A MIXING OR DISSOLVING APPARATUS

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid to form a solution of a substantially homogeneous concentration. In one example, the apparatus (10) comprises a vessel (18) having a cylindrical portion (20) formed integral with a large diameter end of a conical frustum portion (22). The vessel (18) includes a series of liquid inlets (24A, 24B, 24C) and a solution outlet (26). The liquid inlets (24A, 24B, 24C) are located in a wall of the cylindrical portion (20) and conical frustum portion (22), and the solution outlet (26) is formed at a small diameter end of the conical frustum portion (22). An elbow-shaped nozzle (28A, 28B, 28C) is connected to each of the liquid inlets (24A, 24B, 24C), the nozzles (28A, 28B, 28C) designed to direct a flow of liquid parallel to an inside surface of the vessel (18). The apparatus (10) also comprises a venturi (30) located adjacent the outlet (26) so as to create a low pressure zone downstream of the venturi (30) and thus suck or draw liquid (14) or solution (16) from the vessel (18).

Description: A MIXING OR DISSOLVING APPARATUS 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. 665513 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 dissolving of the granular chemical . Once the granular chemical is dissolved in the water it is then 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 in 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 is made of appropriate materials, frequent maintenance and replacement of parts is necessary. Also pumps and valves constructed from compatible and corrosion-resistant materials are also generally expensive. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An intention of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid said 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, said apparatus comprising: 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, said 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 conical frustum portion having the outlet located at a small diameter end thereof . Typically, the pump is designed to couple to a supply of said liquid used to mix with or dissolve the particulate solid or gel, said 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 said supply can be diverted to the vessel via said one or more inlets, and the remainder of said 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 said one or more inlets and the pump, said vessel inlet valve designed to control the passage of the diverted portion of the flow of liquid to the vessel. Typically, the supply of said liquid is a "fresh" water supply. Alternatively, the supply of said liquid is a portion of the solution of a substantially homogeneous concentration, said 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 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 said vortex. Typically, the static means comprises a nozzle connected to each of said 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 conical frustum portion of the vessel. Typically, the venturi comprises a pipe having a reduced- diameter section defining a throat, the relatively low pressure zone 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, said venturi valve 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 used to control the suction of liquid or solution from the vessel. Advantageously, the venturi valve and said 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, said method comprising the steps of: at least partly filling a vessel with the liquid, said 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 said liquid or solution from the vessel via the outlet whereby a vortex of liquid or solution is created in the vessel, said 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention a preferred embodiment of an apparatus and method for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or a gel in a liquid will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a mixing or dissolving apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As depicted in Figure 1 there is an apparatus generally shown as 10 for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel 12 in a liquid 14 to form a solution 16 of a substantially homogeneous concentration. The apparatus 10 comprises a vessel 18 having a cylindrical portion 20 formed integral with a large diameter end of a conical frustum portion 22. The vessel 18 includes a series of liquid inlets 24A, 24B, 24C and a solution outlet 26. The liquid inlets 24A, 24B, 24C are located in a wall of the cylindrical portion 20 and conical frustum portion 22 of the vessel 18. The solution outlet 26 is formed at a small diameter end of the conical frustum portion 22. An elbow-shaped nozzle 28A, 28B, 28C is connected to each of the liquid inlets 24A, 24B, 24C, respectively, the nozzles 28A, 28B, 28C designed to direct a flow of liquid parallel to an inside surface of the vessel 18. The apparatus 10 further comprises a venturi shown schematically as 30 coupled to the vessel 18 adjacent the outlet 26. The venturi 30 is of a conventional construction having a reduced diameter section 32 defining a throat. Fluid, in this instance liquid, flowing through the venturi 30 creates a low pressure zone downstream of the venturi 30 and thus sucks or draws liquid 14 or solution 16 from the vessel 18. The apparatus 10 also includes a pump 34 operatively coupled to a liquid supply, in this example a water supply (not shown) , the pump 34 used to deliver water both into the vessel 18 and through the venturi 30. In one example, the water supply is a "fresh" water supply. In an alternative example, the water supply consists of a portion of the solution 16, said portion being taken from downstream the venturi 30 and recirculated through the venturi 30 and/or the vessel 18 via the pump 34. The pump 34 and venturi 30 are plumbed to the vessel 18 as illustrated in Figure 1. A pump feed line 36 draws water from the water supply, and a pump discharge line 38 delivers water to both the vessel 18 and the venturi 30. The pump discharge line 38 splits into a venturi line 40 and a vessel inlet line 42 coupled to the venturi 30 and the vessel inlets 24A, 24B, 24C, respectively. The vessel inlet line 42 has three branched lines 44A, 44B, 44C connected to the flow nozzles 28A, 28B, 28C, respectively. A nozzle flow control valve 45A to 45C is plumbed to each of the branched lines 44A to 44C, respectively, so as to allow for control of water flowing to each of the nozzles 28A to 28C. A vessel outlet line 46 connects the vessel outlet 26 to the venturi line 40 immediately downstream of the venturi 30. Finally, a boomspray tank feed line 48 connects to the vessel outlet line 46 and the venturi line 40 downstream of the venturi 30. An inlet valve 50 is included on the vessel inlet line 42 to control the flow of water to the vessel 18. A venturi valve 52 is located on the venturi line 40 upstream of the venturi 30. The venturi valve 52 controls the flow of water through the venturi 30 and thus the suction of water 14 or solution 16 from the vessel 18. This can also be controlled by a vessel outlet valve 54 located on the vessel outlet line 46 adjacent the outlet 26. In order to facilitate a further understanding of the present invention, operation of the mixing or dissolving apparatus 10 described above will now be explained in some detail . In this example, the apparatus 10 is used to dissolve a gel or granular chemical 12 in water 14 to produce a solution 16 of a substantially homogeneous concentration. However, it will be appreciated that the invention also extends to other gels, particulate solids, and liquids to be mixed or dissolved. To initially fill the vessel 18 with water, the venturi valve 52 and the vessel outlet valve 54 are closed and the vessel inlet valve 50 opened so that water is pumped into the vessel 18 via the vessel inlet line 42. Once the water 14 has reached a suitable level in the vessel 18, the vessel outlet valve 54 and the venturi valve 52 are at least partly opened. The flow of water through the venturi 30 sucks water 14 or solution 16 from the vessel 18 through the outlet 26. The water or solution is discharged to a boomspray tank (not shown) via the boo spray tank line 48. The vessel 18 having a conical frustum portion 22 in combination with the flow nozzles 28A, 28B, 28C creates a vortex of water 14 or solution 16 in the vessel 18 as said solution 16 is drawn from the base of the vessel 18. The vortex of water 14 or solution 16 is effective in mixing or dissolving particulate solid or gel 12 which is added to the water 14. Thus, a solution 16 having a substantially homogeneous concentration is sucked from the vessel 18 via the action of the venturi 30. Significantly, the solution 16 which in some instances may contain particularly aggressive or corrosive substances, does not contact the pump 34. Furthermore, undissolved granular chemicals 12 remain adjacent the surface of the liquid or solution 14 in the vessel 18 until they are dissolved. This is believed to be due largely to the centrifugal force exerted on the granular chemicals 12 as a result of the vortex created in the vessel 18. Where gels contained in water-soluble bags are used, this centrifugal force acts to burst the bag and then dissolve the bag before it leaves the vessel. Therefore, in both of these applications undissolved granular chemicals or gel-bags do not flow from the vessel and this minimises the risk of blocking downstream equipment. The vessel inlet valve 50, the venturi valve 52, and the vessel outlet valve 54 may be adjusted to vary the concentration of particulate solid or gel 12 in the solution 16. For example, by further opening both the vessel inlet valve 50 and the venturi valve 52 the volume of water 14 and solution 16 passing through the vessel 18 is increased and the concentration of particulate solid or gel in the solution 16 thereby decreased. However, it will be appreciated that generally a constant level of solution 16 in the vessel 18 should be maintained by controlling the vessel inlet valve 50, the venturi valve 52, and the vessel outlet valve 54. Now that a preferred example of the invention has been described in some detail it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that the apparatus and method described have at least the following advantages over the admitted prior art: (1) the apparatus and method are suited to a variety of applications particularly where aggressive or corrosive substances are involved; (2) continuous or semi-batch mixing or dissolving of particulate solids or gels in liquids to effectively form a solution of a homogeneous concentration may be achieved; (3) the apparatus and method are relatively safe and efficient in mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or a gel in a liquid; and (4) particulate solids or water-soluble bags containing gels do not leave the vessel until they are dissolved thus minimising the risk of blocking downstream equipment. It will also be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that numerous variations and modifications can be made to the invention in addition to those already described above without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, a separate fluid may be used to drive the venturi rather than using the liquid which is used to mix or dissolve a particulate solid or a gel as described herein. The invention may rely solely on the vessel having an outlet and the effect of gravity to create a vortex of liquid or solution in the vessel. That is, it is not essential that the invention includes either an elbow-shaped nozzle or the like, or a cylindrical-shaped vessel which together promote the vortex in the vessel. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims: THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. An apparatus for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or a gel in a liquid to form a solution of a homogeneous concentration, said apparatus comprising: 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, said vortex being effective in mixing or dissolving the particulate solid or gel in the liquid to form the solution of a substantially homogeneous concentration. 2. An apparatus for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid as defined in claim 1 wherein the vessel includes a cylindrical portion formed integral with a large diameter end of a conical frustum portion having the outlet located at a small diameter end thereof. 3. An apparatus for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid as defined in either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the pump is designed to couple to a supply of said liquid used to mix with or dissolve the particulate solid or gel, said liquid thereby acting as the fluid passing through the venturi and effecting suction of the liquid or solution from the vessel. 4. An apparatus for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid as defined in claim 3 wherein 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 said supply can be diverted to the vessel via said one or more inlets, and the remainder of said 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. 5. An apparatus for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid as defined in claim 4 further comprising a vessel inlet valve positioned between said one or more inlets and the pump, said vessel inlet valve designed to control the passage of the diverted portion of the flow of liquid to the vessel. 6. An apparatus for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid as defined in any one of the preceding claims further comprising static means connected to the vessel, the static means 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 said vortex. 7. An apparatus for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid as defined in claim 6 wherein the static means comprises a nozzle connected to each of said 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. 8. An apparatus for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid as defined in claim 7 wherein the nozzle is an elbow-shaped tube connected to the inside surface of the conical frustum portion of the vessel . 9. An apparatus for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the venturi comprises a pipe having a reduced-diameter section defining a throat, the relatively low pressure zone located adjacent a downstream side of the throat. 10. An apparatus for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid as defined in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a venturi valve located on an upstream side of the venturi, said venturi valve designed to control the flow of fluid through the venturi and thus the suction of liquid or solution from the vessel . 11. An apparatus for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or gel in a liquid as defined in any one of the preceding claims also comprising a vessel outlet valve located adjacent the vessel outlet, the vessel outlet valve used to control the suction of liquid or solution from the vessel . 12. A method for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or a gel in a liquid to form a solution of a homogeneous concentration, said method comprising the steps of: at least partly filling a vessel with the liquid, said 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 said liquid or solution from the vessel via the outlet whereby a vortex of liquid or solution is created in the vessel, said vortex being effective in mixing or dissolving the particulate solid or gel in the liquid to form the solution of a substantially homogeneous concentration. 13. A method for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or a gel in a liquid as defined in claim 12 wherein 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. 14. A method for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or a gel in a liquid as defined in either of claims 12 or 13 wherein 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. 15. A method for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid or a gel in a liquid as defined in any one of claims 12 to 14 further comprising 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.

Inventors: FUCHSBICHLER KEVIN JOHAN, FUCHSBICHLER, KEVIN, JOHAN
Applicants: FUCHSBICHLER KEVIN JOHAN, FUCHSBICHLER, KEVIN, JOHAN
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B01F1
IPC codes: B01F1, B01F3, B01F5