Static Fluid Mixing Apparatus

Abstract

Fluid mixing apparatus which includes a series of perforated plates retained in face-to-face contacting, fluid-tight relationship, with opposite faces of each of such plates having channels which cooperate with each other and the plate perforations to repeatedly divide and sub-divide a stream of fluid and then recombine the same during its passage relative to such plates.

Description

The present invention is directed to an improved static fluid mixing apparatus in which a stream of fluid is repeatedly divided and sub-divided and then recombined during its passage therethrough.

Typical of a large number of prior disclosures directed to static fluid mixing devices are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,051,452; 3,206,170; 3,286,992; and 3,328,003. Some of these known mixing devices are inefficient, some are complicated in structure, others require elements of intricate design, still others are impossible or difficult to clean and/or disassemble and, generally, most are much too bulky and necessitate extensive changes in equipment with which such devices are to be employed. Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide a generally new or improved and more satisfactory static fluid mixing apparatus.

Another object is the provision of an apparatus for mixing fluids which is simple and compact in construction.

Still another object is a fluid mixing apparatus formed of a series of individual but cooperating units which can be easily assembled and disassembled for cleaning and/or repair and/or to vary the mixing characteristics of such apparatus.

A further object is the provision of a fluid mixing apparatus which is essentially free of areas at which fluid may remain stagnant and which provides for rapid and thorough blending of all portions of a fluid stream during its passage therethrough.

These and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the present invention by an apparatus which includes a series of perforated plates retained in face-to-face contacting, fluid-tight relationship, with opposite faces of each of such plates having channels which cooperate with each other and the plate perforations or openings to repeatedly divide and sub-divide a stream and then recombine the same during its passage relative to such plates.

More particularly, each of the alternate plates of such series of plates are formed with a pair of spaced channels in each of the opposite faces thereof, and openings which extend therethrough and connect the channels in one of such faces with the channels in the other of such faces. The channels in the one face of the respective alternate plates each serve to divide individual streams of fluid into a plurality of separate fluid flows, while the channels in the opposite face of each of such plates are each arranged to receive, through plate openings, a separate fluid flow from each of the channels in the one face and combine the same into an individual stream of fluid.

The plates intermediate of the alternate plates are each formed with a channel in each of the opposite faces thereof and an opening extending therethrough and connecting the channel in one face thereof with the channel in the other of such faces. The channel in the one face of the respective intermediate plates is arranged to receive individual streams of fluid from a pair of channels in an adjacent alternate plate and direct the same to the opening in such intermediate plate where they are combined into a single stream of fluid. Upon passage through such opening and into the channel in the other face of the respective intermediate plates, this single stream of fluid is divided into individual streams which are directed by such channel to respective channels of a pair of channels in an adjacent of such alternate plates.

To avoid areas of stagnant flow, the openings in each of the alternate plates connect the channels in the opposite faces thereof at their ends, and the channels in the intermediate plates are each arranged with their ends aligned with a pair of channels in an adjacent of such alternate plates.

In the preferred construction, the corresponding faces of the respective alternate and intermediate plates are of substantially like configuration, with all of the channels being substantially straight and with the channel or channels in one face of the respective plates extending at substantially right angles to the channels in the opposite face thereof. Further, in such preferred construction, all of the plate openings are substantially parallel to each other and, while the opening in the respective intermediate plates may be at any location along the length of the channels therein, for most uniform fluid blending it is located substantially centrally of such channels.

Any suitable means may be used for delivering fluid to and away from the above described series of cooperating plates. However, in the preferred construction, outermost of the alternate plates are engaged in face-to-face contacting, fluid-tight relationship by similar end plates, each having an opening extending therethrough and a channel in one face thereof which contains such opening and is arranged to communicate with the pair of channels in an adjacent of such alternate plates.

The plates of the mixer of the present invention are retained in snug face-to-face contacting relationship by any suitable means, with the respective plates being maintained in a desired orientation as by pins or interlocking grooves and detents on adjacent plate faces.

A variety of materials may be employed in the fabrication of the mixing apparatus of the present invention, as for example, metals or plastics, depending upon such factors as the temperature conditions which such apparatus may encounter and the character of the fluid or fluids to be mixed. The materials used must neither react with the fluid being mixed nor encourage reactions between mixtures of fluids. The plates employed need be only of such thickness as to permit the necessary channels to be formed therein yet insure that the channels in the opposite faces of the respective plates are separated by a wall of sufficient thickness as to resist the pressure exerted by the fluid undergoing mixing. Opposite faces of the respective plates are suitably finished or polished to provide for a fluid-tight joint between the faces of adjacent of such plates when they are placed in snug face-to-face contact with each other.

The apparatus of the present invention may be used as a heat exchanger employing a heat transfer medium comprised of one or more liquids or gases. The mixing of such heat exchange medium during its flow through the apparatus provides for a more uniform temperature along the outer surface of such apparatus and thus provides for efficient heat transfer. Such apparatus may be used to provide an intimate blending of all portions of a single fluid, or to mix a plurality of fluids, in liquid or gaseous form. Fine particulate matter, such as pigments or short fibers, may be carried by the fluid or fluids being mixed without materially affecting the efficiency of the mixing apparatus of this invention.

For a greater understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and drawing in which

FIG. 1 is a vertical section taken longitudinally of the mixing apparatus of the present invention; and

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are side views of different plates employed in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mixing apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of specially fabricated plates which are retained in snug face-to-face contacting, fluid-tight relationship, as by means of a sleeve 11 and clamping collars 13. Using, for example a spanner wrench, the collars 13 are simply threaded into the opposite ends of the sleeve 11 and snugly against the respective plate adjacent thereto and, if necessary, gaskets may be placed between the collars and such respective plates to minimize fluid leakage at these areas.

The alternate plates 15 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are of like construction and, as illustrated in FIG. 2, each is formed with channels 17 and 19 in one face 21 and channels 23 and 25 in its opposite face 27. Except for the orientation of the channels 17 and 19 at substantially right angles to the channels 23 and 25, all of such channels are of like configuration. Openings 29, 31, 33 and 35 extend through the plate 15 and connect the respective ends of the channels 17 and 19 with the adjacent ends of the channels 23 and 25.

Plates 37, located intermediate the plates 15, are also of like construction and, as illustrated in FIG. 3, each is formed with a channel 39 and 41 in its respective faces 43 and 45. The channels 39 and 41 are of like configuration but are disposed in intersecting, right angle relationship and are connected substantially centrally thereof by an opening 47 which extends through such plate.

The remaining plates 49 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 serve as end plates and are of like construction, each having a recessed face 51, a central opening 53 extending therethrough, and a channel 55 in its opposite face 57.

In the above-described apparatus, all of the plate channels 17, 19, 23, 25, 39, 41 and 55 are all of like dimensions to avoid the presence of pressure differentials within the apparatus. Further, the plate openings 29, 31, 33, 35, 47 and 53 are generally equal to the radius of the arcuate ends of the respective channels; that is, equal to one half of the width of such channels, so as to minimize areas at which the fluid which is being mixed may remain stagnant.

Assembly of above-described plates simply involves the alignment of portions of the channels 17, 19, 23 and 25 in the alternate plates 15 with portions of the channels 39 and 41 in the intermediate plates 37 and the channels 55 in end plates 49. More particularly, and as shown in FIG. 1, the alternate plates 15 are each oriented with the pair of channels 17 and 19 in its face 21 and the pair of channels 23 and 25 in its opposite face 27 being disposed at substantially right angles to the channels 41 and 39, respectively, in the contacting intermediate plates 37, or at substantially right angles to the channels 55 in the end plates 49.

The entry of fluid which is to be mixed may be made at either end of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with like results being obtained. For example, upon delivery into the right end of such apparatus, a single stream of fluid passing through the end plate opening 53 is divided into two separate streams within the end plate channel 55. Such streams travel along the end plate channel 55 and are received centrally of the respective channels 17 and 19 in the first of the alternate plates 15. The stream entering the channel 17 is further divided into two separate flows which move in opposite direction, toward and through the openings 29 and 31, and then passing into the ends of the channels 23 and 25 of such alternate plate 15. Similarly, the stream entering the channel 19 is also divided into two separate flows which move in opposite directions, toward and through the openings 33 and 35, and then passing into the ends of the channels 23 and 25.

Within the respective plate channels 23 and 25, the separate fluid flows entering at opposite ends thereof are combined into a single stream, with the two streams thus provided being delivered to the opposite ends of the channel 39 of the contacting intermediate plate 37. These separate streams are then combined into a single stream as they pass through the opening 47 in this plate 37 and, upon entering the channel 41 in such plate 37, this single stream is divided into two separate streams. Such streams are directed to the center of the respective channels 17 and 19 of the second of the alternate plates 15 where they undergo further separation as heretofore described.

The above action of dividing and subdividing of the fluid stream, alternating with the recombining of the separate flows which result, is continued until the separate streams in the channels 23 and 25 of the last of the alternate plates 15 is received within the channel 55 of the leftmost end plate 49. From this channel 55 a single and well blended fluid stream is discharged into and through the end plate opening 53.

It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. Apparatus for mixing fluids including a series of plates retained in snug face-to-face contacting, fluid-tight relationship each of the alternate plates of such series of plates having a pair of spaced channels in each of the opposite faces thereof and openings extending therethrough connecting the channels in one of said faces with the channels in the other of said faces, the channels in said one face of the respective alternate plates each serving to divide individual streams of fluid into a plurality of separate fluid flows, each of the channels in said other face of the respective alternate plates arranged to receive through openings in such plate a separate fluid flow from each of the channels in said one face and combine the same into an individual stream of fluid, and each of the plates intermediate said alternate plates having a channel in each of the opposite faces thereof and an opening extending therethrough and connecting the channel in one of said faces with the channel in the other of said faces, the channel in said one face of the respective intermediate plates arranged to receive individual streams of fluid from a pair of channels in an adjacent of said alternate plates and direct the same to the opening in such intermediate plate where they are combined into a single stream of fluid, the channel in said other face of the respective intermediate plates serving to divide a single stream of fluid into individual streams and arranged to direct such individual streams to respective channels of a pair of channels in an adjacent of said alternate plates.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the openings in each of said alternate plates connect the channels in the opposite faces thereof at their ends.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the channels in said intermediate plates are each arranged with their ends aligned with a pair of channels in an adjacent of said alternate plates.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the channels of each pair of channels in said alternate plates are substantially straight and parallel to each other.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the pairs of channels in the opposite faces of said alternate plates extend at substantially right angles to each other.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the channels in the opposite faces of said intermediate plates extend at substantially right angles to each other.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the openings in said alternate and intermediate plates are substantially parallel to each other.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein corresponding faces of said respective alternate and intermediate plates are of substantially like configuration.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the opening in each of said intermediate plates is located substantially centrally of the channels therein.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein outermost of said series of plates are alternate plates, and further including end plates mounted in face-to-face contacting, fluid-tight relationship with said outermost plates, each of said end plates having an opening extending therethrough and a channel in one face thereof containing said opening and arranged to communicate with the pair of channels in an adjacent alternate plate.