JP2001120973A - In-line mixer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To develop an in-line mixer which is capable of smoothly mixing liquids, allows the easy connection of right-hand elements and left-hand elements and may be inexpensively manufactured. SOLUTION: The elements constituting the mixing elements 3 have transporting sections 5 and flow regulating and dividing sections 6 formed at both ends of the transporting sections 5. The flow regulating and dividing sections 6 have planes orthogonal with the axial direction of the mixing elements 3. Since fluid F moves along the flow regulating and dividing sections 6 of fore stages at the boundaries of the elements and the fluid makes a parallel movement along the axial direction of the mixing elements 3, the dividing by the flow regulating and dividing sections 6 of post stages is surely achieved, and since the direction change when the inversion in the rotating direction is made is not rapid, the conviction and channeling of the fluid F are averted and the sure and smooth mixing may be executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a static mixer for mixing a plurality of kinds of fluids such as gas, liquid and solid, and more particularly to an in-line mixer capable of mixing fluids smoothly. .

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For example, a static mixer (static mixer) is used in a gas-liquid mixing and dissolving step of ozone gas and water in an ozone water production line and in a mixing and homogenizing step in a two-liquid mixing line. In an in-line mixer, which is a kind of this static mixer, a fluid such as a gas, a liquid, or a solid supplied to a pipe in which a mixing element is disposed advances while rotating by the action of the mixing element, and separates and merges. By repeatedly passing through the pipe, the mixing of the fluid proceeds.

In the conventional structure of the mixing element 3 ', the opposite short sides of a rectangular metal plate are twisted by 180 ° as shown in FIG. The transport surfaces 5A 'and 5B' are used, and two kinds of right-handed element elements 3R 'and left-handed element elements 3L' are manufactured by changing the twisting direction of such a metal plate. , These right-handed element elements 3
A plurality is alternately connected so that the short sides of R 'and the left-handed element element 3L' are orthogonal to each other.

The transport surfaces 5A 'and 5B' on the front and back sides of the mixing element 3 'constructed as described above are inverted by 180 degrees when they are advanced by one element element, and are located at the end position of one element element. Since the short sides of the next-stage element element are positioned orthogonally, the short sides of the next-stage element element are divided (6 ') of the transport surface 5A' and the transport surface 5B 'in the preceding element element.
It functions as.

Attention is now paid to the flow path of the fluid F shown in FIG. 7 (b). The fluid F supplied to the in-line mixer 1 'is first divided into the divided portions (61') in the right-handed element element 31R '. The subsequent flow path is
A ′ and a transport surface 51B ′. Then, the fluid F that has traveled on the transport surface 51A 'is eventually divided by the divisional portion (62') in the left-handed element element 32L 'located at the next stage, so that the subsequent flow path has the transport surface 52A'
B '. On the other hand, the transport surface 51B '
Of the fluid F that has advanced through the transfer surface 5 due to the division (62 ') in the left-handed element element 32L'.
2A 'and a transport surface 52B'.

Therefore, the fluid F that has traveled on different transport surfaces is divided into two parts by the dividing part (62 '), and
/ 2 will travel on the same transport plane,
The mixing progresses every time it passes through the element element.

However, the existing in-line mixer 1 'having the structure of the mixing element 3' as described above includes:
There were the following problems. First, the dividing portion (6 ') is provided on the transport surface 5 of the preceding element element (right-handed element element 3R' or left-handed element element 3L ').
Since the end faces are perpendicular to A ′ and 5B ′, the flow direction of the fluid F changes rapidly as shown in FIG. 7A, causing convection and drift of the fluid F. Would.

The traveling direction of the fluid F after being divided by the dividing portion (6 ') changes rapidly along the subsequent element element as shown in FIG. F causes convection and drift of the fluid F
Will hinder the mixing of

Furthermore, an in-line mixer 1 'for taking out the mixing element 3' from the pipe 2 'and cleaning it.
In the case of, there are also the following maintenance problems. Normally, the mixing element 3 'is mechanically polished and further electrolytically polished so that the transport surface 5A',
Processing to increase the smoothness of 5B 'has been performed. as a result,
The effect of smoothing the flow and agitation of the fluid F and preventing the generation of contamination is obtained. However, on the other hand, at the division (6 '), which is the cut surface of the fluid F,
Originally, since the structure was formed to be relatively sharp, this sharp state was further emphasized by the electrolytic polishing, and thus the end of the divided portion (6 ') could hurt the operator's hand. . At the corner E of the division (6 '), a sharper state is emphasized as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 7B, and this division (6') is substantially Since it has a size close to the inner diameter of the pipe 2 ', the corner E may be damaged when the corner E hits the inner periphery of the pipeline 2' during maintenance work or the like.

[0010] Further, if a rounding process is performed on this portion in order to eliminate the inconvenience due to the corner of the dividing portion (6 '), a dead space is generated in the flow path, causing convection and drift of the fluid F. In this case, the mixing of the fluid F is hindered.

[0011] Furthermore, the most serious problem is that it is difficult to perform centering when welding metal element elements to each other. However, even if such a jig is used, further training and skill of the operator is required, and therefore, the production efficiency is not sufficient, which causes a cost increase.

Further, the welding of the metal element elements is performed by welding the end faces of the divided portion (6 '), so that the contact area is very small. For example, the welding is performed in a mixing step of liquid nitrogen and air. When applied, liquid nitrogen is -200
Since the temperature is below ℃, the reliability of the joint cannot be sufficiently guaranteed under such an extremely low temperature. In addition, the mixing element 3 'may be bent at the welded portion due to fatigue accumulated during repeated removal from the pipe 2' for cleaning and insertion into the pipe 2 ',
In severe cases, it could break.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and is capable of smoothly mixing a fluid and connecting a right-handed element and a left-handed element. The technical problem was to develop a new inline mixer that can be easily manufactured and that can be manufactured at a lower cost.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an in-line mixer in which a mixing element having alternately right-handed element elements and left-handed element elements is disposed in a pipe, and one end of the pipe is provided. While dividing the fluid input from the side, reversing the rotation direction and changing the flow direction,
After performing the mixing of the fluid, in the device that discharges the fluid from the other end of the pipeline, the element elements that constitute the mixing element include a transport unit, and a rectifying division unit formed at both ends of the transport unit. The rectifying division portion has a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the mixing element. According to the present invention, since the fluid moves along the preceding rectifying division at the boundary between the element elements, the fluid once moves in parallel along the axial direction of the mixing element. And the direction change when the rotation direction is reversed is not abrupt, so that convection and drift of the fluid can be avoided and reliable and smooth mixing can be performed.

Further, the in-line mixer according to claim 2 is
In addition to the above requirements, the rectifying division portion has a notch in a stage before each element element is connected, and is connected so that the notches in each connected element element are engaged with each other. It is characterized by having. According to the present invention, when connecting each element element, centering can be performed only by connecting the notches, so that there is no need to use a dedicated jig, and when performing welding work, In addition, a general welding technician can perform the operation without special training or skill. For this reason, it is possible to significantly reduce costs by reducing dedicated jig costs, labor costs, and the like, and improving productivity. In addition, since the notches are in mesh with each other, the durability can be improved by increasing the rigidity of the mixing element.
Even when used at extremely low temperatures such as 0 ° C. or less,
The reliability of the joint can be sufficiently ensured.

Further, in the inline mixer according to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above requirements, the rectifying division portion has an end processed with an R. According to the present invention, since the rectifying dividing portion functioning as a fluid dividing piece has its R-processed end face facing the transport surface of the preceding element element, the flow direction of the fluid sharply changes. It does not change and does not cause convection or drift of the fluid.

The in-line mixer according to claim 4 is
In addition to the above requirements, the rectifying division portion is obtained by rounding a corner portion. According to the present invention, when the mixing element is taken out of the pipe in order to wash the mixing element,
The rectifying division does not damage the inner peripheral surface of the pipeline and does not cut off the hand by the operator. In addition, since the rectifying divisions overlap those of the front and rear element elements, a dead space does not have to be formed.

Further, in addition to the above requirements, the inline mixer according to the fifth aspect is characterized in that the conveying section of the element element has a rounded end. According to the present invention, the inner peripheral surface of the conduit is not damaged. The problem is solved by using the configuration of the invention described in each of the claims.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An in-line mixer according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 shows an inline mixer 1 of the present invention, which is a kind of a static mixer used in a mixing and homogenizing step in a two-liquid mixing line 10 as shown in FIG. 2, for example. Examples of such a two-liquid mixing line 10 include a mixing process of a multi-color paint or a mixing process of a chemical solution and a two-component adhesive in an automobile manufacturing line.

In addition to the two-liquid mixing line 10, the in-line mixer 1 includes a gas-liquid mixing and dissolving step of ozone gas and water in an ozone water production line, an extraction step, a water treatment step, an initiator addition step, an emulsification step. , Washing process,
It can also be applied as a contactor, heat exchanger, reactor, disperser, dilutor, blender, and the like.

The structure of the in-line mixer 1 is such that a mixing element 3 is arranged inside a pipe 2,
The fluid F, such as gas, liquid, or solid, supplied to the container proceeds while rotating by the action of the mixing element 3 and passes through the pipe 2 while repeating division and merging, whereby the mixing of the fluid F proceeds. It is something that goes.

Hereinafter, members constituting the in-line mixer 1 will be described in detail. First, the pipe 2 will be described. This is a pipe, and is made of SUS, PFA, P
It is formed using VDF, PVC, PTFE, etc. as materials, but the type of mixed fluid, viscosity, operating temperature, specific gravity,
It is obtained by appropriately selecting the material, diameter, and length of the pipe line 2 outside the above range according to the use conditions such as the flow rate. In the present embodiment, as an example, SUS that can withstand high temperature, high viscosity, and high pressure and can be used in a wide range from mixing of chemical raw materials to heat exchange is used.

At the end of the pipe 2, a connecting member for connecting to another pipe or the like is provided, and in the present embodiment, flanges 2 a are provided at both ends. Of course, a cap nut or the like can be used as such a connecting member in addition to the flange 2a.

Next, the mixing element 3 will be described. This is based on the type and viscosity of the fluid F to be mixed.
Depending on the operating conditions such as operating temperature, specific gravity, flow rate, etc., SUS,
It is formed using PFA, PVDF, PVC, PTFE, or the like as a material. In the present embodiment, as an example, S
US shall be the material.

The structure of the mixing element 3 comprises a right-handed element element 3R and a left-handed element element 3L alternately as shown in FIG. The element elements are a transport section 5 and rectifying division sections 6 formed at both ends of the transport section 5.
The rectifying division 6 has a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the mixing element 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the right-handed element element 3R and the left-handed element element 3L are in a positional relationship in which the rectifying division portion 6 in a planar state is relatively rotated by 180 °. By changing the direction of rotation of the rectifying division 6, two types of right-handed element elements 3R and left-handed element elements 3L are manufactured.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned right-handed element element 3R and left-handed element element 3L are alternately provided after the right-handed element element 3R and the left-handed element element 3L are formed as separate members. And a right-handed element element 3R and a left-handed element element 3L
Are formed in a state of being integrated in advance.

Further, as defined in claim 5, the transport section 5 is for rounding an end, and the term "end" here means a length of the rectangular metal plate before the twisting. It refers to the edge of the edge.

Further, as defined in claim 3, the rectifying and dividing portion 6 has a rounded end, and the term "end" as used herein means a short side in the rectangular metal plate before the twisting. It refers to the edge of the edge. The processing of the end portion of the rectifying division 6 is not particularly limited as long as the flow direction of the fluid does not suddenly change and does not cause convection or drift of the fluid. It can also be processed into an acute angle such as a C-cut as shown by a line.

Still further, as defined in claim 4, the rectifying and dividing portion 6 has a corner portion rounded, and the corner portion is a rectangular metal plate before the twisting process. At the corner.

As defined in claim 2, the rectifying division 6 has a notch 6a at a stage before each element element is connected, and the rectifying division 6
The center of the end is cut into a rectangular parallelepiped. Of course, the notch 6a may be formed in a state of a metal plate before bending.

The right-handed element element 3R and the left-handed element element 3L formed as described above are connected to the notch 6a
By joining them so that they are in mesh with each other,
The rectifying divisions 6 are orthogonal to each other, and a plurality of element elements (31R, 32L, 33R...) Corresponding to the length of the pipeline 2 are alternately connected and welded. Thus, the mixing element 3 is formed. At this time, when the respective element elements are connected to each other, centering can be performed only by connecting the cutout portions 6a, so that there is no need to use a dedicated jig. At the same time, since the welding can be performed reliably, the reliability of the joining can be sufficiently ensured even when used at extremely low temperatures. Since the notches 6a are in mesh with each other, the durability of the mixing element 3 is improved by increasing the rigidity of the mixing element 3.

The two conveying surfaces 5A and 5B of the mixing element 3 configured as described above have one
The rectifying division 6 is positioned at an orthogonal position with respect to the rectifying division 6 located at the end of one element element, and the rectifying division 6 located at the start end of the next element element is positioned at a right angle. Therefore, the rear-stage rectifying and dividing unit 6 functions as a divided piece of the transport surface 5A or 5B in the preceding-stage element element.

Then, the mixing element 3 having the above-described structure is inserted into the pipe line 2. At this time, as shown in FIGS. The rectifying division 6 is inserted into the annular ring 7 to be formed, and the contact portion between the inner peripheral surface of the ring 7 and the rectifying division 6 is adjusted in a state where the ring 7 and the rectifying division 6 are aligned. The in-line mixer 1 is configured by welding and fitting the ring 7 into a recess 2b formed in the flange 2a. With such a configuration, the rectifying division portion 6 is positioned up to the ridge surface of the flange 2a, and can prevent the fluid F from drifting and convection in this portion, thereby preventing burning and deterioration of the resin and the like. It is. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the rectifying division 6, which is a welded portion with the ring 7, is not subjected to R processing in consideration of workability of welding and the like. As in the case of the rectification division section 6, it may be subjected to R processing.

Hereinafter, the function of the above-described in-line mixer 1 will be described with reference to an example in which the in-line mixer 1 is incorporated in the two-liquid mixing line 10 shown in FIG. The two-liquid mixing line 10 is composed of two liquid supply lines including a tank 11, a pump P, a valve 12, and a flow meter 13 arranged side by side. The flow paths merge and are connected to the in-line mixer 1.

The two types of fluid F supplied to the in-line mixer 1 advance while rotating by the action of the mixing element 3, and pass through the pipe 2 while repeating division and merging at the rectifying division section 6. The mixing proceeds. The mixing of the fluid F proceeds while repeating “division”, “reversal of rotation direction” and “reversal of flow direction”. Here, the “division”, “rotation direction” The operation of the in-line mixer 1 of the present invention will be described together with referring to what the "inversion of the flow direction" and the "reversal of the flow direction" are.

First, the "division" of the fluid F will be described. When attention is paid to the flow path of the fluid F in the in-line mixer 1 as shown in FIG. The rectifying division 61 in the winding element element 31R causes the subsequent flow path to
1A and a transfer surface 51B. Then, the fluid F that has traveled on the transport surface 51A eventually becomes a rectifying division 62 in the left-handed element element 32L located at the next stage.
As a result, the subsequent flow path is formed between the transfer surface 52A and the transfer surface 52A.
B.

On the other hand, the fluid F that has traveled on the transport surface 51B also
The subsequent flow path is divided into a transport surface 52A and a transport surface 52B by the rectifying division portion 62 in the left-handed element element 32L. Therefore, the fluid F that has traveled on the different transport surfaces 51A and 51B is divided into two by the rectifying division unit 62, and then the fluid F is halved by the same transport surface 52.
Since the mixture travels on A and 52B, the mixing proceeds each time it passes through the element element.

The "reversal of the rotating direction" of the fluid F means that the fluid F travels while rotating counterclockwise when traveling along the transport surfaces 5A and 5B of the right-handed element element 3R. The transport surface 5A of the left-handed element element 3L,
5B, the fluid F travels while rotating clockwise, meaning that when the fluid F moves from the right-handed element element 3R to the left-handed element element 3L, the rotation direction is reversed. Is what you do.

The "change of flow direction" of the fluid F is defined as the twisted transport surface 5A or 5 of the element element (right-handed element element 3R or left-handed element element 3L).
Along B, the flow direction from the central portion toward the inner wall of the conduit 2 and the flow direction from the inner wall of the conduit 2 toward the central portion are to be changed for each element element.

When the fluid F moves in the in-line mixer 1 as described above, the rectifying division 6 has a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the mixing element 3, so that the fluid F Since the mixing element 3 moves along the front-stage rectifying division 6 at the boundary portion, the mixing element 3 once moves in parallel along the axial direction, so that the division by the rear-stage rectifying division 6 is reliably performed. At the same time, the direction change when the rotation direction is reversed is not abrupt, and convection and drift of the fluid F can be avoided, and reliable and smooth mixing can be performed.

Since the end of the flow dividing portion 6 is rounded, the flow dividing portion 6 functioning as a divided piece of the fluid F is formed.
Since the R-processed end face faces the transport surface 5A or 5B of the preceding element element,
The flow direction of the fluid F does not suddenly change, and convection and drift of the fluid F do not occur.

Since the corners of the rectifying division 6 are rounded, the cleaning of the mixing element 3 must be performed.
When the mixing element 3 is taken out of the pipeline 2, the rectifying division 6 does not damage the inner peripheral surface of the pipeline 2 and the operator does not cut his hand.
When connecting the element elements, the notch portions 6a of the rectification division portions 6 are connected to each other, and the rectification division portions 6 of the front and rear element elements overlap each other, so that a dead space does not need to be formed.

Further, since the end of the transport section 5 is rounded, the inner peripheral surface of the pipeline 2 is not damaged.

[0045]

Other Embodiments Although the present invention is based on the above-described embodiment, the following embodiments can be adopted based on the technical idea of the present invention. . That is, in the above-described basic embodiment, the cutout portion 6a is provided in the rectifying division portion 6 and then these are combined, but an embodiment in which the cutout portion 6a is not provided may be adopted. it can. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the right-handed element 3R and the left-handed element 3
The welding is performed in a state where the end faces of the rectifying divisions 6 in L are in contact with each other. Even in this case, the effect of rectifying the fluid F by the rectifying divisions 6 can be enjoyed.

[0046]

According to the present invention, the mixing of the fluid F can be performed smoothly, and the connection between the right-handed element 3R and the left-handed element 3L can be easily performed. A novel in-line mixer 1 that can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a partially cutaway inline mixer of the present invention and a perspective view showing a mixing element.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a two-liquid mixing line to which the inran mixer of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an element element and a cross-sectional view of a transport section and a flow dividing section.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a perspective view of an inline mixer and a longitudinal side view of each part.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a plan view and a perspective view showing the mixing element and a state of movement of a fluid along the mixing element.

6A and 6B are a plan view and a perspective view showing a mixing element having a different form and a state of movement of a fluid along the mixing element.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a plan view and a perspective view showing a mixing element in an existing in-line mixer and a state of movement of a fluid along the mixing element.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 In-line mixer 2 Pipeline 2a Flange 2b Depression 3 Mixing element 3R Right-handed element 3L Left-handed element 5 Conveying part 5A Conveying surface 5B Conveying surface 6 Rectifying division part 6a Notch part 7 Ring 10 Two-liquid mixing line 11 Tank 12 Valve 13 Flow meter 31R Right-handed element element 32L Left-handed element element 33R Right-handed element element 51A Conveying surface 51B Conveying surface 52A Conveying surface 52B Conveying surface 61 Rectifying dividing part 62 Rectifying dividing part E Corner part F Fluid P pump

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission Date] November 5, 1999 (1999.11.
5)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Furthermore, an in-line mixer 1 'for taking out the mixing element 3' from the pipe 2 'and cleaning it.
In the case of, there are also the following maintenance problems. Normally, the mixing element 3 'is mechanically polished and further electrolytically polished so that the transport surface 5A',
Processing to increase the smoothness of 5B 'has been performed. as a result,
The effect of smoothing the flow and agitation of the fluid F and preventing the generation of contamination is obtained. However, on the other hand, at the division (6 '), which is the cut surface of the fluid F,
Originally, since the structure was formed to be relatively sharp, this sharp state was further emphasized by electropolishing, so that the end of the divided portion (6 ') could hurt the operator's hand. . At the corner E of the division (6 '), a sharper state is emphasized as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 7B, and this division (6') is substantially Since it has a size close to the inner diameter of the pipe 2 ', the corner E may be damaged when the corner E hits the inner periphery of the pipeline 2' during maintenance work or the like.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A mixing element having a right-handed element element and a left-handed element element alternately arranged in a pipe, and a fluid supplied from one end of the pipe is divided, inverted in a rotation direction, and rotated. In a device for discharging the fluid from the other end of the conduit after mixing the fluids while changing the flow direction, the element elements constituting the mixing element are a transport unit and both ends of the transport unit And a rectifying division formed in the mixing section, wherein the rectifying division has a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the mixing element. 2. The rectifying division portion has a cutout portion before each element element is connected, and is connected so that the cutout portions of the connected element elements are engaged with each other. The inline mixer according to claim 1, wherein 3. The in-line mixer according to claim 1, wherein the rectifying division portion has an end processed to be rounded. 4. The in-line mixer according to claim 1, wherein the rectifying and dividing unit is obtained by processing a corner portion into a rounded shape. 5. A transport unit in the element element,
5. The inline mixer according to claim 1, wherein the end is rounded.