NZ233258A - Mixing materials on electromagnetically vibrated plate - Google Patents

Description

23 32 58 Priority Date(s): - ^ CompMe Speeitlcation Filed: ...9;Ar.3.S?.

Class: 2'5"JUN"i992* Publication Date: P.O. Journal, Mo. r. feS;l.

Patents Form No. 5 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION hf -9 APR 1990 o: fti / v.

METHOD FOR ACCELERATION OF LIQUID AND BULK MATERIALS AND APPARATUS FOR REALIZATION THEREOF WE, MEZHOTRASLEVOI VNEDRENCHESKY TSENTR "IMPULS", a state-owned organisation which exists under the laws of the USSR of Vspolsny Pereulok, 13, Moscow, USSR, hereby declare the invention, for which We pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: (followed by Page la) METHOD FOR ACCELERATION OP LIQUID AND BULK MATERIALS AND APPARATUS FOR REALIZATION THEREOF The present invention relates to a method for acceleration of liquid and "bulk materials and an apparatus for realization thereof.

The invention can prove its worth in various industrial fields for drying, moistening and heat exchange (heating or cooling) of free-flowing or liquid materials, e.g. in food, medical-and-pharmaceutical industries, in production of plastics, construction materials, in chemical industry, actually in all fields where intensive treatment of materials is required. The invention can be used for low-temperature sterilization of various materials, impregnation, disintegration, and for removal of ice and other deposits from various surfaces.

Widely known nowadays is the use of accelerations for treating various materials by centrifuging. In this method the produced accelerations are limited by the structural elements of the centrifuge (drive, shaft supports, etc.). Besides, acceleration of the material - la - (followed by Page 2) 23 3 in the centrifuge basket takes a certain time. Thus, on the one hand, the treatment intensity is res-fricted by the limited value of accelerations and, on the other hand, productivity is rather low due to the necessity for accelerating and retarding the centri fuge.

There is also another method for treating liquid and bulk materials wherein the treated material is accelerated by electromagnetic pulses. For this purpose the treated material is place into a con-tianer and the pulses are applied to the container bottom. This produces elastic deformation in the bottom so that the particles of the treated material are accelerated and start moving relative to one another (SU, A, 775559).

A disadvantage of such a method lies in considerable energy losses of electromagnetic pulses for elastic deformation of the container bottom. The obtained accelerations are extremely low (2 - 5 g) which denies the possibility of intensifying the process of treatment.

In accordance with the invention we hereby provide a method for acceleration of liquid and bull: materials by converting the energy of the electromagnetic pulse of a radiator into mechanical energy applied to the treated material wherein, according to the invention, the energy of the electromagnetic pulse in converted into mechanical energy by a plate-like element of a conducting material possessing at least one degree of freedom in the preset direction of acceleration and wherein the opposite surfaces of the plate element at the moment of pulse emission by the radiator are put in physical contact with the radiator and the treated material, respectively.

Through it is no wish of the author to give theoretical substantiation to the physical phenomenon observed in the realization of the disclosed method for acceleration of liquid and bulk materials, it may be presumed that ultra-high accelerations (a few thousand "g") are obtained by inducing a secondary field in a plate element, 3aid field interacting with the primary electromagnetic field of the pulse radiator which produces a high-energy mechanical pulse. The arrangement of the plate element with at least one degree of freedom in the preset direction of acceleration eliminates the expenditure of electromagnetic energy of the pulse for elastic deformations of the material interposed between the radiator and the treated material.

The effect of the disclosed invention is quite unexpected. Thus, in the course of experiments the ma- terial weighing eight kg was thrown up 3-4 rn high at the energy of the electromagnetic pulse amounting to but a few joules.

It is practicable that the treated material should be water flowing onto one surface of the plate element while the electromagnetic pulses are emitted in the continuous node.

This method allows the cooling process to be considerably intensified, in say, cooling towers and other he at-exchange apparatuses.

It is practicable that the treated material should be some biological material to be sterilized.

In this method the biological material is placed on one surface of the plate element.

It is practicable that the flows of various materials to be mixed should be concurrently directed onto the surface of the plate element. This raises considerably the productivity and completeness of mixing.

It is practicable that the leading edge of the pulse should "be defined by the pulse rise time amounting to 10 - 20% of pulse duration. This ensures the maximum energy capacity of the pulse resulting in a high acceleration due to a high intensity of th.e process of interaction between the primary and secondary fields in the power transmitting element.

The disclosed method is realised with the aid of an apparatus comprising a 3ource of electromagnetic pulses connected, with a radiator; in accordance with the invention, said apparatus comprises a converter for converting the energy of the electromagnetic pulse of the radiator into mechanical energy, said converter "being realized in the form of a plate element installed with at least one degree of freedom, one surface of said plate element being kept in physical contact with the .electromagnetic pulse radiator while the other one receives the treated material.

It is practicable that the disclosed apparatus should comprise at least one additional plate element ao that said plate elements are 3et at an angle to each other and that each additional plate element should have one surface kept in physical contact with the corresponding additional radiator. Such an apparatus can be utilized, e.g., for mixing various materials, for heat-and-mass exchange, etc.

It is practicable that the disclosed apparatus should be provided with a reflector set at a distance from the surface of the plate element and arranged parallel with its surface intended to receive the treated material.

Such an apparatus is noted for a high efficiency of crushing of pulverizing of the bulk and liquid material, respectively.

Now the invention will be described by way of concrete, though not confining, examples of realization of 07 79 R <L <<J 0 the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus for realization of the method according to the invention; Pig. 2 illustrates a cooling tower in which water is cooled by the method according to the invention; Pig. 3 illustrates a method for sterilization of a biological material according to the invention; Pig. 4 illustrates a method for drying and compacting a material, according to the invention; Pig. 5 illustrates a method for mixing various materials, according to the invention; Pig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; Pig. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.

In the description that follows the same elements are indicated by the same reference numbers.

Pirst let us turn to Pig.l showing the apparatus for realization of the disclosed method. The apparatus comprises an electromagnetic pulse radiator 1 connected to a source 2 (generator) of electromagnetic pulses. The electromagnetic pulse is converted by a plate element 3 one surface of which is in contact with the radiator 2. A container defined by a wall 4 accommodates the treated material M which is brought into physical contact with the second surface of the plate element 3 concurrently 9 1 ^ ? £, ^ u» with, the moment of pulse emission. For thi3 purpose the material r.l may be placed in advance on the surface of the plate element 3 or it may be delivered on its surface just before pulse emission through a conduit by a conveyor, etc. The plate element 3 is made of a conducting material, best of all of copper or aluminium. The plate is installed with at least one degree of freedom in the preset direction of acceleration (in this case vertically upward) and its movement is restricted by stops 5 (Fig.l).

A3 the pulse is generated by the source 2, the electromagnetic pulse emitted by the radiator 1 induces a secondary electromagnetic field in the plate element 3 and the resultant field creates a mechanical pulse directed square to the surface of the plate element 3. Practically all energy is converted into movement of the particles of the treated material M because the loosely arranged plate element 3 ia not deformed. The developed accelerations determined by the pulse energy and the mass of the treated material reach a few hundred or even thousand "g" rs thus ensuring a high intensity of treatment. Thus, in the course of drying, the moisture is separated by tremendous forces of inertia applied to each particle; besides, disintegration of heterogeneous particles may occur with concurrent separation of particles with different specific weights which is feasible only under the effect of ultrahigh accelerations- The leading edge of the pulse is determined by the pul3e rise time which ranges from 10 to 20% of pulse duration. The pul3e rise time less than 10% of pulse duration is impracticable since it may involve destruction of the plate element 3 under excessively heavy inertia loads. The pulse rise time exceeding 20% of pulse duration reduces both the pulse energy and the obtained accelerations.

The treated material may be water or some other liquid whose flow b (2) is directed onto the surface of the plate element 3 under the effect of electromagnetic pulses continuously emitted by the radiator 1. The wall 4 (Pig.2) forms a cooling tower in which is cooled with a higher intensity than in conventional cooling towers due to high accelerations. This permits reducing the amount of required circulating water.

Shown in Pig.3 i3 an apparatus wherein the disclosed method is U3ed for sterilisation of biological objects (any biological material for medical or food purposes, dressing materials with biological liquids, etc.). In addition, this apparatus comprises radiators A for thermal or ionizing radiation. This produces a combined effect on harmful microorganisms, via., high acceleration and radiation.

Shown in Pig.4 is a method for drying and compaction by the use of a capsule 6 with perforations 7« The material 2/1 is placed into the capsule 6 which is installed on the plate element 3. V/hen the pulse is emitted from the radiator (not shown in Pig.4), the ultra-high acceleration 23 32 58 causes intensive compression of material M in the capsule and squeezing out of moisture which is discharged through holes 7. This permits pelletizing the material.

Pig.5 illustrates the apparatus for mixing two different materials comprising indentical sources 1, 1', radiators 2, 2' of electromagnetic pulses and plate elements 3j 3'. The materials I.I, M1 are delivered through feflec.+tvfe tubes 8, 8' while radiators- 9, 9' are arranged to face the plate elements 3, 3'. The emitted electromagnetic pulses accelerate the materials M, IV in a vertical direction then saidApulaca are reflected by reflectors 9, 9' and encounter high velocites causing their intensive mixing, heat exchange and mutual disintegration. Thi3 method can be utilized to obtain physical and chemical interaction of various materials.

The apparatus 3hov/n in Fig.6 can be used as a version of the apparatus shown in Fig.5 and is likewise provided with a reflector 9 for crusing the particles of material M.

The apparatus illustrated in Fig.7 also has pairs of radiators 1, 1', sources 2, 21 and plate elements 3, 3' but they are arranged opposite each other. The plate element 3' has return springs 10 installed on supports 11. This version of the apparatus provides for intensive crusing of material M and its mixing with material 1.11 which latter may also be crushed.

In all the embodiments of the apparatus for realization of the disclosed method the plate element 3 shall be 23 3 2 of a minimum thickness for the given conditions of strength.

Obviously, the disclosed method and the apparatus for its realisation can be realised in other embodiments envisaging, for example, a combination of high accelerations with thermal, chemical and other effects.

The invention can be employed in varous branches of industry for drying, moistening, heat exchange (heating or cooling) of bulk and liquid materials, e.g. in food, medical-and-pharmaceutical industries, in the production of plastics, construction materials, in chemical industry, actually in all fields where intensive treatment of materials i3 required. It can also be used for low-temperature sterilisation of various materials, impregnation, disintegration, and for removal of ice and other deposits from various surfaces.

Claims (11)

WHAT 7/3 CLAIM IS:

1. A method, for acceleration of liquid, and. bulk materials by converting' the energy of an electromagnetic pulse emitted by a radiator into mechanical energy applied to the treated material characterized in that conversion of the electromagnetic pulse into mechanical energy is effected by means of a plate element of conductive an electrically^aterial having at least one degree of freedom in the preset direction of acceleration and by bringing the opposite surfaces of the plate element at the moment of electromagnetic pulse emission by the radiator into physical contact with the radiator and treated material, respectively.

2. A method according to Claim 1 characterized in that the treated materialis water whose flow is directed on one surface of the plate element and the electromagnetic pulses are emitted in a continuous mode.

3. A method according to Claim 1 characterized in that the treated material is a biological material subject to sterilization.

4. A method according to Claim 3 characterized in that the biological material is placed into a container installed on one surface of the plate element.

5. A method according to Claim 1 characterized in that the surface of the olate element receives concurrent flows of various materials to be mixed. - 12 -

6. A' method according to any one of Claim 1 through 5 characterized in that the leading edge of the pulse is determined by the pulse rise time equalling 10 to 20% of pulse duration,

7. An apparatus for the realization of the method according to Claim 1 comprising a source of electric electromagnetic pulses connected to an A. radiator characterized in that it comprises a converter for converting the energy of the electromagnetic pulse of the radiator into mechanical an electrically conductive energy in the form of A plate element installed with at in the preset direction of acceleration least one degree of freedom0, one surface of said plate element being in physical contact with the radiator of electromagnetic pulses and another surface being adapted to receive the treated material,

8. An apparatus according to Claim 7 characterized in that it comprises at least one additional plate element and in that one surface of each additional plate element is in physical contact with a corresponding additional radiator.

9. An apparatus according to Claim 7_0r scharac- terized in that it is provided with a reflector. material receiving set at a distance from theAsurface of the plate element and arranged parallel with this surface.- :'y °\ '*2?

10. A method for acceleration of liquid and bulk materials, as claimed in claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to any one the figures.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the r figures. MEZHOTRASLEVOI VNEDRENCHESKY TSENTR TMPULS"