WO1981002115A1

WO1981002115A1 - Method and apparatus for wetting powder

Info

Publication number: WO1981002115A1
Application number: PCT/US1980/000066
Authority: WO
Inventors: P Hyde; J Rowell
Original assignee: Neptune Microfloc Inc
Priority date: 1980-01-25
Filing date: 1980-01-25
Publication date: 1981-08-06

Abstract

A high kinetic energy water spraying apparatus wets powdered or granular dry material, particularly hard-to-wet polymers, to provide a lump-free solution of a controlled concentration. A volumetric feeder drops the dry material through a frustoconical upper portion (54) of the apparatus. Water is injected tangentially so that the inner surface of the upper portion is completely wetted to prevent buildup of dry material on the surface. A lower portion of the apparatus comprises a cylindrical column (30) which receives dry material from the upper portion. The inner surface of the column (30) includes a series of spray nozzles (60) positioned to produce downwardly sloped and radially inwardly oriented jets of liquid which impinge falling dry material with high energy. The downward slope of the jets creates a downward air flow so that any dust from the dry material is drawn downwardly into the column.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WETTING POWDER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for wetting dry particles with a liquid. More specifically the invention relates to an apparatrs which is particularly suitable for wetting dry powdered or granulated polymer with water to ob¬ tain lump-free solutions of polymer.

For industrial purposes, it is frequently necessary to rapidly combine streams of liquids and solids to form so¬ lutions on a continuous basis. For example, homogenous solu¬ tions containing viscosity enhancing polymers must be supplied at a high rate to oil well^* drilling rigs where they are em¬ ployed to facilitate the drilling process. The problems of and requirements for continuously forming uniform solutions by mixing powdered or granulated solids with liquids have thus been researched extensively. But, no suitable means for wetting hard-to-wet materials, such as certain polymers, has heretofore been discovered. it has been particularly difficult to devise a wet¬ ting apparatus sufficiently compact to be used at a remote and/or crowded site such as an off-shore drilling platform.

Furthermore, it has not been possible to continuously form high-quality solutions of hard-to-wet dry materials without releasing substantial amounts of dust into the atmos¬ phere as an airborne pollutant. The escape of dust is par¬ ticularly undesirable because airborne dust forms a film on walking surfaces around the wetting device. Such dust, e.g. polymer dust, is extremely slippery when wet and thus is a safety hazard to workers.

As in all installations where finely divided material is handled, the escape of airborne particulate material should be minimized to avoid potential combustion.

Also, if a wetting apparatus is to be used in the presence of combustible gases, it must be free of ignition sources.

One of the difficulties of forming solutions from hard-to-wet powders or granules is that the powder tends to form small lumps. In most traditional mixing devices, such lumps become wetted before they break up into individual pa ticles. The wetted surface of a lump becomes an impermeabl film which hinders break up of the lump. Thus, lumps are carried through the mixer with powder inside .remaining sub- stantially dry and unmixed with liquid. Such lumping prob¬ lems are especially troublesome when the powder comprises d polymers. It is, however, a problem in wetting carbon dust and a number of other types of materials.

Another problem of typical wetting systems is that fine particles of dust from the powder become airborne and drift onto interior surfaces of the wetting apparatus. Whe such surfaces are moist but not washed, a wet paste builds to plug passages of the apparatus or to form large, indivis ible lumps which fall into the solution. A variety of devices have included features to deal with one or more of the above problems. But, heretofore, n apparatus has been devised which can successfully mix hard- to-wet powders, such as polymers, or successfully manage th dusting problems which result when such powders are dissolv on a continuous basis.

U.S. patent No. 1,980,499 to Pfaff, shows a dust quencher for water gas apparatus. Such a device could not successfully used to form a solution containing hard-to-wet powders due to an inadequate array of nozzles and the pres- enσe of numerous unwashed surfaces which would encourage powder buildup.

Similarly, the spray apparatus described by C.P. Lamb et al. , in U.S. patent No. 2,071,846, could not ade¬ quately wet hard-to wet powders or prevent internal buildup of dust lumps.

U.S. patent No. 2,528,514 to Harvey et al. shows a conical mixing vessel into which phosphoric acid is injected through peripheral inlets. Although the lower conical sur¬ faces of this apparatus would be washed, a substantial dust¬ ing problem would remain. Furthermore, the simple vortical mixing illustrated would create a substantial lumping problem if used to wet a hard-to-wet powder such as polymer.

A wide variety of other devices have been constructed to facilitate the contact of liquids and solids. But none is adequate for mixing hard-to-wet powders such as polymers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been discovered that a compact device for mixing liquids and hard-to-wet particulate solids can be con¬ structed and can efficiently form solutions containing up to 2.0 percent or more of the particulate material. This is ac- complished by providing a wetting apparatus having a substan¬ tially vertical and unobstructed wetting column defined by a generally cylindrical wall. Nozzles extend through the wall and face radially inwardly and downwardly so that liquid sprayed into the column moves downwardly at a rate greater than the rate induced by gravitational acceleration. These downwardly aimed nozzles induce a downwardly moving airstream through the center of the column so that a region of low pressure is produced above the nozzles.

Each nozzle is radially inwardly oriented to produce a downwardly angled fan-shaped spray pattern with its longest cross-sectional dimension substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the column. The nozzles are arranged in a vertically stepped array so that jets of liquid from op¬ posed nozzles impinge at a location outwardly of the column's central axis.

Powdered or granular material falling through the column is thoroughly wetted as it is impinged upon by numer¬ ous, successive high energy jets of liquid. Some lumps of particulate material may be completely broken by initial con- tact with a jet. Any such unbroken lumps are carried by the

" jet to a line of intersection where a differently directed jet from an opposed nozzle shears the lump by impact and by rapidly changing its direction so that the lump is disinte¬ grated. Extending upwardly from the column is a frustoconic funnel which provides a wide receptacle for receiving the d material to be wetted. Powder is delivered to the column a a location within the frustoconical element from a hopper which may be located either remotely from the wetting appar tus immediately above the apparatus, or beside the apparatu The powder falls through the funnel and into the column, preferably with no substantial contact between dry material and liquid inside the funnel.

Streams of liquid entering tangentially near the to of the funnel are directed to form a sheet of liquid which vertically washes inner surfaces of the funnel and upper re gions of the column including the uppermost nozzles thereby to prevent sticking of dry material to those members. All interior surfaces are continuously washed so that any un- wetted material which approaches the wall is immediately wetted and carried downwardly to- the outlet of the column.

The previously described down draft and region of low pressure extend into the funnel so that any dust from d material entering the funnel is drawn into the region of lo pressure air inflow. Such dust can not escape upwardly, bu is drawn by the induced draft downwardly through the column. In addition, the entire wetting apparatus is contained with a housing which prevents the escape of dust particles into the surrounding atmosphere. Since the entire operation is conducted in a closed area and because dust particles are automatically drawn int the column where they are wetted, the escape of dust is min mized.

Accordingly, it is the object of the invention to provide an apparatus which will thoroughly wet even hard-to wet powdered or granular materials to form a homogenous sol

O wi tion i a continuous process.

More specifically, it is an object to form such a solution which is lump-free and which can have a concentra¬ tion of up to 2.0 percent or more of the wetted material. A further object is to provide an apparatus for wet¬ ting such materials wherein substantially no wetted, but un¬ washed, surfaces are accessible to airborne powders so that there are no sites for the buildup of lumps on surfaces of the apparatus where buildup would present a problem. A further object is to provide such an apparatus which includes no electrical or other equipment which might ignite combustible gases.

Various other objects and advantages of this inven¬ tion will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of an apparatus for continuously wetting a powdered or granu- lated material to form a solution;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 with portions of the apparatus shown in cross-sec¬ tions to disclose internal structure;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the mixing column shown in Fig. 2 partially rotated;

Fig. 4 is a plan view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged projectional view showing the exterior of the mixing column illustrated in Fig. 2 as on a flat surface and with the nozzles removed;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing a nozzle of the type illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of apparatus of claim 1 connected to a remote hopper for feeding powdere or granular material to the interior of the mixing column;

Fig. 12 is a more detailed and partiall exploded, elevational view of the hopper apparatus shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged plan view of apparatus for r ceiving powdered or granular material from the hopper illus trated in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 ^• Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an elevational view showing an alternate embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1-11; and

Fig. 16 is a partially exploded perspective showing interior details of the apparatus of Fig. 15.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The apparatus and methods of the present invention are best understood with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a first embodiment of the inventi which includes a hopper mechanism 20 positioned at a locatio remote from a wetting unit 22. A powder or granule deliver line 26 connects the hopper mechanism 20 and wetting unit 22 for delivering a flow of polymer granules from the hopper 20 to the wetting unit 22. For the purpose of discussion, this description will refer to polymer as the solid material be- ing wetted. It is to be -understood, however, that any simi lar powdered or granular material can be wetted and formed into a solution using apparatus according to the present in vention. Also, the apparatus is not only suitable for form¬ ing solutions of hard-to-wet powders and granulated materi- als, such as polymers, but also is capable of efficiently forming solutions and mixtures of more easily wetted materi¬ als.

The wetting unit 22 is best understood with reference to Figs. 1-10. From these figures it will be seen that the unit includes a generally tubular ^"body 30 made of fiberglass or other suitable material. The body is closed at its upper¬ most end by an end plate 32 spaced a short distance away from the end of the body 30 by spacers 34 so that an annular air outlet slot 36 is formed between the body 30 and the end plate 32. Centered in the end plate 32 is an inlet port 40. The bottom of the body 30 tapers to form a funnel portion 42 which terminates in a solution outlet 44 defined by the lower end of the body. An auxilliary air outlet 46 may be provided at some position between the ends of the body 30 for purposes^" which will be described below.

Depending from the end plate 32 is a wetter assembly 50 which is shown in greater detail in Fig. 2 and, partially rotated, in Fig. 3. This assembly includes an upper section which is a frustoconical bowl or funnel 54 having its mouth secured to the end plate 32. A cylindrical wetting column 56 extends downwardly from the funnel 54 so that the interior of the funnel 54 and column 56 connect. The column and fun¬ nel are arranged vertically so that material falling through the funnel will subsequently fall straight through to the bottom of the column 56 by gravity and induced draft.

The column 56 includes a plurality ^*of radial openings 58 adapted to receive nozzles 60. The nozzles 60 are ar¬ ranged in a stepped array, specifically the generally helical configuration illustrated in Fig. 7. Most preferably the nozzles will be shaped to produce fan-shaped jets of liquid as illustrated in Fig. 10. Each nozzle will be mounted as shown in Fig. 8 at a downward angle of about 45° from verti¬ cal in position so that the plane of the fan-shaped jet is bisected by a vertical plane through the axis of the column 56.

It is significant that the stepped arrangement shown positions the nozzles so that they produce fan-shaped spray patterns which intersect no more than one other spray patte along any given line of intersection. All the nozzles in t helical pattern of Fig. 7 will produce fan-shaped jets whic extend through the central axis. of the column 56 but, due t their stepped vertical separation, none of the spray patter intersect at the central axis. Instead, a helical array of two-jet intersections extends vertically through the column Each such intersection is between an upper or carry ing jet and a lower or shearing jet. One or more shearing jets may intersect each carrying jet, but multiple shearing jets should not intersect a carrying jet along a single lin of intersection. Carrying and shearing jets need not be exactly diametrically opposed. In the preferred arrangemen illustrated in Fig. 7, most of the carrying and shearing je pairs are circumferentially offset by fifteen degrees from direct opposition.

A collision of multiple jets at a single location i the column 56 might cause water to splash upwardly and mix with dry polymer floating in the air. Such a condition cou result in the formation of jelly-like stalactites which eve tually would fall through the column 56 and form lumps in the resulting solution. It is thus beneficial to select th nozzles and nozzle placement so that an intersection of multiple spray jets does not occur in the upper portions of the column 56.

Furthermore, the kinetic energy of multiple jets would be substantially dissipated if several such jets inte sected at the same location. Because all intersection lin involve a maximum of two jets, the full benefit of kinetic energy in the jets is utilized.

If, for example, a number of jets were all directed toward the same point on the axis of the central column, a lump carried radially inwardly, horizontal motions of lumps would virtually stop at the central axis. Lumps would tend to congregate at the central axis and then move straight downwardly to the outlet. This is Because the forces of mu tiple diametrically opposed jets would cancel each other out.

With the present invention, a lump carried by a first jet passes beyond the central axis until it encounters a second, opposed jet at an angle to the first. This second jet shears the lump thereby disintegrating it while still in the column. Such shearing is as material moves downwardly in the column through multiple jet intersections.

Thus, a helical nozzle array or some other related, stepped array optimizes usage of energy in the water jets by minimizing energy dissipation. A helical array is exception¬ ally efficient as it can produce the most possible two-jet intersections in the least vertical distance.

The array is selected so that each intersection is farther from the nozzle which produces the first or carrying jet than it is from the nozzle producing the second or shear¬ ing jet. Thus, shearing jets impact with maximum kinetic energy to disintegrate carried lumps and their contents. With a helical array of nozzles at a downward slope of 45°, substantially opposed nozzles will produce jets which inter- sect at a location offset from the central axis, in the direction of the lower nozzle, by a distance about fifty per¬ cent of the vertical distance between the two opposed noz¬ zles.

In some instances, it may be desirable to use a pat- tern of nozzles with jets which do not intersect.

A helical array would still be preferred as the most compact possible arrangement of jets. Non-intersecting jets would be obtained by narrowing the jet angle, decreasing the column diameter and/or increasing the pitch of the helix. in addition to its compactness, a helix is preferred because it improves wetting by increasing the residence time of solute material in the column. This occurs because the jets continuously impart horizontal motion to material in¬ side the column so that material travels in a helical path either through the column or along the column wall depending on the specific nozzle placement. The helical pattern fur- ther aids in wetting by dispensing material uniformly out¬ wardly from the central axis, rather than congregate it at the center or in one area of the side wall.

To avoid the possibility of dry material passing through the column unwetted, the nozzles 60 should be ar¬ ranged circumferentially so that the jets allow no straight line vertical air passageways through the column. A helica arrangement should make at least three revolutions so that material to be wetted falls through multiple jets and has a opportunity to be sheared at multiple jet intersections. I such a helical jet pattern with no vertical air passages, solid material moves downwardly in a zig-zag pattern, havin multiple opportunities for contact, impact and shearing by jets of liquid. A twisting movement and turbulence imparte by the helically arranged, high-energy jets, insures that there is uniform mixing of liquid and wetted solid material

Because the nozzles are aimed downwardl , the jets of liquid tend to induce a negative pressure in the funnel and the top of column 56. As a result, air and particulate material in the funnel 54 are drawn into and downwardly through the column 56 by suction.

The draw or suction of the column is determined by the angle of jet divergence the downward angle of the jets and velocity of the jets. The angle of divergence may be from 15° to 95° for a cylindrical column. Dust entrapment inside the column improves, but suction decreases as the angle of divergence is increased.

The divergence of the spray jet fan is established within the above range by taking into consideration the ma- terial to be wetted. Granulated material can typically be wetted with no dusting problems using jets with relatively narrow divergence. Hard-to-wet powders, such as certain polymers, are best wetted with wide jets to maximize powder contact and dust entrapment. The nozzles should all have the same downward slope, the slope being between 30° and 60° from vertical, with good results being obtained at about 45°. If the nozzles produce jets that are too flat, they will not create an ade¬ quate down draft. If too steep, much of the kinetic energy of the jets will be dissipated due to the long length of the jets and thus wasted.

For adequate shearing and impact without excessive misting, the apparatus should be constructed to deliver liq¬ uid through the nozzles at a velocity of thirty to seventy- five feet per second.

In addition to the nozzles arranged as shown in Fig. 7, four more nozzles 64 can be positioned below the nozzles 60. The nozzles 64 are located to produce jets directed in¬ wardly and, preferably, sloped level to downwardly. The in¬ dividual nozzles 64 may conveniently have the same slope as the nozzles 60. The nozzles 64 act as scavengers to wet any powder which escapes wetting by the nozzles 60. Accordingly, the nozzles 64 should be selected to produce a wide, fan-shaped spray pattern of 90-95°. When placed as described and il¬ lustrated, these nozzles will produce jets which intersect to provide a sheet of liquid extending across substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the column. Such an ar¬ rangement insures that there are no straight passageways de¬ void of liquid through which dry material can travel through the wetting apparatus. Water is supplied to the nozzles by means of a cylin¬ drical distribution manifold 58 which forms a watertight chamber encompassing the outer ends of the nozzles 60, 64. Water is supplied to the manifold 68 through feeder lines 70 which extend through the end plate 32 and connect to a water supply line 72 by a T-fitting 74.

Radially extending openings 78 may be provided through the manifold 68 to receive outwardly facing spray nozzles 80 which may be aimed to produce spray patterns which are substantially horizontal or angled downwardly. Such nozzles are used for washing the inner surface of the funnel portion 42 so that no stray dust particles will adhere to the inside of the body 30. Also communicating with the interior of the manifol 62 are wash lines 84 connected to tangential stainless stee tubes 86 which comprise short segments of a descending spi¬ ral. Water is injected into the tubes at their uppermost end; and the bottom end of each tube is open so that a vor¬ tical flow of liquid washes over the interior surface of th funnel 54 producing a flow of liquid which completely washe the interior surface of the funnel 54 in the flow pattern illustrated in Fig. 4. Flow control devices 88 may be pro- vided in the lines 84 to regulate the flow of liquid throug the vortex tubes 86 in relation to the flow of liquid throu the nozzles 60.

As previously mentioned, polymer may be delivered t the interior of the column 56 via a delivery line 26. In the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1-3, the- delivery line 2 connects to a cyclone 92 mounted to the top of the end plat 32 by a cyclone footing 94. The cyclone 92 extends through the inlet port 40 so that polymer descending through the cyclone 92 is deposited well inside the wetting funnel 54. A cyclone outlet 96 is provided to allow the escape of con-r veying air as will be explained below.

There are a number of alternative ways to deliver powder to the wetting funnel 54. For example, the powder ma be delivered through a more simple hose or pipe which extend to the center of the funnel 54 as shown in Fig. 11 at 98. A another option a screw feed apparatus could be used to de¬ liver the powder. Or, as hereinafter described in reference to Figs. 15 and 16, a rotary feeder could be used.

The polymer to be delivered through the delivery lin 26 may be supplied from a feed hopper 20 as shown in Figs. 1 and 12. The hopper includes a conical bin 102 which opens upwardly to receive powdered material from sacks or other containers. Material funnels downwardly and is received in a powder pick-up chamber 106 located at the base of the bin 102. Means are provided for continuously removing the poly¬ mer from the chamber 106 and injecting it into the line 26 whereby the polymer is conveyed into the wetting unit 22.

Powder is conveyed out of the chamber 106 through a suction head 108 which is the terminus of a tube 110. A neg¬ ative pressure is created in the tube 110 by means of an eductor 112 located downstream of the head 108. High pres¬ sure air supplied to the eductor 112 through a line 114 in¬ duces suction to pull polymer out of the chamber 106 and in¬ ject it into the delivery line 26. As shown in Fig. 12, a portion of the delivery tube 26 may be coiled in a reel. Al- though a vertical reel is illustrated, a horizontal reel would be preferred so that no moisture could collect in low portions of loops in the line 26 and pulsations of powder would be minimized.

Referring specifically to Figs. 13 and 14 it can be seen that the suction head 108 includes an overlying portion 118 which serves as a hood to prevent the weight of polymer inside the bin 102 from blocking the inlet opening of the tube 110. Polymer continuously flows around the overlying portion 118 in a stream so that it may be continuously re- moved through the suction head 108.

A source of air is required to mix with polymer in¬ side the pick-up chamber 106 prior to conveyance. This is supplied from the atmosphere through a threaded pipe 120 which is axially in line with the tube 110 and extends ra- dially through the opposite side of the chamber 106. The spacing between the inner ends of the tube 110 and pipe 120 can be regulated by rotating the pipe 120 to move it radi¬ ally of the chamber 106. Moving the pipe 120 in or out will alter the rate at which powder is removed from the chamber 106.

As shown in Fig. 12, the feed hopper 20 is provided with a screen 124 to prevent the entry of foreign material with the influent polymer and a lid 126 to close the feed hopper 20 except when the hopper is being loaded. Dry powdered or granular material, such as polymer, is gravity fed from the feed hopper 20 into the pick-up σhamber 106 as previously described. -In the chamber 106 polymer is mixed with air and drawn by means of the eductor 112 into the line 26 whereby it is conveyed into the funnel 54 of the wetting unit 22. During travel to the wetting

5. unit, the polymer passes through the cyclone 92 wherein ex-^* cess conveying air is separated from the polymer and vented or recycled through the line 96 to the air supply line 114 pipe 120 to avoid the discharge of any dust particles.

Polymer injected into the funnel 54 is not wetted

10 therein, but falls directly downwardly by gravity and in¬ duced draft through the unobstructed column 56. As it is drawn through the column, the polymer encounters the multi¬ ple, horizontally-oriented, fanshaped jets of liquid pro¬ duced by the nozzles 60. Since the nozzles are aimed down- 5 wardly, air, liquid and polymer are accelerated toward the outlet of the column 56.

Any lumps or polymer moving through the column 56 e counter at least one of the liquid jets. The jet impacts and thereby disintegrates the lump. Even if the initial im 0 pact is insufficient to cause the total disintegration, the desired result is achieved when the lump is carried to an i tersection where its disintegration is completed by a shear ing jet.

Any polymer remaining unwetted after passing the je 5 produced by nozzles 60 is wetted by the scavenging jets pro duced through the nozzles 64. A solution containing the di solved polymer flows out the bottom of the column 56 and eventually leaves the body 30 via the outlet 44. From the outlet 44, the polymer solution may be conveyed to a storag 0 tank or directly to the point of use.

The inlet port 40, which is hooded by the cyclone footing 94, provides an inlet for the air needed so that je from the nozzles 60 can create an accelerated downward flow through the column 56. As a result of the accelerated down 5 ward flow, excess air is pulled into the body 30 through th bottom of the column 56 and an elevated pressure may result The excess air may be discharged through the air outlet slot

36 provided at the top of the body 30. Excess air could also be discharged through the auxiliary air outlet 46 or that outlet could be closed during operation. If, for some reason, some dust does become airborne and is carried to the upper regions of the body 30, the es¬ cape of such dust to the atmosphere could be prevented by closing the air outlet slot 36 and drawing all excess air from the body through the auxiliary air outlet 46. This could be accomplished by means of an aspirator 130 as shown in Fig. 11. In the aspirator, the air, including airborne dust, could be combined with, water supplied through a line 132. The dust would become wetted and the air-liquid mix¬ ture could be discharged in an environmentally acceptable manner or be carried in the line 134 to a point where the .. air-liquid mixture is combined with a solution of liquid polymer at a location downstream of the outlet 44. Further downstream, separation means (not shown) would be provided for separating air from the polymer solution. Also, as shown in Fig. 11, some reduction in dusting can be accomplished by including a deflection plate 138 in¬ side the body 130 at a location below the column 56. This plate may be generally conical and freestanding as illus¬ trated and could be surrounded by a housing (not shown) . Such a deflection device creates radial flows of polymer so¬ lution that substantially fill the entire cross-sectional area of the lower portion of the body to provide a trap for dust. In addition, impact of the polymer solution with such deflection plate spreads the stream of solution and slows its vertical movement so that entrained air is released from the solution to escape upwardly inside the body 30.

A second, more compact embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16. This embodiment includes a feed hopper 150 and a wetting unit 152 which are stacked inside a unitary, substantially airtight body 160.

Features of the apparatus shown in Figs. 15 and 16, which are analogous to features previously described, bear the same reference numerals. The wetter assembly 50 is qui similar to the wetter assembly described in conjunction wit previous figures and is numbered accordingly. The feed hop per 150 is, however, somewhat different. Specifically, it includes a conical bin 162 which includes a concentric in¬ terior baffle 164. Polymer can become compressed at the bo tom of the bin 162 due to the weight of the overlying mater al and normal settling. The baffle 164 prevents undue com- pression at the bottom of the bin 162. A vibrator 166 may be provided to shake the bin 162 and thereby encourage down ward flow of polymer during operation of the wetter.

Polymer is delivered from the base of the bin 162 to the funnel 54 by means of a star wheel volumetric f.eeder 170 driven by a motor 172. The feeder 170 is adjusted by regulating the motor speed to deliver a desired metered flo of a polymer powder into the wetter assembly 50 where it is combined with a metered amount of liquid. Since the entire apparatus is contained within the body 160, no dust can es- cape from inside the wetting apparatus.

The polymer solution produced in the apparatus is carried through a discharge tube 174 to a mixing tank (not shown) which may be located at any convenient position. Wh needed the polymer solution may be pumped from that tank to the specific site of use.

Because the apparatus of Figs. 15 and 16 is intende for continuous operation in a corrosive environment where e plosive gas fumes or airborne powder may be present, no ele trical components are used in the apparatus. The hopper vi brator 166 and motor 172 are air powered. Liquid flow con¬ trolling apparatus is self-actuated by water pressure op¬ posing internal springs; and operating controls comprise manually operated valves for the water supply and compresse air. Corrosion-resistant plastics and alloy metals are use in construction of the unit. All metal components are con¬ nected by grounding wires to each other and to a positive

( O P ground on the job. site to drain static charges.

To operate the -unit of ^igs. 15 and 16, the bin 172 is loaded with dry particulate material, e.g. polymer. The water supply valve is then opened, starting a flow of water through the wetter assembly 50. When water flow is estab¬ lished, a compressed air supply valve (^".not shown) is opened, starting the hopper vibrator 166 and volumetric feeder motor 172. Immediately, dry material is fed into the assembly 50. Solution strength is determined solely by the speed of the volumetric feeder 170 while liquid flow is maintained at a constant rate. The feeder speed adjustment is manually set by an air flow needle valve and pressure regulating valve (not shown) present in the air supply line to motor 172.

To prevent inadvertent feeding of powdered material into the funnel 154 when the water supply is off, an air supply cut-off valve (not shown) may be provided. Such a valve would be held open by supply water pressure and in¬ stalled in such a position that when the supply water is in¬ terrupted, the air supply cut-off valve would stop the flow of air to the vibrator 166 and motor 172. This would prevent any inadvertent clogging of the wetter assembly 50 due to an inadvertent operator error or accidental loss of water supply pressure.

While we have shown and described preferred embodi- ments of our invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The ap¬ pended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. An apparatus for wetting a particulate material to form a homogenous solution comprising: a generally vertical and unobstructed wetter column; a plurality of inwardly directed nozzles located on the interior of said column in a generally helical array; means for providing pressurized liquid to said noz¬ zles; and feed means for feeding particulate material to be wetted into the top of said column.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means fo continuously washing interior surfaces of said column.

3. Apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for holding and supplying said particulate material to said feed means.

4. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said feed means com prises an air driven feed apparatus.

5. An apparatus for wetting a particulate material to form a homogenous solution comprising; a generally vertical and unobstructed wetter column; at least three inwardly directed nozzles located on the interior of said column to produce fan-shaped wetting jets each of which is intersected at a line of intersection by another of said jets and none of which is intersected along a single line of intersection by more than one other jet; manifold means for providing pressurized liquid to said nozzles to produce said jets; and means for feeding particulate material to be wetted into the top of said column.

6. An apparatus of claim 5 wherein said manifold means is constructed to supply liquid at such a pressure that an unwetted mass of particulate material carried by one of said jets to a line of intersection will be sheared by the intersecting jet with sufficient energy that said mass will disintegrate.

7. An apparatus of claim 1 or 5 wherein said mani- fold means is constructed to supply liquid at such a pressure that jets produced by said nozzles will have sufficient ve- locity to disintegrate falling lumps of particulate material upon impact.

8. An apparatus of claim 1 or 5 further comprising means for continuously feeding said particulate material and said liquid into said apparatus at controlled rates so that said solution is continuously formed at^* a uniform concentra¬ tion.

9. An apparatus for wetting a particulate material to form a homogenous solution comprising: a wetting chamber having interior surfaces and an upper opening to receive particulate material to be wetted; a bowl having a central opening located above said chamber such that said openings are vertically aligned; means for introducing particulate material into said bowl over said openings such that said material falls through said bowl into said chamber; liquid injection means for producing a sheet of liquid flowing over interior surfaces of said bowl, through said openings and over interior surfaces of said chamber to prevent dust from said particulate material from adhering to any of said interior surfaces.

10. A process for wetting a particulate material comprising: supplying particulate material to a spray contact column; causing said particulate material to move downwardly in a stream through a helical array of inwardly directed jet of liquid; and discharging wetted particulate material at the base of said array.

11. A process for wetting a particulate material comprising: supplying particulate material to a spray contact column having inwardly directed nozzles arranged to produce intersecting, fan-shaped jets, no more than two of said jets intersecting at any single region of intersection; supplying liquid to said nozzles at sufficient pres- sure that any unwetted mass of particulate material falling through said column is carried by one of said jets to a region of intersection where said mass is sheared by an in¬ tersecting jet with sufficient energy that said mass will disintegrate; and discharging wetted particulate material from the bot torn of said column.

O