Variable Profile Mixing Zone for Supersonic Steam Hydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for mixing and hydrating materials, such as starch, with steam are inefficient due to insufficient mixing and hydration, as the steam tends to flow along the walls rather than penetrating the material, leading to incomplete hydration of the material in the center of the flow.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a variable cross-sectional profile mixing zone that allows for supersonic injection of steam, enabling optimal contact and mixing by adjusting the angle and flow characteristics of the steam with the process liquid, ensuring efficient atomization and hydration through a dynamically changeable nozzle and movable flaps or projections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If steam is fed through an annular nozzle into a supply line at a low angle of impingement (30° or less) to maintain fluid mover function, then the device structure is simple, but mixing efficiency is poor and steam flows along walls rather than penetrating slurry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static supply line into a dynamic system by introducing a movable piston that can shift the slurry flow position within the supply line. This dynamic adjustment allows the steam injection angle and penetration depth to be optimized for different operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and mixing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of steam injection by introducing a adjustable injection angle mechanism and variable pressure control. By modifying these parameters, the steam can effectively penetrate the slurry at optimal angles rather than flowing along walls, thereby improving mixing efficiency without significantly complicating the device structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the supply line geometry is optimized for fluid moving function, then the device is easy to manufacture, but mixing capability is insufficient as steam cannot effectively penetrate the slurry flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the supply line into multiple sections with different functions: a first section for steam injection and a second section for slurry flow. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently - the first section for effective steam penetration and the second for fluid transport - thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and complete hydration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a movable piston as an intermediary element between the steam injection system and the slurry flow. This piston mediates the interaction by controlling the slurry flow position and creating optimal conditions for steam penetration, thereby improving hydration completeness while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple devices are used to achieve efficient mixing and hydration, then mixing quality is improved, but device complexity and energy expenditure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-functional supply line that simultaneously performs fluid transport, steam injection, mixing, and hydration functions. By integrating these multiple functions into a single device with adjustable parameters, the patent achieves high mixing quality without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity and energy consumption.
4Manufacturing precision
If batch processing is used to ensure thorough mixing and hydration, then product quality is improved, but production time and exposure to microorganisms increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous processing by maintaining constant steam injection and slurry flow through the optimized supply line. The adjustable piston ensures continuous effective mixing and hydration as material passes through, eliminating the need for batch processing while maintaining product quality and reducing exposure time to microorganisms.
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 approach results in more efficient mixing and hydration, reducing the need for multiple devices and energy expenditure, allowing for on-demand production of high-quality products with reduced exposure to microorganisms and lower manufacturing time, while enabling a flow-through process that minimizes waste.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle for introducing steam at supersonic velocity into the passage
Implementation Method 2
Mixing with steam may, for example, result in the atomisation of a process liquid comprising the material
Implementation Method 3
steam is fed through an annular nozzle into the supply line where it mixes with and hydrates the slurry
Implementation Method 4
it may be desirable to mix a material with steam in order to raise the temperature of the material, for example for the purposes of Pasteurisation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to apparatus and a process for mixing a gas/vapour with a process liquid comprising a material and a carrier liquid. The apparatus comprises a passage (10) having an inlet (14), an outlet (16) for a process liquid comprising the material, and an inlet (24) for introducing supersonic steam at a mixing zone (42). The profile of the mixing zone (42) can be varied to optimise mixing.