Systems and methods for mixing treatment media into pulp

Abstract

A system for mixing a treatment medium into pulp includes a mixer configured to mix the pulp and the treatment medium, a plurality of walls defining a plurality of channels, a pulp source fluidly coupled to each of the channels, and a treatment medium source that provides a portion of the treatment medium to each of the channels. The mixer includes a mixing chamber, a mixer inlet fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber upstream of the mixing chamber, and a mixer outlet fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber downstream of the mixing chamber. Each of the channels is fluidly coupled to the mixer inlet. The pulp source provides a portion of the pulp to each of the channels. Each of the channels provides the portion of the pulp and the portion of the treatment medium to the mixer inlet.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MIXING TREATMENT MEDIAINTO PULPCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 602,489, filed November 24, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates to pulp production. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to mixing pulp and treatment media.SUMMARY

[0003] One embodiment is directed to a system for mixing a treatment medium into pulp. The system includes a mixer configured to mix the pulp and the treatment medium, a plurality of walls defining a plurality of channels, a pulp source fluidly coupled to each of the channels, and a treatment medium source that provides a portion of the treatment medium to each of the channels. The mixer includes a mixing chamber, a mixer inlet fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber upstream of the mixing chamber, and a mixer outlet fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber downstream of the mixing chamber. Each of the channels is fluidly coupled to the mixer inlet. The pulp source provides a portion of the pulp to each of the channels. Each of the channels provides the portion of the pulp and the portion of the treatment medium to the mixer inlet.

[0004] In one aspect, the channels are coaxial.

[0005] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, the system also includes a first inlet conduit defining a first inlet opening fluidly coupling the treatment medium source to at least one of the channels such that the treatment medium source provides the treatment medium to the at least one of the channels through the first inlet opening.

[0006] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, the first inlet opening fluidly couples the treatment medium source to a first of the channels and a second of the channels such that the treatment medium source provides the treatment medium to the first of the channels and the second of the channels through the first inlet opening.

[0007] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, the system also includes a second inlet conduit defining a second inlet opening. The first inlet opening fluidly couples the treatment medium source to a first of the channels such that the treatment medium source provides the treatment medium to the first of the channels through the first inlet opening. The second inlet opening fluidly couples the treatment medium source to a second of the channels such that the treatment medium source provides the treatment medium to the second of the channels through the second inlet opening.

[0008] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, the first inlet opening is offset from the second inlet opening in a direction of an axis of the first of the channels.

[0009] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, an axis of the first inlet opening is circumferentially offset from an axis of the second inlet opening around an axis of the first of the channels.

[0010] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, the axis of the first inlet opening is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the second inlet opening.

[0011] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, an end of the first inlet conduit defines an aperture fluidly coupling the first inlet opening to the at least one of the channels and the end of the first inlet conduit is positioned within the at least one of the channels.

[0012] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, the system also includes a second inlet conduit defining a second inlet opening fluidly coupling the treatment medium source to the at least one of the channels such that the treatment mediumsource provides the treatment medium to the at least one of the channels through the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening.

[0013] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, the first inlet conduit and the second inlet conduit are positioned on opposite sides of the at least one of the channels.

[0014] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, the system also includes a third inlet conduit defining a third inlet opening. The first inlet opening and the second inlet opening fluidly couple the treatment medium source to a first of the channels such that the treatment medium source provides the treatment medium to the first of the channels through the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening. The third inlet opening fluidly couples the treatment medium source to a second of the channels such that the treatment medium source provides the treatment medium to the second of the channels through the third inlet opening.

[0015] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, a flow-by area of an outer of the channels is greater than a flow-by area of an inner of the channels.

[0016] Another embodiment is directed to a method for mixing a treatment medium into pulp. The method includes providing a portion of the pulp to each of a plurality of channels, providing a portion of the treatment medium to each of the channels to form a premixture of the pulp and the treatment medium in each of the channels, and mixing the premixtures from each of the channels to form a homogenous mixture.

[0017] In one aspect, the channels are coaxial.

[0018] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, a first portion of the treatment medium is provided to a first of the channels at a first location, a second portion of the treatment medium is provided to a second of the channels at a second location, and the second location is offset from the first location in a direction of an axis of the first of the channels.

[0019] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, a first portion of the treatment medium is provided to a first of the channels at a first location, a second portion of the treatment medium is provided to a second of the channels at a second location, and the second location is circumferentially offset from the first location around an axis of the first of the channels.

[0020] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, mixing the premixtures to form the homogenous mixture includes separately providing the premixtures to a mixer and operating the mixer to mix the premixtures to form the homogenous mixture.

[0021] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, the method also includes passively pre-mixing the portion of the pulp and the portion of the treatment medium within each of the channels to form the premixture of the pulp and the treatment medium in each of the channels.

[0022] In one aspect, which is combinable with any of the above aspects, a first portion of the treatment medium is provided to a first of the channels at a first location, a second portion of the treatment medium is provided to the first of the channels at a second location, and the first location and the second location are on opposite sides of the first of the channels.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure l is a schematic view of a mixing system;

[0024] Figure 2 is a cross section view of an embodiment of the mixing system of Figure 1;

[0025] Figure 3 is a cross section view of the embodiment of the mixing system of Figure 2 taken along plane A- A;

[0026] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the mixing system of Figure 1;

[0027] Figure 5 is cross section view of the embodiment of the mixing system of Figure 4 taken along plane B-B:

[0028] Figure 6 is a cross section view of the embodiment of the mixing system of Figure 4 taken along plane C-C;

[0029] Figure 7 is a cross section view of an embodiment of the mixing system of Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 8 is a cross section view of the embodiment of the mixing system of Figure 7 taken along plane D-D; and

[0031] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an example method for mixing a treatment medium into pulp.

[0032] It will be recognized that some or all of the Figures are schematic representations for purposes of illustration. The Figures are provided for the purpose of illustrating one or more implementations with the explicit understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Following below are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and implementations of, methods, apparatuses, and systems for mixing media (e.g., different fluids, etc.). The various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of a number of ways, as the described concepts are not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.

[0034] In many industrial applications (e.g., paper making, refining, fluid processing, etc.), such as within different chemical industries where various chemicals have to be mixed with different suspensions of raw material or into combinations of raw materials, it is of high importance to homogenize (e.g., fully combine, evenly distribute, etc.) media having different properties (e.g., a first medium with a first density and a treatment medium with a second density, etc.) to obtain homogenous suspensions (e.g., a fully blended mixture, an even distribution, etc.). Such industries include paint manufacturing and pulp and paper manufacturing.

[0035] Within the pulp and paper industry, throughout the fiberline, (e.g., the different process steps involved when converting wood chips or other fibrous raw material into pulp) there are several positions where mixing apparatuses (e.g., agitators, mechanical stirrers, planetary mixers, a rotor and stator mixer, etc.) are used to mix different kinds of treatment media (e.g., chemical additives, dyes, fillers, bleach, treatment fluids, etc.) into a pulp (e.g., a fiber suspension, a pulp slurry, a pulp mixture, a pulp emulsion, etc.). The treatment media added to the pulp may, for example, be for heating, delignification, or bleaching purposes. Often the treatment media are in a fluid state (i.e., a gaseous state or a liquid state), but the treatment media may be in a solid state (e.g., as granules, as powder, etc.).

[0036] When mixing the treatment media into the pulp, it may be of high importance that the treatment media is adequately mixed (e.g., sufficiently mixed, fully mixed, etc.) into the pulp, such that an even or homogenous distribution is achieved. For example, the treatment media may be introduced through an outlet into a flow of the pulp through a pipe upstream of a mixing apparatus and the mixing apparatus may mix the treatment media with the pulp to form a mixture. However, if the arrangement of the outlet of the treatment media is not properly oriented, the treatment media may be concentrated within one portion of the pulp, resulting in the mixer not creating a homogeneous mixture of the treatment media and the pulp. For example, when the treatment media is introduced the pulp, there may be a risk of a separation of the pulp from the treatment media to form large, separate bulk flows of the pulp and the treatment media. The separation may occur, for example, when fluids and / or media (e.g., substances, etc.) having different densities and / or differing in other relevant properties are mixed (e.g., when mixing a gas with a liquid, mixing fluids with different viscosities, mixing fluids with different viscosities, mixing fluids with different hydrophobic properties, etc.). Additionally, the separation of the pulp from the treatment media may be increased due to changes in configurations of a flow path of the flow of the pulp and the treatment media (e.g., an increase in a curvature of the flow path, an increase in a diameter of the flow path, etc.). There is an increasing interest in distributing the treatment media throughout the pulp as dimensions (e.g., diameters, lengths, etc.) of pipe used for guiding the pulp and treatment media increase. There is a particular interest in having a well distributed mixture of the treatment media and the pulp when using pipeshaving a diameter above approximately 30 cm and transporting a mixture more than approximately 0.1 meter.

[0037] The disclosure is thus directed towards reducing separation of fluids while being transported through a pipe to avoid forming large bulk flows of poorly mixed fluids. Implementations described herein are related to systems that do not introduce the treatment media to a single portion of the pulp. However, even when the treatment media is introduced to different portions of the pulp, there may still be a risk of a separation of the pre-distributed treatment media to form a large, separate bulk flow of treatment media and a large, separate bulk flow of pulp while the combined flow of pulp and treatment media moves through a pipe. Portions of the pulp are directed into different channels and a portion of the treatment media is provided into each of the channels. As a result, the portion of the treatment media comes into contact with each of the portions of the pulp and each of the portions of the treatment media pre-mixes with each of the portions of the pulp within each of the channels. After each of the portions of the treatment media pre-mixes with each of the portions of the pulp, the channels provide the pre-mixed portions of the treatment media and the pulp to the inlet of the mixer configured to create a homogeneous mixture of the treatment media and the pulp. The different channels may prevent the formation of large, separate bulk flows of pulp and treatment media from reaching the inlet of the mixer. As a result of the portions of the treatment media being introduced to the portions of the pulp, the mixer is able to efficiently create the homogeneous mixture without operating at an excessive rate due to the portions of the treatment media pre-mixing with the portions of the pulp before the portions of the pulp reach the inlet of the mixer. Thus, the system is able to create a homogonous mixture of the treatment media and the pulp and reduce manufacturing requirements associated with the use of a mixer to mix a pulp with a treatment media.

[0038] Figure 1 depicts an example mixing system 100 (e.g., a blending system, a homogenization apparatus, a combination arrangement, etc.). As described in more detail herein, the mixing system 100 is configured to mix two or more media into a homogeneous mixture. In some embodiments, the mixing system 100 is configured to mix two media into a homogeneous mixture. In some embodiments, the mixing system 100 is configured to mixa pulp suspension (e.g., a pulp, a slurry, an emulsion, a suspension, etc.) and a treatment media (e.g., an additive, a gas treatment media, a liquid treatment media, etc.) to form a homogeneous mixture. Importantly, as described in more detail herein, the mixing system 100 facilitates introducing the treatment media into a plurality of portions of the pulp suspension in addition to mixing the pulp suspension and the treatment media to form the homogeneous mixture.

[0039] The mixing system 100 includes a pulp source 102 (e.g., a first tank, a first supply pipe, a pump, etc.). The pulp source 102 is configured to provide pulp during mixing. In some embodiments, the pulp source 102 is configured to provide the pulp under pressure (e.g., as a pressurized medium, etc.). For example, the pulp source 102 may include a pump configured to pressurize the pulp. In some embodiments, the pulp provided by the pulp source 102 may be the pulp suspension. In various embodiments, the pulp provided by the pulp source 102 may be a liquid or a semi-liquid.

[0040] The mixing system 100 includes a treatment medium source 104 (e.g., a second tank, a second supply pipe, a compressor, a treatment fluid source, etc.). The treatment medium source 104 is configured to provide a treatment medium during mixing. In some embodiments, the treatment medium source 104 is configured to provide the treatment medium under pressure. For example, the treatment medium source 104 may include a compressor configured to pressurize the treatment medium. In various embodiments, the treatment medium provided by the treatment medium source 104 may be a liquid or a gas. In some embodiments, the mixing system 100 includes additional media sources (e.g., a third medium source, a fourth medium source, etc.) configured to provide additional media (e.g., a third medium, a fourth medium, etc.) during mixing.

[0041] The mixing system 100 includes a mixer 106 (e.g., a mixing apparatus, a blender, an agitator, etc.) configured to combine (e.g., mix, etc.) the pulp and the treatment medium into a homogeneous mixture (e.g., a fully blended suspension, an evenly distributed medium, etc.). In various embodiments, the mixer 106 is configured to combine additional media (e.g., the third medium, the fourth medium, etc.) into the homogeneous mixture. The mixer 106 includes a mixer inlet (e.g., an intake, an entrance, a feeding point, etc.)configured to receive the pulp and the treatment medium, a mixing chamber fluidly coupled to the mixer inlet and configured to mix the pulp and the treatment medium, and a mixer outlet (e.g., a discharge port, an exhaust, a delivery end, etc.), shown as mixer outlet 108, configured to provide the homogeneous mixture from the mixing system 100 to a downstream element (e.g., a storage tank, a refining element, etc.). In some embodiments, the mixer 106 may be configured as an active mixer (e.g., a planetary mixer, a ribbon mixer, a paddle mixer, a tumble mixer, etc.) that includes a moving implement that is configured to mix the pulp and the treatment medium. In other embodiments, the mixer 106 may be configured as a static mixer (e.g., a baffle mixer, a helical static mixer, a channel mixer, etc.) that does not include a moving implement.

[0042] In some embodiments, the mixer 106 may be configured as a rotating mixer. For example, the mixer 106 may include a housing that includes the inlet and the mixer outlet 108. The mixer 106 may include a stator coupled to the housing and provided within the housing. The mixer 106 may include a rotor rotatable coupled to the stator and configured to be rotated relative to the stator. The mixer 106 may receive the pulp and the treatment medium at the inlet. The rotor may include mixing elements arranged around the rotor and configured to mix the pulp and the treatment medium to form the homogeneous mixture. The rotor may include discharging elements configured to discharge the homogeneous mixture radially relative to the rotor. The stator may include stator openings configured to discharge the homogeneous mixture discharged through the discharging elements of the rotor to the mixer outlet 108.

[0043] The mixing system 100 includes a plurality of channels 110 (e.g., passages, conduits, pathways, etc.), defined by a plurality of channel walls (e.g., walls, pipe walls, etc.). The channels 110 of the mixing system 100 are fluidly coupled to the pulp source 102 and configured to each receive a portion of the pulp from the pulp source 102. The channels 110 each include a channel inlet (e.g., a conduit inlet, an inlet, etc.) fluidly coupled to the pulp source 102. Each of the channel inlets are configured to receive the portion of the pulp from the pulp source 102. For example, the pulp source 102 may provide a portion of the pulp to each of the channel inlets (e.g., a first portion of the pulp to a first of the channel inlets, a second portion of the pulp to a second of the channel inlets, etc.) The channels 110each include a channel outlet (e.g., a conduit outlet, an outlet, etc.) fluidly coupled to the inlet of the mixer 106 and configured to provide media from each of the channels 110 to the inlet of the mixer 106. For example, each of the channel outlets may provide the portion of the pulp from each of the channels 110 to the inlet of the mixer 106. In some embodiments, all of the channels 110 are fluidly coupled to the inlet of the mixer 106. In other embodiments, each of the channels 110 are fluidly coupled to a separate inlet of the mixer 106 such that each of the channels 110 provides media from each of the channels 110 to the mixer 106 separately.

[0044] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the channels 110 are configured as a first channel 112, a second channel 114, a third channel 116, and a fourth channel 118. The first channel 112 defines an axis Ao extending along a length of the first channel 112. In some embodiments, the channels 110 are substantially the same length and / or have substantially the same cross sectional area (e.g., flow-by area, etc.). In other embodiments, each of the channels 110 may have a different length and / or may have a different cross sectional area. For example, the first channel 112 may be longer than the fourth channel 118. As another example, the third channel 116 (e.g., an outer of the channels 110, etc.) may have a larger cross sectional area than the second channel 114 (e.g., an inner of the channels 110, etc.). In some embodiments, the mixing system 100 includes fewer than four channels (e.g., two channels, three channels, etc.). In other embodiments, the mixing system 100 includes additional channels (e.g., a fifth channel, a sixth channel, etc.).

[0045] The treatment medium source 104 is configured to provide a portion of the treatment medium to each of the channels 110. In some embodiments, the treatment medium source 104 is fluidly coupled to each of the channels 110 and configured to provide the treatment medium directly into each of the channels 110. For example, the treatment medium source 104 may be fluidly coupled to the first channel 112, the second channel 114, the third channel 116, and the fourth channel 118 such that the treatment medium source 104 is configured to provide the treatment medium to the first channel 112, the second channel 114, the third channel 116 and the fourth channel 118. In other embodiments, the treatment medium source 104 may be fluidly coupled to the pulp source 102 proximate the channel inlet of each of the channels 110 such that the treatment medium is provided toeach of the channels 110. For example, the treatment medium source 104 may be fluidly coupled to the pulp source 102 proximate a first inlet of the first channel 112, proximate a second inlet of the second channel 114, proximate a third inlet of the third channel 116, and proximate a fourth inlet of the fourth channel 118 such that the treatment medium from the treatment medium source 104 flows into each of the first channel 112, the second channel 114, the third channel 116, and the fourth channel 118.

[0046] Figures 2 and 3 depict an embodiment of the mixing system 100, shown as mixing system 200. The mixing system 200 includes the pulp source 102, the treatment medium source 104, the mixer 106, the mixer outlet 108, the first channel 112, the second channel 114, the third channel 116, and the fourth channel 118. The pulp source 102 is configured to provide a pulp 202. The treatment medium source 104 is configured to provide a treatment medium 204 (e.g., a treatment fluid, etc.). The mixer 106 of the mixing system 200 is configured to mix the pulp 202 and the treatment medium 204 and output a homogeneous mixture 206 through the mixer outlet 108.

[0047] The mixing system 200 includes a first channel wall 210 (e.g., first passage barrier, first conduit duct, etc.). The first channel wall 210 is coupled to the inlet of the mixer 106, extends in a direction of the pulp source 102, and defines the first channel 112, such that the pulp and the treatment medium flowing through the first channel 112 flows inside of the first channel wall 210. In some embodiments, the first channel wall 210 has a circular profile that results in the first channel 112 having a circular profile. In other embodiments, the first channel wall 210 may have a profile with a different shape (e.g., a rectangular profile, a square profile, an ovular profile, etc.) such that the first channel 112 having a profile with a different shape. In some embodiments, the first channel wall 210 may include a bend between the inlet of the first channel 112 and the inlet of the mixer 106. For example, the first channel wall 210 may include a 90 degree bend configured to change a direction of the first channel 112. In other embodiments, the first channel wall 210 may be substantially straight and may not include a bend.

[0048] The mixing system 200 includes a second channel wall 212 (e.g., second passage barrier, second conduit duct, etc.) partially surrounding the first channel wall 210. Thesecond channel wall 212 is coupled to the inlet of the mixer 106 and extends in a direction of the pulp source 102. The second channel wall 212 and the first channel wall 210 cooperatively define the second channel 114, such that the pulp and the treatment medium flowing through the second channel 114 flows between the first channel wall 210 and the second channel wall 212. In some embodiments, the second channel wall 212 and the first channel wall 210 both have a circular profile which results in the second channel 114 having a circular ring profile. In some embodiments, the second channel 114 is coaxial with the first channel 112. In other embodiments, the second channel wall 212 and the first channel wall 210 may have a profile with a different shape such that the second channel 114 has a ring profile with a different shape. In some embodiments, the first channel wall 210 and the second channel wall 212 may include a bend between the inlet of the second channel 114 and the inlet of the mixer 106. For example, the second channel wall 212 and the first channel wall 210 may include a 90 degree bend configured to change a direction of the second channel 114. A portion of the flow in the second channel 114 may flow around the first channel 112 and the first channel wall 210 in order to reach the inlet of the mixer 106. In other embodiments, the second channel wall 212 may be substantially straight. In some embodiments, the first channel wall 210 extends further in a direction of the pulp source 102 than the second channel wall 212, resulting in the first channel 112 being positioned closer to the pulp source 102 than the second channel 114. In other embodiments, the first channel wall 210 extends the same distance in a direction of the pulp source 102 as the second channel wall 212 or the second channel wall 212 extends further in a direction of the pulp source 102 than the first channel wall 210.

[0049] The mixing system 200 includes a third channel wall 214 (e.g., third passage barrier, third conduit duct, etc.) partially surrounding the second channel wall 212. The third channel wall 214 is coupled to the inlet of the mixer 106 and extends in a direction of the pulp source 102. The third channel wall 214 and the second channel wall 212 cooperatively define the third channel 116, such that the pulp and the treatment medium flowing through the third channel 116 flows between the second channel wall 212 and the third channel wall 214. In some embodiments, the third channel wall 214 and the second channel wall 212 both have a circular profile which results in the third channel 116 having a circular ringprofile. In some embodiments, the third channel 116 is coaxial with the second channel 114. In other embodiments, the third channel wall 214 and the second channel wall 212 may have a profile with a different shape such that the third channel 116 has a ring profile with a different shape. In some embodiments, the third channel wall 214 may include a bend between the inlet of the third channel 116 and the inlet of the mixer 106. For example, the second channel wall 212 and the third channel wall 214 may include a 90 degree bend configured to change a direction of the third channel 116. A portion of the flow in the third channel 116 may flow around the second channel 114 and the first channel wall 210 in order to reach the inlet of the mixer 106. In other embodiments, the third channel wall 214 may be substantially straight. In some embodiments, the second channel wall 212 and the first channel wall 210 extend further in a direction of the pulp source 102 than the third channel wall 214, resulting in the second channel 114 being positioned closer to the pulp source 102 than the third channel 116. In other embodiments, the first channel wall 210 and the second channel wall 212 extend the same distance in a direction of the pulp source 102 as the third channel wall 214 or the third channel wall 214 extends further in a direction of the pulp source 102 than the first channel wall 210 and the second channel wall 212.

[0050] The mixing system 200 includes a fourth channel wall 216 (e.g., fourth passage barrier, fourth conduit duct, etc.) surrounding the third channel wall 214. The fourth channel wall 216 is coupled to the inlet of the mixer 106 and extends in a direction of the pulp source 102. The fourth channel wall 216 and the third channel wall 214 cooperatively define the fourth channel 118, such that the pulp and the treatment medium flowing through the fourth channel 118 flows between the third channel wall 214 and the fourth channel wall 216. In some embodiments, the fourth channel wall 216 and the third channel wall 214 both have a circular profile which results in the fourth channel 118 having a circular ring profile. In some embodiments, the fourth channel 118 is coaxial with the third channel 116. In other embodiments, the fourth channel wall 216 and the third channel wall 214 may have a profile with a different shape such that the fourth channel 118 has a ring profile with a different shape. In some embodiments, the fourth channel wall 216 may include a bend between the inlet of the fourth channel 118 and the inlet of the mixer 106. For example, the fourth channel wall 216 and the third channel wall 214 may include a 90 degree bend configuredto change a direction of the fourth channel 118. A portion of the flow in the fourth channel 118 may flow around the third channel 116 and the third channel wall 214 in order to reach the inlet of the mixer 106. In other embodiments, the fourth channel wall 216 may be substantially straight. In some embodiments, the second channel wall 212 and the third channel wall 214 extend further in a direction of the pulp source 102 than the fourth channel wall 216, resulting in the third channel 116 being positioned closer to the pulp source 102 than the fourth channel 118. In other embodiments, the second channel wall 212 and the third channel wall 214 extend the same distance in a direction of the pulp source 102 as the fourth channel wall 216 or the fourth channel wall 216 extends further in a direction of the pulp source 102 than the second channel wall 212 and the third channel wall 214.

[0051] The treatment medium source 104 of the mixing system 200 includes a plurality of inlet conduits, shown as inlet channels 220, configured to provide the treatment medium 204 to each of the first channel 112, the second channel 114, the third channel 116, and the fourth channel 118. A first inlet conduit, shown as first inlet channel 222, is configured to provide the treatment medium 204 to the first channel 112. A second inlet conduit, shown as second inlet channel 224, is configured to provide the treatment medium 204 to the second channel 114. A third inlet conduit, shown as third inlet channel 226, is configured to provide the treatment medium 204 to the third channel 116. A fourth inlet conduit, shown as fourth inlet channel 228, is configured to provide the treatment medium 204 to the fourth channel 118. In other embodiments, one of the inlet channels 220 is configured to provide the treatment medium 204 to multiple of the channels 110.

[0052] In some embodiments, the inlet channels 220 are offset (e.g., axially offset, etc.) along a length of the channels 110. For example, the first inlet channel 222 may be offset from the second inlet channel 224 in an upstream direction from the second inlet channel 224 relative to a direction of flow of the pulp 202, the second inlet channel 224 may be offset from the third inlet channel 226 in the upstream direction from the third inlet channel 226, and the third inlet channel 226 may be offset from the fourth inlet channel 228 in the upstream direction from the fourth inlet channel 228. As another example, the first inlet channel 222 may provide the treatment medium to the first channel 112 at a first location, the second inlet channel 224 may provide the treatment medium to the second channel 114at a second location, and the first location may be offset from the second location in a direction of the axis Ao of the first channel 112. In other embodiments, the relative position of the inlet channels 220 may be otherwise situated (e.g., the fourth inlet channel 228 may be positioned in the upstream direction from the third inlet channel 226, the third inlet channel 226 may be positioned in the upstream direction from the second inlet channel 224, the second inlet channel 224 may be positioned in the upstream direction from the first inlet channel 222, etc.).

[0053] In some embodiments, each of the inlet channels 220 include an aperture (e.g., an opening, etc.) on an end of the inlet channels 220 configured to align with one of the channels 110. For example, the first inlet channel 222 may include a first aperture on an end of the first inlet channel 222 that aligns with the first channel 112. In some embodiments, the ends of each of the inlet channels 220 may be positioned within at least one of the channels 110. For example, the end of the first inlet channel 222 may be positioned within the first channel 112. In various embodiments, the ends of a first selection of the inlet channels 220 are positioned within a first selection of the channels 110 and a second selection of the inlet channels 220 are positioned outside of a second selection of the channels 110. For example, the end of the first inlet channel 222 may be positioned outside of the first channel 112 and the end of the fourth inlet channel 228 may be positioned inside of the fourth channel 118.

[0054] Figures 4-6 depict an embodiment of the mixing system 100, shown as mixing system 300. The mixing system 300 includes the pulp source 102, the treatment medium source 104, the mixer 106, the mixer outlet 108, the first channel 112, and the second channel 114. The mixing system 300 is configured to receive a pulp 302 from the pulp source 102. The mixing system 300 is configured to receive a treatment medium 304 from the treatment medium source 104. The mixer 106 of the mixing system 300 is configured to mix the pulp 302 and the treatment medium 304 and output a homogeneous mixture 306 through the mixer outlet 108.

[0055] The mixing system 300 includes a first channel wall 310 (e.g., first passage barrier, first conduit duct, etc.). The first channel wall 310 is coupled to the inlet of the mixer 106,extends in a direction of the pulp source 102, and defines the first channel 112, such that the pulp and the treatment medium flowing through the first channel 112 flows inside of the first channel wall 310. In some embodiments, the first channel wall 310 has a circular profile which results in the first channel 112 having a circular profile. In other embodiments, the first channel wall 310 may have a profile with a different shape (e.g., a rectangular profile, a square profile, an ovular profile, etc.) such that the first channel 112 having a profile with a different shape.

[0056] The mixing system 300 includes a second channel wall 312 (e.g., second passage barrier, second conduit duct, etc.) surrounding the first channel wall 310. The second channel wall 312 is coupled to the inlet of the mixer 106 and extends in a direction of the pulp source 102. The second channel wall 212 and the first channel wall 210 cooperatively define the second channel 114, such that the pulp and the treatment medium flowing through the second channel 114 flows between the first channel wall 310 and the second channel wall 212. In some embodiments, the second channel wall 312 and the first channel wall 310 both have a circular profile which results in the second channel 114 having a circular ring profile. In some embodiments, the second channel 114 is coaxial with the first channel 112. In other embodiments, the second channel wall 312 and the first channel wall 310 may have a profile with a different shape such that the second channel 114 has a ring profile with a different shape.

[0057] The treatment medium source 104 of the mixing system 300 includes a plurality of inlet channels 320 configured to provide the treatment medium 304 to each of the first channel 112 and the second channel 114. A first inlet channel, shown as first inlet channel 322, is configured to provide the treatment medium 304 to the first channel 112. A second inlet channel, shown as second inlet channel 324, is configured to provide the treatment medium 304 to the second channel 114. A third inlet channel, shown as third inlet channel 326, is configured to provide the treatment medium 304 to the second channel 114. In some embodiments, the mixing system 300 may include additional of the inlet channels 320 configured to provide the treatment medium 304 to the first channel 112 or the second channel 114.

[0058] The first inlet channel 322, the second inlet channel 324, and the third inlet channel 326 are circumferentially offset around the first channel 112 and the second channel 114. For example, a first axis of the first inlet channel 322 may be circumferentially offset from a second axis of the second inlet channel 324 and a third axis of the third inlet channel 326 about the axis Ao of the first channel 112. As another example, the first inlet channel 322 may provide the treatment medium to the first channel 112 at a first location, the second inlet channel 324 may provide the treatment medium to the second channel 114 at a second location, and the first location may be circumferentially offset from the second location around the axis Ao of the first channel 112. As yet another example, second inlet channel 324 may provide the treatment medium to the second channel 114 at a first location, the third inlet channel 326 may provide the treatment medium to the second channel 114 at a second location, and the first location may be circumferentially offset from the second location around the axis Ao of the first channel 112 such that the first location and the second location are on opposite sides of the channels 110. In some embodiments, the second inlet channel 324 and the third inlet channel 326 are each positioned orthogonal (e.g., substantially perpendicular, etc.) to the first inlet channel 322 around the first channel 112 and the second channel 114, such that the second inlet channel 324 and the third inlet channel 326 are positioned on opposite sides of the first channel 112 and the second channel 114. For example, an axis of the first inlet channel 322 may be substantially perpendicular with an axis of the second inlet channel 324. In other embodiments, the first inlet channel 322, the second inlet channel 324, and the third inlet channel 326 spaced circumferentially around the first channel 112 and the second channel 114 such that the angle between the first inlet channel 322 and the second inlet channel 324 is equal to the angle between the first inlet channel 322 and the third inlet channel 326. In other embodiments with additional of the inlet channels 320, the inlet channels 320 may be spaced an equal distance apart circumferentially around the first channel 112 and the second channel 114.

[0059] Figures 7 and 8 depicts an embodiment of the mixing system 100, shown as mixing system 400. The mixing system 400 includes the pulp source 102, the treatment medium source 104, the mixer 106, the mixer outlet 108, the first channel 112, the second channel 114, the third channel 116, and the fourth channel 118. The mixing system 400 isconfigured to receive a pulp 402 from the pulp source 102. The mixing system 400 is configured to receive a treatment medium 404 from the treatment medium source 104. The mixer 106 of the mixing system 400 is configured to mix the pulp 402 and the treatment medium 404 and output a homogeneous mixture 406 through the mixer outlet 108.

[0060] The mixing system 400 includes a first channel wall 410 (e.g., first passage barrier, first conduit duct, etc.). The first channel wall 410 is coupled to the inlet of the mixer 106 and is coupled to the pulp source 102 such that the first channel wall 410 partially encloses a region between the inlet of the mixer 106 and the pulp source 102. In some embodiments, the first channel wall 410 has a circular profile. In other embodiments, the first channel wall 410 may have a profile with a different shape (e.g., a rectangular profile, a square profile, an ovular profile, etc.).

[0061] The mixing system 400 includes a second channel wall 412 positioned inside of the first channel wall 410 and coupled to an inner surface of the first channel wall 410 at a first end of the second channel wall 412. The mixing system 400 includes a third channel wall 414 positioned inside of the first channel wall 410, coupled to an inner surface of the first channel wall 410 at a first end of the third channel wall 414, and coupled to a second end of the second channel wall 412 at a second end of the third channel wall 414. The first channel wall 410, the second channel wall 412, and the third channel wall 414 cooperatively define the first channel 112, such that the pulp and the treatment medium flowing through the first channel 112 flows between the first channel wall 410, the second channel wall 412, and the third channel wall 414.

[0062] The mixing system 400 includes a fourth channel wall 416 positioned inside of the first channel wall 410, coupled to an inner surface of the first channel wall 410 at a first end of the fourth channel wall 416, and coupled to the second end of the third channel wall 414 at a second end of the fourth channel wall 416. The first channel wall 410, the third channel wall 414, and the fourth channel wall 416 cooperatively define the second channel 114, such that the pulp and the treatment medium flowing through the second channel 114 flows between the first channel wall 410, the third channel wall 414, and the fourth channel wall 416.

[0063] The mixing system 400 includes a fifth channel wall 418 positioned inside of the first channel wall 410, coupled to an inner surface of the first channel wall 410 at a first end of the fifth channel wall 418, coupled to the second end of the fourth channel wall 416 at a second end of the fifth channel wall 418, and coupled to the second end of the second channel wall 412 at the second end of the fifth channel wall 418. The first channel wall 410, the fourth channel wall 416, and the fifth channel wall 418 cooperatively define the third channel 116, such that the pulp and the treatment medium flowing through the third channel 116 flows between the first channel wall 410, the fourth channel wall 416, and the fifth channel wall 418. The first channel wall 410, the second channel wall 412, and the fifth channel wall 418 cooperatively define the fourth channel 118, such that the pulp and the treatment medium flowing through the fourth channel 118 flows between the first channel wall 410, the second channel wall 412, and the fifth channel wall 418.

[0064] The treatment medium source 104 of the mixing system 400 includes a plurality of inlet channels 420 configured to provide the treatment medium 404 to each of the first channel 112, the second channel 114, the third channel 116, and the fourth channel 118. A first inlet channel, shown as first inlet channel 422, is configured to provide the treatment medium 404 to the first channel 112. A second inlet channel, shown as second inlet channel 424, is configured to provide the treatment medium 404 to the second channel 114. A third inlet channel, shown as third inlet channel 426, is configured to provide the treatment medium to the third channel 116. A fourth inlet channel, shown as fourth inlet channel 428, is configured to provide the treatment medium to the fourth channel 118. The first inlet channel 422, the second inlet channel 424, the third inlet channel 426, and the fourth inlet channel 428 are positioned circumferentially around the first channel wall 410. In some embodiments, each of the first inlet channel 422, the second inlet channel 424, the third inlet channel 426, and the fourth inlet channel 428 include an opening on an end of each of the inlet channels 420 configured to align with one of the first channel 112, the second channel 114, the third channel 116, or the fourth channel 118.

[0065] Figure 9 depicts an example of a method 500 for mixing pulp and a treatment medium (e.g., a method for mixing a pulp suspension and treatment media, a method for mixing a pulp slurry and a bleaching agent, a method for mixing a pulp and a treatmentfluid, etc.). The method 500 is configured to provide pulp (e.g., the pulp 202, the pulp 302, the pulp 402, etc.) to a plurality of channels (e.g., the first channel 112, the second channel 114, the third channel 116, the fourth channel 118, etc.), provide a treatment medium (e.g., the treatment medium 204, the treatment medium 304, the treatment medium 404, etc.) to the channels 110, provide a premixture of the pulp and the treatment medium to a mixer (e.g., the mixer 106, etc.), and mix the premixture to form a homogeneous mixture (e.g., the homogeneous mixture 206, the homogeneous mixture 306, the homogeneous mixture 406, etc.). In this way, the pulp and the treatment medium may be effectively and efficiently mixed into the homogeneous mixture.

[0066] The method 500 begins with step 510 which includes providing a portion of pulp to each of a plurality of channels (e.g., conduits, etc.). In some embodiments, each of the channels receives a portion of the pulp from a pulp source. In some embodiments, the pulp source 102 provides portions of the pulp to each of the channels 110.

[0067] The method 500 continues with step 520 which includes providing a portion of a treatment medium to each of the channels to form a premixture of the pulp and the treatment medium in each of the channels. In some embodiments, the treatment medium source 104 provides the treatment medium to each of the channels 110 to form a premixture of the pulp and the treatment medium in each of the channels 110.

[0068] In some embodiments, the method 500 includes passively pre-mixing the portion of the pulp and the portion of the treatment medium within each of the channels. In some embodiments, passively pre-mixing the portion of the pulp and the portion of the treatment medium within each of the channels forms a premixture of the pulp and the treatment medium in each of the channels. In some embodiments, the channels are configured to provide the premixtures to a mixer inlet of a mixer configured to mix the premixtures to form a homogeneous mixture. In some embodiments, each of the channels may include passive stirring mechanisms (e.g., vortex posts, helical passageways, etc.) configured to assist with pre-mixing the pulp and the treatment medium.

[0069] The method 500 continues with step 530 which includes mixing the premixtures from each of the channels to form a homogeneous mixture. In some embodiments, step 530is performed by a mixer configured to mix the premixtures of the pulp and the treatment medium from each of the channels into a homogeneous mixture. In some embodiments, step 530 is performed by the mixer 106. For example, the mixer 106 may receive the premixtures from each of the channels 110. The mixer 106 may be operated to mix the premixtures from each of the channels 110 to form the premixtures into the homogeneous mixture.

[0070] As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

[0071] It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

[0072] The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by theplain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic. The term “fluidly coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another such that that fluid is able to pass directly or indirectly from one member to the other member (e.g., coupled in a fluid-conducting manner, etc.).

[0073] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0074] Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rulebased logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

[0075] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the mixing system 100 and components thereof as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for mixing a treatment medium into pulp, the system comprising: a mixer configured to mix the pulp and the treatment medium, the mixer comprising: a mixing chamber, a mixer inlet fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber upstream of the mixing chamber, and a mixer outlet fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber downstream of the mixing chamber; a plurality of walls defining a plurality of channels, each of the channels fluidly coupled to the mixer inlet; a pulp source fluidly coupled to each of the channels, wherein the pulp source provides a portion of the pulp to each of the channels; and a treatment medium source that provides a portion of the treatment medium to each of the channels, wherein each of the channels provides the portion of the pulp and the portion of the treatment medium to the mixer inlet.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the channels are coaxial.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first inlet conduit defining a first inlet opening fluidly coupling the treatment medium source to at least one of the channels such that the treatment medium source provides the treatment medium to the at least one of the channels through the first inlet opening.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first inlet opening fluidly couples the treatment medium source to a first of the channels and a second of the channels such that the treatment medium source provides the treatment medium to the first of the channels and the second of the channels through the first inlet opening.

5. The system of claim 3, further comprising a second inlet conduit defining a second inlet opening, wherein:the first inlet opening fluidly couples the treatment medium source to a first of the channels such that the treatment medium source provides the treatment medium to the first of the channels through the first inlet opening; and the second inlet opening fluidly couples the treatment medium source to a second of the channels such that the treatment medium source provides the treatment medium to the second of the channels through the second inlet opening.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first inlet opening is offset from the second inlet opening in a direction of an axis of the first of the channels.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein an axis of the first inlet opening is circumferentially offset from an axis of the second inlet opening around an axis of the first of the channels.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the axis of the first inlet opening is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the second inlet opening.

9. The system of claim 3, wherein: an end of the first inlet conduit defines an aperture fluidly coupling the first inlet opening to the at least one of the channels; and the end of the first inlet conduit is positioned within the at least one of the channels.

10. The system of claim 3, further comprising a second inlet conduit defining a second inlet opening fluidly coupling the treatment medium source to the at least one of the channels such that the treatment medium source provides the treatment medium to the at least one of the channels through the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first inlet conduit and the second inlet conduit are positioned on opposite sides of the at least one of the channels.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a third inlet conduit defining a third inlet opening, wherein:the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening fluidly couple the treatment medium source to a first of the channels such that the treatment medium source provides the treatment medium to the first of the channels through the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening; and the third inlet opening fluidly couples the treatment medium source to a second of the channels such that the treatment medium source provides the treatment medium to the second of the channels through the third inlet opening.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein a flow-by area of an outer of the channels is greater than a flow-by area of an inner of the channels.

14. A method for mixing a treatment medium into pulp, the method comprising: providing a portion of the pulp to each of a plurality of channels; providing a portion of the treatment medium to each of the channels to form a premixture of the pulp and the treatment medium in each of the channels; and mixing the premixtures from each of the channels to form a homogenous mixture.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the channels are coaxial.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein: a first portion of the treatment medium is provided to a first of the channels at a first location; a second portion of the treatment medium is provided to a second of the channels at a second location; and the second location is offset from the first location in a direction of an axis of the first of the channels.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein: a first portion of the treatment medium is provided to a first of the channels at a first location; a second portion of the treatment medium is provided to a second of the channels at a second location; andthe second location is circumferentially offset from the first location around an axis of the first of the channels.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein mixing the premixtures to form the homogenous mixture includes: separately providing the premixtures to a mixer; and operating the mixer to mix the premixtures to form the homogenous mixture.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising: passively pre-mixing the portion of the pulp and the portion of the treatment medium within each of the channels to form the premixture of the pulp and the treatment medium in each of the channels.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein: a first portion of the treatment medium is provided to a first of the channels at a first location; a second portion of the treatment medium is provided to the first of the channels at a second location; and the first location and the second location are on opposite sides of the first of the channels.

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