Nested Nozzle Mixer for Slurry Entrainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing systems in vertical liquid slurry vessels face inefficiencies in fully entraining solids across different zones, particularly at the bottom and surface, where energy requirements are high and complex systems are needed to achieve complete mixing.
Innovation Solution
A dual channel central draft tube with a nested nozzle configuration, where a pump forces fluid through a downward-facing nozzle in the central channel, creating a vacuum in the outer channel to draw in sludge, and the combined flows exit through a common nozzle aimed at the vessel bottom, mobilizing and entraining solids effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional mixing system is used in vertical liquid slurry vessels, then mixing can be achieved, but energy requirements are high and the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested nozzle configuration where an inner nozzle is positioned inside an outer nozzle, both aligned vertically and discharging into the same mixing zone. This nesting arrangement allows two separate fluid streams to be combined in a compact structure, reducing the overall footprint and eliminating the need for separate mixing apparatus, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining effective mixing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by employing gravity-driven flow from elevated reservoirs through the nested nozzles. The potential energy of elevated liquid creates the driving force for fluid discharge and mixing, eliminating the need for external motors or power sources. This hydraulic approach significantly reduces energy consumption while achieving thorough mixing of the slurry components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional mixing system is used, then mixing can be achieved, but solids are not fully entrained across all zones particularly at the bottom and surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the mixing process by positioning nozzles at different elevations within the vessel. The inner and outer nozzles discharge fluids from different heights, creating vertical flow patterns that enhance the entrainment of solids throughout the entire water column. This vertical multi-level discharge approach ensures comprehensive mixing from surface to bottom zones, achieving uniform slurry composition without requiring complex mechanical mixers.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested nozzle arrangement allows concentrated discharge from the inner nozzle to be surrounded and supplemented by the broader discharge pattern of the outer nozzle. This creates a layered flow structure that effectively entrains solids of varying densities and sizes across different vertical zones, ensuring complete mixing while maintaining a simple structural configuration.
3Ease of operation
If a simple mixing system is used, then the system is easy to operate, but it cannot effectively mix homogeneous and non-homogeneous liquids across all zones
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing system is designed to be self-regulating through gravity-driven flow. The elevated reservoirs automatically maintain fluid pressure and flow rate through their height, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms, motors, or power sources. The nested nozzle configuration inherently creates the necessary flow patterns for effective mixing, making the system both operationally simple and technically effective across all vertical zones.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing vertical elevation differences to drive flow through the nested nozzles, the system achieves complex three-dimensional mixing patterns without mechanical complexity. The vertical discharge from different heights creates overlapping flow fields that effectively mix both homogeneous and non-homogeneous liquids throughout the entire vessel volume, maintaining simplicity while ensuring thorough mixing.
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 enables efficient mixing of homogeneous and non-homogeneous liquids across all zones, reducing energy consumption and complexity by ensuring solids are fully entrained, promoting chemical or biological reactions and preventing accumulation at the vessel bottom.
Implementation Method 1
a pump forces fluid through a downward-facing nozzle in the central channel, creating a vacuum in the outer channel to draw in sludge
Implementation Method 2
a pump forces fluid through a downward-facing nozzle in the central channel, creating a vacuum in the outer channel
Implementation Method 3
The magnitude and velocity of the combined flows through the center channel and outer channel via the nested nozzles is sufficient to mobilize and entrain solids that tend to settle and collect at the bottom of the reactor
Implementation Method 4
The magnitude and velocity of the combined flows through the center channel and outer channel via the nested nozzles is sufficient to mobilize and entrain solids
Data Source
AI summary
A mixer designed to generate high mixing turbulence within the bottom zone of a liquid holding vessel while simultaneously entraining and transferring liquid from the upper surface down to the vessel bottom. Mixing action is accomplished through the incorporation of two jet nozzles, nested one inside the other, strategically located and powered by pressurized liquid drawn from the vessel being mixed. Mixer component dimensions are adaptable to multiple vessel types and configurations. Surface liquids are entrained using a weir section that is either a fixed or floating component of the mixer assembly. Liquid used for developing outlet velocity in primary jet is drawn from multiple locations including the vessel center zone, the vessel bottom and mixer annulus. Mixing in the vessel center zone can vary from gentle upward flow in tall tanks to complete turbulent mixing in shallow vessels.