Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Chemical reactor – Including internal mixing or stirring means
Patent
1995-01-23
1997-03-11
Kim, Christopher
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Chemical reactor
Including internal mixing or stirring means
422135, 422236, 366 14, 366 15, 366293, 4352941, B01F 700, B28C 500
Patent
active
056098359
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to multi-purpose apparatus and more particularly, though not exclusively to a vessel capable of completing the operations which would normally necessitate the use of three separate units, for example a reaction vessel, an isolator filter and a dryer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traditionally, many chemical processes, particularly the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals require a three stage operation which includes the steps of:
This process requires at least two vessels, a reaction vessel and a filtration drying unit. Both the reaction vessel and the filtration drying unit utilize drive shafts to operate agitators and smoothing arms respectively. The drives are both expensive and bulky as are the vessels. Furthermore, the reaction vessel is ideally set up above and to the side of the filtration unit so that the reactant can be easily transferred from the reaction vessel to the filtration drying unit. This arrangement takes up space (both height and width) which could be utilized in other ways.
Also from the processing stand point the transfer of material at the end of each stage gives rise to a risk of contamination and reduced yields.
An improved vessel has been supplied by Rosenmund AG under the Trade Mark NUTREX. This multi-purpose apparatus offers the capability of carrying out the operations of reaction, filtration and drying in immediate sequence within a single vessel.
One end of the vessel acts as a reaction/crystallization unit whilst the other end acts as a filtration/washing/reslurry unit, it being necessary to rotate the single vessel through 180.degree. from a position in which reaction takes place to a position in which filtration takes place. The apparatus can then be rotated through a further 50.degree. (230.degree. in total) to a position in which drying and discharge can take place.
Whilst such an arrangement saves space, there being a single unit compared to the at least two separate units of conventional apparatus the arrangement suffers a number of draw backs. These include: different operations as a result of rotating the apparatus, apparatus and another for controlling a double-shafted agitator system comprising a stationary agitator for reaction and an axially operable smoothing arm for the filtration process, and extra safety features as a result of the apparatus's rotation
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved multi-purpose apparatus without the problems associated with the aforementioned prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a multi-purpose apparatus comprising first and second units, the first unit serving as a reaction vessel and the second unit serving as a filtration and/or drying unit, means enabling isolation and communication therebetween, the apparatus being characterised in that an elongate drive shaft passes through the reaction vessel into the filtration and/or drying unit or vice-versa, said drive shaft being capable of both longitudinal and rotational movement within the respective first and second units.
By providing an elongate drive shaft through the first unit into the second unit the objects of the invention are met.
Preferably the elongate drive shaft is a single drive shaft, although it may comprise two drive shafts coupled at respective ends to form an elongate drive shaft.
Preferably the first and second units will be the first and second chambers of a single vessel which is sub-divided by the provision of a crosswall passing therebetween. Alternatively, the two units may be separate vessels which are positioned one above the other such that a single elongate drive shaft can be mounted so as to operate within both units.
In one embodiment the multi-purpose apparatus comprises a generally cylindrical vessel having a top portion and a base portion which are connected by a side wall, which vessel is sub-divided by a crosswall into an upper reaction chamber and a lower filtration chamber the crosswall extending inwards of
REFERENCES:
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patent: 3739711 (1973-06-01), Nieblach
patent: 3752653 (1973-08-01), Weber
patent: 4081381 (1978-03-01), Rosenmund et al.
patent: 4260739 (1981-04-01), Geyer, Jr. et al.
patent: 4286065 (1981-08-01), Kaluniants et al.
patent: 4592835 (1986-06-01), Grieder et al.
patent: 4610547 (1986-09-01), Bennett et al.
patent: 4933115 (1990-06-01), Krippl et al.
patent: 5078506 (1992-01-01), Tischer
patent: 5372790 (1994-12-01), Shirtum et al.
Development Trends in Pressure Filtration, publication of Rosenmund AG., pp. 61-68, Circa 1986.
NUTREX Reactor-Filter-Dryer, one page brochure by Rosenmund AG., pp. 67, circa 1986.
Kim Christopher
Powder Systems Limited
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