Microingredient Dispensing System Using Fluid Eductor Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microingredient dispensing systems face inefficiencies in mixing and contamination prevention, with traditional mixing tanks and compartmentalized hoppers leading to incomplete mixing and potential pump contamination.
Innovation Solution
The system replaces traditional mixing tanks with a catch basin and fluid or air eductor, uses non-compartmentalized vibratory trays, and positions the pump upstream to prevent contamination, along with a line-flushing mode for conduit cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional mixing tank is used to mix microingredients with water, then the mixing process can be performed, but the mixing is incomplete and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fluid eductor that uses hydraulic principles to create turbulent mixing. Pressurized water flows through the eductor, creating suction that draws microingredients into the water stream. The turbulent hydraulic flow rapidly disperses and mixes the ingredients, achieving complete mixing in seconds rather than requiring prolonged mechanical agitation in a traditional mixing tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vibratory trays that generate mechanical vibrations to discharge microingredients into the catch basin and subsequently into the water stream. The vibration creates turbulent flow patterns that enhance mixing efficiency, breaking up clumps and ensuring uniform distribution of microingredients throughout the water carrier.
2Reliability
If a traditional mixing tank with pump downstream is used, then the slurry can be delivered, but the pump becomes contaminated by additives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional pump placement by positioning the pump upstream of the mixing zone rather than downstream. The pump delivers clean water to the eductor, and the mixing occurs in the delivery conduit after the pump. This reversal prevents additives from contacting the pump, eliminating contamination while maintaining a relatively simple system configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery conduit acts as an intermediary zone where mixing occurs separately from the pump. The pump handles only clean water, while the conduit serves as the interface where additives are introduced and mixed with the water stream, protecting the pump from contamination.
3Productivity
If compartmentalized hoppers are used to dispense microingredients, then ingredient separation is maintained, but the mixing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses compartmentalized bins for storage and dispensing of individual microingredients, maintaining separation during storage. However, the vibratory trays are non-compartmentalized, allowing ingredients to be released simultaneously and mixed in the turbulent water stream, achieving both efficient dispensing and thorough mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic flow in the eductor creates turbulent mixing that rapidly combines ingredients from multiple bins. The high-velocity water stream breaks up ingredient clusters and ensures uniform distribution, compensating for the initial separation maintained by the compartmentalized bins.
4Ease of operation
If the pump is positioned downstream of the mixing zone, then the slurry can be pumped, but the pump is exposed to contaminating additives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the conventional arrangement by placing the pump upstream of the mixing zone. The pump handles only clean water, eliminating contamination and maintenance issues. The mixed slurry is delivered through gravity-fed conduits and turbulent flow mechanisms, maintaining delivery efficiency without compromising pump reliability.
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
This configuration ensures rapid and thorough mixing of microingredients with liquid, prevents pump contamination, and effectively cleans the delivery conduit, resulting in improved mixing efficiency and system hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
an eductor uses water pressure to generate suction pressure at the catch basin outlet
Implementation Method 2
a water eductor utilizes the kinetic energy of a pressurized liquid to entrain another liquid, mix the two
Implementation Method 3
non-compartmentalized vibratory trays that are mounted on a single weigh frame, and vibrating (rather than rotating) the trays to discharge additives into the catch basin
Implementation Method 4
The turbulence in the water eductor results in a rapid and thorough mixing of the ingredients with the liquid
Implementation Method 5
Pressurized flush nozzles mounted over the top of the catch basin spray water into the basin, forcing the microingredients down the sides
Implementation Method 6
an air eductor utilizes the kinetic energy of a pressurized stream of air to entrain dry microingredients, mix the two
Data Source
AI summary
Several improvements are provided for a microingredient additive dispensing system. One improvement is the use of a fluid eductor to entrain and mix the additives. Another improvement is to weigh and dispense ingredients using one or more non-compartmentalized vibratory trays that are mounted on a single weigh frame. Another improvement is a summing and filtering circuit that sums and filters the signals from four different load cells to accurately determine the weight of the dispensed additives. Yet another improvement is the placement of a pump upstream of the eductor, isolating the pump from additives that are pumped to the feed mixing station. Another improvement is a line-flushing mode in which a turbulent mixture of air and water are used to clean the delivery conduit of residue.