JP5017694B2 - Liquid and mixture mixing apparatus and mixing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid and mixture mixing apparatus for supplying a mixture such as liquid or powder to a liquid in a mixing tank and mixing the mixture, and a mixing method thereof.

  Conventionally, a mixing apparatus for mixing and stirring a plurality of different materials has been used in various industrial fields for various purposes such as mixing, dispersion, dissolution, and reaction. Usually, the mixing tank in the mixing apparatus is composed of, for example, a cylindrical straight body portion and a bottom convex bottom portion having a semi-elliptical or cone shape at the lower end thereof. In addition, a stirring blade that is supported so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis is attached to the inside of the mixing tank.

  Here, in particular, when mixing the liquid and the mixture in the mixing apparatus, conventionally, the mixture is dropped from above the liquid stored in the mixing tank, and the liquid is mixed by stirring with a stirring blade. However, in this method, when the mixture falls in the mixing tank, the mixture may scatter on the upper surface of the liquid and contaminate the surroundings. In particular, when powder is used as a mixture, it often becomes a spatter and remains without being mixed with a liquid.

Therefore, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-31827 describes a mixing apparatus that puts the mixing tank in a depressurized state, supplies powder into the mixing tank from below the surface of the liquid stored in the mixing tank, and performs stirring. Has been. According to such a mixing apparatus, the defoaming action is generated in the liquid in the mixing tank, and the apparent specific gravity of the liquid is reduced. The powder supplied from below the liquid surface is likely to flow into the liquid due to the pressure difference between the hopper and the agitation tank and the defoaming action, and can be mixed very well.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-31827 (page 3-4, FIG. 1)

However, the mixing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems.
(1) Since the air in the hopper, particularly the air mixed in the mixture, is supplied to the pressure-reduced mixing tank together with the mixture, significant foaming may occur in the mixing tank. Thereby, the malfunction in the next process by the increase in dissolved oxygen arises.
(2) Also, the mixture or liquid splashes onto the liquid surface due to foaming, the mixture in the mixing tank, the dispersion of the solid content due to unnecessary adhesion of the liquid, the decrease in the production amount, and the contamination of the liquid tank This causes problems such as an increase in the cleaning process.
(3) Furthermore, in order to make the production amount assuming foaming, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount.
(4) On the other hand, as a method of supplying the mixture to the liquid in the mixing tank without causing foaming, the pressure in the mixing tank is reduced to the target value, and then the mixture is supplied. When the determined limit value is exceeded, the operation of stopping the supply of the mixture and reducing the pressure in the mixing tank to the target value is repeatedly performed until the supply of the mixture is completed. However, in this method, it takes time to supply the mixture, and there are problems such as a long lead time and variations in product characteristics.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and detects the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper, and adjusts the pressure in the mixing tank based on the pressure difference. Provided is a liquid-mixture mixing apparatus and a method for mixing the same, in which a target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without fouling the inside of the apparatus, and a certain product characteristic can be maintained. For the purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, a liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present application includes a mixing tank in which liquid is stored, a hopper connected to the mixing tank and containing the mixture, and stored in the mixing tank. A mixture supply port for supplying the mixture contained in the hopper to the inside of the mixing tank, a mixing tank pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure in the mixing tank, First pressure detecting means for detecting pressure, second pressure detecting means for detecting pressure in the hopper, pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detecting means, and detection by the second pressure detecting means was based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the hopper, have a, a mixing tank pressure reduction control means for controlling the mixing tank pressure reducing means, said mixing tank pressure reduction control means, detected by the first pressure detecting means Pressure in the mixing tank and front And controlling the mixing tank pressure reducing means to reduce the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the pressure in said hopper detected by the second pressure detecting means.
The “mixture” to be mixed with the liquid may be a powder or a liquid.

The liquid and mixture mixing device according to claim 2 is the liquid and mixture mixing device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid and mixture mixing device is arranged in the mixing tank, and stores the liquid stored in the mixing tank with rotation. A stirring blade for stirring, a driving means for rotating the stirring blade around a rotation axis at a predetermined rotation period, a pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detecting means, and a second pressure detecting means. Drive control means for controlling the drive means based on the detected pressure difference from the pressure in the hopper.

The liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to claim 3 is the liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the drive control means detects the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detection means. And the driving means is controlled so as to reduce the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detecting means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the liquid / mixture mixing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the flow rate of nitrogen supplied into the hopper is adjusted. Based on the pressure difference between the flow rate adjusting means and the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detecting means and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detecting means, the hopper nitrogen flow rate adjusting means is Hopper nitrogen flow rate adjustment control means for controlling.

The liquid and mixture mixing device according to claim 5 is the liquid and mixture mixing device according to claim 4 , wherein the hopper nitrogen flow rate adjustment control means is detected by the first pressure detection means. The hopper nitrogen flow rate adjusting means is controlled so as to reduce the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the pressure in the hopper and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detecting means.

A liquid and mixture mixing device according to claim 6 is the liquid and mixture mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the mixture supply amount from the hopper to the mixing tank is adjusted. The mixture supply amount adjustment means, based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detection means and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detection means. And a mixture supply amount adjustment control means for controlling the means.

The liquid and mixture mixing device according to claim 7 is the liquid and mixture mixing device according to claim 6 , wherein the mixture supply amount adjustment control means is detected by the first pressure detection means. The mixture supply amount adjusting means is controlled so as to reduce the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the pressure in the hopper and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detecting means.

An apparatus for mixing a liquid and a mixture according to an eighth aspect is the liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the hopper and the mixing tank are provided via the mixture supply port. A mixture supply path through which the mixture supplied from the hopper to the mixing tank passes, and a nitrogen supply port formed in the mixture supply path for supplying nitrogen into the mixture supply path, Nitrogen is intermittently supplied to the mixture supply path from the nitrogen supply port.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for mixing a liquid and a mixture, wherein the mixture contained in the hopper is supplied into the mixing tank through a mixture supply port formed below the liquid level of the liquid stored in the mixing tank. In the method of mixing liquid and mixture, the first pressure detecting step for detecting the pressure in the mixing tank, the second pressure detecting step for detecting the pressure in the hopper, and the first pressure detecting step based on the pressure difference between the pressure in said hopper detected pressure in the mixing chamber and by the second pressure detecting step, have a, a mixing tank vacuum step of reducing the pressure in the mixing vessel, the mixing vessel The pressure reducing step reduces the fluctuation in the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detecting step and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detecting step. The pressure in case the tank, characterized in that vacuum.

The liquid and mixture mixing method according to claim 10 is the liquid and mixture mixing method according to claim 9 , wherein the stirring blade disposed in the mixing tank is centered on the rotation axis at a predetermined rotation period. A stirring step of rotating and stirring the liquid stored in the mixing tank, wherein the stirring step is detected by the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detecting step and the second pressure detecting step; The rotation period is varied based on a pressure difference from the pressure in the hopper.

The liquid and mixture mixing method according to an eleventh aspect is the liquid and mixture mixing method according to the tenth aspect , wherein the stirring step includes the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detection step. The rotation period is changed so as to reduce a change in a pressure difference from the pressure in the hopper detected in the second pressure detection step.

A liquid and mixture mixing method according to claim 12 is the liquid and mixture mixing method according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , further comprising a hopper nitrogen supply step of supplying nitrogen into the hopper. The hopper nitrogen supply step is based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected in the first pressure detection step and the pressure in the hopper detected in the second pressure detection step. The flow rate of nitrogen supplied to the battery is adjusted.

Further, the liquid and mixture mixing method according to claim 13 is the liquid and mixture mixing method according to claim 12 , wherein the hopper nitrogen supply step is performed in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detection step. The flow rate of the nitrogen is adjusted so as to reduce the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the pressure and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detecting means.

A liquid and mixture mixing method according to a fourteenth aspect is the liquid and mixture mixing method according to any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the liquid is mixed in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detecting means. And a mixture supply amount adjusting step of adjusting a mixture supply amount from the hopper to the mixing tank based on a pressure difference between the pressure and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detecting means. .

Further, the liquid and mixture mixing method according to claim 15 is the liquid and mixture mixing method according to claim 14 , wherein the mixture supply amount adjustment step is performed in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detection step. The amount of the mixture supplied from the hopper to the mixing tank is adjusted so as to reduce the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the pressure in the hopper and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detecting step.

Furthermore, the mixing method of the liquid and mixture which concerns on Claim 16 is a mixing method of the liquid and mixture in any one of Claim 9 thru | or 15. WHEREIN: The said hopper, the said mixing tank, and the said mixing tank via the said mixture supply port. And a supply channel nitrogen supply step for intermittently supplying nitrogen to the mixture supply channel through which the mixture supplied from the hopper to the mixing tank passes.

  In the liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to claim 1 having the above configuration, the pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure in the mixing tank is controlled based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. The pressure difference between the mixing tank and the hopper can be adjusted to an appropriate range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

In the liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to claim 1 , the pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure in the mixing tank is controlled so as to reduce the fluctuation in the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the mixing tank and the hopper within a predetermined range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

In the liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to claim 2 , the rotational speed of the stirring blade is controlled based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. It is possible to adjust the pressure difference to an appropriate range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

Further, in the liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to claim 3 , the rotational speed of the stirring blade is controlled so as to reduce the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. And the pressure difference between the hopper and the hopper can be suppressed within a predetermined range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

Further, in the liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to the fourth aspect , the amount of nitrogen supplied into the hopper is controlled based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. It becomes possible to adjust the pressure difference from the inside to an appropriate range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

Further, in the liquid and mixture mixing device according to claim 5 , the amount of nitrogen supplied into the hopper is controlled so as to reduce the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. It becomes possible to suppress the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the tank and the hopper within a predetermined range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

In the liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to the sixth aspect , the amount of the mixture supplied to the mixing tank is controlled based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. It becomes possible to adjust the pressure difference from the inside to an appropriate range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

Further, in the liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to claim 7 , the amount of mixture supplied to the mixing tank is controlled so as to reduce the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. It becomes possible to suppress the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the tank and the hopper within a predetermined range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

Further, in the liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to claim 8 , since nitrogen is intermittently supplied to the mixture supply path through which the mixture supplied from the hopper to the mixing tank passes, the filling state of the mixture is maintained up to the end of the mixture supply path. It can be made uniform. Therefore, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid.

Moreover, in the mixing method of the liquid and the mixture according to claim 9 , the pressure in the mixing tank and the hopper is reduced because the pressure in the mixing tank is reduced based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. The difference can be adjusted to an appropriate range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

In the method of mixing a liquid and a mixture according to claim 9 , the inside of the mixing tank is depressurized so as to reduce the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. It is possible to suppress the fluctuation of the pressure difference from the inside within a predetermined range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

Further, in the mixing method of the liquid and the mixture according to the tenth aspect , since the rotation period of the stirring blade is changed based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper, It is possible to adjust the pressure difference to an appropriate range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

In the method of mixing a liquid and a mixture according to claim 11 , the rotation period of the stirring blade is changed so as to reduce the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. And the pressure difference between the hopper and the hopper can be suppressed within a predetermined range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

Further, in the liquid and mixture mixing method according to the twelfth aspect , the amount of nitrogen supplied into the hopper is adjusted based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. It becomes possible to adjust the pressure difference from the inside to an appropriate range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

In the method of mixing liquid and mixture according to claim 13 , the amount of nitrogen supplied into the hopper is adjusted so as to reduce the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. It becomes possible to suppress the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the tank and the hopper within a predetermined range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

In the method of mixing liquid and mixture according to claim 14 , the amount of mixture supplied to the mixing tank is adjusted based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. It becomes possible to adjust the pressure difference from the inside to an appropriate range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

In the method of mixing a liquid and a mixture according to claim 15 , the amount of mixture supplied to the mixing tank is adjusted so as to reduce the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank and the pressure in the hopper. It becomes possible to suppress the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the tank and the hopper within a predetermined range. Accordingly, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the mixture or the liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without prolonging the supply time of the mixture.

Further, in the liquid and mixture mixing method according to claim 16 , since nitrogen is intermittently supplied to the mixture supply path through which the mixture supplied from the hopper to the mixing tank passes, the filling state of the mixture to the end of the mixture supply path is maintained. It can be made uniform. Therefore, the target amount of the mixture can be easily flowed into the liquid.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a liquid and mixture mixing apparatus and a mixing method thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on first and second embodiments that are embodied. In the following examples, examples in which powder is used as a mixture will be described.

(First embodiment)
First, the mixing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a main part of a mixing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In addition, the mixing apparatus 1 shown in the following first embodiment puts powder into the liquid stored in the container in advance, and then stirs the liquid in the container, so that the liquid and the charged powder are mixed. A device that stirs and mixes the body.

[Configuration of mixing equipment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the mixing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment performs various controls of the stirrer 4 that stirs the liquid 2 together with the powder 3, the hopper 5 that stores the powder 3, and the stirrer 4 and the hopper 5. The control unit 6 basically includes a control unit 6 and an operation unit 7 that performs input settings and operations for various conditions.

  Each configuration will be specifically described below. The control unit 6 corresponds to the mixing tank decompression control means, drive control means, hopper nitrogen flow rate adjustment control means, and powder supply amount adjustment control means of the present invention.

  The stirrer 4 is positioned at a required depth in the mixing tank 10 in a state during operation, with a mixing tank 10 having a bowl-shaped bottom, a rotating shaft 11 cantilevered from above the center of the mixing tank 10. In this way, it is composed of a stirring blade 12 attached to the rotating shaft 11 and a servo motor (driving means) 13 connected to the rotating shaft 11. Then, the control unit 6 drives and controls the servo motor 13 to rotate the stirring blade 12 around the Y axis in the drawing at a predetermined rotation period ΔT. The stirring blade 12 moves up and down in the mixing tank 10 while rotating. Thereby, the liquid 2 stored in the mixing tank 10 is stirred.

  A pressure gauge (first pressure detection means) 15 for detecting the pressure in the mixing tank 10 is attached to the upper wall of the mixing tank 10. As the pressure gauge 15, a diaphragm type or the like with an electric transmitter is used.

  A suction port 16 is formed on the upper wall of the mixing tank 10. Further, a vacuum pump (mixing tank pressure reducing means) 17 is connected to the suction port 16. Then, by driving the vacuum pump 17, the inside of the mixing tank 10 can be decompressed.

  On the other hand, a powder supply port 18 for supplying the powder 3 accommodated in the hopper 5 into the mixing tank 10 is formed on the bottom wall of the mixing tank 10. Further, a powder supply line 19 through which the powder supplied from the hopper 5 passes is connected to the powder supply port 18. The powder supply port 18 is formed so as to be always below the liquid level of the liquid 2 stored in the mixing tank 10 when the mixing process of the liquid 2 and the powder 3 is performed.

  Further, a jacket 20 as a temperature adjusting means for controlling the inner bath temperature in the mixing tank 10 is attached to the outer periphery of the mixing tank 10.

  In the first embodiment, as the liquid 2 stored in the mixing tank 10, for example, a vinyl monomer mainly composed of (meth) acrylic acid alkyl ester is used. The vinyl monomer generally comprises 100 to 60% by weight of (meth) acrylic acid alkyl ester and 0 to 40% by weight of other vinyl monomers copolymerizable therewith. The liquid 2 may contain a dispersant.

  On the other hand, the hopper 5 is a tank in which the powder 3 put into the mixing tank 10 is stored. The hopper 5 is sealed after the predetermined amount of the powder 3 is filled.

  A powder delivery port 21 for delivering the powder 3 accommodated in the hopper 5 to the powder supply line 19 is formed on the bottom wall of the hopper 5. The mixing tank 10 and the hopper 5 are connected via the powder delivery port 21, the powder supply line 19 and the powder supply port 18.

  A pressure gauge (second pressure detecting means) 22 for detecting the pressure in the hopper 5 is attached to the upper wall of the hopper 5. As the pressure gauge 22, a diaphragm type or the like equipped with an electric transmitter is used.

  A level meter 23 for detecting the remaining amount of the powder 3 stored in the hopper 5 is attached to the upper wall of the hopper 5.

  A hopper nitrogen supply port 24 is formed on the upper wall of the hopper 5. Further, a hopper nitrogen supply line 25 is connected to the hopper nitrogen supply port 24. The other of the hopper nitrogen supply line 25 is connected to a nitrogen supply source such as a nitrogen cylinder (not shown). Then, nitrogen flowing from the hopper nitrogen supply line 25 is supplied into the hopper 5 through the hopper nitrogen supply port 24. Thereby, the air in the hopper 5 can be replaced with nitrogen, and the pressure in the hopper 5 can be adjusted.

  In the first embodiment, for example, hydrophilic silica is used as the powder 3 stored in the hopper 5 and charged into the liquid 2. Examples of hydrophilic silica include hydrophilic fine particle silica having a hydrophilic group (silanol group) on the surface. When a vinyl monomer is used as the liquid 2 and hydrophilic silica is used as the powder 3, the hydrophilic silica is usually 0.5 to 5.0 weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl monomer. Part is added.

  The powder supply line 19 has a line nitrogen supply port 31 for supplying nitrogen into the powder supply line 19. Further, a nitrogen supply line 32 is connected to the line nitrogen supply port 31. The other end of the nitrogen supply line 32 is connected to a nitrogen supply source such as a nitrogen cylinder (not shown). Then, nitrogen flowing from the nitrogen supply line 32 is supplied into the powder supply line 19 through the line nitrogen supply port 31.

  Further, a valve (powder supply amount adjusting means) V <b> 1 is attached to the powder supply line 19 between the powder supply port 18 and the line nitrogen supply port 31. The supply amount per unit time at which the powder 3 stored in the hopper 5 is supplied to the mixing tank 10 is adjusted by opening and closing the valve V1 under the control of the control unit 6 described later.

  A valve V2 is attached to the nitrogen supply line 32. The flow rate of nitrogen supplied to the powder supply line 19 is adjusted by opening and closing the valve V2 under the control of the control unit 6 which will be described later.

  Further, a hopper nitrogen supply control valve (hopper nitrogen flow rate adjusting means) V3 is attached to the hopper nitrogen supply line 25. The flow rate of nitrogen supplied into the hopper 5 is adjusted by opening and closing the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V3 under the control of the control unit 6 described later.

On the other hand, the control unit 6 is a control unit that controls each control factor such as the servo motor 13, the vacuum pump 17, and the valves V <b> 1 and V <b> 3 based on the detection results of the pressure gauge 15 and the pressure gauge 22. Specifically, each control factor is controlled so that the fluctuation range of the pressure difference ΔP between the pressure in the mixing tank 10 and the pressure in the hopper 5 is equal to or less than the set fluctuation range α.
The control unit 6 includes a CPU 41 that is arranged on the circuit board and performs a control operation according to a preset program, and a ROM 42 and a RAM 43 that are storage means. Further, the control unit 6 includes a rotation speed of the stirring blade 12 according to the mixing condition of the liquid 2 and the powder 3, the set pressure P _min and the vacuum pressure upper limit P _{max of} the vacuum pump 17, the set fluctuation range α, the temperature of the outer bath. Various setting conditions such as the set temperature are input and set in advance from the operation unit 7 and stored in a memory such as the RAM 43.
The drive source for rotationally driving the stirring blades may be a motor that can control the rotational speed, other than the servo motor 13. For example, an inverter control motor may be used.

[Operation procedure of mixing equipment]
Next, an operation procedure of the mixing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described. (1) A predetermined amount of liquid 2 is poured into the mixing tank 10 with the valve V1 closed.
(2) Start driving of the servo motor 13 and rotate the stirring blade 12 at a preset rotation speed. In addition, when control of the internal bath temperature in the mixing tank 10 is required, control of the jacket 20 is started and control is performed so that the internal bath temperature of the mixing tank 10 becomes a target set temperature.
(3) In order to make the filling state of the powder 3 uniform up to the end of the powder supply line 19, the hopper 5 is filled with powder while intermittently supplying nitrogen to the powder supply line 19. The intermittent supply is performed by controlling the opening and closing of the valve V2.
(4) When the filling of the powder 3 in the hopper 5 is completed, the valve V2 is closed, the lid of the hopper 5 is closed, and a sealed state is obtained.
(5) The drive of the vacuum pump 17 is started and the pressure reduction in the mixing tank 10 is started.
(6) When the pressure in the mixing tank 10 reaches the set pressure, the valve V1 is gradually opened. At the same time, the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V3 is gradually opened to supply nitrogen into the hopper.
(7) Due to the pressure difference ΔP between the hopper 5 and the mixing tank 10, the powder 3 stored in the hopper flows into the liquid 2 in the mixing tank via the powder supply port 18. Note that nitrogen in the hopper 5 together with the powder 3 flows into the liquid 2 in the mixing tank at the same time.
(8) Although the pressure difference ΔP varies due to the inflow of the powder 3 and nitrogen, the following control factors (a) to (d) are controlled so that the variation range of the pressure difference ΔP is equal to or less than the set variation range α. .
(A) The set pressure of the vacuum pump 17 (in order to reduce fluctuations, the set pressure is increased). However, a vacuum pump that can adjust the degree of vacuum according to the set pressure is required.
(B) The opening degree of the valve V1 (the opening degree is reduced to reduce the fluctuation).
(C) Opening degree of hopper nitrogen supply control valve V3 (opening degree is reduced to reduce fluctuation)
(D) Rotation speed of stirring blade 12 (in order to reduce fluctuations, increase the rotation speed)
By controlling each of the above control factors, the fluctuation range of the pressure difference ΔP is reduced, and the powder 3 can be efficiently mixed without being scattered on the liquid when the powder is sucked into the mixing tank 10. .
(9) When the supply of the target amount of the powder 3 is completed, the valve V1 and the valve V3 are closed, the driving of the vacuum pump 17 is stopped, and the pressure in the mixing tank 10 is restored to atmospheric pressure.

[Control processing of mixing equipment]
Next, each process related to mixing control of the mixing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. 2 and 3 are flowcharts of the mixing control program of the mixing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The mixing control program of the mixing apparatus 1 is started when a predetermined operation is performed by the operation unit 7. 2 and 3 are stored in the ROM 42 and the RAM 43 provided in the control unit 6 and are executed by the CPU 41.

  First, in the mixing control program, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, the CPU 41 closes the valve V1.

Next, in S <b> 2, the CPU 41 performs various processes related to the preparation of the mixing tank 10 and the hopper 5. Specifically, the following processes (A) to (E) are executed.
(A) A predetermined amount of liquid 2 is charged into the mixing tank 10 in advance.
(B) Start driving of the servo motor 13 and rotate the stirring blade 12 at a preset rotation speed.
(C) When control of the inner bath temperature in the mixing tank 10 is necessary, temperature control by the jacket 20 is started.
(D) The hopper 5 is filled with a predetermined amount of powder while intermittently supplying nitrogen to the powder supply line 19. The intermittent supply is performed by controlling the opening and closing of the valve V2.
(E) When filling of the powder 3 in the hopper 5 is completed, the valve V2 is closed, the lid of the hopper 5 is closed, and a sealed state is obtained.

  Subsequently, in S <b> 3, the CPU 41 starts driving the vacuum pump 17 and starts decompressing the mixing tank 10.

Thereafter, in S4, the CPU 41 detects the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 with the pressure gauge 15, and determines whether or not the detected pressure P1 in the mixing tank is less than the set pressure _Pmin . The set pressure P _min is set in advance according to the mixing condition of the liquid 2 and the powder 3, and the value is stored in the RAM 43. In the first embodiment, for example, 20 kPa abs in absolute pressure is set as the set pressure P _min .

And when it determines with the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 being less than preset pressure _Pmin (S4: YES), the valve | bulb V1 is opened (S5). Thereby, the powder 3 in the hopper 5 is put into the liquid 2 of the mixing tank 10 through the powder supply line 19 and the powder supply port 18. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S8.

On the other hand, when it determines with the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 being more than the setting pressure _Pmin (S4: NO), it transfers to S6. In S <b> 6, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the pressure reduction in the mixing tank 10 was started. If it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of depressurization in the mixing tank 10 (S6: YES), it is determined that there is a depressurization error (S7), and the mixing control program is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the decompression in the mixing tank 10 was started (S6: NO), the process returns to S4 and the decompression in the mixing tank 10 is continuously performed. .

In S8, the CPU 41 again detects the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 by the pressure gauge 15, and determines whether or not the detected pressure P1 in the mixing tank is less than the vacuum pressure upper limit _Pmax . The vacuum pressure upper limit P _max is set in advance according to the mixing condition of the liquid 2 and the powder 3, and the value is stored in the RAM 43. In the first embodiment, for example, 30 kPa abs in absolute pressure is set as the vacuum pressure upper limit P _max .

And when it determines with the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 being more than the vacuum pressure upper limit _Pmax (S8: NO), the valve | bulb V1 is closed (S9). Thereby, the charging of the powder 3 into the liquid 2 of the mixing tank 10 is stopped. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S4.

On the other hand, when it determines with the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 being less than the vacuum pressure upper limit _Pmax (S8: YES), it transfers to S10.

In S10, the CPU 41 determines a pressure difference ΔP (= | P1−) between the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 detected by the pressure gauge 15 after driving the vacuum pump 17 and the pressure P2 in the hopper 5 detected by the pressure gauge 22. The current fluctuation width L of the pressure difference ΔP is calculated from the fluctuation history of P2 |). Specifically, the CPU 41 stores the fluctuation history of the pressure difference ΔP (= | P1−P2 |) after driving the vacuum pump 17 in the RAM 43. The pressure difference ΔP basically has a waveform shape as shown in FIG. In S10, the difference between the immediately preceding maximum pressure difference ΔP _max (the top of the immediately preceding waveform) and the minimum pressure difference ΔP _min (the bottom of the immediately preceding waveform) is calculated as the current fluctuation width L.

  Thereafter, in S11, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the current fluctuation range L of the pressure difference calculated in S10 is less than the set fluctuation range α. The set fluctuation range α is set in advance according to the mixing condition of the liquid 2 and the powder 3, and the value is stored in the RAM 43. In the first embodiment, for example, 15 kPa is set as the set fluctuation range α.

  When it is determined that the current fluctuation width L of the pressure difference calculated in S10 is less than the set fluctuation width α (S11: YES), the process proceeds to S18. On the other hand, if it is determined that the current fluctuation width L of the pressure difference calculated in S10 is equal to or larger than the set fluctuation width α (S11: NO), the CPU 41 increases the set pressure of the vacuum pump 17 in S12 (large). Change to the atmospheric pressure side). As a result, the pressure difference fluctuation width L is shifted to a decreasing direction.

  Thereafter, in S13, the CPU 41 determines from the change history of the pressure difference ΔP (= | P1-P2 |) between the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 detected by the pressure gauge 15 and the pressure P2 in the hopper 5 detected by the pressure gauge 22. The current fluctuation range L of the pressure difference is calculated again. The specific calculation method is the same as that in S10, and will not be described.

  Next, in S14, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the current fluctuation width L of the pressure difference calculated in S13 is less than the set fluctuation width α. When it is determined that the current fluctuation width L of the pressure difference calculated in S13 is less than the set fluctuation width α (S14: YES), the process proceeds to S18. On the other hand, when it is determined that the current fluctuation width L of the pressure difference calculated in S13 is equal to or larger than the set fluctuation width α (S14: NO), in S15, the CPU 41 performs the following (1) to (3). Any one or a plurality of controls are performed. (1) The opening degree of the valve V1 is reduced. (2) The opening degree of the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V3 is reduced. (3) The servo motor 13 is controlled to increase the rotation speed of the stirring blade 12. As a result, the pressure difference fluctuation width L is shifted to a decreasing direction.

  Thereafter, in S16, the CPU 41 determines from the fluctuation history of the pressure difference ΔP (= | P1-P2 |) between the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 detected by the pressure gauge 15 and the pressure P2 in the hopper 5 detected by the pressure gauge 22. The current fluctuation range L of the pressure difference is calculated again. The specific calculation method is the same as that in S10, and will not be described.

  Subsequently, in S17, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the current fluctuation range L of the pressure difference calculated in S16 is less than the set fluctuation range α. When it is determined that the current fluctuation width L of the pressure difference calculated in S16 is less than the set fluctuation width α (S17: YES), the process proceeds to S18. On the other hand, when it is determined that the current fluctuation width L of the pressure difference calculated in S16 is equal to or larger than the set fluctuation width α (S17: NO), the process returns to S12. Thereafter, in order to reduce the fluctuation range L of the pressure difference, each control factor is controlled again.

  On the other hand, in S <b> 18, based on the detection result of the level meter 23, the CPU 41 determines whether or not all the powder 3 stored in the hopper 5 has been put into the mixing tank 10 and the hopper 5 has become empty.

  And when it determines with the hopper 5 having become empty (S18: YES), it transfers to S19. On the other hand, when it is determined that the powder 3 remains in the hopper 5 (S18: NO), the process returns to S8, and the powder 3 is continuously put into the mixing tank 10.

  In S19, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the hopper 5 was emptied. And when it determines with predetermined time having passed since the hopper 5 became empty (S19: YES), it transfers to S20. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the hopper 5 is emptied (S19: NO), the process waits until the predetermined time elapses.

  In S20, the CPU 41 closes the valve V1. Subsequently, in S21, the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V3 is closed. Further, in S22, the CPU 41 stops driving the vacuum pump 17. Thereby, the mixing tank 10 is opened to atmospheric pressure.

  Next, in S23, the CPU 41 detects the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 with the pressure gauge 15, and whether or not the detected pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 is higher than 100 kPa abs, that is, whether the pressure is released to the atmospheric pressure. Judge whether or not.

  And when it determines with the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 becoming higher than 100 kPa abs (S23: YES), the said mixing control program is complete | finished. On the other hand, when it determines with the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 being 100 kPa abs or less (S23: NO), it transfers to S24.

  In S24, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the driving of the vacuum pump 17 was stopped. If it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the drive of the vacuum pump 17 was stopped (S24: YES), it is determined that there is an abnormal vacuum release error (S25), and the mixing control program is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the drive of the vacuum pump 17 was stopped (S24: NO), the process returns to S23, and the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 10 is detected again.

As described above in detail, in the mixing apparatus 1 and the mixing method according to the first embodiment, the powder 3 accommodated in the hopper 5 is mixed with the mixing tank 10 while the pressure in the mixing tank 10 is reduced by the vacuum pump 17. When supplying to the inside, the fluctuation width L of the pressure difference between the hopper 5 and the mixing tank 10 is calculated (S10, S13, S16), and the calculated fluctuation width L is equal to or larger than the preset setting fluctuation width α. When it is determined that there is, the CPU 41 increases the set pressure of the vacuum pump 17 (S12). Even after that, when it is determined that the fluctuation range L is equal to or larger than the preset fluctuation range α, the CPU 41 performs any one or more of the following (1) to (3). (1) The opening degree of the valve V1 is reduced. (2) The opening degree of the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V3 is reduced. (3) The servo motor 13 is controlled to increase the rotation speed of the stirring blade 12. Thereby, the fluctuation range L of the pressure difference is decreased so as to be less than the set fluctuation range α. Accordingly, the target amount of powder can be easily flowed into the liquid without causing foaming in the mixing tank and without contaminating the inside of the apparatus with the powder or liquid. Further, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the mixing tank beyond the required amount. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain certain product characteristics without increasing the powder supply time.
In addition, since nitrogen is intermittently supplied to the powder supply line 19 through which the supplied powder 3 passes before the supply of the powder 3 into the mixing tank 10 is started, the powder is supplied to the end of the powder supply line 19. The filling state of the body 3 can be made uniform. Accordingly, the target amount of powder can be easily allowed to flow into the liquid in the subsequent mixing process of the powder and liquid.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a mixing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those of the mixing apparatus 1 and the like according to the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 4 denote the same or corresponding parts as those of the mixing apparatus 1 and the like according to the first embodiment. Is.

The schematic configuration of the mixing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the mixing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Various control processes are also substantially the same as those in the mixing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.
However, in the mixing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, only the inside of the mixing tank 10 in which the liquid is stored is decompressed, whereas the mixing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment is added to the inside of the mixing tank. It differs from the mixing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in that the pressure inside the hopper is also reduced.

  First, the mixing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a main part of the mixing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment.

[Configuration of mixing equipment]
As shown in FIG. 5, the mixing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment performs various controls of the stirrer 104 that stirs the liquid 2 together with the powder 3, the hopper 105 that stores the powder 3, and the stirrer 104 and the hopper 105. The control unit 106 is basically configured from an operation unit 107 that performs input setting and operation of various conditions.

  Each configuration will be specifically described below. The control unit 106 corresponds to the decompression control means, nitrogen replacement means, and nitrogen flow rate adjustment control means of the present invention.

  The agitator 104 is positioned at a required depth in the mixing tank 110 in a state during operation, with a mixing tank 110 having a bowl-like bottom, a rotating shaft 111 that is cantilevered from above the center of the mixing tank 110. Thus, the stirring blade 112 attached to the rotating shaft 111 and the servo motor 113 connected to the rotating shaft 111 are configured. Then, the control unit 106 drives and controls the servo motor 113 to rotate the stirring blade 112 around the Y axis in the drawing at a predetermined rotation period ΔT. The stirring blade 112 moves up and down in the mixing tank 110 while rotating. Thereby, the liquid 2 stored in the mixing tank 110 is stirred.

  A pressure gauge 115 for detecting the pressure in the mixing tank 110 is attached to the upper wall of the mixing tank 110. As the pressure gauge 115, a diaphragm type or the like with an electric transmitter is used.

  A suction port 116 is formed on the upper wall of the mixing tank 110. Further, a vacuum pump (mixing tank pressure reducing means) 117 is connected to the suction port 116. Then, by driving the vacuum pump 117, the inside of the mixing tank 110 can be decompressed.

  A mixing tank nitrogen supply port 118 is formed on the upper wall of the mixing tank 110. Furthermore, a mixing tank nitrogen supply line 119 is connected to the mixing tank nitrogen supply port 118. The other end of the mixing tank nitrogen supply line 119 is connected to a nitrogen supply source such as a nitrogen cylinder (not shown). Then, nitrogen flowing from the mixing tank nitrogen supply line 119 is supplied into the mixing tank 110 via the mixing tank nitrogen supply port 118. As a result, the air in the mixing tank 110 can be replaced with nitrogen, and the pressure in the mixing tank 110 can be adjusted.

  On the other hand, a powder supply port 121 for supplying the powder 3 accommodated in the hopper 105 into the mixing tank 110 is formed on the bottom wall of the mixing tank 110. Further, a powder supply line 122 through which the powder supplied from the hopper 105 passes is connected to the powder supply port 121. The powder supply port 121 is formed so as to be always located below the liquid level of the liquid 2 stored in the mixing tank 110 when the mixing process of the liquid 2 and the powder 3 is performed.

  Furthermore, a jacket 123 which is a temperature adjusting means for controlling the inner bath temperature in the mixing tank 110 is attached to the outer periphery of the mixing tank 110.

  On the other hand, the hopper 105 is a tank in which the powder 3 put into the mixing tank 110 is stored. The hopper 105 is sealed after the predetermined amount of the powder 3 is filled.

  Further, a powder delivery port 125 for sending the powder 3 accommodated in the hopper 105 to the powder supply line 122 is formed on the bottom wall of the hopper 105. The mixing tank 110 and the hopper 105 are connected via a powder delivery port 125, a powder supply line 122, and a powder supply port 121.

  A pressure gauge 126 for detecting the pressure in the hopper 105 is attached to the upper wall of the hopper 105. As the pressure gauge 126, a diaphragm type or the like with an electric transmitter is used.

  Further, a level meter 127 for detecting the remaining amount of the powder 3 stored in the hopper 105 is attached to the upper wall of the hopper 105.

  A suction port 128 is formed on the upper wall of the hopper 105. Further, a vacuum pump (hopper pressure reducing means) 129 is connected to the suction port 128. Then, by driving the vacuum pump 129, the inside of the hopper 105 can be decompressed.

  Further, a hopper nitrogen supply port 130 is formed on the upper wall of the hopper 105. Further, a hopper nitrogen supply line 131 is connected to the hopper nitrogen supply port 130. The other of the hopper nitrogen supply line 131 is connected to a nitrogen supply source such as a nitrogen cylinder (not shown). Then, nitrogen flowing from the hopper nitrogen supply line 131 is supplied into the hopper 105 through the hopper nitrogen supply port 130. Thereby, the air in the hopper 105 can be replaced with nitrogen, and the pressure in the hopper 105 can be adjusted.

  The powder supply line 122 is formed with a line nitrogen supply port 133 for supplying nitrogen into the powder supply line 122. Further, a nitrogen supply line 134 is connected to the line nitrogen supply port 133. The other end of the nitrogen supply line 134 is connected to a nitrogen supply source such as a nitrogen cylinder (not shown). Then, nitrogen flowing from the nitrogen supply line 134 is supplied into the powder supply line 19 through the line nitrogen supply port 133.

Further, a valve V 11 is attached to the powder supply line 122 between the powder supply port 121 and the line nitrogen supply port 133. The supply amount per unit time at which the powder 3 stored in the hopper 105 is supplied to the mixing tank 110 is adjusted by opening and closing the valve V1 under the control of the control unit 6 described later.
Further, a powder flow meter (supply speed detecting means) 135 is attached to the powder supply line 122 in the vicinity of the powder supply port 121. The powder flow meter 135 detects a supply amount (that is, a supply speed) per unit time at which the powder 3 stored in the hopper 105 is supplied to the mixing tank 110.

  Further, a valve V12 is attached to the nitrogen supply line 134. The flow rate of nitrogen supplied to the powder supply line 122 is adjusted by opening and closing the valve V12 under the control of the control unit 106, which will be described later.

  The mixing tank nitrogen supply line 119 is provided with a mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve (mixing tank nitrogen flow rate adjusting means) V13. The flow rate of nitrogen supplied into the hopper 105 is adjusted by opening and closing the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 under the control of the control unit 106, which will be described later.

  A hopper nitrogen supply control valve (hopper nitrogen flow rate adjusting means) V14 is attached to the hopper nitrogen supply line 131. The flow rate of nitrogen supplied into the hopper 105 is adjusted by opening and closing the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V14 under the control of the control unit 106, which will be described later.

  A mixing tank pressure reduction control valve V15 is attached between the vacuum pump 117 and the suction port 116. The pressure in the mixing tank 110 is adjusted by opening and closing the mixing tank pressure-reducing control valve V15 under the control of the control unit 106, which will be described later.

  Further, a hopper decompression control valve V16 is attached between the vacuum pump 117 and the suction port 116. The pressure in the hopper 105 is adjusted by opening and closing the hopper pressure-reducing control valve V16 under the control of the control unit 106, which will be described later.

On the other hand, the control unit 106 controls each of the servo motor 113, the vacuum pump 117, the vacuum pump 129, the valves V11, V13 to V16, and the like based on the detection results of the pressure gauge 115, the pressure gauge 126, and the powder flow meter 135. It is a control means for controlling the factor. Specifically, the control factors are controlled so that the pressure in the mixing tank 110 and the pressure in the hopper 105 become target pressure values, respectively.
The control unit 106 includes a CPU 141 that is arranged on the circuit board and performs a control operation according to a preset program, and a ROM 142 and a RAM 143 that are storage means. Further, the control unit 106 includes a rotation speed of the stirring blade 112 according to the mixing conditions of the liquid 2 and the powder 3, a target pressure P _L of the mixing tank 110, a target pressure P _H of the hopper 105, and a set temperature of the temperature of the outer bath Various setting conditions such as these are input and set in advance from the operation unit 107 and stored in a memory such as the RAM 143.

[Operation procedure of mixing equipment]
Next, an operation procedure of the mixing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment having the above configuration will be described.
(1) A predetermined amount of liquid 2 is introduced into the mixing tank 110 with the valve V11 closed.
(2) The drive of the servo motor 113 is started and the stirring blade 112 is rotated at a preset rotation speed. In addition, when control of the internal bath temperature in the mixing tank 110 is required, control of the jacket 123 is started and control is performed so that the internal bath temperature of the mixing tank 110 becomes a target set temperature.
(3) In order to make the filling state of the powder 3 uniform up to the end of the powder supply line 122, the hopper 105 is filled with powder while intermittently supplying nitrogen to the powder supply line 122. The intermittent supply is performed by controlling the opening and closing of the valve V2.
(4) When the filling of the powder 3 in the hopper 5 is completed, the valve V2 is closed, the lid of the hopper 5 is closed, and a sealed state is obtained.
(5) The vacuum pump 117 starts to be driven, and the mixing tank pressure reduction control valve V15 is opened to start the pressure reduction in the mixing tank 110.
(6) Further, the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 is opened to supply nitrogen into the mixing tank 110, and the remaining air in the mixing tank 110 whose pressure has been reduced is replaced with nitrogen.
(7) Thereafter, in order to bring the pressure in the mixing tank 110 close to the target pressure (for example, 20 kPa abs) and stabilize, the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 and the mixing tank pressure reduction control valve V15 are set according to the table shown in FIG. Adjust the opening.
(8) The vacuum pump 129 is started to be driven, and the pressure inside the hopper 105 is started by opening the hopper pressure reducing control valve V16.
(9) Further, the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V14 is opened to supply nitrogen into the hopper 105, and the residual air in the reduced hopper 105 is replaced with nitrogen.
(10) Thereafter, in order to bring the pressure in the hopper 105 close to the target pressure (for example, 80 kPa abs) and stabilize, the opening degrees of the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V14 and the hopper pressure reduction control valve V16 are set according to the table shown in FIG. adjust.
(11) After the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 and the pressure P2 in the hopper 105 are stabilized at the target pressure, the valve V11 is gradually opened.
(12) Due to the pressure difference between the hopper 105 and the mixing tank 110, the powder 3 stored in the hopper flows into the liquid 2 in the mixing tank via the powder supply port 121. Note that the nitrogen in the hopper 105 together with the powder 3 simultaneously flows into the liquid 2 in the mixing tank.
(13) Due to the inflow of the powder 3 and nitrogen, the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 increases, and the pressure P2 in the hopper 105 decreases. Therefore, in order to bring the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 close to the target pressure (for example, 20 kPa abs) and stabilize, the opening degree of the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 and the mixing tank decompression control valve V15 according to the table shown in FIG. Adjust. Further, in order to bring the pressure P2 in the hopper 105 close to a target pressure (for example, 80 kPa abs) and stabilize, the opening degrees of the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V14 and the hopper pressure reduction control valve V16 are adjusted according to a table shown in FIG. . Note that the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 and the pressure P2 in the hopper 105 may be brought close to the target pressure and stabilized by adjusting the set pressure of the vacuum pump 117 and the vacuum pump 129. However, in that case, a vacuum pump capable of adjusting the degree of vacuum according to the set pressure is required.
(14) When the supply of the target amount of the powder 3 is completed, the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 and the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V14 are closed, the driving of the vacuum pumps 117 and 129 is stopped, the inside of the mixing tank 110 and the hopper 105 The pressure inside is restored to atmospheric pressure.

[Control processing of mixing equipment]
Next, each process related to the mixing control of the mixing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. 6 and 7 are flowcharts of the mixing control program of the mixing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment. Note that the mixing control program of the mixing apparatus 101 is started when a predetermined operation is performed by the operation unit 107. 6 and 7 are stored in the ROM 142 and RAM 143 provided in the control unit 106, and are executed by the CPU 141.

  First, in the mixing control program, the CPU 141 closes the valve V11 in S101.

Next, in S102, the CPU 141 performs various processes related to the preparation of the mixing tank 110 and the hopper 105. Specifically, the following processes (A) to (E) are executed.
(A) A predetermined amount of liquid 2 is charged into the mixing tank 110 in advance.
(B) The drive of the servo motor 113 is started, and the stirring blade 112 is rotated at a preset rotation speed.
(C) When control of the inner bath temperature in the mixing tank 110 is necessary, temperature control by the jacket 123 is started.
(D) The hopper 105 is filled with a predetermined amount of powder while intermittently supplying nitrogen to the powder supply line 122. The intermittent supply is performed by controlling the opening and closing of the valve V12.
(E) When the filling of the powder 3 in the hopper 105 is completed, the valve V12 is closed, the lid of the hopper 105 is closed, and a sealed state is established.

  Subsequently, the CPU 141 performs a decompression process in the mixing tank 110 in the processes of S103 to S111, and performs a decompression process in the hopper 105 in the processes of S112 to S120.

  First, the decompression process in the mixing tank 110 will be described. In S103, the CPU 141 opens the mixing tank decompression control valve V15. Further, in S <b> 104, the CPU 141 starts driving the vacuum pump 117 and starts depressurization in the mixing tank 110. Subsequently, in S105, the CPU 141 opens the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 to replace the remaining air in the mixing tank 110 with nitrogen.

Next, CPU 141 is a pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 is detected by a pressure gauge 115, determines the pressure P1 in the mixing tank detected whether is less than the target pressure _{P L} in S106. The target pressure P _L is set in advance in accordance with the mixing conditions of the liquid 2 and the powder 3, its value is stored in the RAM 143. In the second embodiment, for example, a 20 kPa abs and the target pressure _{P L.}

Then, if the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 is determined to be less than the target pressure _{P L:} the (S106 YES), the mixing chamber vacuum control valve V15 is closed (S107). Further, in S108, the CPU 141 stops the driving of the vacuum pump 117. Subsequently, in S109, the CPU 141 closes the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S121.

On the other hand, if the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 is determined to be the target pressure _{P L} or higher: to (S106 NO), the process proceeds to S110. In S110, the CPU 141 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the pressure reduction in the mixing tank 110 was started. If it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of depressurization in the mixing tank 110 (S110: YES), it is determined that there is a depressurization error (S111), and the mixing control program is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the decompression in the mixing tank 110 was started (S110: NO), the process returns to S106 and the decompression in the mixing tank 110 is continuously performed. .

  Next, the decompression process in the hopper 105 will be described. In S112, the CPU 141 opens the hopper decompression control valve V16. Further, in S113, the CPU 141 starts driving the vacuum pump 129 and starts depressurization in the hopper 105. Subsequently, in S114, the CPU 141 opens the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V14 to replace the remaining air in the hopper 105 with nitrogen.

Next, CPU 141 is a pressure P2 in the hopper 105 is detected by a pressure gauge 126, it determines the pressure P2 in the detected hopper whether is less than the target pressure _{P H} in S115. The target pressure P _H is set in advance in accordance with the mixing conditions of the liquid 2 and the powder 3, its value is stored in the RAM 143. In the second embodiment, for example, a 80 kPa abs and the target pressure _{P H.}

When the pressure P2 in the hopper 105 is determined to be less than the target pressure _{P H:} the (S115 YES) closes the hopper vacuum control valve V16 (S116). Further, in S117, the CPU 141 stops driving the vacuum pump 129. Subsequently, in S117, the CPU 141 closes the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V14. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S121.

On the other hand, when the pressure P2 in the hopper 105 is determined to be equal to or greater than the target pressure _{P H:} the (S115 NO), the process proceeds to S119. In S119, the CPU 141 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the pressure reduction in the hopper 105 was started. If it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of pressure reduction in the hopper 105 (S119: YES), it is determined that there is a pressure reduction abnormality error (S120), and the mixing control program is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the pressure reduction in the hopper 105 was started (S119: NO), the process returns to S115, and the pressure reduction in the hopper 105 is continued.

  In S121, the CPU 141 opens the mixing tank decompression control valve V15 and the hopper decompression control valve V16. Further, in S122, the CPU 141 starts driving the vacuum pump 117 and the vacuum pump 129.

  Next, in S123, the CPU 141 opens the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 and the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V14. Further, in S124, the CPU 141 opens the valve V1. As a result, the powder 3 in the hopper 105 is introduced into the liquid 2 in the mixing tank 110 via the powder supply line 122 and the powder supply port 121.

  Subsequently, in S125, based on the detection result of the level meter 127, the CPU 141 determines whether or not all the powder 3 stored in the hopper 105 is charged into the mixing tank 110 and the hopper 105 is empty.

  And when it determines with the powder 3 remaining in the hopper 105 (S125: NO), it transfers to S126. In S126, the CPU 141 compares the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 detected by the pressure gauge 115 with the pressure P2 in the hopper 105 detected by the pressure gauge 126, and the current pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 is stored in the hopper 105. It is determined whether or not the pressure is smaller than P2.

  And when it determines with the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 being smaller than the pressure P2 in the hopper 105 (S126: YES), it transfers to S127. On the other hand, when it is determined that the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 is equal to or greater than the pressure P2 in the hopper 105 (S126: NO), it is determined that there is a depressurization error (S131), and the mixing control program is terminated. To do.

In S127, the CPU 141 performs a pressure control process in the mixing tank 110 and the hopper 105. Specifically, the powder 3 and nitrogen flow from the hopper 105 into the mixing tank 110 by opening the valve V1. Accordingly, the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 increases and the pressure P2 in the hopper 105 decreases. Therefore, in order to bring the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 close to the target pressure P _L (for example, 20 kPa abs) and stabilize, the opening degree of the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 and the mixing tank decompression control valve V15 according to the table shown in FIG. Adjust. Further, in order to bring the pressure P2 in the hopper 105 close to the target pressure P _H (for example, 80 kPa abs) and stabilize, the opening degrees of the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V14 and the hopper pressure reduction control valve V16 are adjusted according to the table shown in FIG. .
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the pressure P1 of the current mixing vessel 110 was the target pressure P _L and equivalence, the opening of the mixing vessel pressure reducing control valve V15 was adjusted to 30%, mixing tank The opening degree of the nitrogen supply control valve V13 is adjusted to 40%. Further, when the pressure P1 of the current mixing tank 110 is less than 5kPa higher than the target pressure _{P L} is the opening of the mixing vessel pressure reducing control valve V15 was adjusted to 40%, the opening degree of the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 To 35%. The pressure P1 of the current mixing tank 110 when 5kPa or less 10kPa lower than the target pressure _{P L} is the opening of the mixing vessel pressure reducing control valve V15 was adjusted to 10%, of the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 Adjust the opening to 60%.
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, when the pressure P2 in the current of the hopper 105 is 15kPa or less 20kPa higher than the target pressure _{P H} adjusts the degree of opening of the hopper vacuum control valve V16 to 70%, hopper nitrogen supply Adjust the opening of the control valve V14 to 20%. Further, when the pressure P2 in the current of the hopper 105 is 15kPa or less than the target pressure _{P H} is the opening of the hopper vacuum control valve V16 was adjusted to 0%, the opening of the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V14 100% Adjust to. In S127, the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 and the pressure P2 in the hopper 105 may be brought close to and stabilized by adjusting the set pressures of the vacuum pump 117 and the vacuum pump 129. However, in that case, a vacuum pump capable of adjusting the degree of vacuum according to the set pressure is required.

FIG. 10 shows the result of adjusting the opening of each valve V13 to V16 in S127.
6 is a graph showing changes in the pressure in the mixing tank 110, the pressure in the hopper 105, the flow rate of nitrogen supplied into the mixing tank 110, and the flow rate of nitrogen supplied into the hopper 105 over time.
As shown in FIG. 10, the pressure in the mixing tank 110 greatly fluctuates to the high pressure side immediately after the supply of the powder 3 is started, but gradually by adjusting the flow rate of nitrogen flowing into the mixing tank 110. At the target pressure of 20 kPa abs.
On the other hand, the pressure in the hopper 105 largely fluctuates to the low pressure side immediately after the supply of the powder 3 is started. By adjusting the flow rate of nitrogen flowing into the hopper 105, the target pressure is gradually increased to 80 kPa abs. Converge to.

  Next, in S128, CPU141 determines whether the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 became higher than the vacuum pressure upper limit. And when it determines with the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 being higher than a vacuum pressure upper limit (S128: YES), the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 is closed (S129). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S130.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 is lower than the upper limit of the vacuum pressure (S128: NO), the process returns to S125, and the powder 3 is continuously charged into the mixing tank 110.

  In S130, the CPU 141 determines whether or not the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 has become higher than the vacuum pressure alarm set value. And when it determines with the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 being higher than a vacuum pressure warning setting value (S130: YES), it determines with there existing a pressure reduction abnormality error (S131), and complete | finishes a mixing control program.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 is lower than the vacuum pressure alarm set value (S130: NO), the process returns to S125, and the powder 3 is continuously charged into the mixing tank 110. .

  And when it determines with the hopper 105 having become empty by the determination process of said S125 (S125: YES), it transfers to S132.

  In S132, the CPU 141 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the hopper 105 is empty. If it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the hopper 105 is empty (S132: YES), the process proceeds to S133. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the hopper 105 is empty (S132: NO), the process waits until the predetermined time elapses.

  In S133, the CPU 141 closes the valve V1. Subsequently, in S134, the CPU 141 stops the driving of the vacuum pump 117 and the vacuum pump 129. Thereby, the mixing tank 110 and the hopper 105 are opened to atmospheric pressure. Further, in S135, the CPU 141 closes the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 and the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V14.

  Next, in S136, the CPU 141 detects the current pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 with the pressure gauge 115, and whether or not the detected pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 has become higher than 100 kPa abs, that is, releases to atmospheric pressure. It is determined whether it has been done.

  And when it determines with the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 having become higher than 100 kPa abs (S136: YES), after closing the mixing tank pressure reduction control valve V15 and the hopper pressure reduction control valve V16 (S137), the said mixing End the control program. On the other hand, when it is determined that the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 is 100 kPa abs or less (S136: NO), the process proceeds to S138.

  In S138, the CPU 141 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the driving of the vacuum pump 117 was stopped. If it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the drive of the vacuum pump 117 was stopped (S138: YES), it is determined that there is an abnormal vacuum release error (S139), and the mixing control program is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the drive of the vacuum pump 117 was stopped (S138: NO), the process returns to S136, and the pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 is detected again.

As described above in detail, in the mixing apparatus 101 and the mixing method according to the second embodiment, the pressure in the mixing tank 110 is reduced to the target pressure by the vacuum pump 117, and the pressure in the hopper 105 is set to the target by the vacuum pump 129. In order to bring the fluctuating pressure P1 in the mixing tank 110 close to the target pressure and stabilize when supplying the powder 3 accommodated in the hopper 105 into the mixing tank 110 in a state where the pressure is reduced to the pressure, FIG. The opening degree of the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 and the mixing tank decompression control valve V15 is adjusted according to the table shown. Further, in order to bring the fluctuating pressure P2 in the hopper 105 close to the target pressure and stabilize, the opening degrees of the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V14 and the hopper pressure reduction control valve V16 are adjusted according to the table shown in FIG. Thereby, the powder in the hopper 105 can be supplied into the mixing tank 110 in a state where the pressure in the mixing tank 110 is lower than the pressure in the hopper 105, and the powder flows smoothly into the mixing tank. It becomes possible. In addition, since both the mixing tank 110 and the hopper 105 are depressurized, when the powder 3 is supplied to the liquid 2, the amount of oxygen supplied into the liquid together with the powder 3 can be reduced.
Further, since the residual air in the mixing tank 110 that has been reduced in pressure and the residual air in the hopper 105 that has been reduced in pressure are replaced with nitrogen, when the powder 3 is supplied to the liquid 2, it is supplied into the liquid 2 together with the powder 3. It is possible to further reduce the amount of oxygen produced.
Further, by adjusting the opening degree of the mixing tank nitrogen supply control valve V13 and the hopper nitrogen supply control valve V14, the mixing tank 110 and the hopper 105 have a pressure so that the pressure in the mixing tank 110 becomes lower than the pressure in the hopper 105. Since each nitrogen supply amount supplied to the control is controlled, the powder 3 can smoothly flow into the mixing tank 110. Further, when the powder 3 is supplied to the liquid 2, the amount of oxygen supplied into the liquid 2 together with the powder 3 can be reduced.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the second embodiment, each pressure reduction for reducing the pressure in the mixing tank 110 and the hopper 105 based on the difference between the pressure in the mixing tank 110 and the target pressure and the difference between the pressure in the hopper 105 and the target pressure. The means (vacuum pump or valve) was controlled, but the supply amount per unit time (that is, the supply speed) by which the powder 3 stored in the hopper 105 by the powder flow meter 135 is supplied to the mixing tank 110. ) Is detected, and each decompression means for decompressing the inside of the mixing tank 110 and the inside of the hopper 105 is controlled based on the deviation of the detected powder supply rate from the target value and the change rate of the powder supply rate. Anyway. This makes it possible to bring the powder supply speed close to the target value. As a result, the powder can be supplied at an appropriate speed according to the type and amount of the liquid, and certain product characteristics can be maintained.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the case where the liquid is mixed with the powder using the mixing devices 1 and 101 has been described. However, the present invention mixes the liquid with the liquid. It can also be applied to cases.

It is a schematic side view which shows the principal part of the stirring apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the mixing control program of the mixing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the mixing control program of the mixing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the fluctuation history of pressure difference (DELTA) P of the pressure in the mixing tank after driving a vacuum pump, and the pressure in a hopper. It is a schematic side view which shows the principal part of the stirring apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the mixing control program of the mixing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the mixing control program of the mixing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of control of the pressure in a mixing tank. It is the figure which showed an example of control of the pressure in a hopper. It is the figure which showed the change of the pressure in a mixing tank and the pressure in a hopper by the result of having performed pressure control.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101 Stirrer 2 Liquid 3 Powder 5,105 Hopper 6,106 Control part 10,110 Mixing tank 41,141 CPU
42, 142 ROM
43, 143 RAM

Claims (16)

A mixing tank in which liquid is stored;
A hopper connected to the mixing vessel and containing the mixture;
A mixture supply port formed below the liquid surface of the liquid stored in the mixing tank and supplying the mixture stored in the hopper into the mixing tank;
Mixing tank pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure in the mixing tank;
First pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure in the mixing tank;
Second pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure in the hopper;
Mixing tank pressure reduction control for controlling the mixing tank pressure reducing means based on a pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detecting means and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detecting means. and it means, possess,
The mixing tank depressurization control means reduces the fluctuation in the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detection means and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detection means. An apparatus for mixing a liquid and a mixture, wherein the mixing tank pressure-reducing means is controlled . A stirring blade arranged in the mixing tank and stirring the liquid stored in the mixing tank with rotation;
Drive means for rotating the stirring blade around a rotation axis at a predetermined rotation period;
Drive control means for controlling the drive means based on a pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detection means and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detection means; The liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid and mixture mixing apparatus is provided. The drive control means is configured to reduce a variation in a pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detection means and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detection means. The apparatus for mixing a liquid and a mixture according to claim 2 , wherein: Hopper nitrogen flow rate adjusting means for adjusting the flow rate of nitrogen supplied into the hopper;
Hopper nitrogen flow rate for controlling the hopper nitrogen flow rate adjusting means based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detecting means and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detecting means. An apparatus for mixing liquid and mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising adjustment control means. The hopper nitrogen flow rate adjustment control means reduces the fluctuation of the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detection means and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detection means. 5. The liquid / mixture mixing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the hopper nitrogen flow rate adjusting means is controlled. A mixture supply amount adjusting means for adjusting a mixture supply amount from the hopper to the mixing tank;
A mixture supply amount for controlling the mixture supply amount adjusting means based on a pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detecting means and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detecting means. An apparatus for mixing liquid and mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising adjustment control means. The mixture supply amount adjustment control means reduces the fluctuation in the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detection means and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detection means. 7. The liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the mixture supply amount adjusting means is controlled. The hopper and the mixing tank communicate with each other through the mixture supply port, and a mixture supply path through which the mixture supplied from the hopper to the mixing tank passes,
A nitrogen supply port that is formed in the mixture supply path and supplies nitrogen into the mixture supply path;
The liquid and mixture mixing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein nitrogen is intermittently supplied to the mixture supply path from the nitrogen supply port. In the liquid and mixture mixing method, the mixture contained in the hopper is supplied into the mixing tank through the mixture supply port formed below the liquid level of the liquid stored in the mixing tank.
A first pressure detecting step for detecting a pressure in the mixing tank;
A second pressure detecting step for detecting the pressure in the hopper;
A mixing tank pressure reducing pressure in the mixing tank based on a pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected in the first pressure detecting step and the pressure in the hopper detected in the second pressure detecting step. and the step, the possess,
In the mixing tank depressurizing step, the mixing is performed so as to reduce a variation in a pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detecting step and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detecting step. A method of mixing a liquid and a mixture, wherein the pressure in the tank is reduced . Agitating step of agitating the liquid stored in the mixing tank by rotating the stirring blade disposed in the mixing tank around the rotation axis at a predetermined rotation period;
The agitation step varies the rotation period based on a pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detection step and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detection step. The method for mixing a liquid and a mixture according to claim 9 . In the stirring step, the rotation period is set so as to reduce fluctuations in the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected in the first pressure detection step and the pressure in the hopper detected in the second pressure detection step. The method for mixing a liquid and a mixture according to claim 10 , wherein the liquid is mixed. A hopper nitrogen supply step for supplying nitrogen into the hopper;
The hopper nitrogen supply step supplies the hopper nitrogen into the hopper based on a pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected in the first pressure detection step and the pressure in the hopper detected in the second pressure detection step. The method for mixing a liquid and a mixture according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the flow rate of nitrogen to be adjusted is adjusted. The hopper nitrogen supply step includes reducing the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detection step and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detection means. The method of mixing a liquid and a mixture according to claim 12 , wherein the flow rate of the liquid is adjusted. Based on the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected by the first pressure detecting means and the pressure in the hopper detected by the second pressure detecting means, the amount of mixture supplied from the hopper to the mixing tank is determined. The method for mixing a liquid and a mixture according to any one of claims 9 to 13 , further comprising a step of adjusting a mixture supply amount to be adjusted. In the mixture supply amount adjustment step, the variation in the pressure difference between the pressure in the mixing tank detected in the first pressure detection step and the pressure in the hopper detected in the second pressure detection step is reduced. The method for mixing a liquid and a mixture according to claim 14 , wherein a supply amount of the mixture from a hopper to the mixing tank is adjusted. A supply path nitrogen supply step of intermittently supplying nitrogen to the mixture supply path that connects the hopper and the mixing tank via the mixture supply port and through which the mixture supplied from the hopper to the mixing tank passes. The method for mixing a liquid and a mixture according to any one of claims 9 to 15 .

Images