Patent ID: 6276825
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: B01F,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of shipping solids that are soluble in a solvent comprising(A) placing in a tank a quantity of said solids that exceeds the amount that will dissolve when said tank is filled with said solvent, said tank having(1) a volume, a longitudinal horizontal axis, and an intersecting vertical axis; and(2) an agitator assembly mounted on top, said agitator assembly comprising(a) an agitator having(i) a shaft;(ii) a propeller fixed to one end of said shaft; and(iii) means for rotating said shaft with a discharge velocity of at least 4.0 m/sec and a flow equivalent of at least 0.2 tank volumes/minute; and(b) means for mounting said agitator so that said shaft enters said tank at an angle .alpha. to said longitudinal axis and an angle .beta. to said vertical axis of about 35 to about 50 degrees, where(i) said agitator is mounted near the center of said tank and .alpha. is about 90 degrees; or(ii) said agitator is not mounted near the center of said tank and .alpha. is about 35 to about 60 degrees; and(B) transporting said tank to a location where said solids are to be removed therefrom;(C) adding said solvent to said tank around said propeller;(D) rotating said propeller at an angular velocity sufficient to provide a flow discharging axially from said propeller of at least 4.0 m/sec with a flow equivalent of at least 0.2 tank volumes/minute, whereby at least some of said solids are dissolved in said solvent, forming a solution; and(E) removing said solution from said tank.