Mixing apparatus and mixing method

Abstract

This invention relates to a mixing apparatus and a mixing method that can achieve the mixing of two or more materials at low cost. [Solution] A mixing device for mixing two or more materials to be mixed, comprising a mixing container including an outer cylinder extending vertically and at least one inner cylinder provided inside the outer cylinder, and at least one upward flow generating unit that generates an upward flow in an outer flow space formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder or an inner flow space formed inside the inner cylinder, wherein the inner flow space and the outer flow space are in communication on the upper and lower sides of the inner cylinder, and are configured to form a circulation channel for circulating the two or more materials to be mixed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mixing device and a mixing method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a stirring device that stirs a stirring target material accommodated in a stirring container by rotating stirring blades with a motor (such as Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the stirring device described in Patent Document 1, since a driving means such as a motor is used to stir the stirring target material, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost and the running cost are high.

[0005] The present invention relates to a mixing device and a mixing method capable of realizing mixing of two or more mixing targets at low cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The mixing device according to the present invention is a mixing device for mixing two or more mixing targets, including a mixing container including an outer cylinder extending along the vertical direction and at least one inner cylinder provided inside the outer cylinder, and at least one upward flow generating portion for generating an upward flow in an outer flow space formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder or an inner flow space formed inside the inner cylinder, wherein the inner flow space and the outer flow space communicate with each other above and below the inner cylinder, and are configured to form a circulation flow path for circulating the two or more mixing targets.

[0007] In the mixing apparatus according to the present invention, the upward flow generating section may include at least one gas release section located below the vertical middle section of the mixing container, which releases gas into the outer flow space or the inner flow space.

[0008] The mixing apparatus according to the present invention includes a top plate portion provided opposite to the upper opening of the inner cylinder, and the lower surface of the top plate portion may have an inclined surface that is central in the planar direction and slopes downward.

[0009] The mixing apparatus according to the present invention may include at least one of an inner swirling flow generation unit that converts the flow in the inner flow space into a swirling flow, and an outer swirling flow generation unit that converts the flow in the outer flow space into a swirling flow.

[0010] In the mixing apparatus according to the present invention, the inner swirling flow generating section and the outer swirling flow generating section are provided with a plurality of blades arranged at predetermined intervals, and the plurality of blades may have a shape that is curved in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder.

[0011] In the mixing apparatus according to the present invention, the blade portion may be configured to be non-rotatable.

[0012] The mixing apparatus according to the present invention is a mixing apparatus for mixing two or more materials to be mixed, comprising a cylindrical member extending in a vertical direction, and at least one upward flow generating unit that generates an upward flow in an outer flow space formed outside the cylindrical member or an inner flow space formed inside the cylindrical member, wherein the inner flow space and the outer flow space are in communication on the upper and lower sides of the cylindrical member, and are configured to form a circulation channel for circulating the two or more materials to be mixed.

[0013] The mixing method according to the present invention is a mixing method for mixing two or more objects to be mixed, and includes an inflow step of introducing the objects to be mixed into a mixing container which includes an outer cylinder extending in a vertical direction and at least one inner cylinder provided inside the outer cylinder, and a circulation step of circulating the objects to be mixed by generating an upward flow in an outer flow space formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder or in an inner flow space formed inside the inner cylinder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the mixing apparatus and mixing method of the present invention, it becomes possible to mix two or more materials to be mixed at a low cost. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a mixing apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged view showing a part of the mixing apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged view showing a part of the mixing apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic plan view showing the lower wing portion according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a schematic bottom view showing the upper wing portion according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the mixing flow. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in each claim, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the scale and dimensions of each component may be exaggerated, and some components may be omitted.

[0017] [Overall configuration of the mixing device] The mixing device according to this embodiment is a mixing device for mixing two or more mixing targets. The mixing targets include gas, liquid, and solid (powder). Examples of mixing include, for example, (1) a liquid containing sludge and air, ozone, (2) a liquid containing an odor substance or a coloring substance and ozone, (3) a liquid and an inert gas such as nitrogen gas, or an active gas such as chlorine gas, (4) water and an oily substance such as oil, for example, the liquid material of mayonnaise, the solid material of dressing, food materials such as sauce, and solids and liquids such as shampoo and nail lamé, regardless of chemicals materials, (5) others, water and salt, food coloring materials, koji materials, fertilizer materials, drug materials, and sintered body materials, etc., but are not limited thereto.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the mixing device 1 includes a mixing container 10 for mixing two or more mixing targets, an upflow generating unit 20 for generating an upflow inside the mixing container 10, a discharging unit 30 for discharging the discharge in the mixing container 10, a lower swirling flow generating unit 40 provided below the inner cylinder 12 described later, and an upper swirling flow generating unit 50 provided above the inner cylinder 12 described later.

[0019] [Configuration of the mixing container] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the mixing container 10 has an outer cylinder 第11 extending along the vertical direction and an inner cylinder 12 provided inside the outer cylinder 11.

[0020] In this specification, "vertical" includes both complete vertical and substantially vertical. "Substantially vertical" means a case where it is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical, specifically, a case where it is inclined to such an extent that the operating effect of the mixing device 1 is not inhibited.

[0021] The outer cylinder 11 and the inner cylinder 第12 are each formed in a cylindrical shape with open upper and lower ends. The outer diameter of the inner cylinder 12 is formed smaller than the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 11. Also, the vertical length of the inner cylinder 12 is formed shorter than the vertical length of the outer cylinder 11. In this embodiment, only one inner cylinder 12 is provided, but it is not limited thereto, and two or more may be provided.

[0022] The shapes of the outer cylinder 11 and inner cylinder 12 are not limited to cylindrical shapes, but may be, for example, rectangular, conical, or pyramidal. Furthermore, a convex or concave portion may be formed in a part of the vertical direction, or it may be formed in a bellows-like shape.

[0023] The mixing container 10 has a bottom portion 13 that closes the lower end of the outer cylinder 11 and a top portion 14 that closes the upper end of the outer cylinder 11. The bottom portion 13 is formed in the shape of a bottomed cylinder with an open top. The bottom portion 13 is configured to close the lower end of the outer cylinder 11 by fitting the lower end of the outer cylinder 11 into it. The top portion 14 is formed in the shape of a toped cylinder with an open bottom. The top portion 14 is configured to close the upper end of the outer cylinder 11 by fitting the upper end of the outer cylinder 11 into it.

[0024] Furthermore, the mixing container 10 has an outer flow space 15 formed between the outer cylinder 11 and the inner cylinder 12, and an inner flow space 16 formed inside the inner cylinder 12. The outer flow space 15 and the inner flow space 16 are in communication on the upper and lower sides of the inner cylinder 12, and are configured to form a circulation channel CP for circulating two or more materials to be mixed.

[0025] [Configuration of the upward flow generation section] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the upward flow generation unit 20 includes a gas generation unit 21 that generates gas, a gas release unit 22 that releases the gas generated in the gas generation unit 21 into the outer flow space 15 or the inner flow space 16, a gas supply unit 23 that supplies the gas generated in the gas generation unit 21 to the gas release unit 22, and a connecting unit 24 that connects the gas release unit 22 and the gas supply unit 23. In this embodiment, only one upward flow generation unit 20 is provided, but it is not limited to this, and two or more may be provided.

[0026] The gas generation unit 21 is, for example, a fan or a blower. The gas release unit 22 is, for example, a tube, and is configured to allow gas to flow. One end of the gas release unit 22 is connected to the connection unit 24, and the other end of the gas release unit 22 is connected to the mounting unit 43c of the support unit 43, which will be described later. Therefore, the gas release unit 22 according to this embodiment is configured to release gas into the inner flow space 16. Specifically, the gas release unit 22 is configured to release gas into the inner flow space 16 via the support unit 43, which will be described later.

[0027] Furthermore, the other end of the gas release section 22 only needs to be located below the vertical midpoint of the mixing container 10 from the viewpoint of generating an upward flow, and may be connected to, for example, the outer cylinder 11 or the inner cylinder 12. When the other end of the gas release section 22 is connected to the outer cylinder 11, the gas release section 22 is configured to release gas into the outer flow space 15.

[0028] The gas supply unit 23 is, for example, a tube and is configured to allow gas to flow. One end of the gas supply unit 23 is connected to the gas generation unit 21, and the other end of the gas supply unit 23 is connected to the connection unit 24. The connection unit 24 is, for example, a tube joint and is inserted into an opening (not shown) formed in the top 14.

[0029] The upward flow generating unit 20, having the above configuration, is configured to generate an upward flow in the inner flow space 16 by releasing gas into the inner flow space 16 through the gas release unit 22. When the gas release unit 22 releases gas into the outer flow space 15, the upward flow generating unit 20 generates an upward flow in the outer flow space 15.

[0030] [Configuration of the discharge section] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the discharge section 30 has a cylindrical section 31 for discharging waste from the mixing container 10 and a holding section 32 for holding the cylindrical section 31. Examples of waste include excess material exceeding the volume of the mixing container 10 (e.g., gas or liquid) and waste generated by mixing (e.g., foam).

[0031] The cylindrical portion 31 is formed in a tubular shape with both ends open and is inserted into an opening (not shown) formed in the top portion 14. That is, the upper end of the cylindrical portion 31 is located outside the mixing container 10, and the lower end of the cylindrical portion 31 is located inside the mixing container 10. The cylindrical portion 31 may be formed by connecting two or more tubes, as shown in Figure 1, or it may be composed of a single tube. The cylindrical portion 31 also has a plurality of inlet holes 31a for allowing gas from the mixing container 10 to flow into the cylindrical portion 31. The inlet holes 31a are provided in the portion of the cylindrical portion 31 located inside the mixing container 10 (in this embodiment, below the axial middle portion of the cylindrical portion 31), and are provided along the axial and circumferential directions of the cylindrical portion 31. The axial length of the cylindrical portion 31 may be changed depending on the application. For example, it may be made longer if it is desired to actively discharge waste products such as bubbles generated by mixing liquid and ozone. On the other hand, in cases where it is undesirable to actively discharge waste, such as when mixing food ingredients like mayonnaise, the nozzle may be formed to be shorter.

[0032] The holding portion 32 is formed in a disc shape and has a mounting hole 32a in its center for attaching the cylindrical portion 31. The holding portion 32 also has insertion holes 32b at both radial ends for inserting projections 51c formed on the upper end of the top plate portion 51, which will be described later. The holding portion 32 is configured to hold the cylindrical portion 31 by inserting the lower end of the cylindrical portion 31 into the mounting hole 32a. The holding portion 32 is also configured to be attached to the upper end of the top plate portion 51 by inserting the projections 51c into the insertion holes 32b. By attaching the holding portion 32 to the upper end of the top plate portion 51, the inner cylinder 12 can be prevented from floating up. Note that the holding portion 32 is optional, or it may be formed integrally with the upper swirling flow generating portion 50, which will be described later.

[0033] The discharge section 30, having the above configuration, is configured to discharge waste that has flowed into the cylindrical section 31 from the lower end of the cylindrical section 31 and the inlet hole 31a of the cylindrical section 31 to the outside of the mixing container 10. The waste discharged from the discharge section 30 can be supplied to, for example, any storage tank.

[0034] [Configuration of lower swirl flow generation section] As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the lower swirling flow generation unit 40 has a weight unit 41 placed on the bottom surface of the bottom unit 13, a plurality of (seven in this embodiment) blade units 42 (lower blade units) provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 12, and a support unit 43 capable of supporting the inner cylinder 12.

[0035] The blade portion 42 is provided on the upper surface of the weight portion 41 and is configured to be non-rotatable. Each blade portion 42 extends along the radial direction of the inner cylinder 12 and has a curved shape in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 12. In other words, the blade portions 42 are arranged radially around the axis of the inner cylinder 12.

[0036] The inner end of each blade 42 in the direction of extension is located within the region of the inner cylinder 12 in a plan view. On the other hand, the outer end of each blade 42 in the direction of extension is located within the region between the outer cylinder 11 and the inner cylinder 12 in a plan view. Furthermore, each blade 42 is formed so that its height increases from the outer side in the direction of extension to the inner side. This has the advantage of allowing for efficient swirling without obstructing the flow from the outer flow space 15 or the flow from the inner flow space 16.

[0037] The support portion 43 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its upper and lower ends open, and has a shape that tapers from the lower end to the upper end. The support portion 43 has an insertion groove 43a at its upper end into which the lower end of the inner cylinder 12 can be inserted. The insertion groove 43a is formed in a concave shape that recesses downward from the upper end of the support portion 43. The support portion 43 is configured to support the inner cylinder 12 by inserting the lower end of the inner cylinder 12 into the insertion groove 43a.

[0038] The support portion 43 has an annular tube portion 43b at its lower end that surrounds the vane portion 42. The support portion 43 also has a mounting portion 43c to which the gas release portion 22 is attached.

[0039] The tube section 43b is formed in a tubular shape having an internal space that allows the gas supplied from the gas outlet 22 to flow. An outlet hole 43d is formed on the inner circumference of the tube section 43b (the end on the vane section 42 side) to allow the gas supplied from the gas outlet 22 to flow out. In this embodiment, the outlet hole 43d is a plurality of openings formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the tube section 43b. The outlet hole 43d may be a single opening, or it may be an annular opening extending along the circumferential direction of the tube section 43b.

[0040] The mounting portion 43c is formed extending upward from a part of the circumferential direction of the pipe portion 43b, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with its upper and lower ends open. Therefore, the gas supplied from the gas opening portion 22 flows through the mounting portion 43c and is supplied to the pipe portion 43b. The support portion 43 is configured to connect with the gas opening portion 22 by inserting the mounting portion 43c into the other end of the gas opening portion 22.

[0041] The support portion 43 having the above configuration is provided between the upper surface of the weight portion 41 and the lower end of the inner cylinder 12, and is configured to connect the outer flow space 15 and the inner flow space 16 between the lower end of the support portion 43 and the upper surface of the weight portion 41. Specifically, the support portion 43 is attached to the weight portion 41 by fixing a plurality of fixing parts (not shown) extending from the outer circumference of the pipe portion 43b (the end on the outer cylinder 11 side) to the outer edge of the weight portion 41. In this embodiment, a configuration in which the support portion 43 includes a pipe portion 43b and a mounting portion 43c has been described, but it is not limited to this, and a configuration without these parts is also possible.

[0042] [Configuration of the upper swirling flow generation section] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, the upper swirling flow generation unit 50 has a top plate portion 51 provided opposite the upper opening 12a of the inner cylinder 12, a plurality of (six in this embodiment) blade portions 52 (upper blade portions) provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 12, and a mounting portion 53 that can be attached to the inner cylinder 12.

[0043] The top plate portion 51 has a circular planar shape. Furthermore, the top plate portion 51 has an inclined surface 51a that slopes downwards from its central point in the planar direction. That is, the top plate portion 51 has a shape where the central point in the planar direction is concave downwards, and as a whole, it is formed in a roughly conical shape. From the viewpoint of efficiently circulating the mixture, it is sufficient that at least the lower surface of the top plate portion 51 has an inclined surface 51a.

[0044] A communication hole 51b is formed in the center of the top plate portion 51 in the planar direction, which communicates with the inner fluid space 16 and the internal space of the cylindrical portion 31. In addition, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) protrusions 51c are formed at the upper end of the top plate portion 51, which are inserted into the insertion hole 32b of the holding portion 32.

[0045] The blade portion 52 is provided on the lower surface of the top plate portion 51. Specifically, the blade portion 52 is formed extending downward from the lower surface of the top plate portion 51 and is configured to be non-rotatable. Each blade portion 52 extends along the radial direction of the inner cylinder 12 and has a curved shape in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 12. That is, the blade portions 52 are arranged radially around the axis of the inner cylinder 12.

[0046] The curvature direction of the blade portion 52 may be the same as or different from the curvature direction of the blade portion 42, but it is preferable that they be different from the viewpoint of efficiently mixing the materials to be mixed. In this embodiment, the curvature direction of the blade portion 42 is to the left (counterclockwise), and the curvature direction of the blade portion 52 is to the right (clockwise).

[0047] The inner end of each blade 52 in the direction of extension is located within the region of the inner cylinder 12 when viewed from the bottom. On the other hand, the outer end of each blade 52 in the direction of extension is located within the region between the outer cylinder 11 and the inner cylinder 12 when viewed from the bottom. Furthermore, each blade 52 is formed so that its height decreases from the outer side in the direction of extension towards the inner side. This has the advantage of allowing for efficient swirling without obstructing the flow from the outer flow space 15 or the flow from the inner flow space 16.

[0048] The mounting portion 53 is formed in an annular shape that surrounds the lower end of the blade portion 52. In other words, the upper swirling flow generation portion 50 according to this embodiment is configured to connect the outer flow space 15 and the inner flow space 16 between the lower surface of the top plate portion 51, the surface of the blade portion 52, and the inner circumference of the mounting portion 53 (the end on the blade portion 52 side).

[0049] The mounting portion 53 has a mounting groove 53a at its lower end into which the upper end of the inner cylinder 12 can be inserted. The mounting groove 53a is formed in a concave shape that is recessed upward from the lower end of the mounting portion 53. The mounting portion 53 is configured to be attached to the inner cylinder 12 by inserting the upper end of the inner cylinder 12 into the mounting groove 53a.

[0050] [Configuration of the inner swirling flow generation unit and the outer swirling flow generation unit] In this embodiment, either the lower swirling flow generation unit 40 or the upper swirling flow generation unit 50 functions as an inner swirling flow generation unit 60 that converts the flow in the inner flow space 16 into a swirling flow. The other of the lower swirling flow generation unit 40 or the upper swirling flow generation unit 50 functions as an outer swirling flow generation unit 70 that converts the flow in the outer flow space 15 into a swirling flow.

[0051] Whether the lower swirling flow generation unit 40 and the upper swirling flow generation unit 50 function as an inner swirling flow generation unit 60 or an outer swirling flow generation unit 70 depends on the position where the upward flow generation unit 20 generates an upward flow. Specifically, when the upward flow generation unit 20 generates an upward flow in the inner flow space 16, the lower swirling flow generation unit 40 functions as an inner swirling flow generation unit 60, and the upper swirling flow generation unit 50 functions as an outer swirling flow generation unit 70. On the other hand, when the upward flow generation unit 20 generates an upward flow in the outer flow space 15, the lower swirling flow generation unit 40 functions as an outer swirling flow generation unit 70, and the upper swirling flow generation unit 50 functions as an inner swirling flow generation unit 60.

[0052] [Mixing method] Next, a mixing method using the mixing device 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 6. The mixing method according to this embodiment includes an inflow step of introducing the materials to be mixed into the mixing container 10 and a circulation step of circulating the materials to be mixed. In the following explanation, as an example, the case of mixing a solid and a liquid (solid-liquid mixing) will be described.

[0053] [Inflow process] The solid and liquid to be mixed are introduced into the mixing container 10. The solid and liquid may be introduced from the upper end of the outer cylinder 11 by removing the top portion 14, or from an inlet (not shown) provided in the outer cylinder 11.

[0054] [Circulation process] As shown in Figure 6, an upward flow is generated in the inner fluid space 16 (see arrow F1 in Figure 6). Specifically, first, the gas generation unit 21 supplies gas to the gas release unit 22 via the gas supply unit 23 and the connection unit 24. Next, the gas release unit 22 releases the gas into the inner fluid space 16 via the support unit 43. This generates an upward flow in the inner fluid space 16. The gas released into the inner fluid space 16 flows between each vane unit 42 and swirls, so a swirling upward flow is generated in the inner fluid space 16. That is, the solids and liquids in the inner fluid space 16 rise up the inner fluid space 16 while swirling.

[0055] As the solid and liquid in the inner flow space 16 rise, the solid and liquid in the outer flow space 15 are drawn into the inner flow space 16 (see arrow F2 in Figure 6), and a downward flow is generated in the outer flow space 15 (see arrow F3 in Figure 6). The solid and liquid drawn from the outer flow space 15 into the inner flow space 16 flow between each vane 42, and, combined with the swirling force from the gas released from the gas release section 22, they rise up the inner flow space 16 while swirling.

[0056] Meanwhile, the solid and liquid rising in the inner flow space 16 rise to the top plate 51, then flow along the inclined surface 51a of the top plate 51 into the outer flow space 15, and descend through the outer flow space 15 (see arrow F4 in Figure 6). As the solid and liquid flowing into the outer flow space 15 swirls between each vane 52, a swirling downward flow is generated in the outer flow space 15. In other words, the solid and liquid in the outer flow space 15 descend through the outer flow space 15 while swirling.

[0057] The solid and liquid to be mixed circulate through the circulation channel CP as described above. During the circulation process in the circulation channel CP, the solid and liquid are mixed.

[0058] [Advantages of the mixing apparatus according to this embodiment] The mixing device 1 according to this embodiment is a mixing device for mixing two or more items to be mixed, and comprises a mixing container 10 including an outer cylinder 11 extending in the vertical direction and at least one inner cylinder 12 provided inside the outer cylinder 11, and at least one upward flow generating unit 20 that generates an upward flow in an outer flow space 15 formed between the outer cylinder 11 and the inner cylinder 12 or an inner flow space 16 formed inside the inner cylinder 12, wherein the inner flow space 16 and the outer flow space 15 are in communication on the upper and lower sides of the inner cylinder 12, and are configured to form a circulation channel CP for circulating the two or more items to be mixed.

[0059] A mixing device 1 with this configuration has the advantage of being able to mix the materials to be mixed by circulating them, which agitates them in the circulation channel CP. Furthermore, since there is no need to use a motor to circulate the materials to be mixed, mixing of two or more materials can be achieved at low cost, and it also has the advantages of high reliability and durability.

[0060] In the mixing device 1 according to this embodiment, the upward flow generation unit 20 is provided with at least one gas release unit 22 located below the vertical midpoint of the mixing container 10, which releases gas into the outer flow space 15 or the inner flow space 16. With a mixing device 1 having such a configuration, the materials to be mixed can be circulated simply by releasing gas from the gas release unit 22, which has the advantages of being able to mix the materials at low cost, as well as having high reliability and durability.

[0061] The mixing device 1 according to this embodiment includes a top plate portion 51 provided opposite the upper opening 12a of the inner cylinder 12, and the lower surface of the top plate portion 51 has an inclined surface 51a that is inclined downwards and is located in the center in the planar direction. With a mixing device 1 having such a configuration, the rising material to be mixed flows along the inclined surface 51a, which has the advantage of efficiently circulating the material to be mixed.

[0062] The mixing device 1 according to this embodiment includes at least one of an inner swirling flow generation unit 60 that converts the flow in the inner flow space 16 into a swirling flow, and an outer swirling flow generation unit 70 that converts the flow in the outer flow space 15 into a swirling flow. With a mixing device 1 having such a configuration, the swirling increases the circulation path of the material to be mixed, promoting stirring of the material to be mixed, thus offering the advantage of efficiently mixing the material to be mixed.

[0063] In the mixing device 1 according to this embodiment, the inner swirling flow generation unit 60 and the outer swirling flow generation unit 70 are provided with a plurality of blades 42 (or blades 52) arranged at predetermined intervals, and the plurality of blades 42 (or blades 52) have a shape that is curved in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder 12. The mixing device 1 having such a configuration has the advantage that a swirling flow can be generated simply by flowing the material to be mixed between each blade 42 (or blades 52).

[0064] In the mixing device 1 according to this embodiment, the blade portion 42 (or blade portion 52) is configured to be non-rotatable. With a mixing device 1 having such a configuration, a swirling flow can be generated without rotating the blade portion 42 (or blade portion 52), which has the advantage of lower costs (for example, the number of parts, power costs, costs associated with parts replacement, etc.). In addition, since the blade portion 42 (or blade portion 52) does not rotate, there is also the advantage that even if solids are circulated, the solids will not get caught on the blade portion 42 (or blade portion 52).

[0065] [Differentiation] The mixing apparatus and mixing method according to the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical concept of the present invention.

[0066] In the embodiments described above, the mixing device 1 was described as comprising an outer cylinder 11 and an inner cylinder 12, but it is not limited to this, and may comprise only the inner cylinder 12 (cylindrical member). In this case, the mixing device 1 may be used by being placed in, for example, a water tank or a bathtub.

[0067] In the embodiments described above, the upper swirling flow generation unit 50 was described as having a top plate portion 51, but it is not limited to this, and it does not have to have a top plate portion 51. Also, the top plate portion 51 does not have an inclined surface 51a and may be formed in a flat shape.

[0068] In the embodiments described above, the mixing device 1 was described as comprising a lower swirling flow generation unit 40 and an upper swirling flow generation unit 50, but it is not limited to this, and may comprise only one of them, or neither.

[0069] In the embodiments described above, the mixing device 1 was described as comprising a top portion 14 that closes the upper end of the outer cylinder 11 and a discharge portion 30 that discharges the gas inside the mixing container 10. However, it is not limited to this configuration, and it may also be configured as an open-to-the-air type with the upper ends of the outer cylinder 11 and inner cylinder 12 open, without the top portion 14 and the discharge portion 30.

[0070] In the embodiments described above, the outer cylinder 11 and the bottom portion 13 were described as being formed independently, but the invention is not limited to this, and the outer cylinder 11 and the bottom portion 13 may be formed integrally. Also, for example, the outer cylinder 11, bottom portion 13, weight portion 41 and blade portion 42 may be formed integrally, or the bottom portion 13, weight portion 41 and blade portion 42 may be formed integrally, or the weight portion 41 and blade portion 42 may be formed integrally. Furthermore, the weight portion 41 may not be provided.

[0071] It is clear from the claims that the above-mentioned modifications are included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1: Mixing device 10: Mixing container 11: Outer cylinder 12: Inner cylinder 12a: Upper opening 13: Bottom 14:Top 15:Outer flow space 16:Inner flow space 20: Upward flow generation section 21: Gas generation unit 22: Gas release section 23: Gas supply unit 24: Connection part 30: Discharge section 31:Cylinder part 31a:Inflow hole 32: Holding part 32a: Mounting hole 32b: Insertion hole 40: Lower swirl flow generation section 41: Weight section 42: Feather part 43: Support part 43a: Insertion groove 43b: Pipe section 43c: Attached part 43d:Outflow hole 50: Upper swirl flow generation section 51: Top panel 51a: Inclined surface 51b:Communication hole 51c:Protrusion 52: Feather part 53: Mounting part 53a: Mounting groove 60: Inner swirling flow generation section 70:Outer swirl flow generation section CP: Circulation channel

Claims

1. A mixing apparatus for mixing two or more substances to be mixed, A mixing container comprising an outer cylinder extending vertically and at least one inner cylinder provided inside the outer cylinder, At least one upward flow generating unit that generates an upward flow in the outer flow space formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder or in the inner flow space formed inside the inner cylinder. Equipped with, The inner and outer fluid spaces are connected on the upper and lower sides of the inner cylinder, and are configured to form a circulation channel for circulating the two or more materials to be mixed. Mixing equipment.

2. The upward flow generating section includes at least one gas release section located below the vertical midpoint of the mixing container, which releases gas into the outer flow space or the inner flow space. The mixing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. It is equipped with a top plate portion that is provided opposite the upper opening of the inner cylinder, The lower surface of the top plate portion has an inclined surface that is central in the planar direction and slopes downward. The mixing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An inner swirling flow generation unit that converts the flow within the inner flow space into a swirling flow, An outer swirling flow generation unit that converts the flow in the outer flow space into a swirling flow, comprising at least one of the following The mixing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The inner swirling flow generating unit and the outer swirling flow generating unit are equipped with a plurality of blades arranged at predetermined intervals. The plurality of fin portions have a shape that is curved in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder. The mixing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned blade portion is configured to be non-rotatable. The mixing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. A mixing apparatus for mixing two or more substances to be mixed, A cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction, At least one upward flow generating unit that generates an upward flow in an outer flow space formed outside the cylindrical member or an inner flow space formed inside the cylindrical member. Equipped with, The inner and outer flow spaces are connected on the upper and lower sides of the cylindrical member, and are configured to form a circulation channel for circulating the two or more materials to be mixed. Mixing equipment.

8. A mixing method for mixing two or more substances to be mixed, An inflow step of introducing the material to be mixed into a mixing container which includes an outer cylinder extending vertically and at least one inner cylinder provided inside the outer cylinder, A circulation process in which the material to be mixed is circulated by generating an upward flow in the outer flow space formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder or in the inner flow space formed inside the inner cylinder. including Mixing method.

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