Integrated Feed Pump for High Viscosity Liquid Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mixing devices face challenges in processing liquids with high viscosity, as the suction effect is insufficient to maintain desired liquid throughput and solid supply, leading to reduced performance and the need for complex external pumps.

Innovation Solution

An integrated feed pump is positioned between the liquid inlet and the mixing tool, ensuring stable liquid throughput and improved suction effect, even with high viscosity liquids, while maintaining efficient solid supply without obstructing the mixing process. This configuration includes a centrifugal pump with curved vanes and a rotor-stator device for enhanced mixing and dispersion, along with a bypass line and pressure piston for precise control and cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an external positive displacement pump is connected to increase suction, then liquid throughput is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid throughputVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feed pump is integrated directly into the mixing device housing, combining the pumping function with the existing mixing chamber structure. This eliminates the need for separate external pumps and their associated connections, thereby maintaining liquid throughput while reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The feed pump serves multiple functions: it generates suction to draw in liquid, maintains stable liquid throughput, and works in conjunction with the mixing tool to create turbulent mixing. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the mixing tool rotates to create turbulent zone, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but suction effect is reduced when processing high viscosity liquids

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing effectivenessVSAvoidsuction effect
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The feed pump is positioned to deliver liquid to the mixing zone before the solid material is fully incorporated. This preliminary liquid delivery ensures that the mixing tool operates with adequate liquid flow even when processing high viscosity materials, maintaining both suction effect and mixing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The feed pump acts as an intermediary between the liquid source and the mixing tool, regulating liquid flow to ensure consistent delivery regardless of the viscosity of the material being processed. This mediation maintains the suction effect while supporting effective mixing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures consistent liquid and solid flow into the mixing chamber, preventing breakdowns and maintaining efficient mixing even with high viscosity liquids, while keeping the design compact and easy to clean, with improved dispersion and prevention of lumps and clumping.

Implementation Method 1

The feed pump (14) is formed by a centrifugal pump with a feed wheel (15) and a plurality of feed vanes (16) arranged on the feed wheel (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

During operation, a highly turbulent zone is created by rotating the mixing tool. This creates a negative pressure, through which the solid and the liquid are sucked into the mixing chamber.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 3

This creates a negative pressure, through which the solid and the liquid are sucked into the mixing chamber.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3505230B1Mixing device with integrated pump
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 IKA WERKE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3505230B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3505230B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3505230B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a mixing device (1) for mixing powdery and/or granular particles or similar free-flowing solids with at least one liquid, the mixing device comprising a feed chute (5) for a solid, an inlet (17) for the liquid; at least one mixing tool (8) rotatable about an axis in a mixing chamber (7), and an outlet (6) for the mixture, wherein a feed pump (14) is arranged between the inlet and the mixing tool.