Rotatable Mixing Device Helical Elements Viscous Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Static mixing devices are ineffective for mixing two or more fluids within a container due to their requirement for axial flow, making them unsuitable for mixing viscous and non-viscous materials together in a container, which is a limitation in high throughput workflows and research and development applications.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable mixing device comprising helical mixing elements with a twisted ribbon shape, configured for sequential operative connection, and a dynamic mixing apparatus that uses these elements within a container to create a simultaneous downward and upward flow of fluids, ensuring effective mixing of viscous and non-viscous materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static mixing devices with axial flow are used, then mixing of fluids through the tube can be achieved, but the device cannot mix fluids within a container and is ineffective for viscous and non-viscous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static mixing elements into rotatable mixing elements that can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the tube. This dynamic capability allows the mixing elements to actively engage with fluids of varying viscosities and enables mixing within containers, resolving the limitation of static devices that could only handle axial flow through tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable mixing device can function both as a through-tube mixer and as a container mixer. The mixing elements can be positioned to mix fluids axially flowing through the tube or to mix fluids within a container, providing multi-functionality that addresses the adaptability issue.
2Reliability
If multiple helical mixing elements are used to improve mixing, then mixing effectiveness increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing device is divided into multiple independent helical mixing elements that can be separately positioned and connected. Each mixing element can be independently adjusted along the longitudinal axis, allowing optimization of mixing effectiveness while maintaining modular simplicity that doesn't excessively increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple helical mixing elements are nested within the same tube or container space, with each element positioned at different axial locations. This nesting approach allows multiple mixing elements to coexist without significantly increasing the overall device footprint or complexity.
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 rotatable mixing device achieves rapid and uniform mixing of fluids, capable of producing an approximately uniform mixture in less than 10 minutes, even with materials of varying viscosities, enhancing high throughput workflows and research and development processes.
Implementation Method 1
The rotatable mixing device comprises a leading helical mixing element, a trailing helical mixing element, and a number N intermediate helical mixing elements... Each helical mixing element independently is characterizable as having... an angle of twist (Te) of from 90 degrees (°) to 360° about its longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
Chemical and allied industries desire a rotatable mixing device and mixing method that would be capable of, among other things, mixing a viscous and non-viscous material together within a container
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to a rotatable mixing device, a dynamic mixing apparatus, and a high throughput workflow system and dynamic mixing method employing the same.