Agitating – Having specified feed means – Material introduced so as to cause rotary motion in mixing...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-31
2001-02-13
Cooley, Charles E. (Department: 1723)
Agitating
Having specified feed means
Material introduced so as to cause rotary motion in mixing...
C366S165500, C366S173200, C366S191000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186657
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid to form a solution of a homogeneous concentration.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Australian Patent No. 665,513 describes a vessel including a conical base used for mixing or dissolving a granular chemical in water. The vessel incorporates several elbow-shaped nozzles designed to direct the flow of water around the internal periphery of the vessel. The nozzles in combination with the conical base of the vessel create a circular flow of water in the vessel which is effective for dissolving the granular chemical. The water and granular chemical are recirculated through the vessel via a pump to promote dissolution of the granular chemical. Once the granular chemical is dissolved in the water, it is pumped to a boom spray tank or the like.
Where aggressive or corrosive chemicals are to be dissolved, the pump and valving must be constructed from materials which are compatible with these chemicals. For example, seals used in the pump and valve may need to be made of a suitable polymeric material, such as a VITON® material. Furthermore, the wetted internal parts of the pump and valves may need to be lined or constructed of a corrosion-resistant material, such as Type 316 stainless steel.
When used for mixing or dissolving particularly aggressive chemicals, even where the pump and valving are made of appropriate materials, frequent maintenance and replacement of parts is necessary. Pumps and valves constructed from compatible and corrosion-resistant materials are also generally expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid, the apparatus and method being suited to a variety of applications in effectively forming a solution of a homogeneous concentration.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or a gel in a liquid to form a solution of a homogeneous concentration. The apparatus comprises:
a vessel designed to contain the liquid or the solution, the vessel including an outlet; and
a venturi coupled to the vessel adjacent the outlet, an upstream side of the venturi operatively coupled to and in fluid communication with a pump and a downstream side of the venturi located adjacent the outlet so that, in use, a flow of fluid from the pump and through the venturi creates a relatively low pressure zone adjacent the outlet and thus sucks liquid or solution from the vessel, creating a vortex of liquid or solution in the vessel, this vortex being effective in mixing or dissolving the particulate solid or gel in the liquid to form the solution of a substantially homogeneous concentration.
Preferably, the vessel includes a cylindrical portion formed integral with a large diameter end of a frusoconical portion having the outlet located at a small diameter end thereof.
Typically, the pump is designed to couple to a supply of the liquid used to mix with or dissolve the particulate solid or gel, the liquid thereby acting as the fluid passing through the venturi and effecting suction of the liquid or solution from the vessel. In this embodiment, the vessel includes one or more inlets each operatively coupled to and in fluid communication with the pump, so that a portion of the flow of liquid from the supply can be diverted to the vessel via one or more inlets, and the remainder of the flow of liquid can pass through the venturi, thereby driving the vortex of liquid or solution in the vessel and thus mixing or dissolving the particulate solid or gel in the liquid. In one such example, the apparatus includes a vessel inlet valve positioned between one or more inlets and the pump, the vessel inlet valve being designed to control the passage of the diverted portion of the flow of liquid to the vessel.
Typically, the supply of the liquid is a “fresh” water supply. Alternatively, the supply of the liquid is a portion of the solution of a substantially homogeneous concentration, the portion being recirculated through the venturi and/or the vessel via the pump.
Preferably, the apparatus for mixing or dissolving further comprises static means connected to the vessel, the static means being designed to direct the diverted portion of the flow of liquid in a direction substantially parallel to an inside surface of the vessel adjacent the inlet, thereby promoting the vortex. Typically, the static means comprises a nozzle connected to each of one or more vessel inlets, the nozzle being configured to direct the diverted portion of the flow of liquid in a direction substantially parallel to the inside surface of the vessel adjacent the respective inlets. In one example, the nozzle is an elbow-shaped tube connected to the inside surface of the frustoconical portion of the vessel.
Typically, the venturi comprises a pipe having a reduced-diameter section defining a throat, the relatively low-pressure zone being located adjacent a downstream side of the throat.
Typically, the apparatus for mixing or dissolving further comprises a venturi valve located on an upstream side of the venturi, the venturi valve being designed to control the flow of fluid through the venturi and thus the suction of liquid or solution from the vessel. More typically, the apparatus also comprises a vessel outlet valve located adjacent the vessel outlet, the vessel outlet valve being used to control the suction of liquid or solution from the vessel. Advantageously, the venturi valve and the vessel inlet valve can be adjusted to vary the concentration of particulate solid or gel in the solution.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or a gel in a liquid to form a solution of a homogeneous concentration, the method comprising the steps of:
at least partly filling a vessel with the liquid, the vessel having a cylindrical portion formed continuous with a large diameter end of a conical frustum including an outlet at a small diameter end thereof; and
flowing fluid through a venturi located adjacent the outlet and thus sucking the liquid or solution from the vessel via the outlet, whereby a vortex of liquid or solution is created in the vessel, the vortex being effective in mixing or dissolving the particulate solid or gel in the liquid to form the solution of a substantially homogeneous concentration.
Typically, the step of flowing fluid through a venturi involves diverting a portion of the liquid used to fill the vessel through the venturi, wherein said liquid portion acts as the fluid which drives the venturi, thereby effecting the vortex of liquid or solution in the vessel and thus mixing or dissolving the particulate solid or gel in the liquid.
Typically, the step of at least partly filling the vessel with the liquid involves directing the liquid in a direction substantially parallel to an inside surface of the vessel, so that the vortex of liquid or solution in the vessel is promoted.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of controlling the flow of liquid both through the venturi and to the vessel, so that the concentration of particulate solid or gel in the solution can be varied.
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patent: 6065860 (2000-05-01), Fuchsbichler
patent: 6109778 (2000-08-01), Wilmer
patent: 2031748 (1980-04-01), None
patent: 4-141226 (1992-05-01), None
patent: 95/03120 (1995-02-01), None
Cooley Charles E.
Pollock, Vande Sande & Amernick, R.L.L.P.
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