Dissolver of powdered chemicals in a liquid process stream

Abstract

The invention is a solvent for powdered chemicals in a liquid process stream. This controlled dissolution occurs within a reactor by manipulating the level of the process liquid. This leveling is achieved by leveraging the opposing pressures of the discharge from a process circulation pump and the gas pressure, controlled by an automated pneumatic unit. The invention overcomes the drawbacks of prior art by offering, unlike solutions based on motorized dosing syringes or energy-intensive venturi systems, a purely fluidic, non-clogging solution without rotary or linear seals for dissolving powdered products in industrial chemical process liquids, as well as in public or private swimming pools of all sizes. This solvent is applicable to numerous industrial processes, particularly for chlorinating swimming pool water or any other liquid that reacts with a solid product.

Description

Title of the invention: Dissolver of powdered chemical in a liquid process stream technical field

[0001] The field of the invention is that of chemical process engineering at the level of dissolution reactions used for the attack of powdery solid products by aqueous, basic, acidic or other types of solvent solutions. Prior art

[0002] Numerous devices for dissolving chlorine, bromine, or other additives are commercially available for treating water in swimming pools of all sizes, hot tubs, or wastewater treatment plants. The chemical industry also uses similar devices in its processes: dosing detergent or passivation agents in surface treatment baths, which have been the subject of patents such as: EP0590762 of 06 / 04 / 1994, EP2334417 of 22 / 06 / 2011, PCT / IB2009006673 of 31 / 08 / 2009, and WO2010043940 of 22 / 04 / 2010. Presentation of the innovation

[0003] The invention aims to remedy at least in part the disadvantages of the prior art, and more particularly to offer, contrary to solutions based on motorized dosing syringe or energy-intensive venturi system, a purely fluidic solution that is non-clogging and without rotating or linear sealing to dissolve a powdered product in a flow of industrial chemical process liquid, public or private installations of all sizes. Presentation of the figures

[0004] [Fig.1] is a vertical cross-sectional view of the dissolver with balloon system.

[0005] [Fig.2] is a vertical cross-sectional view of the storage sock equipped with the balloon system.

[0006] [Fig.3] is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the dissolver with bladder system

[0007] [Fig.4] is a vertical cross-sectional view of the dissolver without a bladder system

[0008] [Fig.5] is the nomenclature of the reference marks used in the present

[0009] [Fig.6] is the continuation and end of the nomenclature of the reference marks used in the present Description of a particular mode of the invention

[0010] In the figures and in the following description, the same reference numerals represent identical or similar elements. Furthermore, the various elements are not drawn to scale in order to enhance the clarity of the figures. Moreover, the different embodiments and variants are not mutually exclusive and may be combined. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “substantially” “Approximately” and “on the order of” mean to the nearest 10%, and preferably to the nearest 5%. Furthermore, the terms “between ... and ...” and equivalents mean that the bounds are inclusive, unless otherwise stated.

[0011] The invention relates to a system for dissolving a chemical product: pure substance or mixture of pure substances in powder form in a flow of process fluid in which it is soluble by controlling the concentration of the products injected into the process fluid.

[0012] The dissolver (100) consists of a capacity made up of a tubular shell (101), an upper shell flange (102), two superimposed removable covers bolted (104) and (105) to its upper part, a lower cover (108) bolted onto a lower shell flange (103).

[0013] The tubular ferrule (101) is segmented into two volumes by a diffusing plate (114): • a larger volume (124), • a lower volume (123).

[0014] In the upper volume of the dissolver (124) of the tubular ferrule (101) is implanted a sock tube (110), which, by cooperating harmoniously with the diffuser plate (114) on which it rests, through three small prismatic pads (113) serves as a receptacle for a powdered product (119).

[0015] The height H between the bottom of the sock (110) and the upper surface of the diffuser plate (114) is calibrated by the three small prismatic pads (113). This calibration prevents the powdered product from flowing continuously beyond the edges of the diffuser plate (114) into the annular space (115) extended by the three openings (116). The height H depends directly on the intrinsic characteristics of the powdered product (119) so that it forms only a small embankment on the diffuser plate (114).

[0016] The reservoir of product to be dissolved is filled dry in the sock via the filling lid (105). The sock (110) is centered in the tubular ferrule (101) by the three small prismatic studs (113) at its lower part and by three centering tabs (111) at its upper part.

[0017] The sock (110) is blocked axially by the 3 studs (113) and a high stop (112).

[0018] The diffuser plate (114) rests on 3 brackets (118) glued or molded onto the tubular ferrule (101). The sock (110) is surmounted by a free volume of gaseous space (125).

[0019] The plastic elements are assembled by gluing or manufactured in one piece by thermoplastic injection.

[0020] The flanges are assembled to the tube by gluing, welding or directly by molding.

[0021] These parts are made of Plexiglas, PVC, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, PEEK, silicone or any other material resistant to corrosion caused by the powdered product (119) and the dissolving fluid called process (500) as well as all other products generated by the dissolution reaction.

[0022] The upper flange of the ferrule (102) is equipped with a breather (126) machined from its mass and extended by a pneumatic connection fitting (127).

[0023] Between the outer diameter of the sock (110) and the inner diameter of the tubular ferrule (101) there is a gap which provides an annular vertical space (115) which allows the lower volume of the dissolver (123) to communicate with the breather (126) via the gaseous space (125).

[0024] In the bottom of the capacity is reserved a volume (123) delimited at its upper part by the diffuser tray (114) and lower part at the level of the lower cover (108).

[0025] The lower cover (108) is equipped with two inlet / outlet bosses respectively (120) and (122) each equipped with an upstream (401) and downstream (402) isolation valve of the fluid group (400) which connect the lower volume of the dissolver (123) under the diffuser plate (114) to the process (500) on either side of a differential pressure element (403) which sends to the volume (123) of the dissolver (100) a part of the circulation flow of the process (500) acting as a dissolving fluid.

[0026] The inlet boss (120) continues into the lower volume of the dissolver (123) via an inlet elbow (121) which discharges horizontally to generate a vortex fluid movement under the diffuser plate (114). The dissolver (100) is connected to a pneumatic unit (200) supplying a compressed gas: compressed air or inert gas in a B50-type cylinder, air compressor, via a plurality of pneumatic connections (300).

[0027] The reactor has an interface adapted with a branch of a particular process circuit (500) comprising at least one circulation pump (501) having a discharge pressure Pr. The pressure Pp of the pneumatic group (200) is determined such that Pp > Pr, including pressure losses.

[0028] The dissolution of part of the powdered product (119), stored in the sock (110), in the liquid flow sweeping the volume (123) outside of it is done by contact through the 3 segments of the annular slot (117) when the level of liquid through the 3 lights (116) rises in the annular space (115).

[0029] It stops when the liquid level in the annular space (115) drops, causing the upper surface of the diffuser plate (114) to become dewatered.

[0030] This evolution of the level measurement (128) upwards or downwards in the annular space (115) and in the sock (110) is done by playing on the antagonism of the discharge pressure of the process circulation pump (501) and that of the gaseous sky (125) controlled by the pneumatic group (200).

[0031] There is a direct and precise correspondence between the level indicated by (128) and the volume slice of powdered product (119) attacked by the liquid from the lower volume of the dissolver (123).

[0032] The sweeping action of the lower face of the diffuser plate (114) propagates through the three openings (116) into the annular space (115), allowing the dissolved powder (119) to be evacuated and dissolved into the process fluid (500), as well as removing any insolubles it contains to prevent fouling and the risk of clogging of the three segments of the annular slot (117). In this way, this system allows control of the concentration of the powder (119) and its reaction residues in the process (500).

[0033] The upper part of the product (119) which does not react with the liquid sweeping the lower volume of the dissolver (123) constitutes a dry product storage and gives the system its autonomy without user / operator intervention between 2 refills.

[0034] Over a height of a few cm above the diffuser plate (114) under the effect of the upward diffusion of the liquid by capillarity, an intermediate zone is formed where the powdery product tends to agglomerate and stick to the inner wall of the sock (110) blocking the natural gravitational descent of the product towards the diffuser plate (114) for the following dissolution sequences.

[0035] To ensure the normal descent of the powdered product (119) towards the surface of the diffuser plate (114), an annular bladder system is integrated in the area where the agglomeration phenomenon occurs, i.e. at the lower base on a portion of the sock (110) or, if necessary, over the entire height of the sock (110).

[0036] The bladder system comprises a sleeve (130) incorporating at its ends an upper bladder collar (131) and a lower bladder collar (132). In order to form a sealed outer volume with the sock (110), upper (135) and lower (136) locking rings radially clamp the bladder sleeve (130) against an upper step (133) and a lower step (134), respectively, while the bladder collars (131) and (132) serve as mechanical stops to immobilize the ends of the bladder sleeve (130) against the sides of the steps (133) and (134), respectively. The steps (133) and (134) are attached to the sock (110). They can be glued on, injection molded, or directly machined from a solid piece.

[0037] The bladder system is inflated by injecting fluid from the pneumatic unit (200) via an inflation / deflation hose (301) into the sealed volume delimited by the bladder sleeve (130), the steps (133) and (134), and the sock (110). Under the action of the injected fluid under pressure, the bladder sleeve (130) bursts and generates protrusions that extend inwards into the sock (110), causing the agglomerated powdered product (119) to be ground and expelled towards the diffuser plate (114). The pressure of the injected fluid, from the pneumatic unit (200), is chosen to ensure controlled radial deformation of the bladder sleeve (130) and prevent its rupture regardless of the operating phase.

[0038] A support grid for the sleeve (129) provides thin porous support for the balloon sleeve (130) when it returns to its compressed position after deflation, under the pressure of the liquid in the lower volume of the dissolver (123) generated by the process circulation pump (501). This operation is controlled by a three-way valve (207).

[0039] [Fig.4]: For products whose particle size or physical properties do not cause this agglomeration phenomenon, a second embodiment not including the balloon system can be used.

[0040] A typical injection cycle of treatment product into the process fluid is therefore carried out successively by: • Inflation / deflation of the bladder system to break up the agglomeration of powdered product (119) (if necessary), • a depressurization of the gas head (125) which causes a rise of liquid through the 3 openings (116) of the diffuser plate (114) above its upper surface and into the annular space (115) for a dissolution time Tl, • a repressurization of the gas head (125) which causes the liquid level to drop below the upper face of the diffuser plate (114), • a waiting time T2 before the next cycle. Industrial Applications:

[0041] This dissolver is usable in many industrial processes in particular for the chlorination or bromination of water in swimming pools of all sizes or any other fluid liquid process attacking a solid or powdery product.

[0042] It is particularly useful for the production of hydrogen under pressure by controlled dissolution of zinc powder or chips in sulfuric acid, thus allowing control of the attack kinetics and the flow rate of hydrogen produced. In this application, compressed air is replaced by hydrogen.

Claims

Demands

1. A process for dissolving a chemical in powder form in a flow of a process liquid (500) characterized in that it comprises a step of dissolving a portion of a powder product (119), stored in a sock tube (110), in the liquid flow sweeping the lower volume of a dissolver (123) external to it, by contact through three lights (116) and 3 segments of an annular slot (117) when the liquid level rises in an annular space (115).

2. A method for dissolving a chemical product in powder form in a flow of a process liquid (500) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to change the level measurement (128) up or down in an annular space (115) outside the sock (110) by playing on the antagonism of the discharge pressure of a process circulation pump (501) and that of the gaseous head (125) controlled by a pneumatic unit (200).

3. A method for dissolving a chemical product in powder form in the flow of a process liquid (500) according to claim 2 characterized in that a sock tube (110), implanted in the upper volume (124) of a tubular shell (101), which, by cooperating harmoniously with a diffuser plate (114) on which it rests by means of three small prismatic pads (113) of height H, serves as a receptacle for a powder product (119), the calibration of this height depending directly on the intrinsic characteristics of the powder product (119) allowing it to form only a small slope on a diffuser plate (114) after filling with dry powder product (119) by a removable filling lid (105).

4. A method for dissolving a chemical product in powder form in the flow of a process liquid (500) according to claim 3 characterized in that the dissolver (100) is connected to a pneumatic unit (200) managing a compressed gas: compressed air or neutral gas in a B50 type bottle, air compressor, by a plurality of connections (300).

5. A method for dissolving a chemical in powder form in the stream of a process liquid (500) according to the claim 4 characterized in that the dissolver (100) has an interface adapted with a branch of a process liquid circuit (500) comprising at least one circulation pump (501) having a discharge pressure Pr and two upstream (401) and downstream (402) isolation valves of a fluid group (400) which connect the lower volume of the dissolver (123) under the diffuser plate (114) to the process (500) on either side of a differential pressure element (403) which sends to the volume (123) of the dissolver (100) a part of the circulation flow of a process liquid (500) acting as a dissolving fluid with the pressure Pp of the pneumatic group (200) determined such that Pp > Pr, including pressure losses.

6. A method for dissolving a chemical in powder form in the flow of a process liquid (500) according to claim 5 characterized in that the injection of the fluid from a pneumatic unit (200) via an inflation / deflation hose (301) into the sealed volume delimited by a bladder sleeve (130), steps (133) and (134) as well as the sock (110), is configured so that a sleeve of a bladder (130) flares under the action of the fluid injected under pressure and generates protrusions which deploy towards the inside of the sock (110) causing a grinding and expulsion of the agglomerated powder product (119) towards the diffuser plate (114).

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