluid paths at crossing-points below those, in which the apertures of the third fractal plate are located, the distribution plate has apertures at any crossing-point adjacent to those, in which the apertures of the third fractal plate are located, and below the distribution plate one to five further distribution plates are provided, the further distribution plates having a same form and same number and dimensions of openings as the third fractal plate and the distribution plate, each of the further distribution plates having a higher number of apertures than an adjacent upper plate.
13. An apparatus comprising at least one distributor element in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the apparatus is selected from the group consisting of: a mass transfer column, a mixer, a disperser, a foaming device, a chemical reactor, a crystallizer and an evaporator, or the apparatus is a mass transfer column and comprises, below the at least one distributor element, a mass transfer structure selected from the group consisting of: contact trays, random packings and structured packings, or the apparatus is amass transfer column and comprises, below the at least one distributor element a mass transfer structure, the mass transfer structure having a honeycomb shape including capillaries, the first walls and the second walls being step-shaped, made of tissue or arbitrarily formed open-cell foams, or the apparatus comprises, below the at least one distributor element, a mass transfer structure, the mass transfer structure comprising a contact zone designed to conduct the second fluid designed such that the first fluid can be brought into contact with the second fluid, wherein in the contact zone at least one flow breaker is provided for interrupting a flow of the second fluid, or the apparatus comprises, below the at least one distributor element, a mass transfer structure selected from the group consisting of: tissues, open-pored materials, capillaries, step structures and arbitrary combinations of two or more thereof.
14. A method for uniformly distributing a first fluid on a cross-sectional plane of a distributor element in accordance with claim 1 and collecting the first fluid distributed on the cross-sectional plane, the method comprising: flowing the first fluid into at least one of the one or more first hollow spaces and second hollow spaces defining the first fluid paths and the second fluid paths; and flowing a second fluid through the first channels and the second channels of the distributor element, the distributor element being provided in one of: a mass transfer column, a mixer, a disperser, a foaming device and a chemical reactor.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0082] The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.
[0083] FIG. 1 shows a perspective side view of a distributor element according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0084] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the distributor element shown in FIG. 1.
[0085] FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of the first level below the first fractal plate of the distributor element shown in FIG. 1.
[0086] FIG. 3B shows a schematic view of FIG. 3A.
[0087] FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of the second level below the second fractal plate of the distributor element shown in FIG. 1.
[0088] FIG. 4B shows a schematic view of FIG. 4A.
[0089] FIG. 5A shows a cross-sectional view of the third level below the third fractal plate of the distributor element shown in FIG. 1.
[0090] FIG. 5B shows a schematic view of FIG. 5A.
[0091] FIG. 6A shows a cross-sectional view of the fourth level below the first distribution plate of the distributor element shown in FIG. 1.
[0092] FIG. 6B shows a schematic view of FIG. 6A.
[0093] FIG. 6C shows a schematic part of FIG. 6B magnified.
[0094] FIG. 7A shows a schematic view of the fifth level below the second distribution plate of the distributor element shown in FIG. 1.
[0095] FIG. 7B shows a schematic part of FIG. 7A magnified.
[0096] FIG. 7C shows a schematic view of the sixth level below the third distribution plate of the distributor element shown in FIG. 1.
[0097] FIG. 7D shows a schematic part of FIG. 7C magnified.
[0098] FIG. 7E shows a schematic view of the seventh level below the fourth distribution plate of the distributor element shown in FIG. 1.
[0099] FIG. 7F shows a schematic part of FIG. 7E magnified.
[0100] FIG. 8 shows a perspective side view of the internal of a mass transfer column including a distributor element, a structured packing and a collector element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0101] FIG. 9 shows a perspective side view of the internal of a mass transfer column including a plurality of distributor elements, a plurality of structured packings and a plurality of collector elements according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0102] FIG. 10 shows a fractal plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0103] FIG. 11 shows a distributor element including a first fractal plate according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0104] FIG. 1 shows a perspective side view of a distributor element 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The distributor element 10 comprises three fractal plates 12, 12′, 12″ and below the third fractal plate 12′″ five distribution plates 16, 16′, 16″, 16′″, 16.sup.iv. Between each two adjacent plates 12, 12′, 12″, 16, 16′, 16″, 16′″,16.sup.iv, a level 18 is defined. Each plate 12, 12′, 12″, 16, 16′, 16″, 16′″,16.sup.iv comprises openings 20, wherein each opening 20 has a square cross-section with rounded edges. Each opening 20 is surrounded by a wall 22 defining in each level 18 below each plate 12, 12′, 12″, 16, 16′, 16″, 16′″16.sup.iv a channel 24 to be flowed through by the second main fluid. Above the center of the first fractal plate 12, an inlet 26 in the form of a pipe is arranged.
[0105] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the distributor element 10 shown in FIG. 1. The uppermost fractal plate 12 comprises sixteen at least substantially square openings 20 having rounded edges and arranged in a grid-like pattern. Each of the openings 20 has the same size and form, wherein the sixteen openings 20 are arranged in the first uppermost fractal plate 12 equidistantly in four rows and four columns of openings 20. An essentially cross-shaped aperture 28 is arranged in the center of the first fractal plate 12 and is surrounded by an inlet 26 having a corresponding form.
[0106] FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of the first level 18 below the first fractal plate 12 and above the second fractal plate 12′ of the distributor element 10 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B shows a schematic view of FIG. 3A. Sixteen channels 24 are located below the openings 20 of the uppermost fractal plate 12, wherein each channel 24 is surrounded by a channel wall 22, which extends from the lower surface of the uppermost first fractal plate 12 onto the upper surface of the second fractal plate 12′. The circle 28 in FIG. 3B schematically shows the location of the aperture 28 formed in the uppermost fractal plate 12, through which the first fluid enters during the operation of the distributor element 10 into the first level 18. Even if the aperture 28 formed in the uppermost fractal plate 12 is, as shown in FIG. 2, essentially cross-shaped, the aperture of the plate 12 being arranged above the level 18 shown in FIG. 3B is shown in FIG. 3B and in the subsequent further schematic FIGS. 4B and 5B as circle, in order to show that it is an “incoming aperture”, i.e. an aperture, through which liquid flows into the level 18. In contrast thereto, the apertures 28′, 28″, 28′″, 28.sup.′v of the plate 12′ arranged below the level 18 shown in FIG. 3B are shown in FIG. 3B and in the subsequent further schematic FIGS. 4B, 5B, 6B, 7A, 7C and 7E as rectangular, in order to show that they are “outcoming apertures”, i.e. apertures, through which liquid flows into the next lower level. Between some of the channel walls 22, partition walls 32 are arranged, which define a hollow space defining eight fluid paths 33 between and around the four central channels 20 of the first level 18. Each of the eight fluid paths 33 of the first level 18 have at least substantially the same length. The flow direction of the first fluid during the operation of the distributor element 10 in the eight fluid paths 33 defined by in the hollow space is schematically shown by the arrows 34. Those parts of the channels 24, which cannot be flown through by the first fluid due to the partition walls 32 are shown in FIG. 3B shaded or hatched, respectively. Accordingly, during the operation of the distributor element 10 the first fluid entering into the hollow space of the first level 18 through the inlet 26 and the central aperture 28 of the first uppermost fractal plate 12 flows along the eight fluid paths 33 defined in the hollow space between the four central channels 24, during which the first fluid is deflected at the partition walls 32 and is directed to the four apertures 28′, 28″, 28′″, 28.sup.iv of the second fractal plate 12′, from which it flows downwardly into the second level. Thus, the first fluid is distributed in the first level from one central point 28 via the eight fluid paths 33 formed by the channels 24 and the partition walls 32 and collected in the four apertures 28′, 28″, 28′″, 28.sup.iv.
[0107] FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of the second level below the second fractal plate 12′ and above the third fractal plate 12″ of the distributor element 10 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B shows a schematic view of FIG. 4A. Sixty four channels 24 are located below the openings 20 of the second fractal plate 12′, wherein each channel 24 is surrounded by a channel wall 22, which extends from the lower surface of the second fractal plate 12′ onto the upper surface of the third fractal plate 12″. The four circles 28 schematically show the location of the apertures 28 formed in the second fractal plate 12′, through which the first fluid enters during the operation of the distributor element 10 into the second level 18. Again, the apertures 28 of the plate 12′ arranged above the level shown FIG. 4B are shown in FIG. 4B as circle, even if the apertures 28′, 28″, 28′″, 28.sup.′v formed in the upper fractal plate 12′ are, as shown in FIG. 3A, essentially cross-shaped, in order to show that they are “incoming apertures” 28, i.e. apertures 28, through which liquid flows into the level. In contrast thereto, the apertures 28′, 28″, 28′″, 28.sup.′v of the plate 12″ arranged below the level shown in FIG. 4B are shown in FIG. 4B as rectangular, in order to show that they are “outcoming apertures” 28′, 28″, 28′, 28.sup.′v, i.e. apertures 28′, 28″, 28′″, 28.sup.′v, through which liquid flows into the next lower level. Between some of the channel walls 22, partition walls 32 are arranged, which define thirty-two fluid paths 33, each fluid path being defined in or by, respectively, the hollow spaces between and around four channels 20 surrounding an aperture 28′ of the second fractal plate 12′. The flow direction of the first fluid during the operation of the distributor element 10 is schematically shown by the arrows 34. Again, those parts of the channels 24, which cannot be flown through by the first fluid due to the partition walls 32 are shown in FIG. 4B shaded or hatched, respectively. Accordingly, during the operation of the distributor element 10 the first fluid entering into the second level through the apertures 28 flows along the thirty-two fluid paths 33 defined in the hollow spaces between the respective channels 24, during which the first fluid is deflected at the partition walls 32 and is directed to the sixteen apertures 28′, 28″, 28′″, 28.sup.′v of the third fractal plate 12″, from which it flows downwardly into the third level. Thus, the first fluid is distributed in the second level from four apertures 28 to the sixteen apertures 28′, 28″, 28′″, 28.sup.′v.
[0108] FIG. 5A shows a cross-sectional view of the third level 18 below the third fractal plate 12″ and above the first distribution plate 16 of the distributor element 10 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B shows a schematic view of FIG. 5A. Two hundred fifty-six channels 24 are located below the openings 20 of the third fractal plate 12″, wherein each channel 24 is surrounded by a channel wall 22, which extends from the lower surface of the third fractal plate 12″ onto the upper surface of the first distribution plate 16. The sixteen circles 28 schematically show the location of the apertures 28′, 28″, 28′″, 28.sup.′v formed in the third fractal plate 12″, through which the first fluid enters during the operation of the distributor element 10 into the third level. Again, the apertures 28 of the plate 12″ arranged above the level shown FIG. 5B are shown in FIG. 5B as circle, even if the apertures 28′, 28″, 28′″, 28.sup.′v formed in the upper fractal plate 12″ are, as shown in FIG. 4A, essentially cross-shaped, in order to show that they are “incoming apertures” 28, i.e. apertures 28, through which liquid flows into the level. In contrast thereto, the apertures 38 of the distribution plate 16 arranged below the level shown in FIG. 5B are shown in FIG. 5B as rectangular, in order to show that they are “outcoming apertures” 38, i.e. apertures 38, through which liquid flows into the next lower level. However, in fact, as shown in FIG. 5A, the apertures 38 of the distribution plate 16 as well as those of all lower distribution plates 16′, 16″, 16′″, 16″ are circular and not, as in the upper fractal plates 12, 12′, 12′″ essentially cross-shaped. Between some of the channel walls 22, partition walls (not shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B) are arranged, which define one hundred twenty-eight fluid paths 33, each fluid path 33 being defined or formed, respectively, in the hollow spaces of the third level. The flow direction of the first fluid during the operation of the distributor element 10 is schematically shown by the arrows 34. Again, those parts of the channels 24, which cannot be flown through by the first fluid due to the partition walls 32 are shown in FIG. 5B shaded or hatched, respectively. Accordingly, during the operation of the distributor element 10 the first fluid entering into the third level through the apertures 28 flows along the one hundred twenty-eight fluid paths 33 defined in the hollow spaces between the respective channels 24, during which the first fluid is deflected at the partition walls and is directed to the sixty-four apertures 38 of the first distribution plate 16, from which it flows downwardly into the fourth level. Thus, the first fluid is distributed in the third level from sixteen apertures 28 to the sixty-four apertures 38.
[0109] FIG. 6A shows a cross-sectional view of the fourth level below the first distribution plate 16 and above the second distribution plate 16′ of the distributor element 10 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6B shows a schematic view of FIG. 6A and FIG. 6C shows a part of FIG. 6B magnified. The first distribution plate 16 has the same form and same number and dimensions of openings 20 as the third fractal plate 12″, wherein the first distribution plate 16 has no apertures 38 at the crossing-points below those, in which the apertures 28′, 28″, 28′″, 28″ of the third fractal plate 12″ are located, but wherein the first distribution plate 16 has apertures 38 at any crossing-point being adjacent to those, in which the apertures 28′, 28″, 28′″, 28.sup.′v of the third fractal plate 12″ are located. Thereby, during the operation of the distributor element 10 a further distribution of the first fluid is achieved in the fluid paths 33 defined by the hollow space(s) as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C.
[0110] As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7E, between each adjacent of the four further distribution plates 16′, 16″, 16′″, 16.sup.iv a level is defined. Each of the four further distribution plates 16′, 16″, 16′″, 161.sup.iv has the same form and same number and dimensions of openings 20 as the third fractal plate 12″ and the first distribution plate 16. However, each of the further distribution plates 16′, 16″, 16′″, 16.sup.iv has a higher number of apertures 38, 38′, 38″ than its adjacent upper plate 16, 16′, 16″, 16′″. This allows that any part of the hollow space(s) defining the fluid paths 33 is filled during the operation of the distributor element with the first fluid and thus via the large number of apertures 38, 38′, 38″ in the lowest of the distribution plates 16″ a particular high distribution density is achieved.
[0111] FIG. 8 shows a perspective side view of the internal 40 of a mass transfer column 8 including a distributor element 10, a structed packing 42 and a collector element 44. The mass transfer column 8 may be a rectification column 8. The distributor element 10 is composed as described above and as shown in FIG. 1 to 7. The collector element 44 is composed as the distributor element 10, but simply inverted so that the first fractal plate is the lowest plate and the fifth distribution plate is the uppermost plate. During the operation of the mass transfer column 8, liquid enters the distributor element 10 via the inlet 16 and is distributed over the cross-sectional plane as described above with reference to FIG. 1 to 7. The distributed liquid then flows downwardly onto the surface of the structured packing 42 and further downwards. Gas continuously flows in the counter-direction, i.e. from the bottom of the mass transfer column 8 upwardly. In the structured packing, an intensive mass and energy transfer between the liquid and gas occurs, since both are distributed over the large specific surface area of the structured packing 42. The liquid then flows onto the surface of the collector element 44, in which it is collected and concentrated in one point, from which it leaves the internal via the outlet 46.
[0112] FIG. 9 shows a perspective side view of the internal of a mass transfer column 8 including a plurality of distributor elements 10, a plurality of structured packings 42 and a plurality of collectors elements 44, each of which being composed as described above and as shown in FIG. 8. In order to distribute the first fluid to all of the plurality of distributor elements 10, a distribution manifold 48 is arranged above the plurality of distributor elements 10. Likewise, a collector manifold 50 is arranged below the plurality of collector elements 44.
[0113] FIG. 10 shows a fractal plate 12″ according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The fractal plate 12″ is similar to the third fractal plate 12″ of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 except that the dimensions of the apertures 28 having an essentially cross-shaped cross-section are slightly different.
[0114] FIG. 11 shows a distributor element including a first fractal plate 12 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The first fractal plate 12 is similar to the first fractal plate 12 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that within the channels 24 static mixers 52 are arranged for mixing the second main fluid flowing therethrough during the operation of the distributor element 10.
