Agitating – Having specified feed means – Plural related feeders having separate outlets to mixing...
Patent
1997-05-07
1999-01-12
Soohoo, Tony G.
Agitating
Having specified feed means
Plural related feeders having separate outlets to mixing...
3661632, B01F 1502
Patent
active
058577734
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a method for dissolving polymers or the like in water, and an apparatus for implementing this method. In the dissolving of polymers, water, air, mechanical mixers and superatmospheric pressure for "overpressure" are utilized.
A heavy increase has taken place in the use of water-soluble polymers for various kinds of purposes. As a result, polymers are used to an increasing extent for different kinds of environmental protection purposes as well as for clarifying various types of solutions. Polymers and solutions thereof, mainly aqueous solutions, are also utilized in chemical and paper industries.
Different types of polymers are usually packed and stored as powder. As they are usually used as an aqueous solution, different kinds of apparatuses and methods have been developed for their mixing. The methods most commonly employed are based on batch production. This means that water is first delivered into a container, and the polymer powder is mixed in the water by mechanical mixers or similar devices. The reason why methods and apparatuses of the batch principle have been used is a consequence of slow dissolution of polymers, and, in addition, the aim for a tender mixing process and saving long polymer chains.
Finnish patent application 851 185 discloses an apparatus and a method for mixing polymers in water. For a fast mixing of polymers and water, the solution is fed to a grinder type of a device which causes effectively shearing conditions for decreasing the particle size. U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,280 discloses a polymer mixing method which utilizes a centrifugal pump for carrying out the mixing. However, practice has shown that a proper enough mixing of polymers in water cannot be achieved by mechanical apparatuses alone.
It is an object of the method and apparatus of the present invention to provide a simple and continuous device in which the production of a solution of polymers and water partly takes place under pressure.
The polymer dissolving method and apparatus according to the invention are characterized by that which is set forth in the attached claims.
The quality and properties of a product produced by the method according to the invention will be considerably improved. A stepless control of the process is possible. Furthermore, the space the apparatuses require is decreased as a result of the continuous process. Due to the simplicity of the method, reliable operation of the control system is achieved.
In the following, the invention will be described in closer detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment according to the method of the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a polymer powder dissolving head.
Referring to FIG. 1, number 1 indicates a container of powdered polymer. Number 2 refers to a batch feeder, and number 3 to a dissolving head. A water inlet with its valves is indicated by number 4, and an air inlet by number 5. Number 6 indicates a premixing tank, and number 7 a mixer. A feed pump, also used for pressure rising, is marked with number 8, pressure chambers with numbers 9 and 10, and static mixers therein with numbers 11 and 12. A frequency converter, used for adjusting the batch feeder 2 and the feed pump 8, is indicated by number 13. FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of the dissolving head 3, and the air and water inlets therein by numbers 5 and 4, respectively. Number 14 indicates a nozzle, and number 15 a locking ring. The chassis is marked with number 16, and an acceleration tube with number 17. A water chamber attached to the chassis 16 is indicated by number 18, and a mixing chamber by number 19. An annular feed space for air is indicated by number 20, and feed ducts by number 21. These ducts 21 inject air peripherally adjacent the downstream end of the feed tube 24 at an angle having a substantial component with respect to the longitudinal axis of said feed tube 24. Number 22 refers to a water chamber, and number 23 to a water feed duct. Number 24 indicates a polymer feed line.
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Soohoo Tony G.
Turun Asennusteam Oy
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