Patent Publication Number: US-6659635-B2

Title: Method for introducing a first fluid into a second fluid, preferably introduction of steam into flowing cellulose pulp

Description:
PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
     This is a divisional patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/890,022, filed Jul. 23, 2001 (now abandoned) that claims priority from PCT/SE00/00137, filed Jan. 24, 2000, that claims priority from Swedish Patent Application No. 9900221-4, filed Jan. 26, 1999. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention concerns an apparatus for introducing a first fluid into a second fluid which is flowing in a pipe, which apparatus consists of a pipe-shaped body with a through-flow channel for the said second fluid of essentially constant cross-sectional area, one or more chambers which extend round at least the majority of the circumference of the through-flow channel along at least a part of its longitudinal extent, a connection for supplying the first fluid to the said chambers from a pressure source, in which a series of through-holes is arranged in the said pipe-shaped body in the region of the said one or more chambers, through which holes the first fluid can be directed into the second fluid which is flowing through the said through-flow channel under the influence of the difference in pressure between the said chambers and the said through-flow channel. 
     The invention is advantageously applied to the admixing of steam into a flow of cellulose pulp. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Apparatuses of the type mentioned above are known, see for example SE 468 341 and SE 502 393. The apparatus described in SE 502 393 is used primarily as a mixer in the bleaching departments in the cellulose factories for the admixing of steam into a pulp suspension in order to raise its temperature to a level which is required to ensure that a specific reaction takes place with the desired speed in a subsequent bleaching step. The apparatus can give good admixing of steam into the suspension, but it is difficult to control the quantity of steam needed for temperature control without reducing the effectiveness of the admixing at the same time. The steam admixing is regulated conventionally by means of a valve in the steam pipe to the said chamber. However, as the steam supply is throttled to reduce the steam introduction, the pressure in the chamber also falls and hence also the pressure difference between the inside of the chamber and the pulp suspension in the pipe. This implies, in turn, a reduction in the speed of the steam, as it enters the pulp through-flow pipe, and thereby also the penetration of the steam into the pulp suspension. 
     A characterizing feature of SE 468 341 is that the through-flow pipe is made as a narrow, ring-shaped passage for the second fluid, which is considered to promote a good admixing effect. However, without taking a position on whether this idea is correct or not, or whether the possibility only applies under certain conditions, it can be observed in practice that the construction entails certain problems. This is probably due to the fact that the first fluid, when it is injected at high speed into the second fluid flowing through the narrow space, interacts with the constricting body installed in the through-flow channel and that, probably due to resonance phenomena, serious vibration can occur in the apparatus. 
     Moreover, another disadvantage with existing apparatuses is that an uneven temperature distribution in the pulp suspension after steam injection can arise. Sometimes temperature variations of about 10° C. have been recorded between the upper and lower points in a cross section of the downstream pipe. Large temperature differences are obviously a major disadvantage when working with bleaching chemicals which are often very temperature sensitive, as for example hydrogen peroxide. Further, apparatuses of the existing type are relatively heavy. Since the material normal used is high-quality stainless steel, and, in addition, as the apparatus is relatively difficult to manufacture, the total cost for the apparatus is correspondingly high. 
     BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE INVENTION 
     The purpose of the invention is to provide an apparatus that is not burdened with the limitations or disadvantages mentioned above. One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that gives good admixing of the first medium into the second medium and to ensure that good heat distribution is obtained in the downstream pipe, i.e. that very small temperature of differences are obtained in an arbitrarily chosen cross section of the downstream pipe. 
     Another positive effect of the apparatus is the generation of relatively little vibrations and provision of a good facility for adjustable and controllable admixing of a first medium into a second medium. 
     Further characteristics, aspects and advantages of the invention are presented in the following description of a preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     In the following description of a preferred embodiment reference is made to the appended drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus according to the invention mounted in a pipe, and 
     FIG.  2 . shows selected parts of a side view of the apparatus, partly in cross section and with certain parts omitted. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The apparatus, which shall be described in the following, is developed and designed to be used for the admixing of steam into a suspension of cellulose fibres (pulp) in a pipe conveying the pulp into a cellulose factory bleaching department in order to preheat the pulp to a specified temperature suitable for a subsequent bleaching stage. However, the principle of the invention can be used also for equipment for the admixing of fluids other than steam into a second fluid, e.g. admixing of gases, such as oxygen, chlorine gas and possibly also ozone, or for admixing of a liquid, such as e.g. a pH adjusting liquid, chlorine dioxide or other treatment liquid or diluting liquid into the said second fluid, which need not necessarily be a pulp suspension. 
     Referring firstly to FIG. 1, an apparatus according to the invention is labelled generally with the number  1 . This is arranged in a pipe  2  for a pulp suspension, which, in the example as shall be described here, has a fibre content of medium consistency, MC i.e. a dry substance content of 5-20%, preferably 8-16%. The conveying pipe  2  extends from an MC pump (not shown) to a treatment vessel (not shown) in a bleaching department. The example shows a peroxide step. The task to be carried out by means of the apparatus  1  is to preheat the pulp suspension by means of steam in the conveying pipe  2  to a temperature suitable for the bleaching process, for example about 100° C. The flow rate of the pulp in the pipe  2  is about 5-15 m/s. A steam injection pipe labelled  4  brings steam under pressure from a pressure source (not shown) into the apparatus  1 . There is a throttle valve  5  in pipe  4 . 
     A central, first element in the apparatus is labelled  10 . This first element  10  consists of a circular cylindrical, pipe-shaped part referred to as pipe body in the following. The pipe body has the same internal diameter as the upstream pipe  2 A to which the pipe body is joined. The inside of the pipe body, defined by the inner walls, forms a through-flow channel for the pulp which is being conveyed in the pipe  2 . For installing the apparatus  1  in pipe  2  a first flange  11 , and a second flange  12  are provided respectively. The first flange butts against a downstream wall  13  of a chamber  14  for the steam, which chamber is described in more detail in the following. The other flange  12  butts against flange  16  which is located in the upstream end of the pipe body  10 . Flange  11  and wall  13 , as well as flange  12  and flange  16  respectively are joined to each other with bolts in the conventional way. 
     FIG. 2 shows that the chamber  14  extends round the rear and central parts of the pipe body  10 . It is formed by the rear back end wall  13 , a front, ring-shaped end wall  17  and a cylindrical casing  18 . The front end wall  17  is joined to both the cylindrical casing  18  and the pipe body  10  by welding. Together the back wall  13 , the front wall  17  and the cylindrical casing  18  form a housing, which encloses the surrounded chamber  14 . A connection stud to the chamber  14  is labelled  19 . The steam pipe  4  is connected to the stud  19 , and hence to the chamber  14 , via a flanged joint, generally labelled  21 . 
     In the present example, the pipe body  10  has an inner diameter of, for example, 100 mm. In the region of the rear part of the chamber  14 , the pipe body  10  has slits  28  which extend through the wall of the pipe body  10  and which are evenly distributed round the circumference of pipe body  10 . In the example described, each slit has a length of about 10-50 mm and a width of about 4-12 mm. The distance between each slit is about 5 mm. Further, the slits are formed obliquely so that they form an acute angle of about 30° with the direction of the pulp flow. 
     A sleeve-shaped screen  32  bears against the pipe body  10  with a good fit. The screen  32  can be displaced from a forward position, where the whole area of each slit is exposed, and forms an open passage between the chamber  14  and the inside of the pipe body  10 , to a backward position, as shown in FIG. 2, in which position the slits  28  are covered by screen  32 . However, the screen  32  can be moved also to a position between the completely forward position and the completely backward position to expose a desired area of each slit  28 . 
     In order to effect the movement of screen  32 , there is a movement member, preferably a pneumatic cylinder  34  outside the apparatus  1 . The cylinder has a piston rod  35 . This is connected via a yoke  36  to two rods  37 , which extend through the end wall  17  into the chamber  14  where they are joined to the screen  32  as indicated in FIG.  2 . Sealing rings  38  are located in grooves in the bores through the end wall  17  and are made to have a tight fit around the rods  37 . 
     The movements of the piston in the pneumatic cylinder  34  and its positioning in the cylinder are suitably regulated in the manner described in our application 9703732-9, i.e. depending on the temperature which is measured in the pipe  2  downstream of apparatus  1 , the measured value is sent to an IP transducer in order to adjust, in a known way, the positioning of the piston and piston rod  35  for regulation of the quantity of steam admixed, so that the temperature is maintained at a set desired value. Normally medium pressure steam is used which is available at about 12 bar. Nevertheless, the use of high-pressure steam at 17-18 bar, and, in certain cases, also low-pressure steam can be envisaged. It is essential though to ensure that there is a pressure difference of at least 0.5 bar between the pressure in the chamber  14  and that in the pipe  2 , and hence also in the pipe body  10 . This pressure difference, in combination with the positioning of the screen  32 , depending in turn on the desired steam flow, makes the steam flow through the holes  28  at very high speed. This ensures that the steam penetrates deeply into the pulp suspension which flows through the through-flow channel  9  in pipe body  10 , so that an effective admixing of the steam into the pulp and hence good heat transfer, or as appropriate good admixing of other gases or fluids, is achieved. The steam has a speed of over 100 m/s and is normally up to or over 200 m/s. 
     Irrespective of the position of screen  32 , the steam is injected into the pulp with a speed which is optimally high considering the pressure difference available between the available steam pressure and the pressure in the through-flow channel  9 . 
     Further, it is shown that downstream pipe  2 B has a significantly larger diameter (d 2 ) than the upstream pipe  2 A. The increase in area relative to the through-flow channel  9  should be at least about 50%. As seen is FIG. 2, the increase in area can advantageously be about 400%. (Note that FIG. 2 shows the apparatus seen in a view from the side but from another direction than in FIG. 1 i.e. from behind.) Thus, according to FIG. 2, it is shown that the downstream pipe  2 B has a diameter (d 2 ) which is approximately twice as large as the inside diameter (d 1 ) of the through-flow channel  9 . This implies, in the example given, that the diameter of the through-flow channel is 100 mm and that the downstream pipe has a diameter of 200 mm. 
     As is also seen in FIG. 2, the holes/slits  28  are positioned near the rear end of the through-flow channel  9 . With the aim of eliminating the need for an excess amount of material between the inner side of flange the  13  and the pipe body  10 , a ring-shaped connection piece  7  is located at the rear end of the pipe body and is arranged to fit closely to both the pipe body  10  and the flange  13 , suitably by means of welding. In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the distance (d 3 ) from the front edge of the slits  28  to the rear edge of the through-flow channel  9  is less than the diameter (d 1 ), i.e. less than 100 mm. Due to the sudden increase in area immediately after the thought-flow channel  9 , turbulence is created which leads to additional admixing of the added steam, thereby ensuring that an even distribution of the heat supplied to the pulp is obtained in the downstream pipe  2 B. 
     The sudden increase in area is effected preferably in a single stage, as shown in FIG.  2 . If desired, the increase in area can be effected in successive stages, but it is essential that the increase in area takes place within a length which is well below the diameter of the pipe  10 . The sudden increase in area acts as a retardation zone for the pulp flow, in which zone there is time for the distribution of the steam into the pulp to take place, and the turbulence created ensures good admixing. 
     The steam, which is introduced to the pulp, penetrates into the pulp in the form of narrow, high-speed jets, which jets are diverted by the pulp flow. By means of the sudden increase in area, the probability of the steam reaching the wall of the channel  2 B is reduced, which would otherwise result in rapid cooling and impingement, which impingement would create noise. 
     The combination of the distribution of the holes  28  close to the rear edge  7  of the through-flow channel  9 , and that the increase in area is effected in only one stage and by at least 50% of the area of the through-flow channel, prevents the generation of noise, created by the impact of steam against the walls of the channel in an effective way. 
     At the same time, good and even admixing of the steam into the pulp flow is obtained. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the downstream pipe  2 B is a separate unit in relation to the apparatus  1  and thus forms the pipe to the next apparatus in the process sequence. However, it is feasible for this turbulence zone to consist of a separate, delimited pipe section, or a unit integrated with the apparatus, which unit can advantageously be adapted so that it can be connected to any desired downstream pipe, which pipe generally has the same diameter as the inlet pipe  2 A. 
     It should be noted that the invention can be varied within the scope defined by the following patent claims. It has already been mentioned that the fluids which are to be admixed can be fluids other than steam and a pulp suspension, whereby, in general, properties other than temperature are to be controlled by means of regulating the admixing conditions of the first fluid into the second fluid. An example could be the admixing of chemicals into the pulp flow. Further, it is obvious that devices other than a pneumatic piston cylinder can be used for displacing the screen  32 , such as, for example, a hydraulic piston cylinder or an electrical motor cooperating with a control device etc. Further, other forms of motion for the movement of the screen other than purely axial, e.g. helical, can be envisaged. An additional modification concerns the orientation of the apparatus  1 . In the example shown, the second medium, the pulp suspension, flows from right to left in FIG.  1  and FIG.  3 . However, the apparatus can be used in the opposite direction, so that the screen  32  in its completely open position is located upstream of the holes  31  and  28   a-g . In this case, if the screen  32  is displaced from its completely open position to a position where one series of holes is only partly covered, so that the stream of the first fluid through the holes in this series of holes is throttled, this could result in the fluid flowing through these holes giving a reduced penetration depth into the second fluid, the effect of the flow in the following downstream orientated holes is eliminated. 
     Those skilled in the art understand also that the pipe-shaped body and pipes can have other cross sections than the purely circular cylindrical shown above, for example rectangular. Further, it is understood that there is the possibility of using more than one connection for introduction of the fluid. In addition, it is understood that, instead of slits as shown above, circular holes can be used. Similarly, it is understood that the orientation of the slits can be altered to positions other than what is shown in FIG.  2 . Moreover, it is understood that more than one row of slits can be arranged.