Patent Description:
In the related art, a slurry manufacturing device for manufacturing a slurry by mixing a powder and a liquid has been used. PTL <NUM> discloses a dispersion system that suctions and mixes a powder supplied to a hopper and a liquid with a centrifugal dispersion mixing pump. PTL <NUM> discloses a slurry manufacturing device according to the preamble of claim <NUM> and a method and an apparatus for manufacturing aqueous slurry explosive mixtures. PTL <NUM> discloses a method and apparatus for dispersing solid particles into a liquid. PTL <NUM> discloses a powder supply apparatus that supplies a polymer flocculant for aggregating dissolved substances and the like in wastewater treatment.

Among powders used as materials for a slurry, there are some powders that absorb moisture in the air and alter or solidify. In a case of manufacturing a slurry with a device of PTL <NUM> using such a powder, the following problems are incurred. In the device of PTL <NUM>, the upper inlet of the hopper is opened. Then, when the powder is fed into the hopper or when the powder stored in the hopper is stirred, the powder absorbs moisture in the surrounding air, and the quality of the slurry deteriorates. As a method for preventing the powder from absorbing moisture, dehumidification of a room in which the device is installed can be considered. However, dehumidification of a large room for a long period of time requires high running costs. In addition, installing the entire device in a dehumidified glove box or the like is considered, but this significantly reduces the maintainability.

Embodiments of the present invention have been made in view of the above-described problems, and it is desirable to provide a slurry manufacturing method in which a decrease in slurry quality, an increase in running cost, and a decrease in maintainability are suppressed.

A configuration of a slurry manufacturing device for achieving the above object according to the invention is defined by claim <NUM>.

According to the above characteristic configuration, since the opening portion of the powder supply device is accommodated in the powder dry box, a situation where the powder comes into contact with moist air can be avoided, and deterioration of the quality of the slurry can be suppressed. In addition, since the powder dry box only needs to accommodate at least the opening portion of the powder supply device, large-scale equipment is not required, and an increase in running cost and a decrease in maintainability can be suppressed.

Another characteristic configuration of the slurry manufacturing device according to the present invention is that the powder supply device includes a feeder that supplies the powder to the hopper, and the upper opening portion of the hopper and a powder discharge port of the feeder are accommodated in the powder dry box.

According to the above characteristic configuration, since the opening portion of the hopper and the powder discharge port of the feeder are accommodated in the powder dry box, a situation where the powder comes into contact with moist air can be avoided, and deterioration of the quality of the slurry can be suppressed.

Another characteristic configuration of the slurry manufacturing device according to the present invention is that the powder supply device includes a feeder hopper that supplies the powder to the feeder, and an air vent of the feeder hopper is connected to the powder dry box.

According to the above characteristic configuration, since the air vent of the feeder hopper is connected to the powder dry box, dry air in the feeder hopper can be used in the powder dry box, and an increase in running cost can be further suppressed.

Another characteristic configuration of the slurry manufacturing device according to the present invention further includes a main body dry box that accommodates the mixing device therein.

According to the above characteristic configuration, since the main body dry box that accommodates the mixing device therein is included, a situation where the powder comes into contact with the moist air can be more appropriately avoided, and the deterioration of the quality of the slurry can be suppressed.

Another characteristic configuration of the slurry manufacturing device according to the present invention is that a dew point temperature of the main body dry box is higher than a dew point temperature of the powder dry box.

Since the possibility that the powder may be directly exposed is small in the main body dry box, the dryness required is lower than that of the powder dry box. According to the above characteristic configuration, since the dew point temperature of the main body dry box is higher than the dew point temperature of the powder dry box, an increase in running cost can be further suppressed.

Another characteristic configuration of the slurry manufacturing device according to the present invention is that a cooling device that cools the mixing device is accommodated in the main body dry box.

There are cases where the cooling device is provided in the mixing device in order to suppress alteration of the slurry due to a temperature rise. According to the above characteristic configuration, since the cooling device that cools the mixing device is accommodated in the main body dry box, the occurrence of condensation on the surface of the cooling device can be suppressed, which is suitable.

In the slurry manufacturing device according to the present invention, the mixing device is suitably a centrifugal dispersion mixing pump.

The slurry manufacturing device according to the present invention is suitably applicable to a case of manufacturing a positive electrode active material layer slurry, a negative electrode active material slurry, or a solid electrolyte slurry used for manufacturing an all-solid-state battery.

The slurry manufacturing device according to the present invention is suitably applicable to a case where the powder contains a sulfide solid electrolyte.

A configuration of an operating method for a slurry manufacturing device is defined by claim <NUM>.

According to the above characteristic configuration, since both the powder dry box and the main body dry box perform the operations while the powder is supplied from the powder supply device to the mixing device, a situation where the powder comes into contact with moist air can be avoided, and deterioration of the quality of the slurry can be suppressed. In addition, since the operation of the powder dry box is stopped and the operation of the main body dry box is performed when the supply of the powder from the powder supply device to the mixing device is completed, an increase in running cost can be suppressed.

The case where the supply of the powder is completed includes a case where the supply of the powder from the powder supply device to the mixing device is completed and no powder remains in the powder supply device, and a case where although the powder remains in the powder supply device, the supply of the powder from the powder supply device into the mixing device is stopped, and the powder supply device is closed by closing a feed port through which the powder is supplied from the outside to the powder supply device with a lid, shutter, or the like.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a slurry manufacturing device <NUM> according to the present embodiment is configured to include a dispersion system <NUM>, a powder dry box <NUM>, a main body dry box <NUM>, and a control unit C.

The dispersion system <NUM> is configured to include a powder supply device X, a suction pump mechanism portion Y, a mixing mechanism <NUM>, a recirculation mechanism portion <NUM>, a cooling device <NUM>, a tank <NUM>, and a pressure vent portion <NUM>.

In the slurry manufacturing device <NUM>, a slurry F is generally manufactured as follows. A powder P supplied from the powder supply device X and a liquid R (or slurry F) supplied from the tank <NUM> by a pump <NUM> are mixed by the mixing mechanism <NUM> and supplied to the suction pump mechanism portion Y. In the suction pump mechanism portion Y, the powder P and the liquid R are dispersed and mixed and sent to the recirculation mechanism portion <NUM>. The recirculation mechanism portion <NUM> circulates and supplies the liquid R containing the powder P that has not been completely dissolved (hereinafter, undissolved slurry Fr) to the suction pump mechanism portion Y, and sends the slurry F to the tank <NUM>. The slurry F inside the tank <NUM> is stirred by a tank stirring motor M4.

The powder dry box <NUM> and the main body dry box <NUM> are provided to partition the internal spaces from the external spaces with, for example, a panel made of a synthetic resin in order to maintain only a limited necessary atmosphere in a predetermined state. However, the powder dry box <NUM> and the main body dry box <NUM> may be used to block the powder P in the internal spaces from moisture and may be made of various materials having heat insulation, or metal.

The powder dry box <NUM> is configured to include an outer box <NUM> and an inner box <NUM>. The suction side of a dehumidifying unit <NUM> is connected to the outer box <NUM>, and the exhaust side thereof is connected to the inner box <NUM>. Then, the operating conditions of the dehumidifying unit <NUM> are adjusted such that the atmospheric pressure in the inner box <NUM> is maintained at a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure outside the powder dry box <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as "outside air pressure"), that is, for example, in a state higher than that by about <NUM> to <NUM> Pa. The atmospheric pressure in the outer box <NUM> is maintained at a negative pressure lower than the outside air pressure, that is, for example, in a state lower than that by about <NUM> to <NUM> Pa. In the present embodiment, the dew point temperature of the outer box <NUM> is maintained at, for example, -<NUM> or lower, and the dew point temperature of the inner box <NUM> is maintained at, for example, -<NUM> or lower.

By causing the dew point temperature of the inner box <NUM> to be lower than the dew point temperature of the outer box <NUM>, the dew point temperature in the outer box <NUM> is adjusted to be low, and the dew point temperature in the inner box <NUM> is adjusted to be lower, whereby the dew point temperature can be lowered stepwise. Accordingly, adjustment of the low dew point temperature in the inner box <NUM> is facilitated, and the running cost can be reduced.

The dew point temperatures of the outer box <NUM> and the inner box <NUM> are not limited to those described above, and can be appropriately set according to the properties of the powder P and the like.

Furthermore, as described above, by causing the atmospheric pressure of the outer box <NUM> to be a negative pressure lower than the outside air pressure, the diffusion of odors contained in the outer box <NUM> to the outside can be suppressed. In addition, since the atmospheric pressure of the inner box <NUM> is higher than the atmospheric pressure of the outer box <NUM>, the air flow toward the inner box <NUM> is impeded, and the dew point temperature of the inner box <NUM> can be easily adjusted, for example, can be maintained at -<NUM> or lower.

In the present embodiment, unlike the powder dry box <NUM>, the main body dry box <NUM> having a single structure is used. The dew point temperature of the main body dry box <NUM> is maintained at, for example, -<NUM> or lower by a dehumidifying unit (not illustrated).

Here, in a case where the dew point temperature of the outer box <NUM> is maintained at, for example, -<NUM> or lower, the dew point temperature of the inner box <NUM> is maintained at, for example, -<NUM> or lower, and the dew point temperature of the main body dry box <NUM> is maintained at, for example, -<NUM> or lower, the flow of the has, for example, the following two systems. One of the two systems is the air flow in the powder dry box <NUM>, in which air flows in a circulation of a flow from the dehumidifying unit <NUM> for the powder dry box <NUM> through the inner box <NUM> (positive pressure higher than the outside air pressure) and the outer box <NUM> (negative pressure lower than the outside air pressure) to the dehumidifying unit <NUM>. The other of the two systems is the air flow in the main body dry box <NUM>, in which air flows in a circulation of a flow from the dehumidifying unit (not illustrated) through the main body dry box <NUM> to the dehumidifying unit (not illustrated).

The dew point temperature in the main body dry box <NUM> may be any temperature that does not cause condensation in the cooling device <NUM>, and for example, may be -<NUM> to -<NUM>. In this case, when the dew point temperature of the outer box <NUM> is maintained at, for example, -<NUM> or lower and the dew point temperature of the inner box <NUM> is maintained at, for example, -<NUM> or lower, the air flow can be, for example, as follows. The air can flow from the dehumidifying unit <NUM> for the powder dry box <NUM> through the inner box <NUM> (positive pressure higher than the outside air pressure), the main body dry box <NUM>, the outer box <NUM> (negative pressure lower than the outside air pressure), and then to the dehumidifying unit <NUM>, in this order. In this case, the main body dry box <NUM> is set to a positive pressure higher than that of the outer box <NUM> and to a negative pressure lower than that of the inner box <NUM>. By configuring the air flow in this way, the dehumidifying unit <NUM> can be shared by the powder dry box <NUM> and the main body dry box <NUM>, and there is no need to separately provide the dehumidifying unit (not illustrated) for the main body dry box <NUM> and the dehumidifying unit <NUM>, thereby suppressing an increase in cost.

The powder supply device X is configured to include a feeder hopper <NUM>, a feeder <NUM>, and a hopper <NUM>.

The feeder hopper <NUM> is a hopper that temporarily stores the powder P dry-transported from upstream. The feeder hopper <NUM> has an air vent <NUM> connected to the powder dry box <NUM>. The air vent <NUM> discharges the dry air inside the feeder hopper <NUM> into the powder dry box <NUM> when the internal pressure of the feeder hopper <NUM> increases with the feeding of the powder P from the upstream. The air vent <NUM> is provided with a check valve, and when the feeder hopper <NUM> is not under pressure, the feeder hopper <NUM> is preferably closed so that the powder P is not affected by moisture.

The feeder <NUM> discharges the powder P stored in the feeder hopper <NUM> from a powder discharge port <NUM> (an example of an opening portion) while measuring the powder P. The feeder <NUM> is, for example, a screw type feeder. The powder discharge port <NUM> is disposed inside the inner box <NUM> of the powder dry box <NUM>. The powder P discharged from the powder discharge port <NUM> falls inside the inner box <NUM> of the powder dry box and is fed into the hopper <NUM> from an upper opening portion 31a of the hopper <NUM>.

The hopper <NUM> is a member having an inverted conical shape which is decreased in diameter from the upper portion toward the lower portion, and causes the powder P received from the upper opening portion 31a to be discharged from a lower opening portion 31b and supplied to the mixing mechanism <NUM>. The upper opening portion 31a of the hopper <NUM> is disposed inside the inner box <NUM> of the powder dry box <NUM>.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the powder discharge port <NUM> of the feeder <NUM> that is the opening portion of the powder supply device X, and the upper opening portion 31a of the hopper <NUM> are accommodated in the inner box <NUM> of the powder dry box <NUM>. In addition, the air vent <NUM> of the feeder hopper <NUM> is connected to the outer box <NUM> of the powder dry box <NUM>.

The cooling device <NUM> is a device that cools the suction pump mechanism portion Y. Specifically, the cooling device <NUM> is a cold water jacket through which supplied cold water flows, and is provided so as to cover a main body casing <NUM> of the suction pump mechanism portion Y and the recirculation mechanism portion <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the suction pump mechanism portion Y (an example of a mixing device), the mixing mechanism <NUM>, the recirculation mechanism portion <NUM>, the cooling device <NUM>, and the tank <NUM> are accommodated inside the main body dry box <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the dew point temperature of the main body dry box <NUM> is, for example, -<NUM>, which is higher than -<NUM> which is an example of the dew point temperature of the powder dry box <NUM>.

The pressure vent portion <NUM> reduces the pressure in the tank <NUM> by exhausting gas from the tank <NUM>. Specifically, the pressure vent portion <NUM> is a gas flow path, and connects the inside of the tank <NUM> to the outer box <NUM> of the powder dry box <NUM> via a valve. A gas flow path branched from the valve to exhaust the gas from the tank <NUM> to the outside is provided, and a filter <NUM> is disposed in the gas flow path. When the gas is exhausted from the tank <NUM> to the outside, the gas in the tank <NUM> is exhausted through the filter <NUM>. Accordingly, malodor and scattering of substances are suppressed.

The control unit C is a calculation processing device including a CPU, a storage unit, and the like, and controls the overall operation of the slurry manufacturing device <NUM>. In particular, the control unit C controls the operations of the powder dry box <NUM> and the main body dry box <NUM>. The control unit C causes both the powder dry box <NUM> and the main body dry box <NUM> to perform operations while the powder is supplied from the powder supply device X to the suction pump mechanism portion Y (mixing device). When the supply of the powder from the powder supply device X to the suction pump mechanism portion Y is completed, the operation of the powder dry box <NUM> is stopped, and the operation of the main body dry box <NUM> is performed.

The case where the supply of the powder is completed includes a case where the supply of the powder from the powder supply device X to the suction pump mechanism portion (mixing device) Y is completed and no powder remains in the powder supply device X, and a case where although the powder remains in the powder supply device X, the supply of the powder from the powder supply device X into the suction pump mechanism portion Y is stopped, and the powder supply device X is closed by closing a feed port through which the powder is supplied from the outside to the powder supply device X with a lid, shutter, or the like (not illustrated). As described above, by closing the powder supply device X even if the powder remains in the powder supply device X, moisture absorption by the powder can be suppressed.

Here, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the feeder hopper <NUM> and feeder <NUM> of the powder supply device X and the powder dry box <NUM> are placed on a stand <NUM> and disposed above the suction pump mechanism portion Y (mixing device). The upper opening portion 31a of the hopper <NUM> is disposed above the stand <NUM>. The lower opening portion (31b) of the hopper <NUM> is disposed below the stand <NUM>.

In the slurry manufacturing device <NUM>, it is possible to manufacture the slurry F using various kinds of powder P and liquid R. In particular, the slurry manufacturing device <NUM> can be suitably used for manufacturing a slurry for manufacturing a positive electrode, a negative electrode, or a solid electrolyte of an all-solid-state battery, that is, a positive electrode active material layer slurry, a negative electrode active material slurry, or a solid electrolyte slurry.

The positive electrode active material slurry is manufactured by dispersing a positive electrode active material, a conductivity aid, a binder, and the like in a solvent. The negative electrode active material slurry is manufactured by dispersing a negative electrode active material, a conductivity aid, a binder, and the like in a solvent. The solid electrolyte slurry is manufactured by dispersing a solid electrolyte, a conductivity aid, a binder, and the like in a solvent. The positive electrode active material slurry may contain a solid electrolyte. The negative electrode active material slurry may contain a solid electrolyte.

The positive electrode active material is exemplified by an olivine type positive electrode active material. The olivine type positive electrode active material is a material having an olivine type structure, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a positive electrode active material that can be used for a lithium-ion battery. Examples of the olivine type positive electrode active material include active materials represented by a chemical formula LixMyPOz (M = Fe, Mn, Co, and Ni, <NUM> ≤ x ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ y ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ z ≤ <NUM>). Particularly, LiFePO<NUM>, which is an olivine type positive electrode active material having high material stability and a large theoretical capacity, is preferable.

The negative electrode active material is not particularly limited as long as lithium ions and the like can be occluded and released. Specific examples of the negative electrode active material may include metals such as Li, Sn, Si, or In, alloys of Li and Ti, Mg, or Al, or carbon materials such as hard carbon, soft carbon, or graphite, and combinations of these. In particular, from the viewpoint of cycle characteristics and discharge characteristics, lithium titanate (LTO, Li<NUM>Ti<NUM>O<NUM>) and a lithium-containing alloy are preferable.

As the solid electrolyte, a sulfide solid electrolyte used as a solid electrolyte of an all-solid-state battery can be used. Examples thereof include Li<NUM>S-SiS<NUM>, LiX-Li<NUM>S-SiS<NUM>, LiX-Li<NUM>S-P<NUM>S<NUM>, LiX-Li<NUM>S-P<NUM>S<NUM>, LiX-Li<NUM>S-Li<NUM>O-P<NUM>S<NUM>, Li<NUM>S-P<NUM>S<NUM>, Li<NUM>PS<NUM>-LiI-LiBr, and the like. Here, "X" represents I and/or Br.

The conductivity aid is exemplified by, as well as carbon materials such as vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF), acetylene black, ketjen black, carbon nanotube (CNT), or carbon nanofiber (CNF), metals such as nickel, aluminum, or stainless steel, and combinations thereof.

The binder is exemplified by polymer resins such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyimide (PI), polyamide (PA), polyamide-imide (PAI), butadiene rubber (BR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), or carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and combinations thereof.

The solvent is exemplified by butyl butyrate and dehydrated heptane.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the slurry manufacturing device <NUM>, particularly the configuration of the dispersion system <NUM> will be described in more detail.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the powder supply device X includes: the hopper <NUM> that discharges the powder P received from the upper opening portion 31a from the lower opening portion 31b; a stirring mechanism <NUM> that stirs the powder P in the hopper <NUM>; and a volumetric quantitative supply section <NUM> which quantitatively supplies the powder P, which is discharged from the lower opening portion 31b, to the suction pump mechanism portion Y by a negative pressure suction force acting on the lower opening portion 31b by the suction of the suction pump mechanism portion Y connected to the downstream side of the lower opening portion 31b, in a state where the upper opening portion 31a of the hopper <NUM> is open to the atmosphere.

The hopper <NUM> is formed in an inverted conical shape that is decreased in diameter from the upper portion toward the lower portion and is disposed in a posture with a center axis A1 directed along a vertical direction. The transverse sectional shape of each of the upper opening portion 31a and the lower opening portion 31b of the hopper <NUM> is a circular shape centered on the center axis A1 when viewed in an up-down direction of <FIG>, and the inclination angle of the inner wall surface of the inverted conical shape in the hopper <NUM> is generally approximately <NUM> degrees with respect to a horizontal plane. However, the inclination angle can be changed according to the properties of the powder. For example, in a case where the powder is carbon black, the inclination angle can be, for example, about <NUM> degrees.

The stirring mechanism <NUM> is configured to include: a stirring blade 32A that is disposed in the hopper <NUM> and stirs the powder P in the hopper <NUM>; a blade drive motor M1 that rotates the stirring blade 32A around the center axis A1 of the hopper <NUM>; an attachment member 32B that supports the blade drive motor M1 to be positioned above the upper opening portion 31a of the hopper <NUM>; and a transmission member 32C that transmits the rotational driving force of the blade drive motor M1 to the stirring blade 32A.

The stirring blade 32A is configured by bending a rod-shaped member into a substantially V-shape, and is disposed so that in a state where one side portion is directed along the inner wall surface of the hopper <NUM>, an end portion of the other side portion is pivotally supported so as to rotate coaxially with the center axis A1 of the hopper <NUM>. Furthermore, the stirring blade 32A has a transverse sectional shape formed in a triangular shape, and is disposed so that a surface forming one side of the triangle is substantially parallel to the inner wall surface of the hopper <NUM>. Accordingly, the stirring blade 32A is disposed so as to rotate around the center axis A1 along the inner wall surface of the hopper <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the volumetric quantitative supply section <NUM> is a mechanism that quantitatively supplies a predetermined amount of the powder P supplied from the lower opening portion 31b of the hopper <NUM> to the suction pump mechanism portion Y on the downstream side.

Specifically, the quantitative supply section <NUM> is configured to include: an introduction portion <NUM> connected to the lower opening portion 31b of the hopper <NUM>; a casing <NUM> provided with a feed port 43a and a discharge port 43b; a metering rotator <NUM> disposed to be rotatable in the casing <NUM>; and a metering rotator drive motor M2 that drives the metering rotator <NUM> to rotate.

The introduction portion <NUM> is formed in a tubular shape that causes the lower opening portion 31b of the hopper <NUM> to communicate with the feed port 43a formed in the upper portion of the casing <NUM>, and has a slit-shaped opening formed in the same shape as the feed port 43a of the casing <NUM> at the lowermost end thereof. The introduction portion <NUM> is formed in a tapered shape that decreases in thickness toward the feed port 43a side of the casing <NUM>. The shape of the slit-shaped opening can be appropriately set according to the size of the hopper <NUM>, the supply amount of the powder P, the characteristics of the powder P, and the like, and for example, the dimension of the slit-shaped opening is set to about <NUM> to <NUM> in a longitudinal direction and to about <NUM> to <NUM> in a width direction.

The casing <NUM> is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is connected to the hopper <NUM> via the introduction portion <NUM> in a posture inclined at <NUM> degrees with respect to the horizontal direction (left-right direction in <FIG>).

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper surface of the casing <NUM> is provided with the slit-shaped feed port 43a corresponding to the slit-shaped opening of the introduction portion <NUM>, and the powder P from the lower opening portion 31b of the hopper <NUM> can be supplied into the casing <NUM>. The lower portion of the lower side surface (right side surface in <FIG>) of the casing <NUM> disposed in an inclined manner is provided with the discharge port 43b that discharges the powder P, which is quantitatively supplied by the metering rotator <NUM>, to the suction pump mechanism portion Y on the downstream side via an expansion chamber <NUM>, and a powder discharge pipe <NUM> is connected to the discharge port 43b. The expansion chamber <NUM> is provided at a position in the casing <NUM> to which the powder P supplied from the feed port 43a to a powder accommodation chamber 44b of the metering rotator <NUM> is quantitatively supplied, and is maintained at a lower pressure than the feed port 43a (for example, about -<NUM> MPa) by the negative pressure suction force acting from the discharge port 43b. That is, the discharge port 43b is connected to the primary side of the suction pump mechanism portion Y such that the negative pressure suction force acts on the expansion chamber <NUM> and the expansion chamber <NUM> is maintained at a lower pressure than the feed port 43a. With the rotation of the metering rotator <NUM>, the state of each powder accommodation chamber 44b is changed to a negative pressure state (for example, about -<NUM> MPa) and a higher pressure state than the negative pressure state.

The metering rotator <NUM> is configured by attaching a plurality of (for example, eight) plate-shaped partition walls 44a to a disk member <NUM> disposed on a drive shaft <NUM> of the metering rotator drive motor M2 radially at equal intervals except for the center portion of the disk member <NUM>, and is configured to form the powder accommodation chambers 44b into a plurality of (for example, eight) partitions circumferentially at equal intervals. The powder accommodation chamber 44b is configured to be open to the outer peripheral surface and the center portion of the metering rotator <NUM>. An opening closing member <NUM> is disposed in a fixed manner at the center portion of the metering rotator <NUM> unevenly in a circumferential direction and is configured to close or open the opening of each powder accommodation chamber 44b on the center portion side according to the rotation phase. The supply amount of the powder P can be adjusted by changing the rotating speed of the metering rotator <NUM> by the metering rotator drive motor M2 that drives the metering rotator <NUM> to rotate.

With the rotation of the metering rotator <NUM>, each powder accommodation chamber 44b is configured to repeatedly change the state thereof in order of an expansion chamber opened state which is opened to the expansion chamber <NUM>, a first sealed state which does not communicate with the expansion chamber <NUM> and the feed port 43a, a feed port opened state which is opened to the feed port 43a, and a second sealed state which does not communicate with the expansion chamber <NUM> and the feed port 43a. The casing <NUM> is formed such that the opening of the metering rotator <NUM> on the outer peripheral surface side is closed in the first sealed state and the second sealed state, and the opening closing member <NUM> is disposed to be fixed to the casing <NUM> such that the opening of the metering rotator <NUM> on the center portion side is closed in the first sealed state, the feed port opened state, and the second sealed state.

Therefore, in the powder supply device X, the powder P stored in the hopper <NUM> is supplied to the quantitative supply section <NUM> while being stirred by the stirring blade 32A, and the powder P is quantitatively supplied by the quantitative supply section <NUM> from the discharge port 43b to the suction pump mechanism portion Y through the powder discharge pipe <NUM>.

More specifically, the pressure in the expansion chamber <NUM> in the casing <NUM> is in a negative pressure state (for example, about -<NUM> MPa) due to the negative pressure suction force from the suction pump mechanism portion Y connected to the downstream side of the discharge port 43b of the quantitative supply section <NUM>. On the other hand, since the upper opening portion 31a of the hopper <NUM> is open to the atmosphere, the inside of the hopper <NUM> is in a state of about atmospheric pressure. The inside of the introduction portion <NUM> and the vicinity of the lower opening portion 31b communicating with the expansion chamber <NUM> via the gap of the metering rotator <NUM> are in a pressure state between the negative pressure state and the atmospheric pressure state.

In this state, as the powder P in the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the hopper <NUM> and the lower opening portion 31b is stirred by the stirring blade 32A of the stirring mechanism <NUM>, the powder P in the hopper <NUM> is crushed by a shearing action of the stirring blade 32A and the metering rotator <NUM> is rotated by the metering rotator drive motor M2, so that the empty powder accommodation chambers 44b sequentially enter a state of communicating with the feed port 43a. In addition, the powder P in the hopper <NUM> flows down through the introduction portion <NUM> from the lower opening portion 31b and is sequentially accommodated in a predetermined amount in the powder accommodation chambers 44b of the metering rotator <NUM> that are in the state of communicating with the feed port 43a, and the powder P accommodated in the powder accommodation chambers 44b flows down to the expansion chamber <NUM> and is discharged from the discharge port 43b. Therefore, the powder P can be quantitatively supplied by the powder supply device X to a feed port <NUM> of the suction pump mechanism portion Y continuously in a predetermined amount through the powder discharge pipe <NUM>.

In the above description, the powder P in the hopper <NUM> is supplied to the suction pump mechanism portion Y via the quantitative supply section <NUM>. However, in a case of a powder P having adhesiveness, the quantitative supply section <NUM> is not used, and for example, the powder P may be directly supplied to the suction pump mechanism portion Y via the hopper <NUM> from the feeder <NUM> by controlling the rotation thereof. In this case, for example, a configuration in which a passage that directly connects the hopper <NUM> and the suction pump mechanism portion Y is separately formed to be switchable between the supply of the powder P from the hopper <NUM> to the suction pump mechanism portion Y via the quantitative supply section <NUM> and the supply of the powder P from the hopper <NUM> to the suction pump mechanism portion Y, depending on the properties of the powder P, is preferable.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a shutter valve <NUM> capable of stopping the supply of the powder P to the feed port <NUM> of the suction pump mechanism portion Y is disposed in the powder discharge pipe <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the tank <NUM> is configured to continuously supply the liquid R in the tank <NUM> to the feed port <NUM> of the suction pump mechanism portion Y at a set flow rate. Therefore, the tank <NUM> functions as a solvent supply source that supplies the liquid R to the suction pump mechanism portion Y. In addition, the slurry F is supplied to the tank <NUM> from the recirculation mechanism portion <NUM> via a discharge path <NUM>. Therefore, the tank <NUM> functions as a slurry recovery source for recovering the slurry F.

The tank <NUM> is provided with: a solvent supply pipe <NUM> that connects the tank <NUM> to the mixing mechanism <NUM> and causes the liquid R to pass therethrough; a pump <NUM> that is provided in the solvent supply pipe <NUM> and delivers the liquid R from the tank <NUM> to the mixing mechanism <NUM> via the solvent supply pipe <NUM>; and a flow rate adjusting valve (not illustrated) that adjusts the flow rate of the liquid R delivered from the tank <NUM> to the solvent supply pipe <NUM> to a set flow rate.

The mixing mechanism <NUM> mixes the liquid R adjusted to the set flow rate with the powder P quantitatively supplied from the quantitative supply section <NUM> and supplies the mixture to the feed port <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the mixing mechanism <NUM> is configured to include a mixing member <NUM> that causes the powder discharge pipe <NUM> and the solvent supply pipe <NUM> to communicate with and be connected to the feed port <NUM>.

The mixing member <NUM> is configured to include: a tubular portion <NUM> that is configured to have a smaller diameter than the cylindrical feed port <NUM> and is disposed in a state of being inserted into the feed port <NUM> so as to form an annular slit <NUM> with the feed port <NUM>; and an annular flow path forming portion <NUM> that forms an annular flow path <NUM> in the outer peripheral portion of the feed port <NUM> in a state of communicating with the annular slit <NUM> over the entire circumference.

The powder discharge pipe <NUM> is connected to the mixing member <NUM> in a state of communicating with the tubular portion <NUM>, and the solvent supply pipe <NUM> is connected to the mixing member <NUM> to supply the liquid R to the annular flow path <NUM> in a tangential direction.

The powder discharge pipe <NUM>, the tubular portion <NUM> of the mixing member <NUM>, and the feed port <NUM> are disposed to be inclined such that an axial center A2 thereof is in an inclined posture in which the supply direction is downward (the angle with respect to the horizontal plane (left-right direction in <FIG>) is about <NUM> degrees).

That is, the powder P discharged from the discharge port 43b of the quantitative supply section <NUM> to the powder discharge pipe <NUM> is introduced into the feed port <NUM> along the axial center A2 through the tubular portion <NUM> of the mixing member <NUM>. On the other hand, since the liquid R is supplied to the annular flow path <NUM> in the tangential direction, the liquid R is supplied to the feed port <NUM> via the annular slit <NUM> formed on the inner peripheral side of the annular flow path <NUM> in the form of a hollow cylindrical vortex without a break.

Therefore, the powder P and the liquid R are uniformly premixed by the cylindrical feed port <NUM>, and a preliminary mixture Fp thereof is suctioned and introduced into a supply chamber <NUM> of the suction pump mechanism portion Y.

The suction pump mechanism portion Y will be further described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the suction pump mechanism portion Y includes a main body casing <NUM> including a cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion <NUM> whose both end opening portions are closed by a front wall portion <NUM> and a rear wall portion <NUM>, and is configured to include a rotor <NUM> that is concentrically provided inside the main body casing <NUM> so as to be driven to rotate, a cylindrical stator <NUM> that is concentrically disposed inside the main body casing <NUM> and fixed to the front wall portion <NUM>, a pump drive motor M3 that drives the rotor <NUM> to rotate, and the like.

As illustrated also in <FIG>, on the radially outer side of the rotor <NUM>, a plurality of rotor blades <NUM> are provided integrally with the rotor <NUM> in a state of protruding toward the front side (left side in <FIG>) which is the front wall portion <NUM> side and being arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

The cylindrical stator <NUM> is provided with a plurality of through-holes 7a and 7b arranged in the circumferential direction, the stator <NUM> is disposed to be fixed to the front wall portion <NUM> while being located on the front side of the rotor <NUM> (left side in <FIG>) and on the radially inner side of the rotor blades <NUM>, and an annular blade chamber <NUM> in which the rotor blades <NUM> revolve is formed between the stator <NUM> and the outer peripheral wall portion <NUM> of the main body casing <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the feed port <NUM> through which the preliminary mixture Fp, in which the powder P and the liquid R are premixed by the mixing mechanism <NUM>, is suctioned and introduced to the inside of the main body casing <NUM> by the rotation of the rotor blades <NUM> is provided at a position shifted to the outer peripheral side with respect to the center axis (an axial center A3 of the main body casing <NUM>) of the front wall portion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, an annular groove <NUM> is formed on the inner surface of the front wall portion <NUM> of the main body casing <NUM>, and the feed port <NUM> is provided in a state of communicating with the annular groove <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a cylindrical discharge portion <NUM> that discharges the slurry F produced by mixing the powder P and the liquid R is provided at a point in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion <NUM> of the main body casing <NUM> so as to extend in the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall portion <NUM> in a state of communicating with the blade chamber <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in this embodiment, the slurry F discharged from the discharge portion <NUM> is supplied to the recirculation mechanism portion <NUM> through a discharge path <NUM>, and an introduction port <NUM> that circulates and supplies an undissolved slurry Fr from which bubbles are separated in a cylindrical container <NUM>, which is a separation portion of the recirculation mechanism portion <NUM>, into the main body casing <NUM> via a circulation path <NUM> is provided at the center portion (concentric with the axial center A3) of the front wall portion <NUM> of the main body casing <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a partition plate <NUM> that partitions the inner peripheral side of the stator <NUM> into a supply chamber <NUM> on the front wall portion <NUM> side and an introduction chamber <NUM> on the rotor <NUM> side is provided on the front side of the rotor <NUM> in a state of rotating integrally with the rotor <NUM>, and scraping blades <NUM> are provided on the front wall portion <NUM> side of the partition plate <NUM>. A plurality of (in <FIG>, four) the scraping blades <NUM> are concentrically provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and each of the scraping blades <NUM> is disposed to revolve integrally with the rotor <NUM> in a state where a tip part 9T enters the annular groove <NUM>.

The supply chamber <NUM> and the introduction chamber <NUM> are configured to communicate with the blade chamber <NUM> via the plurality of through-holes 7a and 7b of the stator <NUM>, the feed port <NUM> is configured to communicate with the supply chamber <NUM>, and the introduction port <NUM> is configured to communicate with the introduction chamber <NUM>.

Specifically, the supply chamber <NUM> and the blade chamber <NUM> communicate with each other through a plurality of the supply chamber side through-holes 7a arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction at a portion of the stator <NUM> facing the supply chamber <NUM>, and the introduction chamber <NUM> and the blade chamber <NUM> communicate with each other through a plurality of the introduction chamber side through-holes 7b arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction at a portion of the stator <NUM> facing the introduction chamber <NUM>.

Each portion of the suction pump mechanism portion Y will be further described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the rotor <NUM> is configured to have a shape in which the front surface swells substantially in the shape of a truncated cone, and is provided with the plurality of rotor blades <NUM> arranged at equal intervals in a state of protruding forward on the outer peripheral side thereof. In <FIG>, ten rotor blades <NUM> are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the rotor blade <NUM> is formed to protrude from the outer peripheral side toward the inner peripheral side of the rotor <NUM> so as to be inclined backward in the rotation direction from the inner peripheral side toward the outer peripheral side, and the inner diameter of the tip parts of the rotor blades <NUM> is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the stator <NUM>.

The rotor <NUM> is connected to a drive shaft <NUM> of the pump drive motor M3 that passes through the rear wall portion <NUM> and is inserted into the main body casing <NUM>, in a state of being concentric with the main body casing <NUM> in the main body casing <NUM>, and is driven by the pump drive motor M3 to rotate.

The rotor <NUM> is configured to generate so-called local boiling (cavitation) on a surface (back surface) 6a which becomes the rear side in the rotation direction of the rotor blade <NUM> by being driven to rotate in a direction in which the tip part of the rotor blade <NUM> faces forward when viewed in the axial center direction (viewed in a direction taken along the line VI-VI of <FIG> as illustrated in <FIG>).

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the partition plate <NUM> is configured in a generally funnel shape having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the stator <NUM>. Specifically, the funnel-shaped partition plate <NUM> is configured in a shape provided with a funnel-shaped portion 15b which is open at a tubular sliding contact portion 15a with a top protruding in a cylindrical shape at the center thereof, and an annular flat plate portion 15c at the outer peripheral portion of the funnel-shaped portion 15b with both the front surface and the rear surface being in a state perpendicular to the axial center A3 of the main body casing <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the partition plate <NUM> is attached to attachment portions 5a of the front surface of the rotor <NUM> via spacing members <NUM> arranged at a plurality of (in this embodiment, four) points with equal intervals therebetween in the circumferential direction in a posture in which the tubular sliding contact portion 15a of the top faces the front wall portion <NUM> side of the main body casing <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the partition plate <NUM> is attached to the rotor <NUM> via the spacing members <NUM> respectively at the plurality of points, stirring blades <NUM> are assembled integrally with the partition plate <NUM> in a posture facing the rear wall portion <NUM> side of the main body casing <NUM>, and when the rotor <NUM> is driven to rotate, the four stirring blades <NUM> are rotated integrally with the rotor <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in this embodiment, the cylindrical introduction port <NUM> is provided at the center of the front wall portion <NUM> of the main body casing <NUM> concentrically with the main body casing <NUM>. In the introduction port <NUM>, a throttle portion 14a having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the circulation path <NUM> and smaller than that of the tubular sliding contact portion 15a of the partition plate <NUM> and thus having a small flow path area is formed. As the rotor blades <NUM> of the rotor <NUM> are rotated, the slurry F is discharged via the discharge portion <NUM>, and the undissolved slurry Fr is introduced via the throttle portion 14a of the introduction port <NUM>, so that the inside of the suction pump mechanism portion Y is reduced in pressure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the feed port <NUM> is provided in the front wall portion <NUM> to be located on the lateral side of the opening portion of the introduction port <NUM> with respect to the inside of the main body casing <NUM> in a state in which the opening portion (inlet portion) thereof open to the inside of the main body casing <NUM> includes a circumferential portion of the annular groove <NUM> therein. Furthermore, the feed port <NUM> is provided in the front wall portion <NUM> of the main body casing <NUM> in a posture in which the axial center A2 is parallel to the axial center A3 of the main body casing <NUM> in a plan view (viewed in the up-down direction of <FIG> and <FIG>) and the axial center A2 is inclined downward in a direction approaching the axial center A3 of the main body casing <NUM> as it goes to the front wall portion <NUM> of the main body casing <NUM> when viewed in the horizontal direction (viewed in a direction into the paper of <FIG> and <FIG>) perpendicular to the axial center A3 of the main body casing <NUM>. In addition, the downward inclination angle of the feed port <NUM> with respect to the horizontal direction (the left-right direction of <FIG> and <FIG>) is about <NUM> degrees as described above.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the stator <NUM> is attached to the inner surface (the surface facing the rotor <NUM>) of the front wall portion <NUM> of the main body casing <NUM>, and is fixed so that the front wall portion <NUM> of the main body casing <NUM> and the stator <NUM> are integrated. In the stator <NUM>, the plurality of supply chamber side through-holes 7a arranged at the portion facing the supply chamber <NUM> are formed in a substantially circular shape to be set such that the total flow path area of the plurality of supply chamber side through-holes 7a is smaller than the flow path area of the supply chamber <NUM>. In addition, the plurality of introduction chamber side through-holes 7b arranged at the portion facing the introduction chamber <NUM> are formed in a substantially elliptical shape to be set such that the total flow path area of the plurality of introduction chamber side through-holes 7b is smaller than the flow path area of the introduction chamber <NUM>. As the rotor blades <NUM> of the rotor <NUM> are rotated, the slurry F is discharged via the discharge portion <NUM>, the preliminary mixture Fp is supplied via the supply chamber side through-holes 7a of the supply chamber <NUM>, and the undissolved slurry Fr is introduced via the introduction port <NUM>, so that the inside of the suction pump mechanism portion Y is reduced in pressure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in this embodiment, each scraping blade <NUM> is formed in a rod shape, and a base end part 9B of the rod-shaped scraping blade <NUM> is fixed to rotate integrally with the rotor <NUM> in an inclined posture in which the scraping blade <NUM> is located closer to the front wall portion <NUM> toward the tip end side of the rod-shaped scraping blade <NUM> when viewed in the radial direction of the rotor <NUM> (viewed in a direction into the paper of <FIG>) and is located closer to the radially inner side of the rotor <NUM> toward the tip end side of the rod-shaped scraping blade <NUM> when viewed in the axial center direction of the rotor <NUM> (viewed in a direction into the paper of <FIG>), and the rotor <NUM> is driven to rotate in a direction (direction indicated by arrows in <FIG>) in which the tip of the scraping blade <NUM> faces forward when viewed in the axial center direction (viewed in the direction into the paper of <FIG>).

The scraping blade <NUM> will be further described with reference to <FIG>.

The scraping blade <NUM> is configured in a rod shape provided with the base end part 9B fixed to the partition plate <NUM>, an intermediate portion <NUM> in a state of being exposed to the supply chamber <NUM>, and the tip part 9T in a state of being fitted in (that is, entering) the annular groove <NUM> in series in a direction from the base to the tip.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the base end part 9B of the scraping blade <NUM> is configured in a substantially rectangular plate shape.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the intermediate portion <NUM> of the scraping blade <NUM> is configured in a substantially triangular prism shape whose transverse sectional shape is generally triangular (in particular, see <FIG>). By providing the scraping blade <NUM> in the inclined posture as described above, one side surface <NUM> (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a radiating surface) facing the forward side in the rotation direction of the rotor <NUM> among the three side surfaces of the intermediate portion <NUM> having the triangular prism shape is configured to have a forward downward shape inclined toward the forward side in the rotation direction of the rotor <NUM> to face the radially outer side (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as diagonally outward) of the rotor <NUM> in the radial direction (in particular, see <FIG>).

That is, by providing the rod-shaped scraping blade <NUM> in the inclined posture as described above, the intermediate portion <NUM> exposed to the supply chamber <NUM> of the scraping blade <NUM> is located closer to the radially outer side of the rotor <NUM> than the tip part 9T fitted into the annular groove <NUM>, and the radiating surface <NUM> facing the forward side in the rotation direction of the intermediate portion <NUM> has a forward downward shape inclined toward the forward side in the rotation direction of the rotor <NUM> and inclined diagonally outward with respect to the radial direction of the rotor <NUM>. Accordingly, the preliminary mixture Fp scraped from the annular groove <NUM> by the tip part 9T of the scraping blade <NUM> is guided to flow toward the radially outer side of the rotor <NUM> in the supply chamber <NUM> by the radiating surface <NUM> of the intermediate portion <NUM> of the scraping blade <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, the tip part 9T of the scraping blade <NUM> has a substantially quadrangular prism shape with a substantially rectangular transverse sectional shape, and is configured in an arc shape in a state where an outward side surface 9o facing the radially outer side of the rotor <NUM> among the four side surfaces when viewed in the axial center direction of the rotor <NUM> (viewed in the direction into the paper of <FIG>) is directed along an inward inner surface facing the radially inner side in the inner surface of the annular groove <NUM>, and an inward side surface 9i facing the radially inner side of the rotor <NUM> among the four side surfaces is directed along an outward inner surface facing the radially outer side in the inner surface of the annular groove <NUM>.

In addition, among the four side surfaces of the tip part 9T having the quadrangular prim shape, a scraping surface 9f facing the forward side in the rotation direction of the rotor <NUM> is configured in a forward downward shape inclined toward the forward side in the rotation direction of the rotor <NUM> to face the radially outer side (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as diagonally outward) of the rotor <NUM> in the radial direction.

Accordingly, the preliminary mixture Fp scraped from the annular groove <NUM> by the tip part 9T of the scraping blade <NUM> is directed radially outward of the rotor <NUM> by the scraping surface 9f of the tip part 9T of the scraping blade <NUM> and discharged into the supply chamber <NUM>.

Furthermore, a tip surface 9t of the tip part 9T of the scraping blade <NUM> is configured to be parallel to the bottom surface of the annular groove <NUM> in a state where the tip part 9T is fitted in the annular groove <NUM>.

When the rotor <NUM> is driven to rotate in a direction in which the tip of the scraping blade <NUM> is directed forward when viewed in the axial center direction (viewed in the direction into the paper in <FIG>), a surface (back surface) 9a which becomes the rear side in the rotation direction is formed in each of the base end part 9B, the intermediate portion <NUM>, and the tip part 9T of the scraping blade <NUM>.

The four scraping blades <NUM> configured in the above-described shape are respectively provided with the base end parts 9B fixed to the annular flat plate portion 15c of the partition plate <NUM> in a form of being arranged in the circumferential direction at intervals of <NUM> degrees at the central angle in the inclined posture as described above.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the partition plate <NUM> provided with the scraping blades <NUM> is attached to the attachment portions 5a of the front surface of the rotor <NUM> in a state of being spaced with a gap from the front surface of the rotor <NUM> by the spacing members <NUM>, and the rotor <NUM> is disposed in the main body casing <NUM> in a state where the tubular sliding contact portion 15a of the partition plate <NUM> is fitted in the introduction port <NUM> so as to be slidably rotatable.

Then, the introduction chamber <NUM> having a tapered shape that decreases in diameter toward the front wall portion <NUM> side of the main body casing <NUM> is formed between the swelling front surface of the rotor <NUM> and the rear surface of the partition plate <NUM>, and the introduction port <NUM> is configured to communicate with the introduction chamber <NUM> via the tubular sliding contact portion 15a of the partition plate <NUM>.

The annular supply chamber <NUM> communicating with the feed port <NUM> is formed between the front wall portion <NUM> of the main body casing <NUM> and the front surface of the partition plate <NUM>.

When the rotor <NUM> is driven to rotate, the partition plate <NUM> rotates integrally with the rotor <NUM> in a state where the tubular sliding contact portion 15a is in contact with the introduction port <NUM>, and even in the state where the rotor <NUM> and the partition plate <NUM> rotate, the state where the introduction port <NUM> communicates with the introduction chamber <NUM> via the tubular sliding contact portion 15a of the partition plate <NUM> is maintained.

The recirculation mechanism portion (an example of a separation portion) <NUM> is configured to separate the dissolved liquid in the cylindrical container <NUM> by specific gravity, and as illustrated in <FIG>, is configured to separate, from the slurry F supplied from the discharge portion <NUM> of the suction pump mechanism portion Y through the discharge path <NUM>, the undissolved slurry Fr in a state in which the powder P that is not completely dissolved may be contained to be supplied to circulation path <NUM>, and the slurry F in a state in which the powder P is almost completely dissolved to be supplied to the discharge path <NUM>. The discharge path <NUM> and the circulation path <NUM> are both connected to the lower portion of the cylindrical container <NUM>, and the discharge path <NUM> is connected to the upper portion of the cylindrical container <NUM> and the tank <NUM> which is a supply destination of the slurry F.

Here, although not illustrated, the recirculation mechanism portion <NUM> is configured such that an introduction pipe to which the discharge path <NUM> is connected is disposed so as to protrude toward the inside from the bottom surface of the cylindrical container <NUM>, a discharge portion connected to the discharge path <NUM> is provided in the upper portion of the cylindrical container <NUM>, a circulation portion connected to the circulation path <NUM> is provided in the lower portion, and a twisted plate that turns the flow of the slurry F discharged from the introduction pipe is disposed at the discharge upper end of the introduction pipe. Accordingly, bubbles of the liquid R can be separated from the slurry F, and the undissolved slurry Fr circulated and supplied to the circulation path <NUM> can be supplied into the introduction chamber <NUM> in a state where the bubbles of the liquid R are separated.

In particular, the control unit C is configured to control the rotating speed of the rotor <NUM> (rotor blades <NUM>), and is configured to set the rotating speed of the rotor blades <NUM> so that the pressure of the outlet region of the supply chamber side through-holes 7a and the introduction chamber side through-holes 7b (throttle through-holes) of the stator <NUM> becomes equal to or lower than the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid R (<NUM> kPa in case of water at <NUM>) over the entire circumference of the outlet region, and by rotating the rotor blades <NUM> at the set rotating speed, at least a region in the blade chamber <NUM> immediately after passing the supply chamber side through-holes 7a and the introduction chamber side through-holes 7b of the stator <NUM> is formed as a fine bubble region in which a large number of fine bubbles (microbubbles) of the liquid R are generated, continuously over the entire circumference in the blade chamber <NUM>.

Next, the operation of the slurry manufacturing device <NUM> will be described.

First, the powder dry box <NUM> and the main body dry box <NUM> are operated to lower the dew point temperatures. The cooling device <NUM> is operated. By adjusting the dehumidifying unit <NUM>, the atmospheric pressure of the inner box <NUM> is set to a positive pressure (a state higher than the outside air pressure by about <NUM> to <NUM> Pa), the atmospheric pressure of the outer box <NUM> is set to a negative pressure (a state lower than the outside air pressure by about <NUM> to <NUM> Pa).

Next, the rotor <NUM> is rotated in a state where suction of the powder P via the powder discharge pipe <NUM> is stopped by closing the shutter valve <NUM>, and thereafter only the liquid R of the tank <NUM> is supplied by operating the pump <NUM> to start the operation of the suction pump mechanism portion Y. By supplying the liquid R to the suction pump mechanism portion Y after rotating the rotor <NUM>, a mechanical seal on the back surface of the rotor <NUM> is brought into close contact with the rotor <NUM>, and liquid leakage from the back surface of the rotor <NUM> can be prevented.

Due to the negative pressure suction force of the suction pump mechanism portion Y, the liquid R is quantitatively supplied to the mixing member <NUM> of the mixing mechanism <NUM> continuously in a predetermined amount.

When a predetermined operation time has elapsed and the inside of the suction pump mechanism portion Y is in a negative pressure state (for example, a vacuum state of about -<NUM> MPa), the shutter valve <NUM> is opened. Accordingly, the expansion chamber <NUM> of the powder supply device X is brought into a negative pressure state (about -<NUM> MPa), and the inside of the introduction portion <NUM> and the vicinity of the lower opening portion 31b of the hopper <NUM> are brought into a pressure state between the negative pressure state and the atmospheric pressure state.

Then, the powder P is supplied from the feeder <NUM> to the hopper <NUM> by operating the powder supply device X. The powder P stored in the hopper <NUM> is quantitatively supplied to the mixing member <NUM> of the mixing mechanism <NUM> continuously in a predetermined amount via the expansion chamber <NUM> of the quantitative supply section <NUM> from the lower opening portion 31b of the hopper <NUM> by the stirring action of the stirring blade 32A and the negative pressure suction force of the suction pump mechanism portion Y.

In this case, depending on the properties of the powder, the quantitative supply section <NUM> is not used, and a predetermined amount of the powder may be supplied directly from the feeder <NUM> to the mixing mechanism <NUM> via the hopper <NUM>. In this case, the powder is supplied to the mixing mechanism <NUM> by controlling the supply speed of the feeder <NUM> so as not to exceed the powder processing capability of the mixing mechanism <NUM>.

The powder P is supplied from the mixing member <NUM> of the mixing mechanism <NUM> to the feed port <NUM> through the tubular portion <NUM> of the mixing member <NUM>, and the liquid R is supplied to the feed port <NUM> through the annular slit <NUM> in the form of a hollow cylindrical vortex without a break, the powder P and the liquid R are premixed by the feed port <NUM>, and the preliminary mixture Fp is introduced into the annular groove <NUM>.

When the supply of the predetermined amount of the powder P is completed, the powder discharge port <NUM> and the shutter valve <NUM> are closed to stop the suction of the powder P via the powder discharge pipe <NUM> such that the supply of the powder to the suction pump mechanism portion Y from the powder supply device X is stopped. Then, the operation of the powder dry box <NUM> is stopped. The operation of the main body dry box <NUM> is continued.

When the rotor <NUM> is driven to rotate and the partition plate <NUM> rotates integrally with the rotor <NUM>, the scraping blades <NUM> provided concentrically on the partition plate <NUM> revolve in a state where the tip parts 9T are fitted in the annular groove <NUM>.

Then, as indicated by solid line arrows in <FIG> and <FIG>, the preliminary mixture Fp that flows through the feed port <NUM> and is introduced into the annular groove <NUM> is scraped by the tip parts 9T of the scraping blades <NUM> revolving while being fitted in the annular groove <NUM>, and the scraped preliminary mixture Fp schematically flows in the supply chamber <NUM> in the rotation direction of the rotor <NUM> along the front surface of the funnel-shaped portion 15b and the front surface of the annular flat plate portion 15c in the partition plate <NUM>, further flows into the blade chamber <NUM> through the supply chamber side through-holes 7a of the stator <NUM>, flows in the blade chamber <NUM> in the rotation direction of the rotor <NUM>, and is discharged from the discharge portion <NUM>.

The preliminary mixture Fp introduced into the annular groove <NUM> undergoes a shearing action when scraped by the tip parts 9T of the scraping blades <NUM>. In this case, a shearing action acts between the outward side surface 9o of the tip part 9T of the scraping blade <NUM> and the inward inner surface of the annular groove <NUM> on the inner side, and between the inward side surface 9i of the tip part 9T of the scraping blade <NUM> and the outward inner surface of the annular groove <NUM> on the inner side. Furthermore, a shearing action also acts when the preliminary mixture Fp passes through the supply chamber side through-holes 7a of the stator <NUM>.

That is, since the shearing force can be applied to the preliminary mixture Fp in the supply chamber <NUM>, the preliminary mixture Fp to be scraped out is mixed by receiving the shearing action from the scraping blades <NUM> and the supply chamber side through-holes 7a. Accordingly, the dispersion of the powder P with the liquid R is performed more favorably. Therefore, such a preliminary mixture Fp can be supplied, and good dispersion of the powder P with the liquid R in the blade chamber <NUM> can be expected.

The slurry F discharged from the discharge portion <NUM> is supplied to the recirculation mechanism portion <NUM> through the discharge path <NUM>, and in the recirculation mechanism portion <NUM>, the undissolved slurry Fr in a state of containing the powder P that is not completely dissolved and the slurry F in a state where the powder P is almost completely dissolved are separated from each other, and the bubbles of the liquid R are separated. The undissolved slurry Fr is supplied again to the introduction port <NUM> of the suction pump mechanism portion Y through the circulation path <NUM>, and the slurry F is supplied to the tank <NUM> through the discharge path <NUM>.

The undissolved slurry Fr is introduced into the introduction chamber <NUM> via the throttle portion 14a of the introduction port <NUM> in a state where the flow rate is limited. In the introduction chamber <NUM>, the undissolved slurry Fr receives a shearing action by the plurality of rotating stirring blades <NUM>, are further finely crushed, and are also further crushed by receiving a shearing action when passing through the introduction chamber side through-holes 7b. In this case, the undissolved slurry Fr is introduced into the blade chamber <NUM> in a state where the flow rate is limited via the introduction chamber side through-holes 7b. In the blade chamber <NUM>, the slurry F that is crushed by receiving the shearing action by the rotor blades <NUM> rotating at a high speed and the generation of local boiling (cavitation) at the surface (back surface) 6a which becomes the rear side in the rotation direction of the rotor blade <NUM> and is thus further reduced in the amount of aggregates (mass) of the powder P is mixed with the slurry F from the supply chamber <NUM> and is discharged from the discharge portion <NUM>.

Here, the rotating speed of the rotor blades <NUM> is set by the control unit so that the pressure in the blade chamber <NUM> which is the outlet region of the supply chamber side through-holes 7a and the introduction chamber side through-holes 7b of the stator <NUM> becomes equal to or lower than the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid R over the entire circumference, and the rotor blades <NUM> are rotated at the set rotating speed.

Accordingly, by setting the rotating speed of the rotor blades <NUM>, the pressure in the blade chamber <NUM> which is the outlet region becomes equal to or lower than the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid R (<NUM> kPa in the case of water at <NUM>) over the entire circumference. Therefore, at least in the region in the blade chamber <NUM> immediately after passing through the supply chamber side through-holes 7a and the introduction chamber side through-holes 7b of the stator <NUM>, the generation of fine bubbles (microbubbles) is promoted by vaporization of the liquid R, so that the region enters a state of being formed as a fine bubble region in which a large number of fine bubbles generated continuously over the entire circumference in the blade chamber <NUM>.

Crushing of the aggregates of the powder P is promoted by the expansion and contraction of the bubbles due to the cavitation generated here. As a result, a high-quality slurry F in which the powder P is favorably dispersed in the liquid R can be generated over almost the entire slurry F present on the entire circumference in the blade chamber <NUM>.

For example, a sensor A capable of detecting the powder P is provided in the lower portion of the hopper <NUM> at a predetermined position from the lowermost end. The sensor A can detect that the powder P has been fed into the hopper <NUM> from the lowermost end of the hopper <NUM> to the predetermined position. In a case where the sensor A detects the powder P, a control unit (not illustrated) slows down the supply speed of the powder P from the feeder <NUM> to the hopper <NUM>. Accordingly, excessive supply of the powder P to the hopper <NUM> can be suppressed, and clogging of the powder P in the hopper <NUM> and the like can be suppressed.

Furthermore, a sensor B that detects accumulation of the powder P in substantially the entire hopper <NUM> may be provided in the vicinity of the uppermost end of the hopper <NUM>. In a case where the sensor B detects the powder P, a control unit (not illustrated) stops the supply of the powder P from the feeder <NUM> to the hopper <NUM>. Accordingly, an overflow of the powder P from the hopper <NUM> can be suppressed.

(<NUM>) According to the invention, the powder dry box <NUM> has the outer box <NUM> and the inner box <NUM>, and is thus configured a double box. However, in an embodiment not forming part of the invention, the powder dry box <NUM> may be configured as a single box. In this case, the powder dry box <NUM> may be constituted only by the inner box <NUM>. In addition, the dew point temperature of the inner box <NUM> is maintained at, for example, -<NUM>, similarly to the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the atmospheric pressure of the inner box <NUM> is maintained at a positive pressure higher than the outside air pressure of the powder dry box <NUM>, that is, for example, in a state higher than that by about <NUM> to <NUM> Pa.

The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in the other embodiments as long as no contradiction arises. In addition, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples.

Claim 1:
A slurry manufacturing device (<NUM>) comprising:
a mixing device (Y) that mixes a liquid and a powder to manufacture a slurry;
a powder supply device (X) that supplies the powder to the mixing device (Y); and
a powder dry box (<NUM>),
wherein an opening portion (31a) of the powder supply device (X) is accommodated in the powder dry box (<NUM>),
characterized in that the powder dry box (<NUM>) includes an outer box (<NUM>) and an inner box (<NUM>), the outer box (<NUM>) and the inner box (<NUM>) are connected to a dehumidifying unit (<NUM>),
a suction side and an exhaust side of the dehumidifying unit (<NUM>) are connected to the outer box (<NUM>) and the inner box (<NUM>), respectively,
an operating condition of the dehumidifying unit (<NUM>) is adjusted such that an atmospheric pressure in the inner box (<NUM>) is maintained at a positive pressure higher than an atmospheric pressure outside the powder dry box (<NUM>), and
an atmospheric pressure in the outer box (<NUM>) is maintained at a negative pressure lower than an outside air pressure.