EP1023119B1

EP1023119B1 - Method and apparatus for introduction of a first fluid into a second fluid

Info

Publication number: EP1023119B1
Application number: EP98950568A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rolf Ekholm; Peter Wigarthsson
Original assignee: Kvaerner Pulping AB; Kvaerner Pulping Technologies AB
Current assignee: Metso Fiber Karlstad AB
Priority date: 1997-10-14
Filing date: 1998-10-13
Publication date: 2003-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-13
Also published as: AU9657598A; CA2306171A1; SE9703732D0; SE9703732L; EP1023119A1; DE69815704T2; WO1999019057A1; ZA989381B; SE510686C2; ATE243069T1; DE69815704D1; CA2306171C

Abstract

A method and apparatus for introduction of a first fluid into a second fluid, that flows in a conduit. A first member with a pass-through canal for said second fluid, is at least partially encircled by a chamber with a wall between the inner part of the chamber and the pass-through canal, and a pressurized source of first fluid which is to be supplied into the chamber. At least one series of apertures is distributed about the periphery of the wall, extending therethrough, such that the first fluid is introduced through the apertures to be mixed into the second fluid based upon the pressure differential between the pressure in the chamber and the pressure in the pass-through canal. At least a portion of the apertures may be selectively blocked or closed to regulate the flow of the first fluid into the pass-through canal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for introduction of a first fluid into a second fluid, where the second fluid flows in a conduit, and wherein the apparatus includes a first member with a pass-through canal for said second fluid. The first member preferably is arranged to form a section in said conduit, and the apparatus includes one or more chambers that extend around at least a main longitudinal part of the periphery of the pass-through canal. A wall is provided between the inner part of the chamber and the pass-through canal, and means are provided for sustaining a higher pressure in the chamber than in the pass-through canal, the pressure sustaining means for suppling the first fluid to said chamber from a pressurized source.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Methods and apparatus of the above mentioned general kind are known from, for example, SE 468 341 and SE 502 393. The apparatus which is described in SE 502 393 is frequently used as a mixer in the bleaching departments of the cellulose industries, for the mixing of steam into a pulp suspension to increase the temperature of the pulp to a level which is desirable for a certain reaction to occur at a desired rate in a subsequent bleaching step. The apparatus permits a good mixing of steam into the pulp suspension, but it is hard to control the amount of steam that is mixed-in or added for regulation of the temperature, without concurrently decreasing the effectiveness of the mixing step. The mixing-in of steam is conventionally regulated by means of a valve in the steam line to said chamber. When the steam supply is throttled down in order to reduce the rate of mixing-in of the steam, the pressure in the chamber will, however, also decrease, and hence cause a pressure differential between the inner part of the chamber and the pulp suspension in the conduit. This pressure differential will, in turn, result in a decrease in the velocity of the steam, when it enters the pass-through conduit for the pulp, with the further result of a decrease in the penetration of the steam into the pulp suspension.
It is also typical for known apparatus of the kind heretofore described, and the method which is practiced using such apparatus, that the pass-through conduit is made as a thin, ring shaped passage for the second fluid, which is thought to promote a good mixing-in effect. Without deciding on whether this assumption is right or not, or if it possibly is true under certain special conditions, it can, however, be concluded that the construction, in practice, will lead to certain problems. This would probably depend on the fact that the first fluid, when it is injected at a high velocity in the second fluid which flows through the narrow gap, interacts with the constriction body which is arranged in the pass-through conduit and serious vibrations can develop in the apparatus, probably due to resonance phenomena.
Yet another draw-back with known apparatus of the type heretofore mentioned (and the method practiced using such apparatus) is that they are relatively heavy. The total cost of the apparatus will be high, due to the material normally consisting of high quality stainless steel, and the apparatus moreover being relatively hard to manufacture.
A further steam mixer for heating black liqour is known from FI92417B. Here the steam is added to the flow of black liqour via circular holes arranged in the wall of a circular pass-trough canal. The circular holes are arranged in multiple rows around the peripery of the circular wall and each row located at an axial distance form neighboring rows. This will create an increase of steam addition that is not a linear function dependent of the position of the controlling barrier member. When the barrier starts to open a row of holes the total area opened will increase as a square root function of the position of the barrier member, until the holes in a row are opened 50%, and thereafter the total area opened will increase in a declining manner. When next row of holes is to be opened this function is repeated again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus, which is not afflicted with the above mentioned limits or draw-backs. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus which provides an effective mixing-in of a first fluid into a second fluid, which enables regulated mixing-in of the first fluid with sustained, good mixing-in of the first and second fluids under a wide range of temperature, pressure and fluid velocity conditions, which is easy to automate to achieve the right mixing-in, which is easy to manufacture and which is easy to assemble. Another positive effect of the present invention is that the method and apparatus develops relatively few vibrations. The invention aims, in principle, to achieve a regulation function for adjustable mixing-in of a first fluid into a second fluid. The aims of the invention are achieved by means of an apparatus according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 28. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention, together with other objects and advantages which may be achieved by use of the apparatus and by practicing the method, will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a side illustration of an apparatus for adding steam positioned in a conduit;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows a side view of the above apparatus, partly in cross-section and with certain parts removed for clarity of illustration;
Fig. 4 shows an embodiment according to the invention;
Fig. 5 shows a further modification of the present invention;
Fig. 6 shows a further modification of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows A-A of Fig. 7;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the sealing plate, i.e. the barrier member,
Fig. 9 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the apertures in the sealing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The principles of the present invention are applicable to the introduction of a first fluid into a second fluid, wherein the fluids may be liquid or gas, or combined phases, and wherein particulate matter may be present. The present invention has particular utility in connection with mixing-in steam into a suspension of cellulose fibres (pulp) in a transport conduit for pulp in the bleaching department of a cellulose mill, to preheat the pulp to a desired temperature which is suitable for a subsequent bleaching step. Thus the invention will be described in the context of mixing-in steam into a pulp suspension for exemplary purposes only, and not for purposes of limitation. Without intending to limit the present invention, it should be understood and appreciated that the principles of the present invention are applicable, for example, for mixing-in other fluids than steam into a second fluid, for example mixing-in gases, such as oxygen, chlorine, possibly also ozone, or for mixing-in a liquid, such as for example a pH-adjusting liquid, chlorine dioxide or another treatment liquid or dilution liquid into said second fluid, which not necessarily need to be a pulp suspension.
With reference first to Fig. 1, an apparatus 1 for adding a first fluid into a second fluid is positioned in a conduit 2 (also referred to as a transport conduit) for a second fluid In the described environment, the second fluid is a pulp suspension, which in the example here described, has a medium high content of fibres, that is "medium consistency, MC", which refers to a dry substance content of 5-20%, preferably 8-16%. The transport conduit 2 extends between an MC-pump to a treatment vessel in a bleaching department, which according to the example could be a peroxide step. The MC and the treatment vessel are conventional and are thus not illustrated in the drawings. The function and method to be performed by the apparatus 1 is to preheat the pulp suspension in the transport conduit 2, with a first fluid, e.g., steam in the described example, to a temperature which is suitable for the bleaching process, for example about 100° C. The transport velocity of the pulp in the conduit 2 is about 15 m/s and the pulp flows generally from right to left in Fig. 1. A temperature sensor 3 is provided in the transport conduit 2 a suitable distance downstream from the apparatus 1. A first fluid, such as pressurized steam in the described embodiment, is provided through a supply conduit 4 from a pressurized source (not illustrated) through a shut-off valve 5 to the apparatus 1. It should be understood that the terms upstream and downstream are used to generally denote the right and left sides of the conduit 2 in the orientation of the apparatus as illustrated in the Figures.
A central, first member 10 (see Fig. 3) consists of a circular cylindrical, tube shaped member or tubular body, with an upstream inlet opening 7 and a downstream outlet opening 8. The tubular body 10 has a wall 6 with the same inner diameter as the inner diameter of the conduit 2, in which the tubular body 10 is arranged as a section. The interior of the tubular body 10, defined by the inside of the wall 6, forms a pass-through canal 9 between the inlet opening 7 and the outlet opening 8 for the second fluid which is transported in the conduit 2. A first outwardly extending flange 11 is provided for mounting the upstream end of the apparatus to the conduit 2, and a second outwardly extending flange 12 is provided for mounting the downstream end of the apparatus to the conduit 2. The apparatus 1 includes, at the upstream end of the tubular body 10, a first flange 11 which cooperates with an interior wall 13 in a chamber 14 for steam and includes, at the downstream end of the tubular body 10, a second flange 16 which cooperates with the flange 12. Preferably the flanges 11 and 13 are secured together in a conventional fashion such as by screws and the flanges 12 and 16 are secured together in a conventional fashion such as by screws. In one embodiment, the shortest distance, across said pass-through canal, in the area of said apertures, between opposite sides of said wall which defines the pass-through canal is between about 50 mm. to about 800 mm. As shown in fig. 1 the pipes 2 leading to and from the mixer 1 have substantially the inner diameter as the tubular body 10, which in the preferred case is about 100 mm. Preferably the incoming pipe 2 (up-stream side) has the very same diameter all the way between the pump and the mixer 1.
The chamber 14 extends around the central part of the tubular body 10 and is defined by an upstream circular end wall 13, a downstream, ring shaped end wall 17 and a cylindrical shell 18. The front end wall 17 is joined with the cylindrical shell 18 by means of welding. The rear end wall 13, the front end wall 17 and the cylindrical shell 18 together define or form a housing 22, which holds the surrounding chamber 14. A tubular connection piece 19 extends upwardly from the chamber 14 and includes an outwardly extending flange 21 through which the steam line 4 is connected to the tubular connection piece 19 and hence to the chamber 14.
As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a ring 23 is welded at the outside of the tubular body 10, somewhat in front of the middle of the tubular body. A housing 22 is, via screws 26, secured to said ring 23, which is welded to the outside of the tubular body 10. Packings or seals 24, 25 are arranged between the flange 11 and the wall 13, and between the wall 17 and the ring 23, respectively and seal rings 27 are provided between the wall 13 and the tubular body 10 as illustrated in Fig. 3. The ring 23 could therefore also be considered to be a part of the front wall which defines the chamber 14. The housing 22 can be removed from the tubular body 10, when the apparatus 1 is disassembled, after the screws 15 and 26 have been loosened.
The tubular body 10 has, in the present example, an inner diameter of 100 mm. The tubular body 10 has, in the illustrated embodiment, seven series or sets of circular holes or apertures generally denominated 28a-28g, (although only sets 28a, 28b, 28c and 28g have been given reference numerals) and the apertures extend through the wall 6 of the tubular body 10, in the area of the rear part of the chamber 14. Each of these series or sets of circular holes comprises ten to thirty, which are distributed on the periphery around the tubular body 10. Preferably twenty holes are used for each series or set of circular holes. The center of the holes in each series of holes coincide with a radial plane of the tubular body 10. Each hole has, in the example that is described, a diameter of 8.5 mm, which means that the distance between adjacent holes is less than the diameter of the holes. Adjacent series of holes are circumferentially offset or displaced in relation to each other, so that the holes in a specific series will be placed in the middle between the holes in the next series, that is the center of the holes will lie in the dividing planes between the holes in the adjacent series of holes. The axial distance between adjacent series of holes is also less than the diameter of the holes. The connection lines between holes of adjacent series forms a zigzag line around the periphery of the tubular body. This arrangement provides that the holes, with a total of 20 holes per set x 7 sets = 140 holes according to the example, will have a distribution which is very close together.
The holes 28a-28g are covered on the outside of the tubular body 10 with a surrounding wire cloth 29, which prevents fibres from passing through the holes into the steam chamber 14. The exterior of the wire cloth 29 is, in turn, covered on the outside by a case 30, that is provided with a series of generally circular holes 31, which are coaxial with the holes 28a-28g. The inner member 6 will thus form a sandwich design with the outer member 30, with the wire cloth 29 squeezed inbetween these cylindrical memebers. The wire cloth will act as a filter, preventing debris and fibres from entering the chamber supplying the first fluid. The circular holes in the outer member 30 have individually at least the same size, i.e. diameter, as the the corresponding apertures of the inner member 6 being in alignment with the apertures of the outer member. On the outside of the case 30, which may be manufactured by bearing metal and which is thus referred to as a bearing case, there is a case formed sealing plate 32, which lies snugly against the bearing case 30. The sealing plate 32 is displaceable between a forward or downstream position, as is shown in Fig. 3, where all of the holes 28a-28g are exposed and form free passages between the chamber 14 and the inner part of the tubular body 10, to an upstream or rear position, in which all of the holes 28a-28g are closed by the plate 32. The plate 32 is, however, axially adjustable between the forward and rear positions, thus exposing, for example, one, two, three or all seven series of holes 28a-28g.
All of the holes 28a-28g have equal diameters. It is, however, also possible that the holes in the different series can have different diameters. The holes 28a in the first series or circumferential set, can, for example, be somewhat larger than the holes 28b in the second series or set, and the holes 28c can be of a different size and/or shape than the preceding series of holes, etc. Certain advantages can, thereby, be achieved in connection with the injection of the first fluid, which will be described later. To control the movement of the plate 32, there is a movement device, such as a pneumatic cylinder 34, on the outside of the apparatus 1 illustrated in detail in Fig. 3. The cylinder 34 (Fig. 1) has a through rod piston 35 which, via yoke 36 connected with two bars 37, that extend through the ring 23 and the end wall 17 into the chamber 14, where they are joined with the plate 32. Seal rings 38 are arranged in grooves in the ring 23, which seal rings bear on the bars 37 to prevent the leaking of fluid from the chamber 14.
The movement of the piston in the pneumatic cylinder 34 and its positioning in the cylinder is regulated depending on the temperature which is measured in the conduit 2 downstream of the apparatus 1, by means of the temperature sensor 3. The measurement test result is transmitted to an IP-converter 40 to control the positioning of the piston and the piston rod 35 in a known way, for regulation of the amount of steam which is mixed in, to keep the temperature of the fluid at the adjusted set point. Thus the IP-converter 40 in the described example converts the current from a temperature gauge into pressure which controls movement of the piston. Fig. 3 shows the position of plate where all holes 28a-28g are open. There is steam of a certain pressure in the chamber 14. Intermediate pressure steam with a pressure of about 12 bar can, for example, be used. It is, however, also conceivable to use high pressure steam of 17 to 18 bar and in certain cases also low pressure steam. The essential thing is that there is a pressure difference of at least 2 bar between the pressure in the chamber 14 and in the conduit 2 and hence also in the tubular body 10. This pressure difference causes the steam to flow at a very high velocity, through the holes 28a-28g and to penetrate the pulp suspension that flows through the pass-through canal 9 in the tubular body 10. The steam has a velocity of over 100 m/s and normally up towards or above 200 m/s. It seems to be preferred to use a velocity of close to about one MACH. In connection with the steam penetration into the pulp there normally arises isolated implosions, which, due to their uneven pattern, do not result in vibration resonance. These implosions stimulate, on the contrary, an effective mixing-in of steam into the pulp and hence a good heat transfer, and in applicable cases, a good mixing-in of other gases or liquids.
In this regard it should be noted that a pulp temperature increase of at least 15°C is desirable in response to the mixing-in of the steam, it being appreciated that conventional steam mixers would not achieve such a temperature increase. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that according to the principles of the present invention, it is contemplated that a temperature increase of about 30°C may be achieved.
Should the temperature sensor 3 record a temperature which is higher than the set point, it will provide an electrical signal to the IP-converter 40, so that the movement device 34, via the described mechanical transmission, displaces the plate 32 rearwardly, to a position
where the plate 32 shields some of the rear series of holes and thereby closes them. Steam continues to be injected into the pulp, through the other holes 28a, 28b, etc., with a velocity which is unaffected by the change in position of the plate 32. Steam is hence injected into the pulp at a velocity which is the maximum high velocity at the pressure difference between the steam pressure and the pressure in the pass-through canal 9, irrespective of the position of the plate 32.
Another benefit and advantage of the present invention will now be explained. According to the prior art, there is a connection between the pulp line and the steam supply. When the system is first started or activated, pulp must first be supplied and flowing through the conduit before the steam may be supplied and mixed-in. Thus there is a start-up or initial time period where the pressure in the pulp line is greater than the pressure in the steam chamber, which leads to the pulp entering the steam chamber. Fibres in the steam chamber are, of course, undesirable as they lead to problems such as plugging of the moveable parts. The present invention, however, represents a significant improvement in that it permits the steam chamber to be totally sealed from the pulp flow by moving the plates 32 to the upstream position, thus sealing all the holes 28a-28g. Thus the plate 32 may be considered a sealing plate. This provides the benefit and advantage that the steam pressure can be supplied to the steam chamber 14 prior to starting the flow of the pulp within tubular body 10 and, as soon as the flow of pulp begins, the sealing plate 32 may be moved to expose the desired number of inlet holes 28a-28g in order to achieve optimum steam supply.
The injection velocity of the steam into the pulp is dependent upon the size (area, which is a function of shape) of the holes 28a-28g and their number or quantity of holes. The depth of penetration of the steam into the pulp can, therefore, be somewhat effected. If the area or diameter, for example, of the first series of holes 28a is somewhat larger than the area or diameter, for example, of the second series of holes 28b, the steam that flows out through the first series of holes 28a will have a somewhat larger depth of penetration than the steam that flows out through the next series of holes 28b, which should be beneficial for an optimal mixing-in of steam.
With reference next to Fig. 4 there is shown an embodiment according to the invention of the apertures or holes in the wall 6 of the central first member or tubular body 10. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the holes, which have been denoted 28', are formed as elongated slots which are rounded at each end. The holes 28' are, as in the previously described embodiment, arranged in one or more series, which are preferably evenly distributed around the periphery of the wall 6. Fig. 4 shows a part of the tubular body 10, which is illustrated in planar form for explanatory purposes only. The holes according to the embodiment are, as is shown in this figure, angled in relation to the longitudinal axis of the pass-through canal 9 and hence to the flow direction of the second fluid. The angle is, according to the embodiment, an acute angle of about 20°- 30°. This form of the holes 28' results in the first fluid, which for example can consist of steam, sweeping or scanning over a larger and wider radially exposed flow of the second fluid, which for example consists of a pulp stream to thus obtain an improved distribution of the steam into the pulp. In accordance with the invention, this form of the holes 28' makes the introduction of steam more continuous rather than discrete, i.e., seamless or stepless. The number of holes in each series of holes is suitably between twenty and thirty holes, if the inner diameter of the tubular body 10 is 100 mm. whereby the distance between adjacent holes in each series preferably is less than the width of the holes. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the upstream side of the tubular body is the left side of the drawing, and the direction of flow of the second fluid (pulp) is in the direction of the arrow.
Fig. 5 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention, again with the direction of flow of the second fluid being illustrated by the direction of the arrow, i.e., from the left to the right in the drawing. The embodiment of Fig. 5 includes circumferential series or rows of elongated slots or holes 28' wherein adjacent series of slots are circumferentially offset. Thus the end of each hole in each series of holes extends in between the ends of the holes in the adjacent series. The holes should in this case be formed so that the total open area A in each section of a given length ΔL of the wall 6, in its longitudinal direction, is the same irrespective of where the section is chosen in the part of the wall where the holes are positioned Moreover, the relation between the length "L" of such a section and the total area A in that section is constant, irrespective of the chosen length ΔL. This can be expressed as:
ΔL / ΔA = constant
where ΔA = a1 + a2 + a3 +...
This is of course not true for the first and the last series of holes, which only have an adjacent series of holes on one side. In accordance with the invention, this embodiment toc achieves a continuous or "stepless" or "seamless" introduction of the first fluid into the second fluid, since the movement of the barrier or plate 32 a certain distance results in a constant, predictable amount of increase (or decrease, depending upon direction of movement) of the area ΔA. Thus "stepless" in this context refers to the absence of discontinuities. Thus the present invention provides, as one feature, that when the total open area A of the apertures in a section of a given length "L" is the same, independent of the selection of the location of the length "L", and further that as another feature, the relationship between the length "L" of each section and the total area A will be constant, regardless of the length "L".
The longitudinal direction of the continuous holes can, according to principles of the present invention, be parallel with the longitudinal axis of the pass-through canal.
With reference next to Fig. 6, another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in particular, a single series or row of elongated apertures 28" extends around the periphery or circumference of the tubular body 10. Only one row of apertures is illustrated although it is to be understood that multiple rows of apertures are provided. In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the horizontal axis of each elongated aperture is at an angle of approximately 25°, with each aperture having a length of about 31 mm. not including the length of the curved end portions.
Fig. 7 illustrates a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows A-A of Fig. 6. In Figs. 6 and 7, one series of apertures 28" is illustrated as extending around the circumference or periphery of the tubular body. Movement of the plate 32 (not illustrated in these Figs.) determines the portion of each aperture which is exposed to allow steam to flow.
In figure 8 is shown an alternative embodiment of the annular sleeve 32. In this embodiment is the annular sleeve 32 divided into three identical annular sleeves, each being separated by a distance d_SP at least corresponding to the axial length d_SL of one sleeve 32a (or 32b, 33c). Each sleeve is fixed to the control member 37. The apertures could then be exposed to passing flow of the first fluid at 3 different locations along the wall 6a/30a in the direction of flow of the second fluid. The advantage with such a concept is that the added flow of the first fluid will have a smaller impact upon the flow rate of the second fluid.
In figure 9 is shown an alternative embodiment of the apertures 28'/31' in the wall 6a/30a. In this embodiment are the apertures inclined in relation to the direction of flow (indicated by a bold arrow) of the second fluid, forming an angle α between the direction of flow of the first fluid when passing the apertures. This angle should be less than 90 degrees, and preferrably in the range 30-80 degrees and advantageously 45 degrees. By such an inclination of the apertures would the incoming jets of steam, i.e. first fluid, cause an ejecting action upon the flow of the second fluid, and thus obstruct flow of the second fluid to a less extent.
Thus it should be appreciated that in the various embodiments, the plate or barrier and the apertures (quantity, size and configuration) and the cooperation there between, can each contribute to regulate the volume of the first fluid passing through the wall. The apertures in adjacent rows or series may overlap or not overlap; they may be offset radially or aligned radially; they may be uniformly distributed about the periphery; the distance between adjacent apertures may be less than the diameters of the apertures, etc. The combined cross-sectional area of the apertures in one series may be between 7 mm². to about 320 mm². The combined cross-sectional area of all apertures may range from a minimum of about 3000 mm² to a maximum of about 50,000 mm². The acute angle referred to previously may be from at least 10° to about 80°, although a narrower range such as at least 15° to about 60° is preferred and a range of at least 20° to about 50° may be most preferred. The plate or barrier 32 referred to previously is movable to shield and/or expose apertures as desired and thus such movement may be used to adjust the velocity of the first fluid flowing through the apertures.
The foregoing is a complete description of the present invention. It has already been mentioned that the fluids to be mixed together can be other fluids than steam and a pulp suspension, whereby it generally is other parameters than the temperature which is to be controlled through regulation of the mixing-in conditions of the first fluid into the second fluid. If, for example, the fluid consists of a compound that is adjusting the pH, the sensor 3 will instead consist of a pH-metering device rather than a temperature sensor which provides an electrical signal which is transmitted to a IP-converter for regulating adjustment of the piston in the cylinder and hence of the adjustment of the plate 32, to make a suitable number of series of holes 28a-28g exposed or to shield off all of the holes. It shall also be understood that there can be more than one plate 32, and that each such plate can be controlled by a separate movement device. This permits different measurement parameters to be used for regulation of the shielding of the holes. There can further be other patterns for the movement of the plate 32, than strictly axial ones, for example helical movement. Yet another modification relates to the orientation of the apparatus 1. The second medium, the pulp suspension, flows, in the example shown, referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, from right to left. The apparatus 1 can, however, be turned around completely, so that the plate 32 in its completely opened position will be oriented upstream of the holes 31 and 28a-28g. If the plate 32, from its completely opened position, in this case is moved to a position where any series of holes is covered only partly, the flow of the first fluid through the holes in this series will be throttled, which results in fluid through these holes having a shorter depth of penetration in the second fluid, then the effect would be eliminated by the flow in the following holes which are oriented downstream. It should also be understood that the shown diameters of the pipes leading to and away from the mixer 1 may vary from what is shown in order to adopt the function/design to specific needs. For instance if a further mixing effect is of importance it is an advantage to directly after (downstream) the mixer 1 arrange a diverging zone, e.g by adding a conical portion intermediate the flange 13 and a downstream arranged larger pipe, having a diameter of at least two times the tubular body, preferably between 2 and 6 times said diameter and more preferred about 3 to 5 times said diameter. The present invention, therefore, should be limited only by the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Apparatus for introduction of a first fluid into a second fluid, that flows in a conduit, comprising:

a first member (10) with a pass-through canal (9) for said second fluid;

at least one longitudinally extending chamber (14) that extends around at least a main part of the periphery of the pass-through canal;

a wall (6) between the inner part of the chamber and the pass-through canal;

means (19) for supplying the first fluid to said chamber from a pressurized source for sustaining a higher pressure in the chamber than in the pass-through canal;

at least one series of apertures (28) extending through said wall, through which the first fluid can be introduced and mixed into the second fluid that flows through said pass-through canal by the pressure differential between the fluid pressure in said chamber and the fluid pressure in said pass-through canal;

barrier means (32) for regulating the volume of the first fluid which passes through said apertures, wherein the barrier is a moveable plate or an annular sleeve enclosing said wall, and wherein said barrier means is regulated by longitudinal movement by control members (37), thus exposing or obstructing said apertures; characterised in that the total area of the apertures

per unit length of the wall is generally constant along the longitudinal axis of the pass through canal, whereby the movement of said barrier means is continously and seamlessly controlling the total open area of the apertures.
Apparatus according to claim I wherein the velocity of the first fluid passing through the apertures is regulated by the total cross-sectional area of said apertures exposed by the barrier means.
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the velocity of the first fluid passing through the apertures is regulated by obstructing at least some of said apertures.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wall between the chamber and the pass-through canal is a wall in said first member which forms said pass-through canal in the area of the apertures in the wall.
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said pass-through canal is the inner part of said first member.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pass-through canal is free of any constrictions radially inside of the series of apertures.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of series of apertures are arranged in said wall, each series of apertures being longitudinally spaced apart from the adjacent series of apertures.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of series of apertures are arranged in said wall, the center of the apertures in each series of apertures being offset radially from the center of the apertures in the adjacent series, such that a line connecting the centers of apertures in adjacent series is a zigzag.
Apparatus according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the apertures in each series are evenly distributed in the periphery.
Apparatus according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the distance between adjacent apertures is less than the diameters of the apertures.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the barrier means is a moveable plate arranged on the outside of the first member in said chamber and a movement device is arranged for longitudinal displacement of said plate to different positions for shielding off and exposing at least a portion of the at least one series of apertures, respectively, against said first fluid in the chamber.
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said plate is controlled by the temperature in a transport conduit (2) for the second fluid downstream of the apparatus, for adjusting of the volume of said first fluid , which is mixed in, without alteration of the velocity of said first fluid flowing through the apertures, whereby said velocity exceeds 100 m/s and preferably is close to about 1 MACH.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the annular sleeve (32) is divided into at least two annular sleeve members, having a axial distance inbetween sleeve members exceeding the axial length of one annular sleeve.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wall in the area of the apertures is of a sandwiched construction, with a first outer wall member (30) and a second inner wall member (6), and wherein each wall member, i.e. outer and inner, have apertures in alignement with each other.
Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a wire cloth member is squeezed in between the first outer wall member and the seconf inner wall member, thus forming a filter element preventing particles contained in second fluid from entering the chamber supplying the first fluid.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apertures in the wall is inclined in relation to the direction of flow of the second fluid, forming an angle α between the direction of flow of the first fluid when passing the apertures, said angle being less than 90 degrees, and preferably in the range 30-80 degrees and advantageously 45 degrees.
Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the apertures of the outer wall member is at least of the same size as the corresponding apertures of the inner wall member being in alignment with the apertures of the outer wall member.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shortest distance, across said pass-through canal, in the area of said apertures, between opposite sides of said wall which de fines the pass-through canal is between about 50 to about 800 mm.
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apertures in a first series have a combined cross-sectional area of between about 7 to about 320 mm².
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total area of the apertures is at least about 3000 mm².
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the total area of the apertures is at most about 50,000 mm².
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apertures are circular.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pass-through canal, in the area of the apertures, has a circular cross-section.
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apertures are continuous along the longitudinal axis of the pass-through canal or that the continuous apertures forms an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the pass-through canal.
Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said acute angle is between about 10° and about 80°.
Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the longitudinal axis of the continuous apertures is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pass-through canal.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end of each aperture in a series of apertures extends between the ends of the apertures in the adjacent series of apertures.
A method for controlling the introduction of a first fluid into a second fluid that flows in a conduit comprising the steps of:

providing a first member (10) with a pass-through canal (9) for said second fluid, said first member being at least partially encircled by at least one longitudinally extending chamber (14) that extends around at least part of the periphery of the pass-through canal, and having a wall (6) between the pass-through canal and the interior of the chamber (14);

providing at least one series of apertures (28) extending through said wall and

providing barrier means (32) for regulating the volume of the first fluid which passes through said apertures, wherein the barrier is a moveable plate or an annular sleeve enclosing said wall, and wherein said barrier means is regulated by longitudinal movement by control members (37), thus exposing or obstructing said apertures

supplying the first fluid from a pressurized source from said chamber through at least some of said apertures to be mixed into the second fluid that flows through said pass-through canal by the pressure differential between the fluid pressure in said chamber and the fluid

pressure in said pass-through canal characterised in that the total area of the apertures per unit length of the wall is generally constant along the longitudinal axis of the pass through canal, whereby the movement of said barrier means is continously and seamlessly controlling the total open area of the apertures.
The method according to claim 25 including the step of selectively preventing the flow of said first fluid through at least a portion of said apertures in said at least one series of apertures.
The method according to claim 25 including providing at least two series of apertures extending through said wall.
The method according to claim 25 including the step of selectively preventing the flow of said first fluid through at least a portion of the apertures in at least one series of apertures.
The method according to claim 25 wherein said first fluid is steam.
The method according to claim 25 wherein said second fluid is pulp.