GB595442A - An improved method of and means for changing the physical state of a substance by attrition of said substance in and/or by a liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0595442/III/1> <PICT:0595442/III/2> A method of changing the physical state of a substance, involving the attrition of said substance in and/or by a liquid, comprises the subjection of the convolution of a first spiral stream of a liquid containing some or all of the substances to repeated sliding contacts of comparatively short duration with the convolutions of a second spiral stream of a liquid travelling obliquely to and in the same general direction as the first spiral stream at a different velocity, the second spiral stream in some cases containing a substance similar to or one that will react with the substance contained in the first spiral stream. The breaking-down of fibres, the production of two or three phase emulsions, the homogenisation or stabilisation of suspensions and the coating of particles are referred to, and a colloidal mixture containing the reaction product of an acidic polymer and a metallic salt suitable for a vehicle for a coating composition may be prepared by employing as one spiral stream, a solution of a dispersing agent and the acidic polymer in petroleum, and as the other stream, an aqueous solution of the metallic salt. As shown, liquid is supplied through conduit h to a spiral groove g on the outer surface of a tapered inner part a, and also through conduit k to a spiral groove j on the inner surface of a complimentary outer part b, in which part a fits, the grooves being of different pitch so that they cross each other obliquely and repeatedly. Part a may have a base f and part b a discharge pipe d, or, base f and pipe d may be omitted, when the interior of part a acts as a sump from which the mixture may be pumped. The grooves may be either both right- or both left-handed. In one alternative, a plurality of grooves may be provided on both parts a and b each groove having a separate feed conduit, which may be fed from a manifold. In another alternative, liners having both external and internal spiral grooves may be provided in between parts a and b, the number of liners being for example, six, ten or more, and either single or a plurality of grooves being provided on each liner. The spiral grooves may be of any cross-section, for example, square, rounded or angular, and may be deep or shallow.