Tall Tank Mixing System Using Ring-Mounted Flow Generators
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tall storage tanks, the settling of solid components in sludge leads to inefficient mixing, as existing systems struggle to effectively resuspend solids back into liquids, especially in tanks with increased heights, resulting in uneven distribution and processing challenges.
Innovation Solution
A tank mixing system utilizing submerged flow generating devices positioned in rings around the tank, creating rotational and directional fluid flows to resuspend solids, with upper nozzles directing streams downward to counteract settling and enhance mixing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mixing systems are used in tall tanks, then the system structure is simple, but the mixing effectiveness deteriorates due to inability to counteract solid settling in increased height tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing system is segmented into multiple functional components: submerged flow generating devices positioned in rings at different elevations, upper nozzles positioned above the liquid level, and a central column structure. This segmentation allows each component to address specific mixing challenges in different regions of the tall tank, thereby improving overall mixing effectiveness while maintaining a modular structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces vertical dimensionality by positioning flow generating devices at multiple elevations and adding upper nozzles above the liquid level. This multi-level arrangement creates three-dimensional flow patterns that effectively counteract solid settling throughout the entire height of the tank, transforming conventional two-dimensional surface mixing into comprehensive three-dimensional mixing.
2Volume of stationary object
If tank height is increased to expand storage capacity, then the volume of sludge that can be stored increases, but the difficulty of resuspending solids deteriorates due to greater settling distance
Solution Approach 1:
The tall tank is divided into multiple elevation zones, each equipped with flow generating devices positioned at strategic heights. This segmentation allows the mixing system to address solid settling issues in each specific zone, ensuring effective resuspension throughout the entire increased height while maintaining the expanded storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The central column acts as an intermediary structure that supports the ring arrangements of flow generating devices at multiple elevations. This central support system enables the distribution of mixing energy throughout the tall tank volume, facilitating effective solid resuspension in the increased height while preserving the expanded storage capacity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple flow generating devices are positioned in rings at different elevations, then the mixing homogeneity improves, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow generating devices are merged into ring arrangements that are supported by a central column structure. This merging approach achieves comprehensive mixing homogeneity by coordinating the action of multiple devices while simplifying installation through the unified ring-and-column framework, reducing the complexity compared to individual device mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring structures serve multiple functions: they support flow generating devices at specific elevations, provide structural stability, and facilitate uniform distribution of mixing energy. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating support, positioning, and energy distribution functions into single structural elements.
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 system effectively breaks up solid layers, creating a homogeneous slurry by generating upward, inward, and outward fluid flows, counteracting the 'tea-cup effect' and ensuring thorough mixing in tall tanks, improving sludge processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The flow generating devices may be positioned at an angle that is between horizontal and vertical to generate both a generally rotational flow and a generally upward flow of fluid from the flow generating devices
Implementation Method 2
The generally upwardly directed streams are believed to facilitate fluid flow generally upward in the outer region of the tank, generally inward in the upper region of the tank, generally downward in the inner region of the tank, and generally outward in the lower region of the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A system for mixing the solid and liquid contents of a tank having an increased height using at least one flow generating device positioned proximate an outer wall of the tank and directed in a direction to discharge a flow having a rotational component and a generally upward component. A plurality of such flow generating devices may be positioned in one or more rings at various elevations within the tank. The flow generating devices are positioned such that resultant fluid flows within the tank contents include a flow in a generally rotational direction and a flow having components generally upward in the outer portion of the tank, inward in the upper portion of the tank, downward in the center portion of the tank, and outward in the lower portion of the tank.