EP0963243B1 - Device for stirring the content of a vessel comprising a bubble elevator - Google Patents

Device for stirring the content of a vessel comprising a bubble elevator Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0963243B1
EP0963243B1 EP98910820A EP98910820A EP0963243B1 EP 0963243 B1 EP0963243 B1 EP 0963243B1 EP 98910820 A EP98910820 A EP 98910820A EP 98910820 A EP98910820 A EP 98910820A EP 0963243 B1 EP0963243 B1 EP 0963243B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
liquid
content
stirring
elevator
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EP98910820A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0963243A1 (en
Inventor
Jacques Lafont
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Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives CEA
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Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique CEA
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/50—Circulation mixers, e.g. wherein at least part of the mixture is discharged from and reintroduced into a receptacle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/234—Surface aerating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/234—Surface aerating
    • B01F23/2341—Surface aerating by cascading, spraying or projecting a liquid into a gaseous atmosphere
    • B01F23/23413—Surface aerating by cascading, spraying or projecting a liquid into a gaseous atmosphere using nozzles for projecting the liquid into the gas atmosphere
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/20—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams
    • B01F25/21—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for mixing the contents of a tank.
  • bubble elevator uses a device already used to this and commonly used especially in industry nuclear: it is called bubble elevator and consists of a generally vertical tube, open to its ends and which still includes an inlet nozzle air at an intermediate height. The end is always immersed in the liquid of the tank and corresponds to a liquid inlet opening, while the upper end can be emerged or submerged according to the circumstances and corresponds to a air and liquid mixture ejection opening: indeed, the air introduced into the tube by the tapping rises by carrying with it the liquid occupying the tube, until it comes out of the end the ejected liquid is replaced by liquid from the tank entering through the lower opening. Bubble elevators do not require the use of moving mechanical parts and can therefore be used even in corrosive liquids; they are very effective in stirring and homogenizing the liquid in tanks, in particular for resuspending deposits accumulated at the bottom of the tank.
  • the performance of a bubble elevator can be defined as the quotient of the entrained liquid flow by the air flow supplied. We see that it is very variable and highly dependent on the submergence rate, either the ratio between the height separating the nozzle of air from the level of the tank liquid and the height, unchanging, between the air connection and the top of the elevator; the first of these heights corresponds actually the difference in level between the air intake and the free surface of the liquid. If the liquid is flush with height of the top of the elevator, this is fully submerged and the submergence rate is 100%; this rate decreases as the liquid drops in the tank.
  • the subject of the invention is a bubble elevator which provides both good performance and possibility of auxiliary operation in tanks little filled. It can replace several elevators ordinary.
  • This bubble elevator includes an open tube a lower liquid inlet end, at a upper end of gas mixture ejection and liquid and a gas injection nozzle at a intermediate height between the ends, and it distinguishes in that the tube still comprises at least an additional opening at a height intermediate between the upper end and the air injection nozzle. This new opening can be used to suck up an additional flow of liquid in certain circumstances or to eject on the contrary The mixture.
  • a tube is generally connected to this opening.
  • the bubble elevator in Figure 1 is shown housed in a tank 1 and includes a main tube 2 open at its lower end 3 and at its end upper 4 where, as usual, it is curved in butt shape to reject the gas mixture lift and horizontally driven liquid or even down.
  • An intermediate opening corresponding to an air nozzle 5 is made at little height of the lower end 3; we connect a compressed air line 6 which supplies the mixing gas.
  • the essential element of the invention consists of a additional opening 7 of the main tube 2, located between the tap 5 and the upper end 4 and at which can be connected to a connection tube 8 which from there horizontally or down, and opens in tank 1 below the end superior 4.
  • connection tube 8 lends itself both when drawing the liquid from the tank and ejecting a mixture. It is worth mentioning previously certain geometric characteristics of the elevator and explain their interest. This is how as the main tube widens upward, passing with a diameter D1 on the side of the lower end 3 to a larger diameter D2 on the end side superior 4. The variation in diameter is located a little below the connection opening 7 and it is abrupt, but correct operation would be obtained with a gradual variation in diameter over a small height of the main tube 2.
  • the elevation b a value of about 5 cm for a main tube 2, without notice air exhaust even by increasing the injection rate through the nozzle 5 until tripling.
  • This possibility of reducing the difference in height b is beneficial because it increases the submergence rate of the elevator, all other things being equal, and therefore the extent of its operation in little tanks filled, since the submergence rate corresponding to the operating cut-off remains 1/3. Even when operation is possible with an air connection 5 high, its lowering increases the yield of the lift.
  • the diameter D3 of the connection tube 8, its angle of inclination and its length are determined empirically.
  • the diameter D3 must be smaller than the diameter D2, and the length smaller than that of the lower part (of diameter D1) of the main tube 2.
  • Figure 2a illustrates a situation where the tank 1 is almost empty but where a homogenization of its content is still sought. Air is supplied at the desired rate and it entrains the liquid present in the bottom of tube 2 to connection opening 7 before discharging it through connection tube 8: on thus obtains an operation of the "first stage" of the elevator which only concerns its lower part, while the rest, between the opening of connection 7 and the upper end 4, consists of a "second floor” which remains entirely empty for this operating mode apart from an air leak rate, because its submergence is too low.
  • connection tube 8 which becomes a suction tube for a liquid flow additional.
  • Liquid aspiration at two altitudes further promotes significant mixing of the content of the tank, together with an increase in the flow of liquid entrained in the main tube 2.
  • the opening connection 7 then optimizes the operation of the bubble elevator by allowing suction then to eject a greater flow of liquid than in an ordinary elevator, with identical air flow.
  • Figure 3 shows that the orifice concept intermediate can be generalized to a forklift bubbles with more than two ejection stages: the elevator which is illustrated therein thus comprises a second orifice intermediate 17 above the first (referenced by 7 as in the previous example), and a second tube of connection 18 is connected to it. It is sloping down to tank 1 like the previous one, and its diameter D5 can be similar to the diameter D3 of the first connection tube 8 or slightly higher.
  • the tube 2 then comprises three sections, of diameters D1, D2 and D4, which connect 7 and 17 with variations abrupt or progressive in diameter as previously.
  • the mixture of air and liquid comes out of the elevator 7 and 17 or by the upper end 4 of the tube 2, or more of these places at once function of submergence and air flow, such as previously.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Mixers With Rotating Receptacles And Mixers With Vibration Mechanisms (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns a bubble elevator comprising an orifice (7) intermediate between the air-tapping point (5) for driving the liquid and the top opening (4) for expelling the air-liquid mixture. The mixture can be expelled by the orifice (7) when the vessel is slightly filled and its content cannot be driven to the top, or on the contrary additional air suction can be provided. The bubble elevator is generally used for stirring and homogenising the liquid content of a vessel.

Description

L'invention concerne un dispositif de brassage du contenu d'une cuve.The invention relates to a device for mixing the contents of a tank.

Elle a recours à un appareil déjà employé pour cela et d'emploi courant notamment dans l'industrie nucléaire : il est appelé élévateur à bulles et consiste en un tube généralement vertical, ouvert à ses extrémités et qui comprend encore un piquage d'entrée d'air à une hauteur intermédiaire. L'extrémité inférieure est toujours immergée dans le liquide de la cuve et correspond à une ouverture d'entrée de liquide, alors que l'extrémité supérieure peut être émergée ou immergée selon les circonstances et correspond à une ouverture d'éjection de mélange d'air et de liquide : en effet, l'air introduit dans le tube par le piquage remonte en entraínant avec lui le liquide occupant le tube, jusqu'à ce qu'il sorte par l'extrémité supérieure, et le liquide éjecté est remplacé par du liquide de la cuve entrant par l'ouverture inférieure. Les élévateurs à bulles n'imposent pas l'emploi de pièces mécaniques mobiles et peuvent donc être employés même dans les liquides corrosifs ; ils sont très efficaces pour brasser et homogénéiser le liquide des cuves, notamment pour remettre en suspension les dépôts accumulés au fond de la cuve.She uses a device already used to this and commonly used especially in industry nuclear: it is called bubble elevator and consists of a generally vertical tube, open to its ends and which still includes an inlet nozzle air at an intermediate height. The end is always immersed in the liquid of the tank and corresponds to a liquid inlet opening, while the upper end can be emerged or submerged according to the circumstances and corresponds to a air and liquid mixture ejection opening: indeed, the air introduced into the tube by the tapping rises by carrying with it the liquid occupying the tube, until it comes out of the end the ejected liquid is replaced by liquid from the tank entering through the lower opening. Bubble elevators do not require the use of moving mechanical parts and can therefore be used even in corrosive liquids; they are very effective in stirring and homogenizing the liquid in tanks, in particular for resuspending deposits accumulated at the bottom of the tank.

Le rendement d'un élévateur à bulles peut être défini comme le quotient du débit de liquide entraíné par le débit d'air fourni. On constate qu'il est très variable et dépend fortement du taux de submergence, soit du rapport entre la hauteur séparant le piquage d'air du niveau du liquide de la cuve et la hauteur, invariable, entre le piquage d'air et le sommet de l'élévateur ; la première de ces hauteurs correspond en réalité à la dénivellation entre le piquage d'air et la surface libre du liquide. Si le liquide affleure à hauteur du sommet de l'élévateur, celui-ci est entièrement submergé et le taux de submergence est de 100% ; ce taux diminue à mesure que le liquide baisse dans la cuve. On constate que le rendement baisse rapidement avec le taux de submergence et qu'il devient nul pour un taux de submergence égal à 1/3 environ, ce qui signifie que le liquide ne sort plus du tout de l'ouverture supérieure de l'élévateur. On doit donc admettre que les élévateurs à bulles deviennent inopérants pour les cuves peu remplies. Quand le niveau de la cuve est variable, on dispose plusieurs élévateurs de hauteurs différentes et on les utilise séparément selon les circonstances, en choisissant celui qui possédera momentanément le meilleur rendement ou celui qui débouchera aux profondeurs qui permettront l'homogénéisation la plus complète. Mais on est en droit de juger que l'installation devient compliquée.The performance of a bubble elevator can be defined as the quotient of the entrained liquid flow by the air flow supplied. We see that it is very variable and highly dependent on the submergence rate, either the ratio between the height separating the nozzle of air from the level of the tank liquid and the height, unchanging, between the air connection and the top of the elevator; the first of these heights corresponds actually the difference in level between the air intake and the free surface of the liquid. If the liquid is flush with height of the top of the elevator, this is fully submerged and the submergence rate is 100%; this rate decreases as the liquid drops in the tank. We see that the yield drops quickly with the submergence rate and that it becomes zero for a submergence rate equal to approximately 1/3, this which means that the liquid no longer comes out of the upper opening of the elevator. So we have to admit that the bubble elevators become inoperative for sparsely filled tanks. When the level of the tank is variable, there are several risers of different heights and we use them separately depending on the circumstances, choosing the one who will temporarily have the best yield or the one that will lead to the depths that will allow the most complete homogenization. But we are in right to judge that the installation becomes complicated.

Le sujet de l'invention est un élévateur à bulles amélioré qui offre à la fois un bon rendement et une possibilité de fonctionnement auxiliaire dans des cuves peu emplies. Il peut remplacer plusieurs élévateurs ordinaires.The subject of the invention is a bubble elevator which provides both good performance and possibility of auxiliary operation in tanks little filled. It can replace several elevators ordinary.

Cet élévateur à bulles comprend un tube ouvert à une extrémité inférieure d'entrée de liquide, à une extrémité supérieure d'éjection de mélange de gaz et de liquide et à un piquage d'injection de gaz à une hauteur intermédiaire entre les extrémités, et il se distingue en ce que le tube comprend encore au moins une ouverture supplémentaire à une hauteur intermédiaire entre l'extrémité supérieure et le piquage d'injection d'air. Cette nouvelle ouverture peut servir à aspirer un débit additionnel de liquide dans certaines circonstances ou à éjecter au contraire le mélange. Un tube est en général raccordé à cette ouverture.This bubble elevator includes an open tube a lower liquid inlet end, at a upper end of gas mixture ejection and liquid and a gas injection nozzle at a intermediate height between the ends, and it distinguishes in that the tube still comprises at least an additional opening at a height intermediate between the upper end and the air injection nozzle. This new opening can be used to suck up an additional flow of liquid in certain circumstances or to eject on the contrary The mixture. A tube is generally connected to this opening.

L'invention sera maintenant décrite en détail à l'aide des figures suivantes, annexées à titre illustratif et non limitatif :

  • la figure 1 représente un élévateur à bulles conforme à l'invention,
  • les figures 2a à 2d illustrent plusieurs modes de fonctionnement qu'on peut distinguer,
  • et la figure 3 représente un autre élévateur à bulles.
The invention will now be described in detail with the aid of the following figures, annexed by way of illustration and not limitation:
  • FIG. 1 represents a bubble elevator according to the invention,
  • FIGS. 2a to 2d illustrate several operating modes which can be distinguished,
  • and Figure 3 shows another bubble elevator.

L'élévateur à bulles de la figure 1 est représenté logé dans une cuve 1 et comprend un tube principal 2 ouvert à son extrémité inférieure 3 et à son extrémité supérieure 4 où, comme il est usuel, il est recourbé en forme de crosse pour rejeter le mélange de gaz élévateur et de liquide entraíné horizontalement ou même vers le bas. Une ouverture intermédiaire correspondant à un piquage d'air 5 est faite à peu de hauteur de l'extrémité inférieure 3 ; on y raccorde un conduit 6 d'air comprimé qui fournit le gaz de mélange.The bubble elevator in Figure 1 is shown housed in a tank 1 and includes a main tube 2 open at its lower end 3 and at its end upper 4 where, as usual, it is curved in butt shape to reject the gas mixture lift and horizontally driven liquid or even down. An intermediate opening corresponding to an air nozzle 5 is made at little height of the lower end 3; we connect a compressed air line 6 which supplies the mixing gas.

L'élément essentiel de l'invention consiste en une ouverture 7 supplémentaire du tube principal 2, située entre le piquage 5 et l'extrémité supérieure 4 et à laquelle on peut raccorder un tube de branchement 8 qui s'étend de là horizontalement ou vers le bas, et s'ouvre dans la cuve 1 au-dessous de l'extrémité supérieure 4.The essential element of the invention consists of a additional opening 7 of the main tube 2, located between the tap 5 and the upper end 4 and at which can be connected to a connection tube 8 which from there horizontally or down, and opens in tank 1 below the end superior 4.

On verra que le tube de branchement 8 se prête aussi bien à l'aspiration du liquide de la cuve qu'à l'éjection d'un mélange. Il est bon de mentionner auparavant certaines caractéristiques géométriques de l'élévateur et d'expliquer leur intérêt. C'est ainsi que le tube principal s'élargit vers le haut, passant d'un diamètre D1 du côté de l'extrémité inférieure 3 à un diamètre D2 plus important du côté de l'extrémité supérieure 4. La variation de diamètre est localisée un peu au-dessous de l'ouverture de raccordement 7 et elle est brusque, mais un fonctionnement correct serait obtenu avec une variation progressive de diamètre sur une petite hauteur du tube principal 2. Cette disposition est utile pour aspirer du liquide par le tube de branchement 8, car on a constaté qu'un tube principal lisse de diamètre intérieur constant était soumis à un écoulement uniforme qui ne permettait pas d'obtenir un débit additionnel important par l'ouverture de raccordement 7, alors que le tube principal 2 décrit ici est le siège de turbulences qui favorisent une aspiration de liquide par le tube de branchement 8. La dénivellation d entre la section de changement de diamètre de D1 à D2, où les turbulences sont produites, et l'ouverture de raccordement 7, doit être la plus petite possible, peut-être de quelques centimètres ; l'effet d'aspiration serait réduit ou compromis si elle était trop grande.We will see that the connection tube 8 lends itself both when drawing the liquid from the tank and ejecting a mixture. It is worth mentioning previously certain geometric characteristics of the elevator and explain their interest. This is how as the main tube widens upward, passing with a diameter D1 on the side of the lower end 3 to a larger diameter D2 on the end side superior 4. The variation in diameter is located a little below the connection opening 7 and it is abrupt, but correct operation would be obtained with a gradual variation in diameter over a small height of the main tube 2. This layout is useful for sucking liquid through the branch tube 8, because it has been found that a tube main smooth of constant inside diameter was subjected to a uniform flow which did not allow obtain a significant additional flow by the connection opening 7, while the tube main 2 described here is the seat of turbulence which promote aspiration of liquid through the tube 8. The difference in level between the section of change in diameter from D1 to D2, where turbulence are produced, and the connection opening 7, must be as small as possible, maybe a few centimeters; the suction effect would be reduced or compromised if it was too large.

Par ailleurs, des essais complémentaires, réalisés en vue d'optimiser et de réduire la valeur de la dénivellation b entre l'extrémité inférieure 3 et l'ouverture du piquage d'air 5, ont montré que les valeurs empiriques préconisées dans les dispositifs de l'art antérieur, situées dans une gamme de valeurs comprises entre 15 et 25 cm, afin d'éviter tout risque d'échappement d'air vers le bas par l'extrémité inférieure 3, qui réduirait les performances de l'élévateur, pouvaient être réduites fortement.In addition, additional tests carried out in order to optimize and reduce the value of the drop b between the lower end 3 and the opening of the air nozzle 5, showed that the empirical values recommended in the prior art, located in a range of values between 15 and 25 cm, to avoid any risk air exhaust down through the end lower 3, which would reduce the performance of the elevator, could be greatly reduced.

Il est possible de donner à la dénivellation b une valeur de 5 cm environ pour un tube principal 2, sans constater d'échappement d'air même en accroissant le débit d'injection par le piquage 5 jusqu'à le tripler. Cette possibilité de réduire la dénivellation b est bénéfique car elle augmente le taux de submergence de l'élévateur, toutes choses égales par ailleurs, et donc l'étendue de son fonctionnement dans des cuves peu emplies, puisque le taux de submergence correspondant à la coupure du fonctionnement reste de 1/3. Même quand le fonctionnement est possible avec un piquage d'air 5 élevé, son abaissement accroít le rendement de l'élévateur.It is possible to give the elevation b a value of about 5 cm for a main tube 2, without notice air exhaust even by increasing the injection rate through the nozzle 5 until tripling. This possibility of reducing the difference in height b is beneficial because it increases the submergence rate of the elevator, all other things being equal, and therefore the extent of its operation in little tanks filled, since the submergence rate corresponding to the operating cut-off remains 1/3. Even when operation is possible with an air connection 5 high, its lowering increases the yield of the lift.

Le diamètre D3 du tube de branchement 8, son angle d'inclinaison et sa longueur sont déterminés empiriquement. Le diamètre D3 doit être plus petit que le diamètre D2, et la longueur plus petite que celle de la partie basse (de diamètre D1) du tube principal 2.The diameter D3 of the connection tube 8, its angle of inclination and its length are determined empirically. The diameter D3 must be smaller than the diameter D2, and the length smaller than that of the lower part (of diameter D1) of the main tube 2.

La figure 2a illustre une situation où la cuve 1 est presque vide mais où une homogénéisation de son contenu est tout de même recherchée. L'air est fourni au débit souhaité et il entraíne le liquide présent au bas du tube 2 jusqu'à l'ouverture de raccordement 7 avant de le décharger par le tube de branchement 8 : on obtient donc un fonctionnement du "premier étage" de l'élévateur qui ne concerne que sa partie inférieure, alors que le reste, compris entre l'ouverture de raccordement 7 et l'extrémité supérieure 4, consiste en un "second étage" qui reste entièrement vide pour ce mode de fonctionnement hormis un débit de fuite d'air, car sa submergence est trop faible.Figure 2a illustrates a situation where the tank 1 is almost empty but where a homogenization of its content is still sought. Air is supplied at the desired rate and it entrains the liquid present in the bottom of tube 2 to connection opening 7 before discharging it through connection tube 8: on thus obtains an operation of the "first stage" of the elevator which only concerns its lower part, while the rest, between the opening of connection 7 and the upper end 4, consists of a "second floor" which remains entirely empty for this operating mode apart from an air leak rate, because its submergence is too low.

Si la cuve se remplit, on peut arriver à l'état de la figure 2b où le niveau du liquide s'étend jusqu'à l'ouverture de raccordement 7 : ce fonctionnement reste à peu près le même que précédemment, tout le mélange d'air et de liquide passant par le tube de branchement 8, sauf que le mélange est rejeté directement dans le liquide.If the tank fills, we can reach the state of Figure 2b where the liquid level extends to connection opening 7: this operation remains pretty much the same as before, the whole mixture air and liquid passing through the connection tube 8, except that the mixture is discharged directly into the liquid.

Si la cuve 1 continue à se remplir, on arrive à l'état de la figure 2c où le second étage d'éjection devient éventuellement actif. Si le débit d'air injecté reste relativement faible, tout le liquide aspiré est renvoyé dans la cuve par le tube de branchement 8 comme précédemment. Mais si le débit d'air est accru, le débit de liquide éjecté s'accroít aussi et une part croissante, qui devient rapidement prépondérante, passe par le second étage et quitte l'élévateur par l'extrémité supérieure 4, comme dans un élévateur ordinaire. La division du mélange entre les deux étages peut favoriser l'homogénéisation du liquide grâce au brassage produit à plusieurs altitudes.If the tank 1 continues to fill, we arrive at the state of FIG. 2c where the second ejection stage eventually becomes active. If the air flow injected remains relatively low, all the liquid sucked is returned to the tank by the connection tube 8 as previously. But if the air flow is increased, the ejected liquid flow also increases and a share growing, which quickly becomes preponderant, passes by the second floor and leaves the elevator by the upper end 4, as in an elevator ordinary. The division of the mixture between the two stages can promote the homogenization of the liquid thanks to the brewing produced at several altitudes.

Si le niveau du liquide dans la cuve s'élève encore, on arrive à la figure 2d où le fonctionnement de l'élévateur change à nouveau : la circulation de fluide s'inverse dans le tube de branchement 8, qui devient un tube d'aspiration d'un débit de liquide additionnel. L'aspiration du liquide à deux altitudes favorise encore un brassage important du contenu de la cuve, en même temps qu'une augmentation du débit de liquide entraíné dans le tube principal 2. L'ouverture de raccordement 7 optimise alors le fonctionnement de l'élévateur à bulles en permettant d'aspirer puis d'éjecter un débit de liquide plus important que dans un élévateur ordinaire, à débit d'air identique.If the level of the liquid in the tank rises again, we arrive at figure 2d where the operation of the elevator changes again: the circulation of fluid is reversed in the connection tube 8, which becomes a suction tube for a liquid flow additional. Liquid aspiration at two altitudes further promotes significant mixing of the content of the tank, together with an increase in the flow of liquid entrained in the main tube 2. The opening connection 7 then optimizes the operation of the bubble elevator by allowing suction then to eject a greater flow of liquid than in an ordinary elevator, with identical air flow.

La figure 3 montre que le concept d'orifice intermédiaire peut être généralisé à un élévateur à bulles à plus de deux étages d'éjection : l'élévateur qui y est illustré comporte ainsi un second orifice intermédiaire 17 au-dessus du premier (référencé par 7 comme dans l'exemple précédent), et un second tube de branchement 18 y est raccordé. Il est en pente descendante vers la cuve 1 comme le précédent, et son diamètre D5 peut être semblable au diamètre D3 du premier tube de branchement 8 ou un peu supérieur. Le tube 2 comprend alors trois sections, de diamètres D1, D2 et D4, qui se raccordent 7 et 17 avec des variations brusques ou progressives de diamètre comme précédemment. Le mélange d'air et de liquide sort de l'élévateur 7 et 17 ou par l'extrémité supérieure 4 du tube 2, ou plusieurs de ces endroits à la fois en fonction de la submergence et du débit d'air, comme précédemment.Figure 3 shows that the orifice concept intermediate can be generalized to a forklift bubbles with more than two ejection stages: the elevator which is illustrated therein thus comprises a second orifice intermediate 17 above the first (referenced by 7 as in the previous example), and a second tube of connection 18 is connected to it. It is sloping down to tank 1 like the previous one, and its diameter D5 can be similar to the diameter D3 of the first connection tube 8 or slightly higher. The tube 2 then comprises three sections, of diameters D1, D2 and D4, which connect 7 and 17 with variations abrupt or progressive in diameter as previously. The mixture of air and liquid comes out of the elevator 7 and 17 or by the upper end 4 of the tube 2, or more of these places at once function of submergence and air flow, such as previously.

Claims (6)

  1. A device for stirring the liquid content of a tank, comprising at least one bubble elevator comprising a tube (2) open at a bottom liquid-entry end (3) and at a top end (4) for ejecting a mixture of liquid and gas, and a tapping (5) for injecting air at a height intermediate between the ends, characterised in that the tube (2) also comprises an additional opening (7) at a height intermediate between the top end and the air injection tapping and through which the liquid can be sucked into the tube or be ejected therefrom.
  2. A device for stirring the content of a tank according to Claim 1, characterised in that the tube is composed of a bottom portion finishing a little below the connecting opening and a top portion with a larger diameter (D2) than the bottom portion.
  3. A device for stirring the content of a tank according to Claim 2, characterised in that the portions of the tube are connected at an abrupt change in diameter.
  4. A device for stirring the content of a tank according to Claim 2, characterised in that the portions of the tube are connected at a progressive change in diameter.
  5. A device for stirring the content of a tank according to Claim 1, characterised in that a connecting tube (8) is connected to the tube (2) at the additional opening (7), the connecting tube opening out below the top end (4).
  6. A device for stirring the content of a tank according to Claim 1, characterised by at least one second additional opening (17) at a height intermediate between the top end (4) of the tube (2) and the air injection tapping (5), the intermediate openings (7, 17) being at different heights.
EP98910820A 1997-02-28 1998-02-24 Device for stirring the content of a vessel comprising a bubble elevator Expired - Lifetime EP0963243B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9702427 1997-02-28
FR9702427A FR2760197B1 (en) 1997-02-28 1997-02-28 DEVICE FOR BREWING THE CONTENT OF A TANK COMPRISING A BUBBLE ELEVATOR
PCT/FR1998/000359 WO1998037956A1 (en) 1997-02-28 1998-02-24 Device for stirring the content of a vessel comprising a bubble elevator

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0963243A1 EP0963243A1 (en) 1999-12-15
EP0963243B1 true EP0963243B1 (en) 2002-07-31

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EP98910820A Expired - Lifetime EP0963243B1 (en) 1997-02-28 1998-02-24 Device for stirring the content of a vessel comprising a bubble elevator

Country Status (7)

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US (1) US6237898B1 (en)
EP (1) EP0963243B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3727072B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100501917B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69806906T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2760197B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1998037956A1 (en)

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US7320749B2 (en) * 2004-02-09 2008-01-22 Eco-Oxygen Technologies, Llc Method and apparatus for control of a gas or chemical
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6237898B1 (en) 2001-05-29
DE69806906T2 (en) 2003-03-13
KR20000075787A (en) 2000-12-26
WO1998037956A1 (en) 1998-09-03
DE69806906D1 (en) 2002-09-05
JP2001513018A (en) 2001-08-28
FR2760197B1 (en) 1999-03-26
EP0963243A1 (en) 1999-12-15
JP3727072B2 (en) 2005-12-14
FR2760197A1 (en) 1998-09-04
KR100501917B1 (en) 2005-07-18

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