Stirring and mixing device

Abstract

To provide a stirring and mixing device with high cooling efficiency. [Solution] The stirring and mixing apparatus of the present invention comprises a stirring plate F attached to a shaft 2 that performs reciprocating motion, a casing 1 that houses the stirring plate, and cooling means (FP10~23) for cooling the wall surface 11 of the casing opposite the plate surface of the stirring plate, wherein at least the wall surface near where the cooling means is located forms a surface portion perpendicular to the direction of the reciprocating motion, and the plate surface of the stirring plate opposite the surface portion is parallel to the surface portion and has a plurality of through holes h formed therein.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a stirring and mixing device for stirring and mixing materials.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as stirring and mixing devices for stirring and mixing different materials, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, there have been proposed stirring and mixing devices in which a stirring plate is attached to a shaft and the stirring plate is reciprocated in the axial direction to mix the materials in a container.

[0003] FIG. 1 schematically shows such a stirring and mixing device. In a container 1, a stirring plate (vibrating plate) F attached to a shaft 2 is arranged, and the driving means 20 reciprocates the stirring plate F in the vertical direction shown by an arrow A. In FIG. 1, two types of materials (M1, M2) are introduced into the container 1 as materials to be stirred and mixed, and the mixed material MX is discharged.

[0004] When reciprocating a plurality of stirring plates F, in order to further enhance the effect related to stirring and mixing, it is also possible to provide a partition member 10 protruding into the container 1 between adjacent stirring plates F.

[0005] FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which one stirring plate F attached to a shaft 2 is arranged in the container 1. In FIG. 2, two types of materials (M1, M2) are introduced into the container 1 as materials to be stirred and mixed, but it may also be configured to introduce one material (either M1 or M2) into the container 1 and stir it uniformly.

[0006] In the stirring plates F shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plate surface extends parallel to a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the shaft 2 reciprocates. However, as shown in Patent Document 1, various stirring plates are known, such as a surface inclined at an angle other than perpendicular to the shaft 2 or a stirring plate having a spiral shape.

[0007] Furthermore, as a method for cooling the stirred and mixed materials, as shown in Patent Document 1, the sides of the casing constituting the container (the sides parallel to the direction in which the axis reciprocates) are cooled. Patent Document 1 also discloses introducing cooling into the interior of a partition member 10 that protrudes from the inside of the container (casing) 1, as shown in Figure 3.

[0008] For example, as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 3, even if the side of the container (casing) 1 parallel to the direction A in which the axis 2 reciprocates is cooled, the material inside the container will only reciprocate in small movements in the same direction A as the stirring plate F moves in direction A. Therefore, it takes a long time for the material cooled on the side of the container to diffuse uniformly throughout the entire interior of the container 1.

[0009] Furthermore, while it is possible to directly cool materials in contact with the cooled side surface of casing 1, cooling other materials via the cooled material requires high thermal conductivity of the materials themselves to achieve efficient cooling. Moreover, the cooling effect is more pronounced on materials in contact with the cooled side surface compared to materials further away from the side surface. As a result, the temperature of materials near the side surface becomes extremely low, while the temperature of materials further away from the side surface remains almost uncooled. If the material solidifies or crystals precipitate due to cooling, a thin frozen layer forms on the side surface of the container. Therefore, even if the side surface is continuously cooled, this frozen layer also acts as an insulator, making it difficult to efficiently cool materials further inside. This frozen layer not only signifies that the material is completely frozen, but it can also mean that the temperature of materials near the surface of the side surface is extremely low compared to materials further away from the side surface.

[0010] Furthermore, even when the partition member 10 located inside the container is cooled, as described in Patent Document 1, the cooling effect is high in the vicinity of where the cooling means is located within the partition member 10, but in areas far from the cooling means, a sufficient cooling effect cannot be expected unless a material with high thermal conductivity is used for the partition member. Moreover, similar to cooling from the sides of the container (casing), a frozen layer is formed on the surface of the partition member, making it difficult to achieve a sufficient cooling effect on the materials being stirred and mixed. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5773683 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5156466 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a stirring and mixing device that solves the above-mentioned problems and has a high cooling effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To achieve the above objective, the stirring and mixing apparatus according to the present invention has the following technical features. (1) A stirring and mixing device comprising: a stirring plate attached to a shaft that performs reciprocating motion; a casing that houses the stirring plate; and a cooling means for cooling either the wall surface of the casing facing the plate surface of the stirring plate or the surface of a partition member provided inside the casing, wherein at least the wall surface or surface near where the cooling means is located forms a surface portion perpendicular to the direction of the reciprocating motion, and the plate surface of the stirring plate facing the surface portion is parallel to the surface portion and has a plurality of through holes formed therein.

[0014] (2) The stirring and mixing apparatus described in (1) above is characterized in that the cooling means has a flow path formed in the wall surface of the casing or inside the partition member through which a cooling medium passes.

[0015] (3) The stirring and mixing apparatus described in (1) or (2) above is characterized in that a cooling means is provided on the side wall surface of the casing parallel to the direction of reciprocating motion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, there is provided a stirring and mixing device including a stirring plate attached to a shaft portion that performs reciprocating motion, a casing that houses the stirring plate, and cooling means for cooling either a wall surface of the casing facing the plate surface of the stirring plate or a surface of a partition member provided in the casing. At least the wall surface or the surface in the vicinity where the cooling means is disposed forms a plane portion perpendicular to the direction of the reciprocating motion, and the plate surface of the stirring plate facing the plane portion is parallel to the plane portion and has a plurality of through holes formed therein. Therefore, formation of a frozen layer by the cooling means is suppressed on the wall surface or the surface in the vicinity of the cooling means, and it becomes possible to enhance the cooling effect on the material to be stirred and mixed.

[0017] Moreover, even when a frozen layer is formed or is being formed, due to the movement of the stirring plate, the stirred material collides with the wall surface or the surface, and strips off the cooled material on the wall surface or the surface. Particularly, when the stirring plate moves, the material is jetted at high speed in a direction opposite to the movement of the stirring plate through the through holes formed in the stirring plate. As a result, the material jetted from the through holes collides forcefully with the wall surface or the surface, strips off the cooled material in the vicinity of the wall surface such as a frozen layer, and it becomes possible to efficiently cool the entire material in the container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a schematic view of a conventional stirring and mixing device. [Figure 2] It is a schematic view of another conventional stirring and mixing device. [Figure 3] It is a schematic view for explaining an example in which cooling means is provided in a stirring and mixing device. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the stirring and mixing device of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the stirring and mixing device of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a schematic view for explaining the connection status of each flow path of the cooling means in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view showing yet another example of the stirring and mixing device of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing an example of a stirring plate used in the stirring and mixing device of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a diagram for explaining the movement state (part 1) of the material inside the casing in the stirring and mixing device of FIG. 5. [Figure 10] This is a diagram for explaining the movement state (part 2) of the material inside the casing in the stirring and mixing device of FIG. 5 (cooling means are also arranged on the lower wall surface). [Figure 11] This is a diagram for explaining the movement state (part 1) of the material inside the casing in the stirring and mixing device of FIG. 7. [Figure 12] This is a diagram for explaining the movement state (part 2) of the material inside the casing in the stirring and mixing device of FIG. 7.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, the stirring and mixing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 13. The stirring and mixing device of the present invention includes a stirring plate F attached to a shaft portion 2 that performs a reciprocating motion, a casing 1 that houses the stirring plate, and cooling means (for example, FP1, FP2, etc.) for cooling either the wall surface of the casing facing the plate surface of the stirring plate or the surface of a partition member 10 provided inside the casing. At least the wall surface or the surface in the vicinity where the cooling means is arranged forms a plane portion perpendicular to the direction of the reciprocating motion, the plate surface of the stirring plate facing the plane portion is parallel to the plane portion, and a plurality of through holes h are formed.

[0020] The stirring and mixing apparatus of the present invention will now be described in detail. Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the stirring and mixing apparatus equipped with a single stirring plate F as shown in Figure 2, with a cooling means provided. In Figure 4, a cooling means for cooling the wall surface (jacket plate) 11 of the casing 1 facing the stirring plate F is arranged to surround the shaft portion 2 and forms a single torus-shaped or "C-shaped" disc-shaped flow path (FP1, FP2). In addition, flow paths (FP3, FP4) are formed on the side wall of the casing, arranged to surround the stirring plate F. The flow paths (FP3, FP4) may be a single flow path or divided into multiple flow paths. Coolant may be added to and removed from the flow paths (FP1, FP2) and (FP3, FP4) separately.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the flow paths (FP1, FP2) and (FP3, FP4) may be partially connected to form a single flow path. Figure 6(a) is a plan view of the flow paths (FP1, FP2) as seen from above, and Figure 6(b) is a plan view of the flow paths (FP3, FP4) as seen from above. Specifically, a partition W2 is provided in a part of the flow paths (FP3, FP4) in Figure 6(6) to form an inlet (IN) and outlet (OUT) for the coolant. In addition, another partition W3 is provided in the middle of the flow paths (FP3, FP4) to provide a connecting flow path from arrow L1 to arrow L1' in Figure 6(a) to supply the coolant to flow path FP1. The flow paths (FP1, FP2) in Figure 6(a) form a "C-shaped" flow path with partition W1, and another connecting flow path is provided from arrow L2 to arrow L2' in Figure 6(b) through which the coolant moves. In this way, a single channel is formed through which the flow is from FP3 to FP1 (FP2) to FP4.

[0022] Naturally, the method of connecting the flow paths (FP1 to FP4) is not limited to the example in Figure 6. It is also possible to create flow paths that make multiple round trips between the wall-side flow paths (FP1, FP2) and the side wall-side flow paths (FP3, FP4) by adding more partitions. However, it is necessary to consider that increasing the number of round trips will increase the pressure when flowing the coolant.

[0023] While it is possible to configure the cooling channels (FP10~FP20) for the wall surface 11 in Figure 5 as a single spiral channel, it is also possible to configure four concentric channels, provide partitions in a portion of each circular channel, and provide separate connecting channels to link adjacent circular channels, thereby creating a single channel.

[0024] In cooling means for cooling the wall surface 11, whether a disc-shaped channel is used as shown in Figure 4 or a channel is used where narrow channels are connected to each other as shown in Figure 5, if the area to be cooled is large, uneven temperature distribution will occur on the wall surface 11 in the direction of arrow B. Therefore, uneven temperatures will also occur in the material being stirred and mixed, making it necessary to move the material in the direction of arrow B while stirring it.

[0025] Figure 7 shows a cooling means for cooling the partition member 10. Similar to Figure 5, cross-sections of multiple flow paths (FP31~43) are shown, but it is possible to connect each flow path to form a single flow path. It is also possible to configure each flow path shown in Figure 7 as a single torus-shaped or "C-shaped" disc-shaped flow path (FP1, FP2) as shown in Figure 4. When cooling the partition member 10, if the cooling area is large, uneven temperature distribution may occur in the direction of arrow B, similar to the cooling of the wall surface 11 in Figures 4 and 5.

[0026] Furthermore, in the present invention, as described in the description of the prior art, since the materials being stirred and mixed generally have low thermal conductivity, the material in contact with the surface of the wall where the cooling means is formed (for example, wall surface 11) is mainly cooled, and the cooling effect decreases as it moves away from the wall surface. Also, a so-called frozen layer is formed where only the material near the wall surface is at an extremely low temperature. In order to suppress the formation of such a frozen layer and also eliminate temperature unevenness in the direction of arrow B, the present invention has through holes h as shown in Figure 8 formed in the stirring plate F.

[0027] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the material movement (dotted arrows) when through holes are provided in the stirring plate F of the stirring and mixing apparatus shown in Figure 5. Figures 11 and 12 also illustrate the material movement (dotted arrows) when through holes are provided in the stirring plate F of the stirring and mixing apparatus shown in Figure 7.

[0028] As shown in Figures 9 to 12, as the stirring plate F moves in the direction of arrow A1 (downward in the drawing) or arrow A2 (upward in the drawing), the material inside the casing moves as indicated by the dotted arrows. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, when the stirring plate F moves downward in the drawing (arrow A1), the material below the stirring plate F moves to the upper side of the stirring plate F through the through-hole h (moving in the opposite direction to arrow A1). When the stirring plate F moves at high speed, the material is forcefully ejected from the through-hole h and collides with the wall surface 11 where the cooling means is located, stripping off the frozen layer (cooled material) formed near the wall surface. The stripped material diffuses into the casing as the material that collides with the wall surface 11 is reflected and spreads in the direction of arrow B (horizontal direction in the drawing, including the front and depth directions in the drawing).

[0029] When material is ejected from the through-hole h or when it violently impacts the wall surface 11, it forms a complex vortex, which efficiently detaches the cooled material near the wall surface and promotes mixing with other materials. Thus, the movement of the material through the through-hole h (dotted arrow) suppresses the accumulation of the same material near the cooling means, making it difficult to form a frozen layer. Moreover, even if temperature unevenness occurs in the direction of arrow B on the wall surface 11, the material will diffuse in the direction of arrow B, and the temperature unevenness of the material will be eliminated.

[0030] Figure 10 shows the material movement when the stirring plate F of the stirring and mixing apparatus in Figure 9 moves in the reverse direction (direction of arrow A2). However, the stirring and mixing apparatus in Figure 10 shows an example in which a cooling means (flow path FP') is also provided on the lower wall surface of the casing. As the stirring plate F moves upward in the direction of arrow A2 in the diagram, the material on the upper side of the stirring plate F moves to the lower side of the stirring plate F through the through-holes h. When the stirring plate F moves at high speed, as explained in Figure 9, the material is forcefully ejected through the through-holes h towards the lower wall, stripping off the cooled material near the wall and diffusing it into the casing.

[0031] Figures 11 and 12 show the material movement when through holes are provided in the stirring plate F of the stirring and mixing apparatus shown in Figure 7. Figure 11 shows the case when the stirring plate F moves in the direction of arrow A1 (downward in the drawing), in which case the material on the underside of each stirring plate F is forcefully ejected in the opposite direction (upward in the drawing) through the through holes h of the stirring plate F. These ejected materials collide with the partition members 10, causing the material cooled by the cooling means of the partition members to be peeled off from the surface of the partition members 10.

[0032] Figure 12 shows the case where the stirring plate F moves in the direction of arrow A2 (upward in the drawing). In this case, the material on the upper side of the stirring plate F is ejected from the through-hole h in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the stirring plate F (downward in the drawing). Similar to the explanation in Figure 11, when the material collides with the partition member, the cooled material near the surface of the partition member is stripped off and diffused into the casing.

[0033] In the stirring and mixing apparatus of the present invention, in order to enhance the cooling effect of the entire casing, the wall surface 11 and partition member 10 equipped with the cooling means must have a surface portion perpendicular to the direction of arrow A (axial direction) in which the stirring plate F reciprocates (a surface portion parallel to the direction of arrow B). This is because when the stirring plate F reciprocates and moves in the direction of arrow A (arrows A1 or A2 in Figures 9 to 12), the material is ejected through the through-hole in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the stirring plate F (axial direction). The impact force when the ejected material collides with the wall surface or partition member is maximized in the surface portion perpendicular to the direction of ejection, which is the direction of arrow A (axial direction). If these surface portions are formed at an angle from vertical, the material moves along the angle of the surface portion when it collides with the surface portion, and the impact that the material has on the surface portion cannot be maximized. Therefore, it becomes difficult to sufficiently remove the material that has been cooled by the cooling means and is accumulating near the surface portion. Furthermore, if the surface is tilted, the impacted material is mainly reflected in a predetermined direction corresponding to the tilt of the surface, so the effect of uniform diffusion in the direction of arrow B, as shown in Figures 9 to 12, cannot be expected. As a result, the time required to cool the entire material inside the casing to a uniform temperature becomes longer.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9 to 12, it is preferable that the surface of the stirring plate F be perpendicular to the direction A of the reciprocating motion of the stirring plate. This is because it maximizes the velocity of the material ejected from the through-holes of the stirring plate (for example, by setting the maximum ejection velocity to 1 m / s or more), thereby increasing the impact force when it collides with the wall surface 11 or the partition member 10. If the stirring plate is positioned at an angle from the direction perpendicular to arrow A, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the material will also have momentum in the direction indicated by arrow B as the stirring plate F reciprocates, making it difficult to efficiently eject the material from the through-holes.

[0035] Therefore, it is preferable that the inner surface of the wall surface 11 facing the stirring plate F and the surface of the partition member 10 facing the stirring plate F have a surface portion perpendicular to the arrow A (A1, A2), which is the direction of the reciprocating motion of the stirring plate (axial direction), and that this surface portion be set to be parallel to the plate surface of the stirring plate.

[0036] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 also discloses forming through holes in the partition member 10. However, forming through holes in a partition member on which a cooling means is formed increases the cooling effect on the material located within the through holes, and makes it easier for a frozen layer to form along the inner wall of the through holes. Unlike the frozen layer formed on the surface of the partition member (the surface facing the stirring plate), the impact force required to peel off the frozen layer formed within such through holes is greater for the frozen layer within the through holes. For this reason, it becomes necessary to move the stirring plate F back and forth more vigorously.

[0037] For this reason, it is not very desirable to form through holes in the partition member 10. If through holes are to be formed, it is necessary to install them in a location sufficiently far from the flow path of the cooling means, or to make the size of the through holes larger than usual.

[0038] The above explanation has focused on the cooling means of the stirring and mixing apparatus, but it is also possible to use this cooling means not only for cooling the inside of the apparatus, but also as a means to set and adjust the temperature of the materials inside the apparatus to a predetermined temperature. Specifically, the flow path provided in the cooling means (for example, the cooling medium) It is also possible to configure the system to flow a temperature-controlled heating medium through a channel through which the fluid passes, or through a separate channel provided in addition to the said channel. Furthermore, it is possible to use the same material for both the heating medium and the cooling medium. In addition, it is possible to incorporate an electric heater as a heating means, separate from the cooling means of the stirring and mixing device. [Industrial applicability]

[0039] As described above, the present invention makes it possible to provide a stirring and mixing device with a high cooling effect. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1 Casing 2. Shaft section 10 Partition members 11. Wall surface (part of the casing, positioned opposite the stirring plate) 20 Driving means F Stirring plate FP1~43 channel

Claims

1. A stirring plate attached to a shaft that performs reciprocating motion, A casing for housing the stirring plate, The device comprises a cooling means for cooling either the wall surface of the casing facing the surface of the stirring plate or the surface of a partition member provided inside the casing, At least the wall or surface near where the cooling means is located forms a surface portion perpendicular to the direction of the reciprocating motion. A stirring and mixing apparatus characterized in that the plate surface of the stirring plate facing the surface portion is parallel to the surface portion and has a plurality of through holes formed therein.

2. In the stirring and mixing apparatus according to claim 1, The stirring and mixing apparatus is characterized in that a flow path for a cooling medium is formed in the wall surface of the casing or inside the partition member as the cooling means.

3. In the stirring and mixing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, A stirring and mixing apparatus characterized by providing a cooling means on the side wall surface of the casing parallel to the direction of the reciprocating motion.

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