Static Mixer Regulation Valve Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Static mixers face challenges in efficiently mixing chemicals into fiber suspensions due to clogging, pressure fluctuations, and inconsistent mixing results, especially when pulp consistency varies, leading to inefficient energy use and potential clogging issues.

Innovation Solution

A system with a regulation valve and a closing valve is used to control the flow of pulp and chemical, incorporating an auxiliary medium to maintain a constant pressure difference and flow, ensuring stable mixing conditions by combining pumping energy with the regulation valve to create uniform flow conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If static mixers are used to mix chemicals into fiber suspensions, then energy consumption is reduced compared to dynamic mixers, but mixing efficiency deteriorates due to clogging and pressure fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidmixing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by introducing a dynamic regulation valve downstream of the static mixer to actively control and stabilize the pressure difference across the mixer. This dynamic control compensates for pressure fluctuations caused by varying pulp consistency and flow rates, maintaining reliable mixing efficiency while preserving the energy benefits of static mixing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The regulation valve operates based on feedback from pressure sensors that monitor the pressure difference across the static mixer. When pressure fluctuations are detected, the valve automatically adjusts to maintain the optimal pressure difference, ensuring consistent mixing performance despite changes in pulp properties or flow conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If pulp consistency varies, then production flexibility is improved, but mixing stability deteriorates due to pressure fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction flexibilityVSAvoidmixing stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses pressure sensors and a regulation valve to create a feedback control loop that automatically compensates for pressure fluctuations caused by varying pulp consistency. This allows the system to maintain stable mixing conditions across a wide range of production rates and pulp properties without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The regulation valve dynamically adjusts the downstream pressure to compensate for changes in pulp consistency and flow rate. By actively modifying the pressure parameter, the system maintains a constant pressure difference across the static mixer, ensuring stable mixing performance despite variations in production conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If flow rate is increased to improve productivity, then production output is improved, but mixing uniformity deteriorates due to turbulent flow variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction outputVSAvoidmixing uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure feedback control system continuously monitors and adjusts the pressure difference across the static mixer to maintain optimal mixing conditions even at high flow rates. This ensures that mixing uniformity is preserved despite the increased turbulence and flow variations associated with high productivity operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic regulation valve adapts to changing flow conditions by actively controlling the downstream pressure. This dynamic adjustment compensates for turbulence and flow variations, maintaining consistent mixing quality across the full range of production rates from low to high output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution stabilizes chemical mixing, reduces energy consumption, and prevents clogging, allowing efficient mixing across a wide range of pulp production levels by maintaining consistent pressure and flow, even in fluctuating conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a pump (102), a closing valve (110), a static mixer apparatus (106) whereto a chemical feed line (104) is connected, and a regulation valve (108)... stabilizes chemical mixing... by maintaining consistent pressure and flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a regulation valve (108)... for regulating the pumping of medium consistency pulp... combining pumping energy with the regulation valve to create uniform flow conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThrottling: Valve

Implementation Method 3

In a static mixer, by throttling the flow, i.e. decreasing the cross-sectional area, an increase in the flow rate is achieved, and due to the throttling and the shape of the flow channel a strong motion mixing the suspension, even turbulence is generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 4

a pump (102)... combining pumping energy with the regulation valve to create uniform flow conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP2531285B1Apparatus and method in connection with a static mixer
Publication Date: 2014.04.02 ANDRITZ OY
  • EP2531285B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2531285B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2531285B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for feeding chemical into a fiber suspension in a fiber suspension transfer line. The arrangement comprises in the flow direction of the suspension a pump (102), a closing valve (110), a static mixing apparatus (106) whereto a chemical feed line (104) is connected, and a regulation valve (108). A conduit (120) is connected to the chemical feed line for adding a medium into the chemical flow if needed for maintaining an adequate flow into the mixer (106).