Mixing container

Abstract

This improves the mixing efficiency of the substances being mixed, thereby reducing unevenness in concentration. [Solution] The container body has an internal space capable of mixing two or more materials to be mixed, an inlet for introducing two or more materials to be mixed into the internal space, and an outlet for discharging the two or more materials to be mixed from the internal space. The swirling flow generating unit is provided in the internal space of the container body and converts the flow of the two or more materials to be mixed flowing from the internal space toward the outlet into a swirling flow. The swirling flow generating unit has a plurality of blades arranged to surround the outlet and is fixed to the container body so as not to rotate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mixing container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a liquid purification system for purifying sewage or the like to make it reusable has been known. For example, in Patent Document 1, at the time of an emergency such as an earthquake, filtration treatment and sterilization treatment are performed on the water in a river or a pool, and chlorine water is injected into the obtained pure water, so that the residual chlorine, which is one of the water quality inspection items determined by the local government, is within the standard range. A water purification device for making drinking water is disclosed.

[0003] The water purification device of Patent Document 1 includes a chlorine water storage container in which chlorine water having a predetermined chlorine concentration is stored, an electric pump that supplies the chlorine water in the chlorine water storage container to a pipe through which filtered water flows, and a control unit that drives the electric pump. When the control unit detects the handle operation of a reciprocating manual pump by the user, the electric pump is driven to supply a certain amount of chlorine water to the filtered water.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, since the water purification device of Patent Document 1 is configured to simply mix the chlorine water pumped by an electric pump with the filtered water, there is a risk that the filtered water and the chlorine water will flow without being completely mixed, resulting in uneven concentration. Such uneven concentration can be a factor that hinders accurate measurement of the chlorine concentration or the like, so it is desirable to eliminate it as much as possible.

[0006] This invention relates to a mixing container capable of improving the mixing efficiency of the materials to be mixed and suppressing uneven concentration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A mixing container according to an example of the present invention comprises a container body having an internal space capable of mixing two or more materials to be mixed, an inlet for introducing the two or more materials to be mixed into the internal space, and an outlet for discharging the two or more materials to be mixed from the internal space; and a swirling flow generating unit provided in the internal space of the container body for converting the flow of the two or more materials to be mixed flowing from the internal space toward the outlet into a swirling flow, wherein the swirling flow generating unit has a plurality of blades arranged to surround the outlet and is fixed to the container body so as not to rotate.

[0008] In a mixing container according to an example of the present invention, the inlet may be provided radially outward from the plurality of vane portions.

[0009] In a mixing container according to an example of the present invention, the plurality of vane portions may have a shape that is curved in the circumferential direction of the container body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the mixing container of the present invention, it is possible to improve the mixing efficiency of the materials to be mixed and suppress unevenness in concentration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a mixing container according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view along line AA' in Figure 2. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a system that can utilize the mixing container according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] 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.

[0013] [Overall configuration of the mixing container] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mixing container 1 according to this embodiment comprises a container body 10 for mixing two or more materials to be mixed, and a swirling flow generation unit 20 for creating a swirling flow of the materials to be mixed flowing out of the container body 10.

[0014] The substances to be mixed include gases, liquids, and solids (powder). Examples of mixing include, but are not limited to, (1) mixing of liquids, (2) mixing of liquids and gases, (3) mixing of liquids and solids, and (4) mixing of gases. Furthermore, mixing is not limited to one or two phases; three or more phases may be mixed.

[0015] [Container body composition] The container body 10 has a bottom surface 10a, a cylindrical peripheral wall 10b extending upward from the periphery of the bottom surface 10a, and a top surface 10c that closes the upper end of the peripheral wall 10b. These bottom surface 10a, peripheral wall 10b, and top surface 10c define an internal space in which two or more substances to be mixed can be mixed. In this embodiment, the peripheral wall 10b is formed in a cylindrical shape (circular cross-section), but is not limited to this, and various cross-sectional shapes can be adopted. Also, in this embodiment, the bottom surface 10a and top surface 20c are separate components that can be attached to and detached from the peripheral wall 10b, but is not limited to this.

[0016] The container body 10 has a first inlet 12 for introducing a first mixture (e.g., chlorinated water) into its internal space, a second inlet 13 for introducing a second mixture (e.g., purified treated water) into its internal space, and an outlet 14 for discharging two or more mixtures (e.g., treated water with added chlorine) from its internal space. The inlets 12 and 13 may be formed in only one location, or in three or more locations. The outlet 14 may also be formed in two or more locations.

[0017] The first inlet 12 is directly or indirectly connected to a first supply mechanism 6 (for example, a chlorine water tank, described later; see Figure 3) that supplies the first mixture to the container body 10. The second inlet 13 is directly or indirectly connected to a second supply mechanism (for example, a water treatment mechanism 3, described later; see Figure 3) that supplies the second mixture to the container body 10. The outlet 14 is directly or indirectly connected to the destination of the mixture (for example, a treated water storage tank 5, described later; see Figure 3).

[0018] The first inlet 12 is provided on the top surface 10c and is configured to allow connection of a connecting member (not shown), such as a tube connecting the first supply mechanism 6 and the container body 10. In this embodiment, the first inlet 12 has a connecting portion 12a (see Figure 1) extending upward from the upper surface of the top surface 10c and a dripping portion 12b (see Figure 2) extending downward (into the internal space) from the lower surface of the top surface 10c.

[0019] The connecting portion 12a is a cylindrical protrusion erected on the upper surface of the top surface portion 10c, and a tapered inclined portion is formed at its upper end so as to facilitate connection of a connecting member (not shown) such as a tube. Further, the dropping portion 12b is a cylindrical protrusion erected on the lower surface of the top surface portion 10c, and a tapered inclined portion (not shown) is formed at its lower end so as to accurately adjust the amount of the first mixture to be dropped. The connecting portion 12a and the dropping portion 12b have a flow path that penetrates through the top surface portion 10c from the upper end of the connecting portion 12a to the lower end of the dropping portion 12b, and are configured to allow the first mixture supplied from the first supply mechanism 6 to flow into the internal space of the container body 10.

[0020] The first inlet 12 is located on the outer peripheral side of the radial center C of the internal space. Specifically, the first inlet 12 is provided radially outside a plurality of blade portions 22a to 22c (to be described later) of the swirling flow generation portion 20. With such a configuration, the container body 10 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the first mixture introduced into the internal space from the dropping portion 12b of the first inlet 12 is swirled and fluidized by the swirling flow generation portion 20, and flows spirally toward the outlet 14 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0021] The second inlet 13 is formed in the bottom surface portion 10a, and is configured to be able to connect, for example, a connecting member (for example, a pipe 4 to be described later) that connects a second supply mechanism (for example, a water treatment mechanism 3 to be described later) and the container body 10. The second inlet 13 is located on the outer peripheral side of the radial center C of the internal space. Specifically, the second inlet 13 is provided radially outside a plurality of blade portions 22a to 22c (to be described later) of the swirling flow generation portion 20. With such a configuration, the container body 10 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the second mixture introduced into the internal space from the second inlet 13 is swirled and fluidized by the swirling flow generation portion 20, and while vigorously mixing with the first mixture introduced into the internal space from the first inlet 12, flows spirally toward the outlet 14 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0022] The outlet 14 is provided radially inward of a plurality of blade parts 22a to 22c, which will be described later, of the swirling flow generation part 20. Specifically, the outlet 14 is formed at the center of the bottom surface part 10a so that the center of its opening is located on the radial center C of the internal space. The bottom surface part 10a may be a mortar-shaped tapered surface that tapers toward the outlet 14, or may be a flat surface.

[0023] [Configuration of the swirling flow generation part] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the swirling flow generation part 20 is provided in the internal space of the container body 10 and is configured to swirl and fluidize the flow of the mixture flowing from the internal space toward the outlet 14.

[0024] The swirling flow generation part 20 has a plurality of blade parts 22a to 22c provided so as to surround the periphery of the outlet 14 of the container body 10. In the present embodiment, three blade parts 22a to 22c are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of blade parts can be arbitrarily changed.

[0025] Each of the plurality of blade parts 22a to 22c has a shape curved in the circumferential direction of the container body 10. Specifically, each of the plurality of blade parts 22a to 22c is formed in an arc shape that protrudes toward the outside in the radial direction of the container body 10. The plurality of blade parts 22a to 22c may be arcs of the same shape and size having the same radius of curvature and circumference, or may be arcs having different radii of curvature and / or circumferences.

[0026] The plurality of blade parts 22a to 22c are arranged with a predetermined phase shift in the circumferential direction of the container body 10. In the present embodiment, they are arranged at intervals of 120°. The intervals between the plurality of blade parts 22a to 22c may be equal intervals or different intervals.

[0027] Each of the multiple fin sections 22a to 22c is positioned such that one end 24 in the extending direction is located closer to the radial center C of the container body 10 than the other end 28 in the extending direction. Furthermore, each of the multiple fin sections 22a to 22c is positioned such that one end 24 in the extending direction faces the inner circumferential surface 26 of an adjacent fin section 22a to 22c, and the other end 28 in the extending direction is located radially outward than one end 24 of another adjacent fin section 22a to 22c. In other words, each of the multiple fin sections 22a to 22c has one end 24 in the extending direction overlapping with the other end 28 of an adjacent fin section 22a to 22c at a predetermined radially inward distance, and the other end 28 in the extending direction overlaps with one end 24 of another adjacent fin section 22a to 22c at a predetermined radially outward distance.

[0028] Specifically, the first blade portion 22a has one end 24 in the extending direction facing the inner circumferential surface 26 of the adjacent second blade portion 22b in the forward direction, and the other end 28 in the extending direction is located radially outward from one end 24 of the adjacent third blade portion 22c in the opposite direction. Furthermore, one end 24 of the second blade portion 22b in the extending direction faces the inner circumferential surface 26 of the third blade portion 22c which is adjacent in the forward direction, and the other end 28 in the extending direction is located radially outward from one end 24 of the first blade portion 22a which is adjacent in the opposite direction. Furthermore, one end 24 of the third blade portion 22c in the extending direction faces the inner circumferential surface 26 of the adjacent first blade portion 22a in the forward direction, and the other end 28 in the extending direction is located radially outward from one end 24 of the adjacent second blade portion 22b in the opposite direction.

[0029] The multiple blade sections 22a to 22c are arranged in the positional relationship described above, thereby guiding the mixture flowing along the outer surface of each blade section 22a to 22c to the inner surface 26 of the adjacent blade section, and causing it to flow along the inner surface 26 to create a swirling flow, which in turn allows two or more mixtures to be vigorously mixed together and guided to the outlet 14.

[0030] The multiple fin portions 22a to 22c are fixed to the container body 10 in a way that prevents rotation. In this embodiment, the multiple fin portions 22a to 22c are flat, plate-shaped wall portions extending upward from the bottom surface portion 10a of the container body 10, and are formed integrally with the bottom surface portion 10a. The multiple fin portions 22a to 22c may be molded integrally with the bottom surface portion 10a of the container body 10, or they may be molded as separate components and then fixed to the bottom surface portion 10a.

[0031] [Uses of mixing containers] The mixing container 1 according to this embodiment can be suitably used, for example, in a liquid treatment system that generates treated water by applying liquid treatment to raw water. An example of such a liquid treatment system is a facility that includes, for example, a raw water storage tank 2 for storing raw water, a water treatment mechanism 3 for treating and purifying the raw water supplied from the raw water storage tank 2, and a treated water storage tank 5 for storing the treated water supplied from the water treatment mechanism 3, as shown in Figure 3.

[0032] Examples of raw water storage tanks 2 include, for example, a wastewater adjustment tank for adjusting the volume and flow of wastewater. Examples of water treatment mechanisms 3 include, for example, a biological treatment tank that purifies raw water using microorganisms, a filter mechanism for reducing the impurity content of treated water to a desired standard, and a decolorization mechanism for decolorizing treated water. Examples of filter mechanisms include reverse osmosis membranes (RO membranes), ultrafiltration membranes (UF membranes), and microfiltration membranes (MF membranes). Examples of decolorization mechanisms include ozone generators and activated carbon filters. Furthermore, examples of treated water storage tanks 5 include a treated water storage tank for storing purified treated water and supplying it to consumers, etc. However, the uses of each tank are not limited to these.

[0033] The mixing container 1 according to this embodiment can be used, for example, as part of a disinfection mechanism that disinfects treated water by adding chemicals such as chlorine to treated water purified by the water treatment mechanism 3. In other words, the mixing container 1 according to this embodiment can be used as an additive device for adding a fixed amount of chemicals such as chlorine.

[0034] Specifically, the mixing container 1 according to this embodiment can be used with the first inlet 12 of the container body 10 connected to a first supply mechanism 6 such as a chlorine water tank, the second inlet 13 of the container body 10 connected to a pipe 4 extending from a second supply mechanism such as a water treatment mechanism 3, and the outlet 14 of the container body 10 connected to a pipe 7 extending toward a treated water storage tank 5. However, the installation position of the mixing container 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to this and can be changed as desired.

[0035] The addition of the first mixture to be added (e.g., chlorinated water) from the first supply mechanism 6 to the container body 10 may be carried out by a pump capable of dispensing the first mixture in minute amounts with high precision. Furthermore, the amount added may be controlled by feedback control based on measurement results from the piping 7, the treated water storage tank 5, or sensors (e.g., residual chlorine concentration meter) installed downstream thereof. However, it is not limited to this, and the addition of the first mixture to be added from the first supply mechanism 6 to the container body 10 can be carried out by various control methods or principles.

[0036] Examples of liquid treatment systems that utilize the mixing container 1 according to this embodiment include those used to purify various raw water sources such as domestic wastewater, sewage, rainwater, surface water, and groundwater discharged from consumers, and to regenerate treated water that can be used for domestic purposes such as toilet flushing, bathing, showering, laundry, and dishwashing, or drinking water that is potable.

[0037] Furthermore, the liquid processing system using the mixing container 1 according to this embodiment may be a system incorporated into a building or a mobile structure. Examples of buildings include, but are not limited to, houses, villas, mountain cabins, temporary housing, and mobile housing built in mountainous areas where water supply and sewage facilities are not readily available. Examples of mobile structures include, but are not limited to, automobiles, trains, ships, aircraft, and trailer homes. Moreover, the liquid processing system using the mixing container 1 according to this embodiment may be a system independent of buildings or mobile structures. For example, it may be a portable system that can be transported and used in designated locations such as outdoor event venues, construction sites, campgrounds, and disaster shelters.

[0038] [Advantages of the mixing vessel according to this embodiment] The mixing container 1 according to this embodiment comprises a container body 10 having an internal space capable of mixing two or more mixing targets, inlets 12 and 13 for introducing two or more mixing targets into the internal space, and an outlet 14 for discharging the two or more mixing targets from the internal space; and a swirling flow generating unit 20 provided in the internal space of the container body 10, which converts the flow of the two or more mixing targets flowing from the internal space toward the outlet 14 into a swirling flow. The swirling flow generating unit 20 has a plurality of blades 22a to 22c arranged to surround the outlet 14, and is fixed to the container body 10 in a way that prevents rotation.

[0039] By having such a configuration, the mixing container 1 according to this embodiment can utilize the flow caused by the weight of two or more materials to be mixed to create a swirling flow, and then vigorously mix the flows of the two or more materials in a swirling flow state before supplying them to the downstream side. This has the advantage of increasing the mixing efficiency of the materials to be mixed and suppressing unevenness in concentration.

[0040] Furthermore, in the mixing container 1 according to this embodiment, the inlets 12 and 13 are provided radially outward from the plurality of vane portions 22a to 22c. By having such a configuration, the mixing container 1 according to this embodiment has the advantage of being able to turn two or more materials to be mixed into a swirling flow without leakage and discharge them from the outlet 14 in a more reliably mixed state.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mixing container 1 has multiple vane portions 22a to 22c that are curved in the circumferential direction of the container body 10. By having such a configuration, the mixing container 1 in this embodiment can create a stronger swirling flow for two or more substances to be mixed, which has the advantage of further suppressing unevenness in concentration.

[0042] Furthermore, in the mixing container 1 according to this embodiment, each of the multiple blade sections 22a to 22c is provided such that one end 24 in the extending direction faces the inner circumferential surface 26 of an adjacent blade section 22a to 22c, and the other end 28 in the extending direction is located radially outward from one end 24 of the other adjacent blade section 22a to 22c. With this configuration, the mixing container 1 according to this embodiment has the advantage that two or more materials to be mixed flowing along the outer circumferential surface of the blade sections 22a to 22c are guided to the inner circumferential surface 26 of the other adjacent blade sections 22a to 22c, where they are transformed into a swirling flow and guided to the outlet 14, thus enabling the creation of a strong swirling flow even with a short flow length. In addition, because the mixing container 1 according to this embodiment can create a strong swirling flow with a short flow length, it has the advantage that the container body 10, and by extension the entire mixing container 1, can be made smaller.

[0043] [Differentiation] The mixing container according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical concept of the present invention.

[0044] In the embodiments described above, the container body 10 is described as having inlets 12 and 13 for introducing two or more mixing targets into its internal space, with the inlets 12 and 13 being provided radially outward from the plurality of vane portions 22a to 22c. However, it is not limited to this. For example, if the container body 10 is a container that has one or both of the two or more mixing targets sealed inside beforehand, the container body 10 does not need to have one or both of the first inlet 12 and the second inlet 13. Also, one or both of the first inlet 12 and the second inlet 13 may be provided radially inward from the plurality of vane portions 22a to 22c. Furthermore, the first inlet 12 may be provided on the bottom portion 10a or the peripheral wall portion 10b, or there may be multiple first inlets 12. Also, the second inlet 13 may be provided on the top portion 10c or the peripheral wall portion 10b, or there may be multiple second inlets 13.

[0045] In the embodiments described above, the multiple blade portions 22a to 22c were described as being provided such that one end 24 in the extending direction faces the inner circumferential surface 26 of an adjacent blade portion 22a to 22c, and the other end 28 in the extending direction is located radially outward from one end 24 of the other adjacent blade portions 22a to 22c. However, the invention is not limited to this. One end 24 of a blade portion 22a to 22c does not have to face the inner circumferential surface 26 of an adjacent blade portion 22a to 22c, and the other end 28 of multiple blade portions 22a to 22c does not have to be located radially outward from one end 24 of the other adjacent blade portions 22a to 22c.

[0046] It is clear from the claims that the above-mentioned modifications are included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 1: Mixing container 2: Raw water storage tank 3: Water treatment mechanism 4,7: Piping 5: Treated water storage tank 6:Liquid supply mechanism 10: Container body 10a: Bottom part 10b: Peripheral wall part 10c: Heavenly face 12: First Stream Inlet 12a:Join the Department 12b: Lower part of the drip 13: Second Stream Inlet 14: Outlet 20: Cyclone Flow Generation Section 20c: Heavenly face 22a~22c: Feather base 24: One end 26: Inner circumferential surface 28: His end C: Radial center

Claims

1. The container body comprises an internal space capable of mixing two or more substances to be mixed, two or more inlets into which the two or more substances to be mixed are each introduced into the internal space, and an outlet for discharging the two or more substances to be mixed from the internal space. The inlet includes a first inlet for introducing a first mixing target into the internal space and a second inlet for introducing a second mixing target into the internal space. Either the first inlet or the second inlet is formed on the bottom surface of the container body, The other of the first inlet and the second inlet is formed in a part of the container body other than the bottom surface, The internal space of the container body is provided with a swirling flow generating unit that causes the flow of the two or more materials to be mixed, which flows from the internal space toward the outlet, to become a swirling flow. The swirling flow generating unit has a plurality of blades arranged to surround the outlet and is fixed to the container body so as not to rotate. The first and second inlets are provided radially outward from the plurality of vane portions. mixing container.

2. The first inlet is configured to allow the mixture to flow into the internal space, and the second inlet is configured to allow treated water to flow into the internal space. The system is configured to add the mixture to the treated water by mixing the treated water and the mixture within the aforementioned internal space. The mixing container according to claim 1.

3. The plurality of fin portions have a shape that is curved in the circumferential direction of the container body. A mixing container according to claim 1 or 2.

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