A process is provided for blending two fluids having widely differing
viscosities, such that the ratio of the two viscosities is at least
10,000:1. The low viscosity fluid is injected into the high viscosity
fluid as it flows through a conduit, such that the low viscosity fluid is
at least 30% by weight of the total weight of the low viscosity fluid and
the high viscosity fluid. The two fluids are then forwarded to a second
conduit containing a first set of static mixing elements providing a fluid
shear rate in excess of 0.57 sec.sup.-1. The two fluids are then further
forwarded to a third conduit containing a second set of static mixing
elements of a larger diameter than the first set, providing a fluid shear
rate in excess of 0.20 sec.sup.-1. Within the third conduit the two fluids
form a homogeneous blend.
