Editing Mixing (process engineering) (section)

==Multiphase mixing==
Multiphase mixing occurs when solids, liquids and gases are combined in one step. This may occur as part of a catalytic chemical process, in which liquid and gaseous reagents must be combined with a solid catalyst (such as [[hydrogenation]]); or in fermentation, where solid microbes and the gases they require must be well-distributed in a liquid medium. The type of mixer used depends upon the properties of the phases. In some cases, the mixing power is provided by the gas itself as it moves up through the liquid, [[Entrainment (hydrodynamics)|entraining]] liquid with the bubble plume. This draws liquid upwards inside the plume, and causes liquid to fall outside the plume. If the viscosity of the liquid is too high to allow for this (or if the solid particles are too heavy), an impeller may be needed to keep the solid particles suspended.{{Cn|date=March 2025}}

[[File:Fluidized Bed Reactor Graphic.svg|thumb|300px|Schematic drawing of a fluidized bed reactor]]