Pipeline Pre-Mixer Ring Structure for Compact Fluid Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing static mixers for fluid flow in pipelines are large, difficult to construct and install, and do not efficiently mix multiple fluids, which hinders accurate fluid flow parameter measurement and sampling.

Innovation Solution

A compact pre-mixer design with a circular or ring structure featuring angled slots and arms that extend from the body, creating a cascade effect for efficient mixing, capable of being installed upstream of a static mixer or used independently to ensure proper fluid flow mixing and sampling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a traditional static mixer is used for mixing fluid flow in pipelines, then mixing function is provided, but the device occupies large space and is difficult to construct and install

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of construction and installationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixer body is segmented into multiple arms extending from a central ring structure, with slots positioned between the arms. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components that can be assembled together, reducing construction complexity while maintaining effective mixing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from conventional linear or block-style mixers to a radial ring structure with arms extending outward. This dimensional change to a radial configuration reduces the axial space required in the pipeline while maintaining mixing effectiveness through the distributed arm and slot geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If a compact pre-mixer design is used, then space requirements are reduced, but mixing efficiency for multiple fluids must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupation in pipelineVSAvoidmixing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the mixer are designed with varying slot orientations and arm configurations to create localized flow patterns. The slots between arms are positioned at specific angles to generate targeted turbulence and rotational flow in different zones, ensuring thorough mixing of multiple fluids within the compact radial structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The radial ring structure with curved arms and angled slots creates rotational and turbulent flow patterns more effectively than straight-line configurations. The curved geometry of the arms and angled slot arrangements promote fluid circulation and mixing efficiency while maintaining a compact footprint within the pipeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Measurement precision

If multiple fluids are present in the pipeline, then accurate fluid composition measurement is required, but improper mixing hinders measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid composition sampling accuracyVSAvoidsampling accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixer is positioned upstream of the sampling point to pre-mix the fluid stream before measurement occurs. The radial arm structure with angled slots creates turbulence and rotational flow that thoroughly combines multiple fluids prior to sampling, ensuring that the sampled composition accurately represents the overall mixture in the pipeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The angled slots and radial arm configuration generate mechanical turbulence and rotational motion in the fluid stream. This induced turbulence creates intense mixing action that rapidly homogenizes multiple fluids, improving the representativeness of downstream samples and enhancing measurement precision for fluid composition analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 pre-mixer effectively mixes fluid flow within pipelines, reducing space requirements and ensuring accurate fluid composition sampling, even when multiple fluids are present, by imparting rotating and turbulent flow, thus improving fluid flow parameter measurement accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

imparting rotating and turbulent flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

creating a cascade effect for efficient mixing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP3967392B1Pre-mixer for mixing fluid flow in a pipeline
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 CANADA PIPELINE ACCESSORIES
  • EP3967392B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3967392B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~2A
  • EP3967392B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C

AI summary

A static mixer for mixing fluid flow in a pipeline includes a body having a plurality of slots through the body, the slots being angled with respect to an axis passing through a center of the body. A plurality of arms extends from an outer edge of the body towards a center of the body, each arm having a flat surface on a first side of the body and angled sides along at least a portion thereof extending to a second side of the body. The plurality of slots includes at least one concentric ring of slots.