Static mixer resistant to heat, corrosion and disintegration

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mixer device comprising a recess including at least first and second adjacent mixing cells (2, 3), each cell (2, 3) including a fluid inlet opening (21, 31) and a fluid outlet opening (22, 32), the inlet opening being offset from the outlet opening such that the axis of the inlet opening is parallel to the axis of the outlet opening, the outlet opening of the first cell being connected to the inlet opening of the second cell by means of a connecting channel.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of static mixers or dispersers intended for mixing fluid products.

[0002] In the context of the present invention, by "fluid product" a powdery, liquid or viscous product, possibly containing solid elements in pieces.

[0003] Such a mixer can be used in many applications requiring the mixing of at least two products, including in the food industry, metallurgy, pharmaceutical industry, petrochemical industry, water treatment, cooling, nuclear industry, etc. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] We know of various devices for mixing two (or more than two) components together in order to form a mixture.

[0005] These devices are based on the disruptive effects of an obstacle on the passage of the components to be mixed. These effects can consist of: either by successive fractionations of the vein into separate threads, or by a deviation of the threads in a non-axial direction, or by the introduction of a rotation of the fluids, or by the creation of turbulence by wake effect or by velocity difference between connected threads.

[0006] With reference to the figure 1An example of a mixer for transforming heterogeneous fluid flows into a homogeneous fluid flow has been illustrated. This mixer comprises a tube 1 through which the fluids to be mixed flow. A series of helical blades 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d extends inside the tube 1, each helical blade 2b, 2d being angularly offset from the adjacent helical blades 2a, 2b along the axis AA' of the tube 2 so as to split the fluid flows into separate streams to facilitate their mixing.

[0007] However, such a mixer has some drawbacks: The succession of helical blades 2a-2d constitutes a complex shape that is expensive to manufacture, and whose insertion into tube 1 is difficult to achieve. This complex shape often requires the use of plastic or metallic materials that may react with the constituents of the flows to be mixed. Its size is significant, particularly longitudinally. The inlet ports for the fluids to be mixed and the outlet port for the mixed fluid are located at opposite ends of tube 1, which, in addition to space problems, can cause problems of homogeneity and leakage, especially when using such a mixer directly on a bath. It is not very resistant to extreme temperatures, especially hot ones, which tend to melt the succession of helical blades.

[0008] According to its abstract, US patent 3,941,355 A describes a device according to the preamble of claim 1 for mixing the ingredients of a foam. The device comprises an arrangement of pads located around an elongated cylindrical, tree-shaped element, each pad having a slot inside.

[0009] Document CN 102 182 492 B describes a foam generator mixing water and a foaming agent, the structure of which is analogous to the previous one.

[0010] Documents GB 1 188 516 A and US 2013 / 175306 describe similar devices. One object of the present invention is to provide a mixing device that overcomes at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] To this end, the invention proposes a mixing device according to claim 1.

[0012] The staggered entry and exit points of each cell maximize the circulation path of components within each cell. Furthermore, the sequential connection of the cells maximizes the circulation path throughout the entire dwelling.

[0013] Through this circulation across the different cells of the housing, the first and second components introduced into the housing mix to form a blended product. This product is then extracted from the mixing device via the outlet. The reader will appreciate that the number of cells in the housing, and / or their dimensions, and / or the material of each cell depend on the intended application, the desired homogeneity of the blended product, and the characteristics (solubility, viscosity, etc.) of the components to be blended.

[0014] In the following, it will be understood that when a mixing cell is mentioned as being " on " another mixing cell, this one could be: directly on the other cell, or be above the other cell and separated from said other cell by one (or more) element(s), such as a layer of insulating material (thermally and / or electrically and / or chemically) or an intermediate mixing cell.

[0015] It will also be understood that when a cell is mentioned as being " on " one cell, the cell may cover the entire surface of the other cell or a portion of said other cell.

[0016] Preferred but not limiting aspects of the mixing device according to the invention are as follows: The housing can be cylindrical and have coaxial tubular internal and external walls defining a space for the mixing cells; this allows for a central channel for the passage of ancillary technical elements that may be necessary depending on the intended application (electrical cable, heating element, cooling fluid, mixed fluid evacuation, installation of a rotating element (for example, including at least one blade), etc.), or to facilitate the evacuation of gases that may be generated during the mixing of the first and second components. Each mixing cell can be cylindrical and extend between the internal and external walls of the housing; this promotes fluid convection movements within each cell to homogenize the mixture of the first and second components.At least one of the mixing cells may include diametrically opposed fluid inlet and outlet openings; this maximizes the flow path length within the mixing cell. The mixing device may comprise a plurality of superimposed mixing cells, the superimposed cells being arranged so that the outlet of each upper cell extends directly to the inlet of the lower cell on which it rests; this limits the overall size of the mixing device while maximizing the fluid flow path length throughout the entire housing. The plurality of mixing cells may include: an initial cell into which the components to be mixed are introduced, and a final cell through which the mixed product is discharged.The outer wall of the housing includes a base for collecting the mixed product exiting the final cell; this allows for the storage of the mixed product prior to its extraction from the mixing device. The inner wall of the housing defines a discharge channel for the mixed product. The mixing device includes a suction nozzle intended to be placed in the discharge channel for the extraction of the mixed product. This allows the inlet and outlet ports to be arranged at the same end of the mixing device without increasing its overall size. At least one of the cells may include an obstacle-forming element, such as a ball bearing in the flow path of the first and second components. This allows for better homogenization of the first and second components. The mixing device may include: a first tubular casing including a base,• a second tubular casing with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first casing, the second casing including circular rings on its outer face, each having at least one through-hole, said rings extending radially outwards from the second casing, the diameter of the rings being substantially equal to the inner diameter of the first casing, the second casing being intended to be inserted into the first casing so that the first and second casings extend coaxially, the rings defining, with the inner face of the first casing, the mixing cells of the mixing device. This simplifies the manufacture of the mixing device since the first and second casings are simple machined parts that can be made from brittle and inelastic materials resistant to corrosion and high temperatures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other advantages and features of the mixing device according to the invention will become clearer from the following description of several embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, based on the attached drawings in which: There figure 1 is a representation of a mixing device from prior art, The figure 2 is a functional schematic representation of a mixing device according to the invention, The figure 3 is a perspective representation of an alternative embodiment of a housing for the mixing device according to the invention, The figure 4 is a schematic perspective representation of an example cell of the mixing device, The figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the mixing device according to the invention, The figure 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional representation of the mixing device according to the invention, The figure 7 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example implementation of the mixing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] We will now describe the mixing device according to the invention in more detail with reference to the figures. In these different figures, the equivalent elements bear the same numerical reference. 1. Mixing Device 1.1. Generalities

[0019] With reference to the figure 2 The mixing device comprises a housing 3 and a plurality of C1-CN cells stacked in the housing. Such a mixing device—called "static mixer" » - allows you to mix two (or more than two) fluid components.

[0020] The housing includes one (or more) inlet port(s) for the admission of components to be mixed. For example, in some embodiments, the housing includes a single inlet port for the admission of a heterogeneous fluid composed of two (or more) components to be mixed (i.e., simultaneous admission of several components to be mixed via a single inlet port).

[0021] Alternatively, and as illustrated in the figure 2 The housing may include a first inlet port E1 for the admission of a first fluid component, and a second inlet port E2 for the admission of a second fluid component. Of course, the reader will appreciate that, depending on the intended application, the housing may include more than two inlet ports (in particular three, four, five, etc.) for the admission of more than two fluid components to be mixed.

[0022] Housing 3 also includes one (or more) outlet(s) S for the evacuation of the mixed product obtained from the first and second fluid constituents.

[0023] The first and second fluid constituents may consist of different materials, or identical materials with different characteristics (concentration, viscosity, etc.).

[0024] Each C1-CN cell defines a circulation chamber for the fluid components to be mixed together. As illustrated in the figure 2 , the C 1 -CN cells communicate with each other to form a circulation path for the fluid constituents to be mixed. 1.2. Accommodation

[0025] An alternative design for housing unit 3 is illustrated in the figure 3In this embodiment, housing 3 has an overall cylindrical shape with longitudinal axis A-A'. Of course, housing 3 can have other shapes such as a parallelepiped, ovoid, etc.

[0026] With reference to the figure 3 Apartment 3 includes: a circular bottom 31, an external side wall 32 having an edge 32' fixed to the bottom 31, an internal side wall 33 (coaxial to the external side wall 32), and an annular upper wall 34 extending between the edges 32", 33" of the internal and external side walls 32, 33 opposite the bottom 31.

[0027] As described previously, the housing 3 includes first and second inlet ports E1, E2 for the introduction of the fluid components to be mixed. These inlet ports E1, E2 can be positioned adjacent and extend into the annular upper wall 34. Alternatively, the inlet ports E1, E2 can be diametrically opposed and / or extend into the outer side wall 32.

[0028] Housing 3 also includes an outlet for the discharge of the mixed product. In the embodiment illustrated in the figure 3 This outlet consists of a gap separating the bottom 31 and a free edge 33' of the inner lateral wall 33 (the edge opposite the annular upper wall 34). More precisely, the free edge 33' of the inner lateral wall 33 is located a distance « d » from fund 31.

[0029] The housing is configured to receive cells. More precisely, the walls of the housing define a receiving space for a plurality of stacked C1-CN cells.

[0030] Thus, the shape of the housing determines the shape of the cells it contains. For example, if the housing has an oval shape in cross-section, then the cells also have an oval shape in cross-section.

[0031] In what follows, we will describe the cells in reference to a cylindrical housing, it being understood that the cells can have other shapes. 1.3. Cell 1.3.1. Intermediate cells

[0032] With reference to the figure 4 Each cell C contains: a lower partition 41- in particular annular - including internal and external peripheral edges, an upper partition 42 - in particular annular - including internal and external peripheral edges, an internal lateral partition 43 between the internal peripheral edges of the lower partition 41 and upper partition 42 an external lateral partition 44 between the external peripheral edges of the lower partition 41 and upper partition 42.

[0033] The partitions 41-44 of cell C define a chamber for the circulation of the fluid components to be mixed. The internal lateral partition 43 of each cell C constitutes an obstacle that the fluid components must bypass as they circulate through the chamber of cell C. The main flow Fp of the fluid components subdivides, each subdivision forming a circular secondary flow Fs which recombines with the main flow Fp, then subdivides again, and so on. This succession of subdivisions and recombinations of the secondary flows Fs with the main flow Fp promotes the mixing of the components to be blended.

[0034] Each cell C also includes: an inlet opening 45 for the introduction of the first and second constituents to be mixed, and an outlet opening 46 for the evacuation of the first and second constituents after their circulation through the chamber delimited by the partitions 41-44 of cell C.

[0035] Advantageously, the inlet opening 45 can be provided in the upper partition 42, and the outlet opening 46 in the lower partition 41. This allows the first and second constituents to be mixed to circulate by gravity.

[0036] The dimensions of the circulation chamber defined between the cell's partitions are designed to promote the mixing of components as they pass through the cell. Specifically: The distance between the internal and external side partitions can be between 1 millimeter and 10 centimeters, and the distance between the upper and lower partitions can be between 1 millimeter and 10 centimeters.

[0037] For example, in the case of an inlet flow rate of the components to be mixed of the order of 3 cm³ / second: The distance separating the side partitions can be chosen to be between 2-3 millimeters, and the distance separating the upper and lower partitions can be chosen to be equal to 1 millimeter.

[0038] Of course, the selection of the dimensions of the circulation chamber defined by each cell depends on the intended application, and in particular on the type of constituents to be mixed, their respective viscosities, etc. In particular, the reader will appreciate that the dimensions of the circulation chamber defined by each cell can be greater than one centimeter (for example, on the order of one meter for an inlet flow rate on the order of dm³ / sec, etc.).

[0039] To promote the mixing of the first and second components, one (or more, or each) cell(s) may include one (or more) obstacle element(s), such as a ball positioned in the flow path of the first and second components. This obstacle element(s) disrupt the main flow to promote its subdivision into a plurality of secondary flows that recombine with the main flow to induce mixing of the components to be blended.

[0040] The cells described above are intended to be stacked one on top of the other in housing 3. They are arranged between: an initial cell connected to the first and second inlet ports E1, E2 of the housing, a final cell connected to the outlet port of the housing. 1.3.2. Initial and final cells

[0041] The initial cell of the mixing device comprises internal and external side partitions as well as upper and lower partitions. It also includes: first and second through-input cavities connected to (or coincide with) the first and second inlet ports E1, E2 of the housing for the introduction of the first and second constituents to be mixed, and a through-output cavity connected to (or coincide with) the inlet opening 45 of an intermediate cell.

[0042] The final cell of the mixing device also includes internal and external side partitions as well as upper and lower partitions. It further includes: an inlet hole connected to (or coincided with) the outlet opening 46 of an intermediate cell, and an outlet hole connected to (or coincided with) the outlet orifice of housing 3.

[0043] We will now describe in more detail the operating principle of the mixing device with reference to the figure 6 . 2. Operating principle

[0044] In a first step, the first and second components to be mixed are injected simultaneously into the device at the inlet ports E1, E2 of housing 3. The injection of the two components is preferably done with flow rates which remain in a constant ratio between them from the minimum flow rate to the maximum flow rate.

[0045] The first and second constituents enter the initial cell 4, and separate into first and second main streams flowing around the internal partition of the initial cell 4.

[0046] As they flow towards the through-cavity outlet of the initial cell 4, each of the first and second main flows subdivides into circular secondary flows which rejoin the main flow to which they are associated by following a convection movement (cf. figure 5 This promotes the mixing of the first and second components with each other.

[0047] Once the through-hole outlet is reached, the first and second main flows join together, which further promotes the mixing of the first and second components to be mixed.

[0048] The first and second constituents then successively enter a plurality of stacked intermediate cells 2, 3. Upon passing through each intermediate cell 2, 3, superimposed layers of products are formed and the helical movement of the flows causes these layers to slide relative to each other, which promotes their mixing.

[0049] The final mixture is obtained at the outlet of the final cell 5, which is connected to the outlet of the housing that acts as a concentrator. The final mixture can then be extracted from the device, for example by suction. 3. Example of a completed project

[0050] With reference to the figure 7 We have illustrated an example of the implementation of the mixing device described previously.

[0051] In this embodiment, the walls of the dwelling are combined with the internal and external partitions of the cells.

[0052] More specifically, the mixing device comprises first and second tubular jackets: the first tubular envelope 14 including a bottom 141, the second tubular envelope 15 - of outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the first envelope 14 - comprises circular rings 151 extending radially outwards.

[0053] Each ring forms an upper or lower partition of a respective cell. Each ring includes one (or more) transect(s) Read defining: an output opening for an upstream cell (i.e., a cell positioned on top of another cell), and an input opening for a downstream cell (i.e., a cell positioned below another cell).

[0054] As illustrated in the figure 7 , the second envelope 15 is intended to be inserted into the first envelope 14 so that the first and second envelopes 14, 15 extend coaxially, the rings 151 defining, with the first and second envelopes 14, 15, the mixing cells 2, 3. 4. Conclusions

[0055] The mixing device described above makes it possible to produce low-alloy metal industrially and flexibly, without mixing an entire bath, thus avoiding long and difficult cleaning operations between baths, and making it possible to produce different metals in the same melting bath.

[0056] Of course, the mixing device can be used for applications other than mixing different metals to form an alloy.

[0057] The reader will have understood that many modifications can be made to the mixer described previously without materially departing from the new lessons and advantages described here.

[0058] For example, in the preceding description, the cells and housing were described as being generally cylindrical in shape. It is quite obvious to a person skilled in the art that the cells and / or housing can have other shapes, such as parallelepiped, ovoid, etc.

[0059] Furthermore, the reader will have understood from the example described in point 3 that the walls constituting the cells and the dwelling can be partially confused, particularly with regard to the internal and external walls / partitions.

[0060] Thus, the cells and the accommodation may consist of: in separate physical elements assembled to form the mixing device according to the invention, each physical element corresponding either to a cell or to the housing, in pieces of complementary shapes intended to cooperate to define the walls of the housing and the partitions of the cells, each piece defining a portion of cell(s), and / or a portion of housing (see example of embodiment illustrated in point 3), or in a single piece composed of multiple panels defining the walls of the housing and the partitions of the cells.

Claims

1. A mixer device comprising: - at least one inlet port (11) for feeding in components to be mixed, and - an outlet port (13) for the recovery of a mixed product composed of said components, the mixer device further comprising a housing (1) including at least adjacent first and second mixing cells (2, 3), the second cell (3) extending over the first cell (2), each cell (2, 3) including an inlet opening (21, 31) and an outlet opening (22, 32) provided on opposite walls (23, 33 and 24, 34), the inlet opening (21, 31) being offset from the outlet opening (22, 32) such that the axis of the inlet opening (21, 31) is parallel to the axis of the outlet opening (22, 32), the outlet opening (22) of the first cell (2) being connected to the inlet opening (31) of the second cell (3), characterized in that the housing (1) extends longitudinally, the inlet (11, 12) and outlet (13) ports extending at a same end of the housing (1).

2. The mixer device according to claim 1, wherein the housing (1) is cylindrical and has coaxial tubular outer (14) and inner (15) walls defining a space for receiving the mixing cells (2, 3).

3. The mixer device according to claim 2, wherein each mixing cell (2, 3) has a cylindrical shape and extends between the outer and inner walls (14, 15) of the housing (1).

4. The mixer device according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the mixing cells (2, 3) comprises diametrically opposed fluid inlet and outlet openings (21, 22 and 31, 32).

5. The mixer device according to any of claims 1 to 4, which comprises a plurality of superimposed mixing cells (2, 3), the superimposed cells being arranged so that the outlet (22) of each upper cell (2) extends in front of the inlet (31) of the lower cell (3) on which same is placed.

6. The mixer device according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of mixing cells comprises: - an initial cell (4) wherein the components to be mixed are fed, and - a final cell (5) through which the mixed product is discharged, the outer wall (14) of the housing (1) comprising a bottom (141) for recovering the mixed product discharged from the final cell (5).

7. The mixer device according to claim 6, wherein the inner wall (15) of the housing (1) defines a discharge channel for the mixed product, the mixer device comprising a suction nozzle intended for being arranged in the discharge channel for the extraction of the mixed product.

8. The mixer device according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the cells (2, 3) comprises an element forming an obstacle, such as a ball on the flow path of the first and second components.

9. The mixer device according to any of the preceding claims, which comprises: ∘ a first tubular casing (14) including a bottom (141), ∘ a second tubular casing (15) having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first casing (14), the second casing (15) including circular rings (151) on the outer face thereof each having at least one through aperture, said rings (151) extending radially and protruding towards the outside of the second casing (15), the diameter of the rings (151) being substantially equal to the inner diameter of the first casing (14), the second casing (15) being intended to be inserted into the first casing (14) such that the first and second casings (14, 15) extend coaxially, the rings (151) defining, with the first and second casings (14, 15), the mixing cells (2, 3).

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