DE102010029469A1 - Device for mixing a tank contents - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device 1 for mixing a tank content, comprising an outlet 10 which can be arranged in a tank 2, an inlet 20 which can be arranged in a tank outlet area 3, a circulation pump 30, a first circulation line 40 which connects the inlet 20 to the circulation pump 30 and a second circulation line 50, which connects the circulation pump 30 to the outlet 10, the outlet 10 being designed as a jet pump 10.

Description

1. Technical area

The invention relates to a device for mixing a tank contents, in particular in the food industry, beverage industry and pharmaceutical industry.

2. State of the art

In the beverage industry, it is known to place nozzle devices within a tank to mix a tank contents and to direct quantities of the tank contents through the nozzle by means of a pump. This creates a flow in the tank, which ensures mixing of the tank contents.

From the EP 1 324 818 B1 is a method for treating a liquid mass in a container known, wherein a portion of the liquid is removed from the container and is injected back into the container by at least one Ausströmgerät. The outflow device in this case has one or more nozzles which are driven in rotation by a suitable drive means about a first and a second axis. Such a discharge device, which has a plurality of mechanical components for the mechanical rotation of the nozzles, is technically complex, expensive and prone to wear or blockage.

From the EP 1 248 743 B1 For example, a dissolution apparatus with a nozzle device for dissolving a solid in a solvent is known. The dissolving apparatus comprises a nozzle device which branches into an annular gap nozzle and in a pipe nozzle. By this nozzle arrangement, a continuous mass flow is to be generated by the contents of a tank, in particular to dissolve solid ingredients for a beverage, such as citric acid, in the liquid tank contents. Due to the rigid nozzles, however, the mixing effect is low and it requires strong pumps to circulate the entire tank contents.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a device for mixing a tank contents, which ensures a simple way, an improved mixing of the tank contents, less susceptible to contamination and less susceptible to wear. In particular, a device for mixing a tank contents is to be provided, which achieves a better mixing of viscous liquids, such as yeast in a brewery fermentation tank than with the devices of the prior art.

3. Summary of the invention

The above objects are achieved by a device for mixing a tank contents according to claim 1.

In particular, the above-mentioned objects are achieved by a device for mixing a tank contents comprising an outlet arranged in a tank, an inlet arranged in a tank outlet area, a circulation pump, a first circulation line connecting the inlet to the circulation pump and a second circulation line connecting the tank Circulation pump connects to the outlet, wherein the outlet is designed as a jet pump.

Through the inlet liquid is withdrawn directly from the tank outlet region of a tank from the tank, passed through a first circulation line to a circulation pump, which then pumped via a second circulation line the liquid back into the tank, where they are discharged from an outlet back into the tank becomes. The outlet is located inside the tank and is designed according to the invention as a jet pump. The outlet therefore has no moving parts and still ensures a good and safe mixing of the tank contents.

This good mixing is given in particular by the use of a jet pump as an outlet. The jet pump draws medium from the tank and ensures within the jet pump for a mixing of the sucked tank contents and the liquid pumped by the jet pump. At the same time a flow is generated in the entire tank by the jet pump, which ensures an additional mixing of the tank contents. The jet pump therefore has the combinatorial effect, on the one hand, of ensuring a total flow in the tank and, on the other hand, of carrying out in its own mixing of at least two liquid streams of the tank contents.

By means of a device according to the invention and the particularly good mixing of the tank contents smaller pump pressures are required, so that the tank contents are treated gently. In the case of fermentation tanks, a reduction of the fermentation time by several days, for example from six to only four days, is achieved by means of a device according to the invention.

Preferably, the jet pump has a motive nozzle connected to the second circulation line, a mixing chamber upstream of the motive nozzle, with at least one suction port for drawing medium out of the tank and toward the motive medium flowing through the motive nozzle and a diffuser upstream of the mixing chamber having an outlet port for discharging the mixed media into the tank. The propellant medium flowing out of the tank contents through the motive nozzle generates a fast-flowing flow in the diffuser which generates a negative pressure in the mixing chamber. By this negative pressure liquid is drawn from the tank into the mixing chamber through at least one suction, mixed in the mixing chamber and in the subsequent diffuser with the propellant and discharged through an outlet opening at the end of the diffuser back into the tank. In contrast to an ordinary nozzle arranged in the tank, here a suction of medium (liquid) from the tank into the jet pump takes place, in which case a forced mixing of this sucked-in medium with the blowing medium takes place in the mixing chamber. The mixing is therefore much more intense than would be the case with a mere generation of a flow in the tank.

Preferably, the device has one or more valves which are connected to the first circulation line. These valves make it possible to hydraulically connect the tank to piping. These valves allow the tank to be filled, emptied or cleaned. Furthermore, it is possible to supply different liquids, which are then mixed together by the device in the tank.

Preferably, the valves on valve housing, which are connected directly to the wall of the first circulation line. By this arrangement, the valve housing dead spaces in the valves are avoided. In the area of the valves, therefore, no liquids can collect which no longer participate in the mass transfer. This improves the microbiological quality of the device.

Preferably, the valves are mix-safe valves, more preferably double-seat valves. Anti-mix valves, and particularly double seat valves, reliably prevent any fluid within the device from undesirably mixing with fluids present at the valves, even in the event of leakage of a valve seat. With double-seat valves, leakage that can not be completely excluded can escape to the environment.

In a preferred embodiment, at least two of the valves are connected opposite to the first circulation line. By oppositely connected valves results in a particularly space-saving arrangement, so that a large number of valves can be connected to the first circulation line.

Preferably, the valves are connected to substantially horizontally routed line. If the device and thus the connected tank via valves connected to substantially horizontally laid pipes, so that a tank storage system can be constructed, in which the pipes are continuously guided along all tanks and connected to the devices of the invention. This results in a clear, space-saving and optimal in terms of cleaning Matixstruktur with all the desired Verschaltungsmöglichkeiten between the tanks or all desired filling and emptying options are provided. In the past often required central valve fields, distributor panels or pipe bend distributors are no longer necessary.

Preferably, the first circulation line has three U-shaped straight legs, which are connected to each other via arcs.

In a preferred embodiment, opposed pairs of valves are disposed on a vertically disposed leg of the first circulation conduit and / or on a horizontal leg. Depending on the local conditions, the connections of the pipes via valves at any point on the circulation lines, in particular the first circulation line can be made.

Preferably, the second circulation line has an area extending in the lower portion of a tank. Thus, the jet pump, which also serves as an outlet and as a mixing device, can be arranged at a desired height within a tank.

The region of the second circulation line extending into the tank preferably has a length of 1 m-10 m, preferably 1.5 m-8 m and more preferably 4 m-6 m, in particular 5 m or 1.5 m. Thus, the jet pump is preferably arranged in the lower half of the tank, in particular in the lower third of the tank.

In a preferred embodiment, the inlet is designed as a hollow body, through which the second circulation line extends and into the tank. Accordingly, there is only one connection of the device to the tank, namely at the lowest end of the tank. The medium is sucked off through the hollow body at the lowest end of the tank and conveyed by means of the pump through the second circulation line and through the hollow body into the tank. There it reaches the jet pump according to the invention, which causes the mixing of the pumped medium with a medium from the tank.

Further preferred embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

4. Brief description of the figures

In the following, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the figures. In which shows:

1 a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for mixing a tank contents with a sectional view of a jet pump;

2 a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention for mixing a tank contents with a jet pump; and

3 the device after 2 in a front view.

5. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the following, preferred embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the figures. Individual features of one embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments. In all embodiments, the same reference numerals have been used for corresponding features.

The 1 - 3 show schematic side and front views of a device according to the invention 1 for mixing a tank contents, wherein 1 a first embodiment and the 2 and 3 show a second embodiment. The figures schematically show the lower tank cone of a tank 2 shown. The Tank 2 is for example a cylindroconical tank (ZKT) of a brewery plant, in particular a fermentation tank.

As shown, is at the bottom of the tank outlet area 3 a hollow body-shaped inlet 20 connected by the liquid, or other medium, from the tank 2 into the device 1 can occur. To the inlet 20 is a flap valve 22 connected, with the liquid entering the device 1 can be shut off for maintenance purposes.

From the inlet 20 the liquid enters a first circulation line 40 that the inlet 20 with a circulation pump 30 combines. The circulation pump 30 is preferably an electrically driven centrifugal pump, which from the inlet 20 incoming liquid via a second circulation line 50 in the tank 2 into pumps.

The second circulation pipe 50 extends through the hollow body of the inlet 20 through, but is not hydraulically connected to this. This arrangement results in a streamlined optimum and also mechanically optimal connection possibility of the device 1 to a tank 2 , In particular, for the connection of the device 1 to the tank 2 only one opening used, namely the ever existing lower flange 4 a cylindroconical tank. This will make more openings on the tank 2 avoided. It has been found that openings in the region of the tank cone are difficult to produce, and often mechanical stress occur, which can lead to leakage. Through the proposed connection at the bottom of the tank outlet area 3 These problems do not arise. Accordingly, any conventional cylindroconical tank with a device 1 equipped or retrofitted for mixing the tank contents.

The second circulation pipe 50 extends over a certain length L (see. 2 and 3 ) in the lower part of the tank 2 into it, with the area extending into the tank 52 the second circulation line 50 may have a length L of 1 m-10 m, preferably 1.5 m-8 m, and more preferably 4 m-6 m. In a preferred embodiment, a length L of 5 meters or 1.5 meters is used.

At the top of the range 52 is a jet pump 10 to the second circulation line 50 connected. By sizing the area 52 the second circulation line 50 (Length L) can be the jet pump 10 at an advantageous height within a tank 2 to be ordered.

The jet pump 10 has a motive nozzle 12 on that with the second circulation pipe 50 connected is. The motive nozzle 12 this sprays from the centrifugal pump 30 pumped medium (the so-called "propellant") in a mixing chamber 14 into it, which is the motive nozzle 12 surrounds. The mixing chamber 14 has in its lower part a suction port 19 on, through the medium, in particular liquid, from the tank also in the mixing chamber 14 can flow in. By the outflow of the propellant through the motive nozzle 12 gets inside the mixing chamber 14 creates a negative pressure, the medium directly from the tank through the suction port 19 flow into the mixing chamber.

In the mixing chamber 14 then becomes the propellant that comes out of the motive nozzle 12 emanates, with the directly from the tank 2 through the intake opening 19 inflowing medium mixed. Upstream of the mixing chamber 14 is a still diffuser 16 arranged. By the narrowing Cross section of the diffuser 16 becomes the suction effect of the jet pump 10 for medium from the tank even stronger. The diffuser 16 opens into an outlet opening 18 from which the mixed media in the tank 2 flow out.

The jet pump 10 on the one hand, through the inlet 20 sucked medium back into the tank 2 bring in and thus a flow within the tank 2 to create. On the other hand, by the inflow of the pumped medium (driving medium) in the jet pump 10 a negative pressure within the jet pump 10 generated, the other medium directly from the tank 2 sucks. This mixes with the propellant and passes through the outlet port 18 in the tank 2 brought in. The mixing of the tank contents therefore takes place both outside the jet pump 10 in the tank 2 as well as within the jet pump 10 even.

The device of the second embodiment according to 2 and 3 differs from the first embodiment according to 1 in the spatial configuration of the jet pump 10 , the first circulation line 40 and the second circulation line 50 ,

The jet pump 10 the second embodiment is smaller and slimmer than those in 1 shown schematically, but includes the same components and has the same function. Due to the smaller, slimmer shape, the jet pump 10 easily through the connection flange 4 be introduced and installed in the lower tank outlet area. Also this jet pump 10 has a motive nozzle 12 , a mixing chamber 14 , at least one suction opening 19 , a diffuser 16 and an outlet opening 18 for dispensing the mixed media into the tank 2 on.

In the embodiment of the 1 is the first circulation line 40 preferably U-shaped forms and includes a first straight leg 42 which of the inlet 20 starting is arranged substantially horizontally. The first leg 42 is over a 90 ° arc 43 , with a second straight leg 44 connected, which is arranged substantially vertically. This second straight thigh 44 goes over a 90 ° arc 45 in a third straight leg 46 about, which in turn is arranged substantially horizontally and to a suction port of a centrifugal pump 30 leads. The second circulation pipe 50 extends substantially straight and vertically upwards and is directly to an outlet opening of the centrifugal pump 30 connected.

Both on the vertically arranged leg 44 as well as on the horizontally arranged leg 42 the first circulation line 50 are mix-proof valves, preferably double-seat valves 62 . 63 . 64 . 65 arranged. As shown, the valves exist 62 . 63 . 65 from two pairs of opposing valves. This results in a particularly space-saving arrangement of the valves on the vertical leg 44 the first circulation line 50 , As shown, the valve housings are directly on the wall of the first circulation line 50 connected. It is also possible that the valve housing of the illustrated double-seat valves 62 . 63 . 64 . 65 a part of the second circulation line 40 form. This is microbiologically advantageous because then there are no pockets or other cavities between the first circulation line and the valves in which liquids can accumulate and deposit. Accordingly, the liquid is within the device 1 always on the move and in substance exchange with the contents of the tank 2 ,

About the valves 62 . 63 . 64 . 65 are preferred horizontally laid pipelines 70 to the device 1 and with it to the tank 2 connected. About these pipelines 70 can the tank 2 filled with various media and emptied. Furthermore, it is possible, cleaning fluid through one of the pipes 70 into the tank and by means of the device 1 to carry out an effective cleaning of the entire tank contents.

Be more tanks 2 with devices 1 arranged one behind the other in a row, they can be connected to the valves 62 . 63 . 64 . 65 connected pipelines 70 connect the tanks together so that each tank 2 with appropriate piping 70 can be connected. This makes it possible to build up an advantageous solid-lined tank storage system that does not require any further valve matrices, distribution panels or pipe bend panels for interconnecting the tanks.

In the second embodiment according to the 2 and 3 exists the first circulation line 40 from a straight piece of a larger sized pipe 70 which also serves as a supply to the tank 2 serves. Between the first circulation line 40 and the inlet 20 is a flap valve 22 arranged. To the pipeline 70 is still a second flap valve 24 connected to the continuation 41 the first circulation line 40 connects, extending to the circulation pump 30 extends. As for the mixing of the media in the tank 2 a lower volume flow is required than for filling or emptying the tank 2 , is the sequel 41 the circulation line 40 smaller dimensions than the pipeline 70 ,

From the circulation pump 30 becomes the circulating medium over a second circulation line 50 to the jet pump 10 promoted. The second circulation pipe 50 extends first from the pump 30 vertically upwards and then goes into a horizontally arranged substantially U-shaped arch 53 over, on the valves or measuring devices 54 can be connected. For example, a measuring device 54 for measuring the yeast content in the circulated medium to the circulation line 50 be connected. At the end of the U-shaped arch 53 go the second circulation line 50 in an area above, perpendicular to the top, through the inlet 20 through, into the tank 2 into it. Below the inlet 20 can the second circulation line 20 if necessary by another flap valve 26 from the area 52 inside the tank 2 be separated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Device for mixing a tank contents

2

tank

3

Tank discharge area

4

flange

10

Outlet / jet pump

12

propelling nozzle

14

mixing chamber

16

diffuser

18

outlet

19

suction

20

inlet

22

flap valve

24

flap valve

26

flap valve

30

circulation pump

40

first circulation line

41

Continuation of the first circulation line

42

horizontally arranged leg

43

bow

44

vertically arranged leg

45

bow

46

horizontally arranged leg

50

second circulation line

52

into the tank projecting portion of the second circulation line

53

U-shaped area of the second circulation line

54

Valves or measuring devices

62, 63, 64, 65

Pairs of valves

70

piping

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1324818 B1 [0003]
• EP 1248743 B1 [0004]

Claims (12)

Contraption ( 1 ) for mixing a tank contents, comprising: a. one in a tank ( 2 ) disposable outlet ( 10 ); b. one in a tank outlet area ( 3 ) disposable inlet ( 20 ); c. a circulation pump ( 30 ); d. a first circulation line ( 40 ), the inlet ( 20 ) with the circulation pump ( 30 ) connects; and e. a second circulation line ( 50 ), the circulation pump ( 30 ) with the outlet ( 10 ) connects; where f. the outlet ( 10 ) as a jet pump ( 10 ) is trained. Device according to claims 1, wherein the jet pump ( 10 ): a. a motive nozzle ( 12 ) connected to the second circulation line ( 50 ) connected is; b. a mixing chamber ( 14 ), which the Treibdüse ( 12 ), with at least one suction opening ( 19 ) to remove medium from the tank ( 2 ) and with which through the motive nozzle ( 12 ) to mix flowing propellant; and c. a diffuser ( 16 ) upstream of the mixing chamber ( 14 ), which has an outlet opening ( 18 ) for dispensing the mixed media into the tank ( 2 ) having. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, comprising one or more valves ( 62 . 63 . 64 . 65 ) to the first circulation line ( 40 ) are connected. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the valves ( 62 . 63 . 64 . 65 ) Valve housing, which directly on the wall of the first circulation line ( 40 ) are connected. Device according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the valves ( 62 . 63 . 64 . 65 ) mix-safe valves, preferably double-seat valves are. Device according to one of claims 3-5, wherein at least two of the valves ( 62 . 63 . 64 . 65 ) opposite to the first circulation line ( 40 ) are connected. Device according to one of claims 3-6, wherein the valves ( 62 . 63 . 64 . 65 ) to substantially horizontally laid pipelines ( 70 ) are connected. Device according to one of claims 1-7, wherein the first circulation line ( 40 ) three U-shaped straight legs ( 42 . 44 . 46 ), which has bends ( 43 . 45 ) are interconnected. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein opposing pairs of valves ( 62 . 63 . 64 . 65 ) on a vertically arranged leg ( 44 ) of the first circulation line ( 50 ) and / or on a horizontal leg ( 42 ) are arranged. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the second circulation line ( 50 ) an area ( 52 ) extending into the lower portion of a tank. Device according to claim 10, wherein the device is in the tank ( 2 ) extending into ( 52 ) of the second circulation line ( 50 ) has a length of 1 m-10 m, preferably 1.5 m-8 m, and more preferably 4 m-6 m, in particular 1.5 m or 5 m. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the inlet ( 20 ) is formed as a hollow body through which the second circulation line ( 50 ) and into the tank ( 2 ) extends into it.

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