Supercritical Fluid Mixing Apparatus with Preliminary Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing technologies require high energy to apply materials to a working fluid, particularly when using supercritical or subcritical fluids, due to the need for elevated pressures.
Innovation Solution
A mixing apparatus comprising a production unit for creating a supercritical or subcritical working fluid, a storage unit for materials, a dissolving unit for dissolving materials in the fluid, and a mixer for mixing in the presence of the fluid, with valves controlling fluid and material flow to optimize pressure and energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If materials are applied to the working fluid by applying pressure higher than the working fluid pressure, then the materials can be dissolved in the working fluid, but large energy is necessary to apply the materials to the working fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the material before it enters the dissolving unit. The material is heated to a temperature higher than the working fluid temperature in advance, so that when the material contacts the working fluid, the temperature difference drives spontaneous dissolution without requiring high pressure application to the material. This preliminary heating action resolves the contradiction by enabling dissolution through thermal energy rather than mechanical pressure energy.
2Quantity of substance
If the pressure of the working fluid is higher than atmospheric pressure to dissolve materials, then the dissolution efficiency is improved, but the energy required to maintain high pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the material as the primary driving force for dissolution, rather than relying solely on pressure. By heating the material to a temperature higher than the working fluid, the system utilizes temperature difference to drive mass transfer and dissolution. This parameter change from pressure-driven to temperature-driven dissolution reduces the energy required to maintain high pressure while improving dissolution efficiency.
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 apparatus reduces the energy required to apply materials to the working fluid by allowing for efficient feeding and mixing, enhancing processing efficiency and material quality.
Implementation Method 1
The working fluid and the material are fed into the dissolving unit and the dissolving unit dissolves the material in the working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a mixing apparatus. A production unit produces a working fluid that is in a supercritical state or a subcritical state. A storage unit stores a material. A dissolving unit dissolves the material in the working fluid. A mixer mixes the material together in the presence of the working fluid. A material feed valve opens or closes a flow passage through which the material is to pass to be fed from the storage unit into the dissolving unit. A working fluid inflow valve opens or closes a flow passage through which the working fluid is to pass to flow into the dissolving unit from the production unit. A mixer inflow valve opens or closes a flow passage through which the working fluid and the material are to pass to flow into the mixer from the dissolving unit.