Agitating – Having interrelated feed and discharge means
Patent
1993-11-16
1995-10-31
Jenkins, Robert W.
Agitating
Having interrelated feed and discharge means
3661602, B01F 1502, B01F 1504
Patent
active
054623529
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an apparatus for mixing and/or homogenizing fluid components with feed lines for the various components and at least one outlet line for the mixed product and to a process for the continuous mixing of fluid components to form a mixed product with adjustable mixture ratio. The fluid components can be liquid and/or gaseous components.
An apparatus for proportioning and mixing beverages from several components is known from DE 31 32 706 Al.
A disadvantage of the known apparatus consists in that the mixture ratio in the end product can fluctuate in spite of correct proportioning. To prevent such fluctuations to a great extent an after-mixing tank is provided downstream in the known apparatus in addition so that the mixing is achieved in at least three stages.
Moreover, it is known from Patent Application P 41 16 031, not yet published, to use tanks with an overflow weir within the framework of the mixing installations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a process enabling accurate proportioning and improved mixing to form a homogeneous end product with reduced expenditure on the apparatus.
The apparatus according to the invention is provided with a feed tank having an overflow weir for maintaining a predetermined constant liquid level of the liquid component in at least one feed line. Accordingly, pressure fluctuations in the feed lines can not influence the supplied volumetric flow of the component.
As a result of an orifice-containing member provided between the feed tank and the outlet line, only a constant volumetric flow can flow out of the feed tank due to the uniform upstream pressure so that the ratio of the supplied components is fixed by physical marginal conditions given an appropriate choice of orifice size. Accordingly, costly measuring and regulating systems in the feed lines for influencing the supplied volumetric flow can be advantageously dispensed with. The installation accordingly operates reliably and with low maintenance. This is particularly true when the output components exit freely under atmospheric pressure.
If necessary, a mixing pipe may be provided between the feed tank and outlet line to improve the mixing of the components.
When a collecting tank for the mixed product having an overflow weir for maintaining a uniform counter-pressure is provided between the feed tank and outlet line, there is a constant pressure difference between the supplied components and the pressure in the outlet line. This step also serves to eliminate disturbances in the installation caused by the existing pipeline network. Since the marginal conditions for the mixing process accordingly remain constant, the mixture ratio and the volume throughput are also correspondingly uniform.
In the case of certain liquids it is advantageous to arrange pumps between the feed tank and collecting tank, which pumps advantageously have regulated drive motors. As a result of the constant marginal conditions, costly proportioning pumps can be dispensed with. It is sometimes sufficient to use displacement pumps, e.g. gear pumps. In certain cases, investment costs for the installation can be further reduced by using flow pumps, e.g. impeller pumps, instead of displacement pumps. The mixture ratio can be changed at will by regulating the speed of the drive motors.
Outfitting the tanks with pressure compensation openings which are preferably connected with one another by lines likewise serves to maintain constant external operating conditions. Even when the tank contents change, the pressure of the liquid remains constant, since atmospheric pressure always prevails in the tank due to the pressure compensation openings. The pressure compensation openings are connected by lines when operating, for example, under an inert gas atmosphere or a higher pressure, particularly with gaseous liquids.
The differential pressure between the supplied components and the output mixed product remains constant when a pump with pipelines which
REFERENCES:
patent: 3830473 (1974-08-01), Liferman
patent: 4872763 (1989-10-01), Higuchi
patent: 4952066 (1990-08-01), Hoffland
patent: 5046856 (1991-09-01), McIntire
Jenkins Robert W.
Striker Michael J.
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for homogeneous mixing of fluid components does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method for homogeneous mixing of fluid components , we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for homogeneous mixing of fluid components will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1768165