EP3110539B1 - Mixing apparatus with stator and method - Google Patents
Mixing apparatus with stator and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3110539B1 EP3110539B1 EP15755550.9A EP15755550A EP3110539B1 EP 3110539 B1 EP3110539 B1 EP 3110539B1 EP 15755550 A EP15755550 A EP 15755550A EP 3110539 B1 EP3110539 B1 EP 3110539B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- slinger
- fluid
- impeller
- stator
- mixer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 title claims description 65
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 18
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 123
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 claims description 71
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 47
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 claims description 25
- 238000010008 shearing Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 25
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 description 10
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000003749 cleanliness Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000036571 hydration Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000006703 hydration reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003349 gelling agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010079 rubber tapping Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004513 sizing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 244000007835 Cyamopsis tetragonoloba Species 0.000 description 1
- 229920002907 Guar gum Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
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- -1 e.g. Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009969 flowable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229960002154 guar gum Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 235000010417 guar gum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000665 guar gum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000265 homogenisation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000887 hydrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000014366 other mixer Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002028 premature Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007790 scraping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- B01F23/50—Mixing liquids with solids
- B01F23/53—Mixing liquids with solids using driven stirrers
-
- 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
- B01F25/80—Falling particle mixers, e.g. with repeated agitation along a vertical axis
- B01F25/85—Falling particle mixers, e.g. with repeated agitation along a vertical axis wherein the particles fall onto a film that flows along the inner wall of a mixer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
- B01F27/05—Stirrers
- B01F27/11—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers
- B01F27/19—Stirrers with two or more mixing elements mounted in sequence on the same axis
- B01F27/192—Stirrers with two or more mixing elements mounted in sequence on the same axis with dissimilar elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
- B01F27/80—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis
- B01F27/805—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis wherein the stirrers or the receptacles are moved in order to bring them into operative position; Means for fixing the receptacle
- B01F27/807—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis wherein the stirrers or the receptacles are moved in order to bring them into operative position; Means for fixing the receptacle with the stirrer-head pivoting about a horizontal axis to bring it in and out of operative position, e.g. with receptacles pivoting about a horizontal axis for emptying
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
- B01F27/80—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis
- B01F27/81—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis the stirrers having central axial inflow and substantially radial outflow
- B01F27/811—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis the stirrers having central axial inflow and substantially radial outflow with the inflow from one side only, e.g. stirrers placed on the bottom of the receptacle, or used as a bottom discharge pump
- B01F27/8111—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis the stirrers having central axial inflow and substantially radial outflow with the inflow from one side only, e.g. stirrers placed on the bottom of the receptacle, or used as a bottom discharge pump the stirrers co-operating with stationary guiding elements, e.g. surrounding stators or intermeshing stators
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
- B01F27/80—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis
- B01F27/81—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis the stirrers having central axial inflow and substantially radial outflow
- B01F27/812—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis the stirrers having central axial inflow and substantially radial outflow the stirrers co-operating with surrounding stators, or with intermeshing stators, e.g. comprising slits, orifices or screens
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F2101/00—Mixing characterised by the nature of the mixed materials or by the application field
- B01F2101/49—Mixing drilled material or ingredients for well-drilling, earth-drilling or deep-drilling compositions with liquids to obtain slurries
Definitions
- Mixers are generally employed to disperse powdered chemicals into fluids.
- One application for mixers is in wellbore operations, for example, in preparing hydraulic fracturing fluid for injection into a subterranean formation.
- the fracturing fluid includes gelling agents, powders and other granular material, e.g., guar gum, which are initially dispersed into the fluid via the mixer, and subsequently hydrated, e.g., in tanks, to result in the desired viscosity for the fluid.
- Certain powder and granular material mixers include a centrifugal pump and eductor, or a centrifugal or high or low shear blender for dispersing the powder and granular material into fluid (e.g., water).
- fluid e.g., water
- the fluid is pumped by the pump into a mixing chamber.
- the mixing chamber may be proximal to a throat of a converging-diverging nozzle such that the eductor draws the powder into the mixing chamber by the Venturi effect.
- blender mixers the blender is located in the mixing chamber, and the powders and grains are fed thereto, e.g., by gravity.
- the materials e.g., in the form of dry powder
- Various devices are employed to avoid air entrainment during the dispersion process, or entrained air may be removed downstream, e.g., using a hydro-cyclone or another type of air separator.
- the fluid mixture may then be sent to equipment downstream for further hydration.
- the powders may tend to agglomerate into clumps, sometimes referred to as "fisheyes.”
- the powders may have cohesive properties, such that partially-hydrated balls form, e.g., with dry powder surrounded by a "skin" of partially-hydrated powder. This skin prevents hydration of the dry powder within, resulting in a stable fisheye in the fluid, rather than an even dispersion of the powder.
- suboptimal mixing may result, which can affect downstream application.
- there is an additional risk of buildup and/or clogging of the material e.g., in the various throats of the system, if the materials are not sufficiently wetted at the point of introduction into the mixer.
- a pre-wetter may be employed to mitigate the risk of such clumping.
- Pre-wetters generally provide a fluid to the powder feed, upstream of the mixing.
- pre-wetters require a separate pump to deliver the fluid to the powder, upstream of the mixing chamber.
- additional pumping equipment i.e., centrifugal pumps to provide fluid to pre-wetter
- the different pieces of equipment may limit the range of flowrates achievable for the system, limiting the applications for which a single size or configuration of mixer is suitable.
- JP S5715828 describes a continuous type mixer for mixing a powder and liquid including an upper vessel provided with scraping vanes into which the powder is fed and a lower vessel with an impeller into which the liquid is fed.
- the invention further resides in a method for dispersing an additive in a fluid as defined in claim 9.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a mixing system 100, according to an embodiment.
- the mixing system 100 may generally include a process fluid source 102, a mixer 104, and downstream equipment 106, among other potential components.
- the process fluid source 102 may be or include a tank of water, a water-based solution of a suitable pH and/or any other type of solution, or any substantially liquid substance.
- the source 102 may include or be coupled with one or more pumps for delivery of the fluid to the mixer 104; however, in other embodiments, such pumps may be omitted with the mixer 104 providing the pumping, for example.
- the downstream equipment 106 may include any number of hydrating tanks, separators, other mixers/mixing systems, pumps, etc., so as to convert a slurry exiting the mixer 104 into a desired viscosity and/or composition fluid.
- the mixer 104 includes a housing 107 as well as a fluid inlet 108 and an additive inlet 110 extending through the housing 107.
- the fluid inlet 108 may be coupled with the fluid source 102 and may be configured to receive fluid (i.e., the process fluid) therefrom.
- the additive inlet 110 may generally include an additive-receiving structure 111, which may be or include a cone, chamber, bowl, hopper, or the like, having an inner surface 115 configured to receive an additive 113, which may be a dry powder, and direct it into the housing 107, e.g. via gravity feed.
- any dry, partially dry, crystalized, slurry, fluid, or pelletized, and/or packaged additive may be dispersed or otherwise mixed into the fluid using the mixer 104 via the additive inlet 110, as schematically depicted.
- additives received through the additive inlet 110 may be pre-wetted into a partial slurry, e.g., to avoid fisheyes and/or any material buildup.
- the mixer 104 may be configured for use in mixing sand, guar, other powders, etc. with the fluid. Further, in some cases, the mixer 104 may be configured for use as a macerator, which may tear apart fibers, pouches containing powders, pellets, etc.
- the mixer 104 may be configured for use in creating gel for use in fracturing operations, e.g., in a wellbore; however, the mixer 104 may be employed for any number of different uses, consistent with the present disclosure.
- the mixer 104 also includes an impeller/slinger assembly 112, which may be driven by a shaft 114.
- the housing 107 defines a mixing chamber 118 therein that is in communication with the inlets 108, 110.
- the impeller/slinger assembly 112 is disposed in the mixing chamber 118. Rotation of the impeller/slinger assembly 112 pumps the fluid from the source 102 through the mixing chamber 118 and into the outlet 121.
- the shaft 114 may extend upwards, through the inlet 110 and out of the additive-receiving structure 111; however, this is but one example among many contemplated.
- the impeller/slinger assembly 112 may extend downward through the bottom of the housing 116, may be magnetically driven, driven internally within the mixing chamber 118, or may be otherwise disposed in the housing 107.
- the shaft 114 may be coupled with the impeller/slinger assembly 112, such that rotation of the shaft 114 rotates the impeller/slinger assembly 112.
- the shaft 114 may be directly coupled to the impeller/slinger assembly 112, e.g. via a bolt; however, in other cases, gears, linkages, other speed-changing devices, or couplings may be employed to connect the shaft 114 to the impeller/slinger assembly 112.
- the mixer 104 also includes a stator 120, which may be in the form of a ring, arcuate portion, etc., which is disposed around the impeller/stator assembly 112, as will be described in greater detail below. Further, the mixer 104 includes an outlet 121 and may include a flush line 122. The outlet 121 may receive a slurry formed from a combination of the additive received through the additive inlet 110 and the fluid received through the fluid inlet 108. The outlet 121 may direct the slurry to one or more conduits 124, which may carry the fluid to the downstream equipment 106.
- the flush line 122 may communicate with an area of the mixing chamber 118 that is proximal to the impeller/slinger assembly 112 on one end, and with the additive-receiving structure 111 on the other end. Accordingly, the flush line 122 may tap the process fluid from the mixing chamber 118 at an area of relatively high pressure and deliver it to the inner wall of the additive-receiving structure 111, which may be at a reduced (e.g., ambient) pressure.
- the fluid tapped by the flush line 122 may be relatively "clean" (i.e., relatively low additives content, as will be described below), so as to pre-wet fluid to the additive-receiving structure 111 and promote the avoidance of clumping of the additives.
- the flush line 122 may provide the pre-wetting fluid without requiring additional pumping devices (apart from the pumping provided by the impeller/slinger assembly 112) or additional sources of fluid or lines from the source 102.
- booster pumps, etc. may be provided in addition to or in lieu of tapping the fluid from the mixing chamber 118.
- FIG 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the mixer 104, according to an embodiment.
- the mixer 104 includes the housing 107, which is depicted in Figure 2 as formed from two portions: a first or “upper” housing portion 126 and a second or “lower” housing portion 128.
- the upper and lower housing portions 126, 128 may be connected together, e.g., via bolts, clamps, other fasteners, adhesives, welds, etc., so as to define the mixing chamber 118 ( Figure 1 ) therebetween.
- the lower housing portion 128 may define a mixing area 130
- the upper housing portion 126 may define a mixing area 132 (shown in phantom), which may be generally aligned.
- the mixing areas 130, 132 may together define the mixing chamber 118 ( Figure 1 ), in which the impeller/slinger assembly 112 and the stator 120 are disposed.
- the lower housing portion 128 may also include an interior surface 139, e.g., defining the bottom of the mixing area 130. It will be appreciated that a variety of configurations of the housing 107, including unitary and segmented embodiments, embodiments with doors, etc. are contemplated.
- the upper housing portion 126 may be coupled with the additive-receiving structure 111 and may provide the additive inlet 110.
- the lower housing portion 128 may include the fluid inlet 108, which may extend through the lower housing portion 128 to a generally centrally-disposed opening 133.
- the opening 133 may be defined in the interior surface 139.
- the outlet 121 may extend from the mixing area 130, for example, including a substantially tangential conduit 135 extending from an opening 137 communicating with the mixing area 130.
- the impeller/slinger assembly 112 includes a slinger 134 and an impeller 136.
- the slinger 134 and the impeller 136 has inlet faces 134-1, 136-1, respectively, and backs 134-2, 136-2, respectively.
- the inlet faces 134-1, 136-1 may be each be open (as shown) or at least partially covered by a shroud, which forms an inlet in the radial inner part of the slinger 134 and/or impeller 136.
- the inlet faces 134-1, 136-1 are oriented in opposite directions, e.g., to receive fluid and/or dry components.
- the backs 134-2, 136-2 are disposed proximal to one another and, e.g., coupled together, such that the impeller 136 and the slinger 134 are disposed in a "back-to-back" configuration.
- the inlet face 134-1 of the slinger 134 may face the additive inlet 110 (e.g., the additive-receiving structure 111), while the inlet face 136-1 of the impeller 136 may face the fluid inlet 108 (e.g., the opening 133), as shown.
- the inlet face 136-1 of the impeller 136 may face the interior surface 139, with the opening 133, defined on the interior surface 139, being aligned with a radial middle of the impeller 136.
- the slinger 134 may face upwards, as shown, but in other embodiments may face downwards or in a lateral direction.
- the impeller 136 may face downwards, as shown, but in other embodiments, may face upwards or in a lateral direction.
- the slinger 134 and the impeller 136 may each have a radius, with the radius of the slinger 134 being larger than the radius of the impeller 136. The radii of the slinger 134 and impeller 136 may be dependent upon one another, so as to control a position of a fluid-air boundary, as will be described in greater detail below.
- the slinger 134 may further define a saucer-shape, as shown, i.e., formed generally as a flatter (or flat) middle with arcuate sides and the inlet face 134-1.
- the sides may be formed, for example, similar to, or as part of a torus that extends around the middle of the slinger 134.
- the slinger 134 may be bowl-shaped (e.g., generally a portion of a sphere).
- the slinger 134 may include slinger blades 138 on the inlet face 134-1. The number of blades 138 may range from about two blades to about 20 blades, for example, about nine blades.
- the blades 138 may be curved circumferentially as proceeding radially outwards from the shaft 114, but in others the blades 138 may be straight, as shown.
- the slinger 134 may be configured to propel fluid and/or dry additives received from the inlet 110 radially outwards by interaction with the blades 138 and upwards (as shown), e.g., as influenced by the shape of the slinger 134.
- the impeller 136 may also include a plurality of blades on the inlet face 136-1, which may be generally aligned with the opening 133.
- the impeller blades may draw fluid through the opening 133 of the fluid inlet 108, and then expel the fluid downwards and radially outwards.
- a region of relative high pressure may develop between the lower housing portion 128 and the impeller 136, which may act to drive the fluid around the mixing chamber 118 and toward the slinger 134.
- the flush line 122 may include an opening 140 defined in the lower housing portion 128 proximal to this region of high pressure.
- the opening 140 may be defined in the interior surface 139 at a position between the outer radial extent of the impeller 136 and the opening 133 of the inlet 110.
- the opening 140 may be disposed on the interior surface 139 and radially outside of the impeller 136 and/or elsewhere in the mixing chamber 118.
- the flush line 122 may also include a conduit 142, which may be or include one or more pipes, tubes, hoses, flow restrictors, check valves, etc.
- the conduit 142 may connect with a cone inlet 144 defined, for example, substantially tangent to the additive-receiving structure 111, such that fluid is transported from the opening 140 via the conduit 142, through the cone inlet 144, and into the additive-receiving structure 111.
- the fluid may then take a generally helical path along the interior of the additive-receiving structure 111, until it is received through the additive inlet 110 to the slinger 134.
- the fluid received through the cone inlet 144 may generally form a wall of fluid along the inner surface 115 of the additive-receiving structure 111.
- a pressure gradient may develop between the impeller 136 and the lower housing portion 128, with the pressure in the fluid increasing as proceeding radially outwards from the opening 133.
- Another gradient, related to the concentration of the additives in the fluid may also develop in this region, with the concentration of additives increasing as proceeding radially outward.
- a high pressure head and low concentration may be desired, so as to provide a flow of relatively clean fluid through the flush line 122, propelled by the impeller/slinger assembly 112.
- the opening 140 for the flush line 122 may be disposed at a point along this region that realizes an optimal tradeoff between pressure head of the fluid and concentration of the additives in the fluid received into the flush line 122. Additional details regarding the tradeoff are provided below.
- stator 120 forms a shearing ring, which is received around the radial outside of the impeller/slinger assembly 112 and in the mixing chamber 118 ( Figure 1 ).
- stator 120 may be coupled with the upper housing portion 126, e.g., via bolts, other fasteners, adhesives, welding, etc.
- FIG 3 illustrates an enlarged sectional view of the stator 120 of Figure 2 , according to an embodiment.
- the stator 120 includes first and second annular portions 146, 148, which are stacked together to form the stator 120.
- the stator 120 may be held generally stationary with respect to the rotatable impeller/slinger assembly 112, e.g., via fastening with the upper housing portion 126.
- the stator 120 may be supported by the impeller/slinger assembly 112 and may rotate therewith.
- the stator 120 may ride on the inlet face 134-1 of the slinger 134, or may be separated therefrom.
- the first annular portion 146 may be configured to minimize flow obstruction. As shown, in some cases, the first annular portion 146 may include a shroud 150 and posts 152 defining relatively wide slots 154, allowing relatively free flow of fluid therethrough. In other embodiments, the first annular portion 146 may omit the shroud 150, as will be described in greater detail below.
- the second annular portion 148 may be configured to maximize flow shear, so as to promote turbulent mixing, and thus includes a series of stator vanes 156 that are positioned closely together around the stator 120.
- Narrow flowpaths 158 may be defined between stator vanes 156; however, the sum of areas of the flowpaths 158 may be less than the sum of the areas of the stator vanes 156.
- the ratio of the stator vane 156 cross-sectional area (i.e., the area that obstructs flow) to the area of the flowpaths 158 may be between about 1:2 and about 4:1, for example, about 1.5:1.
- each of the stator vanes 156 may be greater than the area of each of the flowpaths 158.
- the stator vanes 156 may be disposed at any pitch angle with respect to the circumference of the stator 120.
- the stator vanes 156 may be oriented straight radial, against rotation (e.g., to increase shear), or with rotation.
- the stator vanes 156 may have a shroud 157 that separates the sections 146, 148.
- the stator120 may omit either or both of the shrouds 150, 157.
- Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a section of the mixer 104, according to an embodiment.
- Figure 5 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the mixer 104, with the flush line 122 illustrated schematically, according to an embodiment.
- the shaft 114 extends through the additive inlet 110 and is coupled with the impeller/slinger assembly 112.
- the impeller 136 faces the opening 133, such that impeller blades 160 of the impeller 136 draw fluid through the inlet 108 via the opening 133.
- Figure 6 schematically illustrates a simplified view of the cross-section of the mixer 104, according to an embodiment.
- the impeller 136 draws the fluid upward from the interior surface 139, and then expels it downwards (toward the interior surface 139) and radially outward.
- the fluid then moves upward in the mixing chamber 118, e.g., along an outer wall of the housing 107 to the top of the upper housing portion 126, where it is turned radially inwards.
- the fluid then proceeds through the first annular portion 146 of the stator 120 to the slinger 134, and is then pushed radially outward, as well as upward, back toward the upper housing portion 126.
- This may create a turbulent churning, as well as a hydrodynamically-stable interface between the fluid and the air, generally manifesting as a ring-shaped air-fluid boundary or "eye" 161 ( Figure 6 ) between a root 138-1 and a tip 138-2 of the slinger blades 138.
- the slinger 134 thus tends to create a cyclonic separation effect, whereby air received through the inlet 110 is prevented from entrainment in the fluid received from the impeller 136.
- the additives 113 are poured into or otherwise received through the inlet 110, e.g., propelled by gravity, but may also be propelled by pressure differentials, vacuums, blowers, pumps, etc.
- the additives are then received onto the inlet face of the slinger 134, e.g., on the air side of the air-fluid boundary.
- the additives collide with the blades 138 and are slung radially outward into the fluid received from the impeller 136, while producing a circumferential velocity component to the fluid and dry additives.
- the circumferentially- and radially-driven dry additives and fluid then pass through the second annular portion 148 of the stator 120, where the combination is subjected to a high shear by interaction with the stator vanes 156 as it passes through the flowpaths 158.
- the shearing provided by the interaction with the blades 138 and stator vanes 156 and the turbulent flow developed by the impeller/slinger assembly 112 may provide a generally uniform dispersion of the additives in the fluid from the source 102, resulting in a slurry.
- the first section 146 of the stator 120 is disposed at a small radial clearance from the slinger blades 138 (e.g., radially outward therefrom) such that the slurry mixture of additives 113 (e.g., powdered chemicals) and fluid being slung outward by the slinger blades 136 is sheared in a first stage in the clearance, by the relative movement of the blades 134 and the stator vanes 156.
- the slurry is then subjected to a second shear stage, as it is squeezed between the adjacent stator vanes 156 and pushed radially outwards through the flowpaths 158 by the action of the slinger 134.
- the mixer 104 provides, in operation, a two-stage, high shearing and regional cavitation mixing.
- the second section 148 of the stator 120 may have a substantially larger opening and be disposed above the slinger blades such that it allows the fluids to enter the slinger 134 through the slots 154, or otherwise minimizes flow obstruction through the stator 120.
- the slurry may undergo such mixing multiple times, churning back through portions of the slinger 134 to effect further dispersion of the additives into the fluid, and eventually reaches the outlet 121, as shown in Figure 5 .
- the slurry reaching the outlet 121 is channeled from the mixing chamber 118, e.g., to downstream equipment 106 ( Figure 1 ) for further hydration, deployment, treatment, etc.
- the mixer 104 may also provide a self-regulating pre-wetter with the flush line 122.
- the opening 140 may be disposed in the interior surface 139 of the lower housing portion 128, e.g., radially inside or outside of the outer radial extent of the impeller 136. This may represent an area of high pressure in the mixing chamber 118, which is "clean" relative to fluid in other parts of the mixing chamber 118, e.g., proximal to the outlet 121 and/or in the slinger 134.
- the tapped, relatively clean fluid received via the opening 140 may flow through the flush line 122 to the additive-receiving structure 111.
- the pre-wetting fluid may then flow, e.g., by gravity, along the interior surface of the additive-receiving structure 111 through the inlet 110 and back to the slinger 134.
- the additives may be urged along the additive-receiving structure 111, toward the slinger 134, while being pre-wetted therein. This may serve to minimize clumping along the surface of the additive-receiving structure 111.
- Figure 7 illustrates a plot of pressure and cleanliness in the fluid in the mixing chamber 118 versus the radius from the center of the opening 133, which is aligned with the center of the impeller 136.
- the pressure may move from ambient (i.e., zero psig) to a maximum pumping pressure provided by the impeller 136.
- the relationship between radial position and pressure head may be generally exponential, until the position reaches the radial extent of the impeller 136.
- the "cleanliness,” that is, the inverse of the concentration of additives in the fluid, or, stated otherwise, the purity of the fluid, may decrease proceeding radially outward, as the fluid received through the inlet 108 is mixed with the additives. Accordingly, a tapping region 141 may be calculated, providing the optimal tradeoff between pressure head and cleanliness in the fluid tapped by the flush line 122 via the opening 140.
- the flowrate of the relatively clean fluid through the flush line 122 may be controlled, for example, by matching a location or size of the opening 140, the conduit 142, and/or the cone inlet 144 to the pressure head developed by the impeller 136. With a known pressure drop through the flush line 122, such control may result in an optimized amount of fluid flowing through the flush line 122.
- the flush line 122 may include one or more flow control devices, which may further allow for adjustment of the flowrate through the flush line 122.
- FIG 8 illustrates a perspective view of the impeller/slinger assembly 112 and the stator 120, according to an embodiment.
- the stator 120 includes the first and second annular portions 146, 148, as described above.
- the second annular portion 148 may include a plurality of posts 170, which may extend upwards from the first annular portion 146, but may not include a shroud.
- the posts 170 may be coupled to the upper housing portion 126 ( Figure 2 ).
- the posts 170 may be any shape, including cylindrical, aerofoils, etc. and may be spaced apart so as to define wide channels therebetween. Accordingly, the second annular portion 148 may be configured to minimize flow obstruction therethrough.
- stator vanes 156 may be pitched at an angle relative to the circumference of the stator 120, for example, opposite to rotation, so as to maximize shearing.
- the slinger blades 138 may be curved circumferentially, e.g., to facilitate slinging the fluid and additives radially outwardly, and with a circumferential velocity component, so as to produce the shearing.
- the stator 120 illustrated in Figure 8 may act as a diffuser.
- the stator vanes 156, as illustrated, may be oriented to recover pressure and/or may facilitate air introduction into the slurry, for example, in foaming operations.
- Figure 9 illustrates another perspective view of the impeller/slinger assembly 112, illustrating the inlet face 136-1 of the impeller 136, according to an embodiment.
- the blades 160 of the impeller 136 which may be curved, straight, or any other suitable geometry, draws fluid upwards, and then expels it radially outwards into the mixing chamber 118 (e.g., Figure 3 ).
- the impeller 136 may be configured for high-speed (e.g., between about 300 rpm and about 20,000 rpm) use, and may be capable of pumping of producing between about 34 kPa (about 5 psi) and about 1000 kPa (about 150 psi), e.g., about 414 kPa (about 60 psi) of head.
- Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of another slinger 200 of the mixer 104, according to an embodiment.
- rotor blades such as blades 138 as shown in Figure 1
- the slinger 200 may provide a low shear or controlled shear dispersion that can handle such delicate chemicals, which are prone to damage or otherwise unsuitable for use in the more-aggressive slinger embodiments.
- the slinger 200 may effect a relatively gradual dispersion using generally concentric, annular disks 202, which are stacked one on top of the other upward from a hub 204.
- the annular disk 202-1 closest to the hub 204 may have a smaller inner diameter than the annular disk 202-2 adjacent thereto, which in turn may have a smaller inner diameter than the annular disk 202-3. This may repeat as proceeding between adjacent disks 202 away from the hub 204, so as to provide an inlet face 205 for the slinger 200 through which fluid and/or additives may be received and propelled outwards. It will be appreciated that any number of annular disks 202 may be included.
- the disks 202 may be held apart by vanes 206, providing narrow flowpaths between the disks 202.
- the vanes 206 may provide slots, one for each of the annular disks 202, into which the annular disks 202 may be received and coupled to the vanes 206. Accordingly, the narrow paths may extend radially outwards, for example, obstructed in the radial direction only by the narrow vanes 206.
- separate vanes may extend between each pair of adjacent disks 202, rather than or in addition to the vanes 206 that extend through the entire set of disks 202.
- the vanes 206 may couple with one or more subsets of the total number of disks 202. In some cases, the vanes 206 may be omitted, with the disks 202 held together in a spaced-apart relation in any other suitable manner.
- the large surface area of the annular disks 202 bordering the flowpaths, and the narrowness of the flowpaths, may result in shearing and turbulent flow of the fluid therethrough.
- Such shearing may have a similar effect as the slinger 134 and stator 120 discussed above, and may promote dispersion of dry additives into fluid being slung radially outwards therethrough, while minimizing the impact forces from the vanes 204 which may damage more delicate material.
- the shearing provided by the slinger 200 may result in the stator 120 being omitted; however, in other cases, the shearing effects of the stator 120 and the slinger 200 may be combined.
- FIG 11 illustrates a perspective view of a shroudless stator 300, according to an embodiment.
- the stator 300 includes first and second annular portions 302, 304, which may, as shown, both be shroudless.
- the first annular portion 302 may include a base 306 and a series of vanes 308 extending upwards from the base 306 and disposed at intervals around the first annular portion 302.
- Flowpaths 310 are defined between adjacent vanes 308.
- the top of the flowpaths 310 may be open-ended, opening into the second annular portion 304 of the stator 120.
- the second annular portion 304 may include tabs 312 extending upwards from the first annular portion 302.
- the tabs 312 may be thicker, circumferentially, than the vanes 308, for example, each spanning two vanes 308 and one of the flowpaths 310; however, any relative sizing of the vanes 308 and tabs 312 may be employed.
- the shroudless configuration may minimize obstruction of the flow from the impeller 136, increasing efficiency of the mixer 104.
- Figure 12 illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of the mixer 104, according to another embodiment.
- the embodiment shown in Figure 12 may be generally similar to the embodiment of the mixer 104 shown in one or more of Figures 1-8 , with similar components being referred to using like numerals and duplicative description being omitted herein.
- the mixer 104 shown in Figure 12 may, however, have a stator 400 that is integrated with the housing 107, for example, with the lower housing portion 128. Accordingly, the stator 400 may be spaced radially apart from and may circumscribe the impeller/slinger assembly 112, with the outlet 121 being disposed radially outward of the stator 400.
- stator 400 Supporting (and/or integrating) the stator 400 by the lower housing portion 128 may facilitate low friction rotation of the impeller/slinger assembly 112, since the stator 400 and the impeller/slinger assembly 112 may not be in contact with one another.
- the stator 400 may be suspended from and/or integrated with the upper housing portion 126 to similar effect.
- This embodiment of the mixer 104 may, in some cases, ensure all or substantially all of the incoming fluid is mixed with the additive chemical before exiting the mixer 104.
- the mixer 104 may blend the powder uniformly, so as to avoid relying on the pipe turbulence downstream of the mixer 104 to effect such mixing.
- the stator 400 may be shrouded or shroudless, and includes two or more annular portions (e.g., one for low flow disruption and one for high flow disruption).
- the stator 400 may, however, be configured to receive substantially all fluid flow out of the volume of fluid, which may enhance bulk mixing.
- Such a mixer 104 embodiment employing the stator 400 may be suited for powder dispersion into a very viscous fluid medium as well as when powder volume fraction in the mixture is high, e.g., with cement mixing.
- embodiments of the mixer 104 shown in Figure 12 may include a flush line 122, e.g., as described above.
- Figure 13 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1000 for dispersing an additive, such as a dry additive (e.g., powder, granules, etc.) into a fluid, according to an embodiment.
- the method 1000 may proceed by operation of one or more embodiments of the mixing system 100 and/or the mixer 104 and, thus, is described herein with reference thereto. However, it will be appreciated that the method 1000 is not limited to any particular structure, unless otherwise expressly stated herein.
- the method 1000 includes feeding a fluid into the mixing chamber 118 of the mixer 104 through the fluid inlet 108.
- Reference 1002 in Figure 13 relates to feeding a liquid into the mixing chamber.
- the mixing chamber 118 is defined within the housing 107, which may define the fluid inlet 108 that receives the fluid from the source 102.
- the method 1000 also includes feeding the additive into the mixing chamber 118 through the additive inlet 110.
- Reference 1004 in Figure 13 refers to feeding an additive into the mixing chamber.
- the feeding at 1004 may be propelled by gravity, for example, by pouring the additive into the additive-receiving structure 111 of the additive inlet 110, although other methods for feeding the additive are also contemplated.
- the method 1000 also includes rotating the impeller/slinger assembly 112 disposed in the mixing chamber 118.
- Reference 1006 in Figure 13 relates to rotating an impeller/slinger assembly in the mixing chamber to generate a slurry.
- Rotating the impeller/slinger assembly 112 draws fluid from the fluid inlet 108 (e.g., upwards) and radially outward, for example, by action of the impeller 136 disposed with its inlet face 136-1 proximal to the interior surface 139.
- Rotating the impeller/slinger assembly 112 further causes the fluid, e.g., received from the impeller 136, along with the additive received through the additive inlet 110, to be slung radially outward.
- the outward slinging may be caused by the slinger 134 of the impeller/slinger assembly 112, which may include blades 138 and/or disks 202.
- the slinger 134 may include an inlet face 134-1, which may, for example, be oriented toward the additive inlet 110.
- the additive When the additive is fed through the additive inlet 110, the additive may impinge on the blades 138 and/or disks 202 and be slug radially outward
- the combination of the impeller 136 and the slinger 134 may result in an eye defined by a hydrodynamically-stable fluid-air boundary, to develop in the slinger 134.
- the boundary may be present radially between a hub 138-1 and tip 138-2 of the blades 138 of the slinger 134.
- the slinging of the additive (as well as the fluid received from the impeller 136) radially outwards by action of the slinger 134 may result in the additive crossing the air-fluid boundary, and thus being at least partially dispersed into the fluid, thereby forming a slurry.
- the action of the impeller/slinger assembly 112 may create a hydrodynamically-stable eye, forming a fluid-air boundary, thereby preventing air from becoming entrained in the fluid.
- air may be purposely introduced into the mixture, for example, in foaming applications, e.g., using the stator 120 of Figure 8 .
- the additive may further be dispersed in the fluid, promoting increased homogenization of the slurry, by the slurry being received through the stator 120.
- Reference 1008 in Figure 13 relates to receiving the slurry through a stator.
- the stator 120 includes the plurality of vanes 156, defining flowpaths therebetween, through which the slurry is received. The interaction of the swirled, turbulent flow of the slurry with the stator vanes 156 may result in increased shearing of the fluid, which may increase mixing efficiency of the mixer 104.
- the slurry with a certain concentration of additives is expelled from the mixer 104, via the outlet 121, which may be disposed radially outwards of the impeller/slinger assembly 112.
- Reference 1010 in Figure 13 relates to expelling the slurry from the mixing chamber via an outlet.
- the method 1000 may also include, e.g., as caused by rotation of the impeller/slinger assembly 112 at 1006, a portion of the fluid or slurry (e.g., with a relatively low concentration, relative to flow through the outlet 121) to flow into the flush line 122 and to the additive inlet 110, to pre-wet the additive.
- Reference 1012 in Figure 13 relates to receiving a portion of the slurry at a low additive concentration through a flush line, to pre-wet the additive in the additive inlet.
- the flush line 122 may include the opening 140, which may be positioned and/or sized so as to receive a slurry with a predetermined (e.g., minimized) concentration of additives at a predetermined (e.g., maximized) pressure in the mixing chamber 118.
- a predetermined concentration of additives at a predetermined (e.g., maximized) pressure in the mixing chamber 118.
- the sizing of the flush line 122, placement of the opening 140 thereof, and/or employment of flow control devices in the flush line 122, etc. may allow control of the amount of fluid that proceeds through the flush line 122 and the composition thereof.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- Mixers Of The Rotary Stirring Type (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/192,821 US10137420B2 (en) | 2014-02-27 | 2014-02-27 | Mixing apparatus with stator and method |
US14/192,838 US11819810B2 (en) | 2014-02-27 | 2014-02-27 | Mixing apparatus with flush line and method |
PCT/US2015/017175 WO2015130619A1 (en) | 2014-02-27 | 2015-02-24 | Mixing apparatus with stator and method |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3110539A1 EP3110539A1 (en) | 2017-01-04 |
EP3110539A4 EP3110539A4 (en) | 2017-11-08 |
EP3110539B1 true EP3110539B1 (en) | 2021-07-07 |
Family
ID=54009531
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP15755550.9A Active EP3110539B1 (en) | 2014-02-27 | 2015-02-24 | Mixing apparatus with stator and method |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP3110539B1 (es) |
CN (1) | CN106457178B (es) |
CA (1) | CA2939162C (es) |
EA (1) | EA038757B1 (es) |
MX (2) | MX2016011071A (es) |
NO (1) | NO20161286A1 (es) |
SA (1) | SA516371756B1 (es) |
WO (1) | WO2015130619A1 (es) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN111005710B (zh) * | 2019-12-19 | 2022-03-18 | 中石化四机石油机械有限公司 | 输砂混排系统及控制方法 |
AU2021210817A1 (en) * | 2020-01-23 | 2022-08-25 | Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation | Apparatus and method for preparing metal matrix composites |
CN116113489A (zh) * | 2020-07-28 | 2023-05-12 | 斯伦贝谢技术有限公司 | 在井场混合材料的系统和方法 |
CN112282983B (zh) * | 2020-10-29 | 2023-05-12 | 东风商用车有限公司 | 天然气发动机用扰流式集成混合器 |
EP4341685A1 (en) * | 2021-05-19 | 2024-03-27 | FOSS Analytical A/S | Method of and an apparatus for determining dietary fiber and a sample container system for use therein |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1560826A (en) * | 1924-04-24 | 1925-11-10 | Kirschbraun Lester | Apparatus for making bituminous emulsion |
JPS5715828A (en) * | 1980-07-03 | 1982-01-27 | Yamato Boring Kk | Continuous type mixer for powder and liquid |
EP0048312A1 (en) * | 1980-09-19 | 1982-03-31 | Nemo Ivarson | Method and apparatus for continuously mixing a liquid and powder |
EP0148220A4 (en) * | 1983-06-14 | 1985-10-17 | Weyerhaeuser Co | LOW CONSISTENCY OZONE LAUNDRY REACTOR. |
US4614435A (en) * | 1985-03-21 | 1986-09-30 | Dowell Schlumberger Incorporated | Machine for mixing solid particles with a fluid composition |
FR2596290B1 (fr) * | 1986-03-27 | 1990-09-14 | Schlumberger Cie Dowell | Dispositif pour le melange d'un materiau pulverulent et d'un liquide, ou liquide-liquide |
US5795062A (en) * | 1996-10-03 | 1998-08-18 | Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc. | Milkshake machine |
US6000840A (en) * | 1997-12-17 | 1999-12-14 | Charles Ross & Son Company | Rotors and stators for mixers and emulsifiers |
US20030227817A1 (en) * | 2002-04-11 | 2003-12-11 | Mobius Technologies, Inc., A California Corporation | Mixer |
JP2013132572A (ja) * | 2011-12-26 | 2013-07-08 | Jtekt Corp | 混合分散装置 |
JP2013132575A (ja) * | 2011-12-26 | 2013-07-08 | Jtekt Corp | 混合分散システム |
-
2015
- 2015-02-24 EP EP15755550.9A patent/EP3110539B1/en active Active
- 2015-02-24 EA EA201691737A patent/EA038757B1/ru unknown
- 2015-02-24 MX MX2016011071A patent/MX2016011071A/es active IP Right Grant
- 2015-02-24 WO PCT/US2015/017175 patent/WO2015130619A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-02-24 CA CA2939162A patent/CA2939162C/en active Active
- 2015-02-24 CN CN201580010979.3A patent/CN106457178B/zh active Active
-
2016
- 2016-08-10 NO NO20161286A patent/NO20161286A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2016-08-25 MX MX2019014917A patent/MX2019014917A/es unknown
- 2016-08-28 SA SA516371756A patent/SA516371756B1/ar unknown
Non-Patent Citations (1)
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CA2939162C (en) | 2023-10-24 |
SA516371756B1 (ar) | 2021-09-06 |
CN106457178B (zh) | 2020-11-06 |
CA2939162A1 (en) | 2015-09-03 |
EA201691737A1 (ru) | 2016-12-30 |
NO20161286A1 (en) | 2016-08-10 |
EP3110539A1 (en) | 2017-01-04 |
MX2019014917A (es) | 2020-02-07 |
WO2015130619A1 (en) | 2015-09-03 |
EA038757B1 (ru) | 2021-10-14 |
EP3110539A4 (en) | 2017-11-08 |
MX2016011071A (es) | 2016-11-30 |
CN106457178A (zh) | 2017-02-22 |
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