Static Mixing Blade for Supercritical Fluid Processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mixing apparatuses that use a rotary blade in a chamber for mixing materials under supercritical or subcritical conditions face issues with energy efficiency and sealing performance due to the need for external motive power and gaps between the blade and chamber, leading to potential fluid leakage and material degradation.

Innovation Solution

A mixing apparatus with a static mixing blade fixed to the chamber, eliminating the need for external power to rotate the blade and reducing heat generation, which enhances sealing performance and prevents material degradation by maintaining the materials in a supercritical or subcritical state without shearing forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a rotary blade is used for mixing materials in a chamber under supercritical or subcritical conditions, then mixing function is achieved, but energy consumption increases and sealing performance deteriorates due to the need for external motive power and gaps between blade and chamber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidenergy for rotating blade

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the rotary blade from the system and replaces it with a static mixing blade fixed to the chamber wall. This eliminates the need for external motive power and the associated sealing gaps, directly resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical rotating blade system with a static mixing blade system. The mixing action is achieved through the flow of supercritical or subcritical fluid past the stationary blade, eliminating mechanical rotation and its associated energy requirements and sealing issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If a rotary blade is rotated to mix materials, then mixing is achieved, but heat generation increases causing material degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidheat generation and material degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces mechanical rotation with fluid flow-driven mixing. The supercritical or subcritical fluid flows past the static mixing blade, creating mixing action without mechanical friction and heat generation, thus preventing material degradation while maintaining mixing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the kinetic energy of the flowing supercritical or subcritical fluid to drive the mixing process. The fluid itself provides the energy for mixing without requiring external mechanical power, thereby avoiding heat generation from mechanical friction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If gaps are formed between chamber and motive power connection members, then assembly is simplified, but sealing performance insufficient allowing fluid leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the motive power connection members and gaps from the system by using a static mixing blade fixed directly to the chamber. This eliminates the source of leakage while maintaining assembly simplicity, as the mixing blade is integrated into the chamber structure without requiring external power connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution allows for efficient mixing without energy for rotating the blade, improving sealing performance and reducing material degradation, enabling the mixing of a wider range of materials, including heat-sensitive ones, while maintaining the supercritical or subcritical state for effective material processing.

Implementation Method 1

a mixing apparatus for mixing materials together in the presence of a working fluid that is in a supercritical state or a subcritical state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSupercritical fluid: Supercritical Fluid

Implementation Method 2

a mixing apparatus for mixing materials together in the presence of a working fluid that is in a supercritical state or a subcritical state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSubcritical fluid: Supercritical Fluid

Data Source

PatentUS11944944B2Mixing apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 KOBE STEEL LTD

AI summary

A mixing apparatus includes a mixer configured to mix a material including a rubber or a resin in the presence of a working fluid that is in a supercritical state or a subcritical state. The mixer includes a chamber that forms a flow passage for the working fluid and the material, and a mixing blade disposed in the chamber and fixed to the chamber.