GB1250189A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,250,189. Regeneration of ion exchange material. INDUSTRIE A. ZANUSSI S.p.A. 7 Nov., 1968 [15 Nov., 1967], No. 52838/68. Heading B1J. A device for the dosage of a soluble substance, for example welt for use in the regeneration of ion exchange material, comprises a container divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a dividing wall provided with at least one aperture therethrough providing communication between the chambers, the container including means permitting the supply to the upper chamber of the soluble substance in solid form, an inlet pipe to the lower chamber for supplying liquid thereto, a valve for controlling flow of liquid through the inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe extending from the lower chamber to a height above the top of the container whereby, in use of the device, the container is filled with liquid and solution of the soluble substance can flow through the discharge pipe from the lower chamber only when forced therethrough by the pressure of liquid entering the container through the inlet pipe when the valve is open. The device preferably also comprises means whereby the effective volume of the lower chamber may be varied thereby to provide that the dose may be in a quantity desired. As illustrated in Figure 1, the device comprises a container 10 divided into an upper chamber 11 and a lower chamber 12 by a dividing wall 13 having a central aperture 20 and a non-central aperture 21 bounded by a tube 24. The lower chamber is provided with an inlet pipe 15 having a solenoid valve 14 and with a valveless outlet pipe 16 connected to a vessel (not shown) containing ion exchange material. Salt 17 may be introduced into the upper chamber through an opening 18 normally closed by a cap 19. The periphery of the dividing wall is provided with a screw thread engageable with a complementary screw thread 27 provided on the internal wall of the container whereby the dividing wall may be moved, relative to the remainder of the container, in either of the directions of arrows 26 thereby to vary the volume of the lower chamber; since the periphery of the dividing wall and the internal wall of the container are not in sealing relationship, a peripheral passage is provided therebetween. The central aperture and the peripheral passage each may be provided with a net filter. In a slightly modified construction (not illustrated), the dividing wall is stepped, apertures being arranged in each step. In illustrated modified constructions, the dividing wall is in the form of a flexible membrane engagable by a threaded pin extending through a co-operatively threaded aperture provided in the bottom wall of the container, the membrane being movable, relative to the remainder of the container, by movement of the pin in the aperture thereby to vary the volume of the lower chamber (see Figure 2, not shown), the bottom wall of the container is movable, relative to the remainder of the container, by means external of the container thereby to vary the volume of the lower chamber (see Figure 3, not shown) and the lower chamber contains spheres, the number of which determines the effective volume of the lower chamber (see Figure 4, not shown). Means may be provided for closing the lower end of the tube' bounding the non-central aperture when the valve in the inlet pipe is opened; as illustrated in Figure 3 (not shown), such means comprises a hinged flap.