APPARATUS FOR MIXING A DRY OR LIQUID SUBSTANCE AND A LIQUID DILUENT

Abstract: The mixing apparatus (20) includes a centrifugal pump (30) having a casing (32) and an impeller (40) located therein. The casing has a axially extending tubular inlet (36) located centrally on its end wall, the discharge being a tubular projection on the side wall's casing. A second casing (50) substantially identical to the casing of the pump, has a tubular projection on one of its end wall (52) coupled to the inlet of the first mentioned casing. Water is delivered to a tubular projection on the side wall (5l) of the second casing. Particulate polymer is delivered to the other end wall of the second casing. The swirling water in the second casing creates a lower pressure at its discharge to draw the polymer downwardly and into the first casing where it is vigorously mixed with the water.

Description: Background of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for mixing a non gaseous substance and a liquid diluent. The invention has particular application in the preparation of mixtures of a dry or liquid polyelectrolyte and water. Polymers (used herein interchangeably with the term "polyelectrolyte") are commonly used in water treatment equipment in order to remove solids suspended in the water. Polymers carry an electrostatic charge which attracts particles suspended in water. Since virtually all solids carry a negative or positive charge, they are attracted to these polymers. Polymers have extremely large molecules with millions of charge sites that attract suspended particles. Synthetic polymers are available in dry and liquid form. Dry polymer is desirable for many applications because it has low weight, which saves on shipping expenses; can be easily stored and shipped in plastic lined sacks, which are relatively inexpensive as compared with disposable metal drums which must be used for liquid polymer, and has indefinite shelf life, whereas with liquid polymers the more dilute the mixture the shorter the shelf life. Furthermore, dry polymers have been approved as safe and effective in certain food grade and potable applications, whereas many liquid products have not received such approval. However, dry polymer must be mixed with water before it can be used. The dry polymer is hygroscopic and its suspensions in water are thixotropic. In other words, the dry polymers do not readily mix with water. Many existing mixing systems for mixing dry polymer particles or other solid particulate material and a liquid diluent are subject to agglomeration of the solid particulate material during the wetting/dispersing step. In certain instances, a liquid polymer is the choice. Liquid polymers may be either of the solution type or the emulsion type. It would be desirable to provide a mixing apparatus which can be readily converted to process liquid polymer. Summary of the Invention It is a general object of the present invention to provide apparatus for mixing a non-gaseous substance and a liquid diluent, which avoids the disadvantages of prior mixing systems, in particular the agglomeration of the non-gaseous substance during the wetting/dispersing step, while affording additional structural and operating advantages. Desirably the apparatus is of relatively simple and economical construction. Desirably the apparatus can readily be modified to accommodate liquid polymer instead of solid particulate material, and can switch between the two in an on-line configuration. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided apparatus for mixing a non-gaseous substance and a liquid diluent, said apparatus comprising: a centrifugal pump including a motor and a generally annular first casing and an impeller in said first casing rotated by said motor, said first casing having a discharge at the periphery thereof and an inlet generally centrally thereof, and a second casing discrete from said first casing and having a generally annular side wall and first and second end walls respectively at the ends of said side wall, said second casing having a substance inlet and a diluent inlet and a discharge , said diluent inlet being generally tangent to said side wall, said substance inlet being in said first end wall generally centrally thereon, the discharge of said second casing being in said second end wall generally centrally thereon and substantially coaxially with said side wall, thereby to create a swirling flow of diluent in said second casing and a region of lower pressure in the region of the discharge thereof to draw the substance from said substance inlet to the discharge of said second casing, said substance inlet being adapted to be coupled to a source of non-gaseous substance, said diluent inlet being adapted to be coupled to a source of diluent, the discharge of said second casing being coupled to the inlet of said first casing substantially coaxially therewith. At least in use of preferred embodiments of the apparatus all of the liquid diluent may be introduced in an initial wetting state. Brief Description of the Drawings For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. FIGURE l is a schematic view of a mixing apparatus incorporating the features of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in vertical section of the funnel in the mixing apparatus; FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the funnel; FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section of the T-fitting of the mixing apparatus which receives the recirculated polymer and the water; FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the pump impeller casing of the mixing apparatus; FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the casing; FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the impeller; FIG. 8 is a view in section taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7; and FIG. 9 depicts a modification of the mixing system defined to process liquid polymer. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Turning now to the drawing and more particularly to Fig. l thereof, there is depicted a mixing apparatus 20 incorporating the features of the present invention. The mixing apparatus 20 includes a centrifugal pump 30 having a motor 3l and a casing 32 which contains an impeller 40 (FIGS. 7 and 8). The pump 30 has an inlet 36 and a discharge 37. In a particular embodiment, the pump 30 was made by Sta-Rite, produced 60 Watts (.75 horse power) and the impeller rotated at 3,450 RPM. The apparatus 20 further comprises a second casing 50 which has construction very similar to the casing 32 but the casing 50 contains no impeller. The casing 50 includes a dry polymer inlet 54, a liquid polymer inlet 55, a water inlet 56, and a discharge 57. Preferably a check valve 58 is coupled to the liquid polymer inlet 55. A funnel 60 is mounted to the casing 50. It includes a polymer inlet 6l and a discharge 62 coupled to the dry polymer inlet 54 of the casing 50 by means of a valve 68. The valve 68 can be replaced by a conduit if the pump 59 is not employed or a plug 96 (Figure 9) is employed. The mixing apparatus 20 also comprises a T-fitting 70 having one leg 7l connected to the discharge 37, a second leg 72 constituting the main discharge of the mixing apparatus 20, and a third leg 73. A second T-fitting 80 has a first leg 8l connected to the leg 73, a second leg 82 connected to the water inlet 56 and a third leg 83. The leg 83 is coupled to a flowmeter 90. A constant flow valve may be employed in place of the flowmeter 90. A source of water is coupled to a solenoid valve 92 the outlet of which is connected to the flowmeter 90. In the absence of electrical power, the valve 92 is automatically closed. The flowmeter 90 has a control knob 9l to enable selection of the rate of water flow. In operation, dry particulate polymer is delivered to a feeder 95 which transports the polymer to a point where it drops into the funnel 60 which guides the polymer into the casing 50. Water is delivered to the casing 50 tangentially so it swirls therein creating a region of lower pressure adjacent to the discharge 57 drawing the polymer and water downwardly and into the casing 32 wherein the impeller 40 vigorously mixes the two. The polymer at the discharge 37 is a thoroughly wetted and homogenous slurry. The liquid polymer is extended to the leg 72 from which it is taken for use in treating water or the like. Because of the dynamics of the apparatus 20, the polymer does not pass through the recirculation path defined by the leg 73 of the T-fitting 70 and the leg 8l of the T-fitting 80. Liquid polymer is pumped into the casing 50 by means of a pulsating-type pump 59, such as one made by Liquid Metronics, Incorporated of Acton, Mass. When the apparatus is used to deliver dry polymer, the pump 59 is de-energized. When the apparatus 20 is used to dilute liquid polymer, the valve 68 is closed and the pump 59 is enabled. The check valve 58 prevents the contents of the casing 50 from exiting at the inlet 55. The polymer mixes with the water by the action of the impeller 40, in much the same manner as the dry polymer. However, because the system is basically closed, a portion of the diluted polymer at the discharge 37 will be recirculated by passing through the legs 73 and 8l back to the water inlet 56. This recirculated portion will be further diluted and mixed along with fresh polymer and water. When the water is turned off, the liquid continues to recirculate. Thus, residence time is controlled by the water flow rate. The apparatus 20 can be quickly modified to process dry or liquid polymer as required. The apparatus can be readily switched back and forth, on line. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the casing 32 is defined by a generally annular side wall 33, an end wall 34 and a flange 35 (FIG. l) which is attached to the housing of the motor 3l. The inlet 36 is an axially extending, tubular projection on the end wall 34 located generally centrally thereon. The discharge 37 is a tubular projection on the side wall 33 and disposed generally tangent thereto. The casing 32 has three ports 38 (two are shown) any one or more of which may be closed. The others can be used to be coupled to receive liquids. As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the impeller 40 has spiral vanes 4l separated by spiral spaces 42. The impeller 40 is threaded to the motor shaft (not shown). The polymer and water passing into the casing 32 at the center thereof are vigorously mixed as they pass through the rotating impeller and enter the turbulent zone at the inside surface of the side wall 33 and exit tangentially through the discharge 37. Referring back to FIG. l, the casing 50 is identical to the casing 32, but is inverted in orientation. The casing 50 has a generally annular side wall 5l and an end wall 52 integral therewith. The end wall 52 carries centrally thereon an axially extending, tubular projection defining the discharge 57. The inlet 55 is preferably located in the end wall 52 near the periphery thereof. Preferably the cover 53 is transparent so that one can see the interior of the casing 53 and what is transpiring therein. A tubular projection extends from the side wall 50 generally tangent thereto and defines the inlet 56 of the casing 50. A nipple is threaded into the projections on the two casings to interconnect the discharge 57 and the inlet 36. The check valve 58 is coupled to one of the ports in the wall 52 (like the ports 38). Other liquids, such as surfactants, may be applied to the other ports to enable several liquids to be simultaneously applied. Water is introduced into the interior of the casing 50 through the inlet 56 and because it is introduced tangentially, the water swirls around and creates a zone of lower pressure adjacent to the discharge 57, tending to draw down downwardly the particulate polymer introduced to the inlet 54. This action helps to cause more thorough mixing action and a more homogeneous product. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the funnel 60 has a polymer inlet 6l and a discharge 62, the latter being defined by a smaller diameter throat 63 and a larger mouth 64. The interior of the funnel 60 in the region of the polymer inlet 6l has a cylindrical surface 65. A conical surface 66 extends from the surface 65 to the discharge 62. A water inlet 67 in the surface 65 is generally tangential thereto, so that water introduced into such inlet will swirl about the surface 65 and then downwardly along the surface 66, tending to wash such surfaces and maintain them free of the particulate polymer which is introduced through the inlet 6l. This operation tends to prevent the polymer from agglomerating in the funnel 60 and prewets the polymer to facilitate further wetting in subsequent stages. In an operative form of the invention, the inlet 6l was round having a 5.1 cm (two-inch) diameter and the mouth 63 was round having an 1.9 cm (.75-inch) diameter. This structure tends to minimize so-called "back wicking", that is the tendency to wet the dry polymer upstream and cause it to clump or agglomerate. Referring to FIG. 4, the T-fitting 80 has an inner conduit 84 coaxial with the legs 82 and 83. A bushing 85 blocks the space between the leg 83 and the conduit 84. Water is introduced through the bore in the bushing 85 through the conduit 84 and into the water inlet 56. When the funnel 60 is replaced by the plug 96 in order to feed liquid polymer, a portion of the polymer from the discharge 37 passes through the leg 8l and into the leg 82. The recirculating polymer and the water are simultaneously introduced into the casing 50 where they together swirl downwardly toward the discharge 57. The conduit 84 decreases the pressure difference between the water and the recirculating polymer so that the water pressure is not directly "fighting" the pressure of the recirculating polymer in part created by the centrifugal pump 30. AC power for the pump motor 32 is supplied via a relay l00, the winding of which is coupled to one output of a control circuit l0l. When it is desired to energize the motor 3l, the control circuit l0l is caused to produce a signal which energizes the winding of the relay l00 causing its contacts to close. A second output of the control circuit l0l is coupled by way of a delay circuit l02 to the winding of the solenoid valve 92. The control circuit generates an output that energizes such winding to cause the valve to close and therefore permit water to be introduced. When the apparatus 20 is idle, the casing 50 is flooded. It has been determined that when the pump motor 3l and the solenoid valve 92 are simultaneously energized, the water delivered to the casing is caused to splash into the funnel 60 and out the inlet 6l. But, if the pump motor 3l is energized just prior to the introduction of water, such splashing does not occur. In experimentation, it has been found that the pump motor 3l should be energized about one second prior to delivering water to the casing 50. Thus, the delay circuit l02 provides a delay of about one second. On the other hand, the delay cannot be too long because water in the casings 32 and 50 would be evacuated completely. When it is desired to turn on the mixing apparatus 20, the control circuit l0l provides electrical signals on its outputs one of which substantially immediately energizes the relay l00 to cause the pump motor 3l to immediately become energized and the other of which causes energization of the solenoid valve 92 about one second later by virtue of the delay circuit l02. The same kind of phenomenon tends to occur when the apparatus 20 is turned off. In other words, if both the pump motor 3l and water are turned off at the same time, the splashing tends to occur. A reverse delay is incorporated for this purpose. The relay l00 incorporates a so-called "off" delay (not shown) and the delay circuit l02 is basically bypassed. Thus, when it is desired to turn off the apparatus 20, the electrical signals developed by the control circuit l0l are terminated. The valve 92 is immediately closed and water to the funnel 60 immediately interrupted. After the delay period has passed, the relay l00 opens and the pump motor 3l is deenergized. The preferred "off" delay is also on the order of about one second. It should be quite clear that there are many ways to accomplish the operation just described. The relay l00 does not include any "on" delay, but does include one second of "off" delay. A separate delay circuit could be used instead. By the same token, the "on" delay furnished by the delay circuit l02 could be provided directly in a solenoid valve 92. Or, both delays could be incorporated directly into the control circuit l0l. Depending upon the overall system in which the apparatus 20 is used, the control circuit l0l could simply be a switch mechanism of some kind. An alternative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 9. Instead of using a valve 63, the funnel can be removed and replaced with a plug 96, when liquid polymer is to be processed. What has been described therefore is a mixing apparatus designed to create a liquid polymer from a dry particulate polymer, the liquid polymer effluent being thoroughly wetted and highly homogeneous. The mixing apparatus also has means to accept a liquid polymer instead of the dry polymer, which liquid polymer is diluted with water.

Claims: Apparatus (20) for mixing a non-gaseous substance and a liquid diluent, said apparatus comprising: a centrifugal pump (30) including a motor (31) and a generally annular first casing (32) and an impeller (40) in said first casing rotated by said motor, said first casing having an annular side wall (33) with a discharge (37) at the periphery thereof and an end wall (34) having an inlet (36) generally centrally thereon, and a second casing (50) discrete from said first casing and having a generally annular side wall (51) and first (53) and second (52) end walls respectively at the ends of said side wall, said second casing having a substance inlet (54) and a diluent inlet (56) and a discharge (57), said diluent inlet being generally tangent to said side wall, said substance inlet (54) being in said first end wall (53) generally centrally thereon, the discharge (57) of said second casing being in said second end wall (52) generally centrally thereon and substantially coaxially with said side wall (51), thereby to create a swirling flow of diluent in said second casing and a region of lower pressure in the region of the discharge thereof to draw the substance from said substance inlet to the discharge of said second casing, said substance inlet being adapted to be coupled to a source of non-gaseous substance, said diluent inlet being adapted to be coupled to a source of diluent, the discharge (57) of said second casing being coupled to the inlet (36) of said first casing substantially coaxially therewith. The mixing apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a flowmeter (90) coupled between the source of diluent and the diluent inlet (56). The mixing apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the substance is dry particulate material and the liquid diluent is water, and further comprising a funnel (60) coupled to said particulate material inlet (54) for receiving the particulate material and directing it to said substance inlet. The mixing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said second casing (50) has a liquid polymer inlet (55). The mixing apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a check valve (58) coupled to said liquid polymer inlet (55) and being adapted to be coupled to a source of liquid polymer. The mixing apparatus of claim 4 or 5, wherein said liquid polymer inlet (55) is in said second end wall (52), and further comprising means (96) for blocking said substance inlet (54). The mixing apparatus of claim 3 or any of claims 4 to 6 as appendant to claim 3 further comprising valve means (68) between said funnel (60) and said second casing coupling the funnel to the substance inlet (54). The mixing apparatus of any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the discharge (37) of said first casing (32) is coupled to the diluent inlet (56) of said second casing (50). The mixing apparatus of any of claims 4 to 8, said non-gaseous substance is a dry particulate polymer and the liquid polymer inlet (55) is in said second end wall (52), and further comprising a pump (59) coupled to said liquid polymer inlet (55), said pump being adapted to be coupled to the source of liquid polymer. The mixing apparatus of any of claims 3 to 9, wherein said funnel (60) has a cylindrical interior surface (65) and a frustoconical interior surface (66) between said cylindrical surface and a discharge (62) of said funnel, the discharge being coupled to the substance inlet (54). The mixing apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said discharge (37) of said first casing (32) being a tubular projection on the side wall (33) thereof and substantially tangent thereto, the inlet (36) of said first casing being an axially extending tubular projection on said end wall (34) thereof, and the diluent inlet (56) of said second casing (50) is a tubular extension on said side wall (51) and tangent thereto, the discharge (57) of said second casing being an axially extending tubular projection on said second end wall (52) thereof. The mixing apparatus of any preceding claim, and further comprising valve means (92) coupled to said diluent inlet (56), said valve means being adapted to be coupled to a source of power to said centrifugal pump, and control means (101) for operating said switch means and said valve means for selective opening and closing thereof, and delay means (102) to cause said switch means to automatically close before said valve means by a predetermined amount of first delay. The mixing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the mechanism defined by said switch means and said valve means and said control means includes delay means (100-102) to cause said switch means to open automatically after said valve means is opened by a predetermined amount of second delay. The mixing apparatus of claim 12 or 13, wherein said delay means is incorporated into said switch means. The mixing apparatus of any of claims 12 to 14 wherein said delay means comprises a delay device (102) coupled between said control means and said valve means to cause said switch means to automatically open after said valve means is opened. The mixing apparatus of any preceding claim, further comprising means (80) for preventing the liquid diluent from being coupled to said discharge (37) of said first casing except through said first and second casings. The mixing apparatus of any of claims 1 to 15 and further comprising an outer conduit (82) coupled to said diluent inlet (56), means (81) coupling said discharge (37) of said first casing to said outer conduit, an inner conduit (84) in said outer conduit (82) and coupled between a source of water and said diluent inlet (56).

Inventors: BRAZELTON, CARL L.
Applicants: STRANCO, INC.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: B01F3
IPC codes: B01F5, B01F3, B01F13, B01F7, B01F15