U.S. patent number 3,885,587 [Application Number 05/234,442] was granted by the patent office on 1975-05-27 for apparatus for mixing volatile liquid with nonvolatile material.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Cluett, Peabody & Co., Inc.. Invention is credited to Walter S. Troope.
United States Patent |
3,885,587 |
Troope |
May 27, 1975 |
Apparatus for mixing volatile liquid with nonvolatile material
Abstract
An apparatus for mixing and feeding a volatile liquid, such as
liquid ammonia, with a nonvolatile material, such as a fabric
finisher; the method comprising the steps of feeding the liquid to
a mixing vessel and, by volatilizing a portion of the liquid,
cooling the vessel and, while continuing to feed the liquid and
after the cooled liquid has reached a predetermined level in the
vessel, adding to the liquid a measured amount of nonvolatile
material, continuing the liquid feed until the liquid level reaches
the measured amount, agitating the liquid and material and, as the
liquid volatilizes, adding additional of such liquid to maintain
the liquid level at the measured amount; the apparatus comprising a
mixing tank having a cover, a coolant coil in the mixing tank,
first feed means having a valve for feeding a volatile liquid to
the tank, second feed means having a valve for feeding a
nonvolatile material to the tank, a float and switch in the tank
for controlling the liquid feed valve, a float and switch in the
tank for controlling the nonvolatile material feed valve, a
discharge line for discharging the mixed material from the tank to
a trough in a fabric treatment chamber, a valve in the discharge
line, electrical means for opening and closing the valve in the
discharge line and for closing the liquid feed valve when the
discharge valve is open and for closing such liquid feed valve when
the discharge valve is open, the floats in the tank opening and
closing the liquid feed and material feed valves when the liquid in
the tank is at pre-set levels.
Inventors: |
Troope; Walter S. (Latham,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Cluett, Peabody & Co., Inc.
(New York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
26927941 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/234,442 |
Filed: |
March 9, 1972 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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854542 |
Sep 2, 1969 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
137/391; 366/147;
366/251; 366/131; 366/247; 366/347; 366/172.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06M
11/60 (20130101); B01F 15/0441 (20130101); Y10T
137/7303 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B01F
15/04 (20060101); D06M 11/00 (20060101); D06M
11/60 (20060101); B01f 015/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;259/4,5,6,7,8,18,19,36,60,61,64,65,66,67 ;137/391,386,393,395 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Jenkins; Robert W.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE
This application is a divisional application with respect to my
copending application Ser. No. 854,542, filed Sept. 2, 1969, now
abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for mixing a measured amount of nonvolatile material
with a measured amount of volatile liquid and for maintaining the
proportion of said material in said liquid substantially constant,
said apparatus comprising a mixing tank having an insulated mixing
chamber and a cover over said chamber, a coolant coil for
circulating coolant in said chamber, first feed means for feeding a
volatile liquid into said chamber, a valve in said first feed
means, a second feed means for feeding a nonvolatile material into
said chamber, a valve in said second feed means, a first float in
said chamber, means connecting said first float to said valve in
said first feed means, a second float in said chamber, means
connecting said second float to said valve in said second feed
means, means for discharging the mixture of said measured amount of
nonvolatile material and said measured amount of volatile liquid
from said mixing tank after said measured amounts have been mixed
therein, valve means in said discharge means, means connected to
said valve means in said discharge means for opening and closing
said discharge valve means, said means for opening and closing said
discharge valve means including means for opening said valve in
said first feed means when said discharge valve means is closed and
for closing said valve in said first feed means when said discharge
valve means is opened, said first float in said chamber including
means for closing said valve in said first feed means when the
liquid in said chamber lifts said first float and for opening said
valve in said first feed means when the liquid in said chamber is
below the level to lift said float.
2. Apparatus, as recited in claim 1, in which said means connecting
said second float to said valve in said second feed means includes
a timer and means for actuating said timer and for opening said
valve in said second feed means when the liquid in said chamber
lifts said second float, said timer including means for closing
said valve in said second feed means after a predetermined timed
interval.
3. Apparatus, as recited in claim 2, including a fabric treatment
chamber, a trough in said chamber, means connecting said means for
discharging said mixture from said mixing tank to said trough,
valve means in said last mentioned connecting means, third float
means on said trough and means connected to said third float for
closing said last mentioned valve means when liquid in said trough
lifts said third float and for opening said last mentioned valve
means when the liquid in said trough is below the level to lift
said third float.
4. Apparatus, as recited in claim 3, in which said cover includes
vent means, means for connecting said vent means on said cover to
vapor discharge means when said nonvolatile material and said
liquid are being fed to and mixed in said mixing chamber and for
connecting said vent to said fabric treatment chamber when said
mixture from said mixing tank is being discharged to said
trough.
5. Apparatus for mixing a measured amount of nonvolatile material
with a measured amount of volatile liquid and for maintaining the
proportion of said material in said liquid substantially constant
and for discharging and feeding the mixture of nonvolatile material
and volatile liquid to a treatment trough in a fabric treatment
chamber, said apparatus comprising a plurality of mixing tanks each
having an insulated mixing chamber and a cover over said chamber, a
coolant coil in each of said tanks for circulating coolant in said
chamber, first feed means in each of said tanks for feeding a
volatile liquid into said chamber of said mixing tank, a valve in
each of said first feed means, a second feed means in each of said
tanks for feeding a nonvolatile material into said chamber of said
tank, a valve in said second feed means, a first float means in
each of said chambers, means connecting said first float means in
each of said chambers to said valve in said first feed means, a
second float in each of said chambers, means connecting said second
float to said valve in said second feed means, a fabric treatment
chamber, a trough in said chamber, means connected to said trough
and to each of said mixing tanks for discharging the mixture of
said measured amount of nonvolatile material and said measured
amount of volatile liquid from each of said mixing tanks and for
feeding said mixture to said trough, valve means in said discharge
connection means of each of said mixing tanks, means connected to
said valve means in said discharge connection means of each of said
mixing tanks for opening and closing said valve means in said
discharge connection means in each of said tanks including means
for opening said valve in said first feed means in said tank when
said valve means in said discharge connection means in said tank is
closed and for closing said valve in said first feed means in said
tank when said valve means in said discharge connection means in
said tank is opened, said first float means in each of said
chambers including means for closing said valve in said first feed
means in said tank when the liquid in said chamber in said tank
lifts said first float and for opening said valve in said first
feed means in said tank when the liquid in said chamber in said
tank is below the level to lift said float.
6. Apparatus, as recited in claim 5, in which said means connecting
said second float to said valve in said second feed means includes
a timer and means for actuating said timer and for opening said
valve in said second feed means when the liquid in said chamber
lifts said second float, said timer including means for closing
said valve in said second feed means after a predetermined time
interval.
7. Apparatus, as recited in claim 6, in which said means connected
to said trough and to each of said mixing tanks for discharging
said mixture to said trough includes valve means, third float means
on said trough and means connected to said third float for closing
said last mentioned valve means when liquid in said trough lifts
said third float and for opening said last mentioned valve means
when the liquid in said trough is below the level to lift said
third float.
8. Apparatus, as recited in claim 7, in which said cover on each of
said mixing tanks includes vent means, means for connecting said
vent means on each said cover to vapor discharge means when said
nonvolatile material and said liquid are being fed to and mixed in
the mixing chamber of said mixing tank and for connecting said vent
to said fabric treatment chamber when said mixture from said mixing
tank is being discharged to said trough.
9. Apparatus for mixing a measured amount of nonvolatile material
with a measured amount of volatile liquid and for maintaining the
proportion of said material in said liquid substantially constant,
said apparatus comprising a mixing tank having a mixing chamber and
a cover over said chamber, first feed means for feeding a volatile
liquid into said chamber, a valve in said first feed means, a
second feed means for feeding nonvolatile material into said
chamber, a valve in said second feed means, a first float in said
chamber, means connecting said first float to said valve in said
first feed means, a second float in said chamber, means connecting
said second float to said valve in said second feed means, means
for discharging the mixture of said measured amount of nonvolatile
material and said measured amount of volatile liquid from said
mixing tank after said measured amounts have been mixed therein,
valve means in said discharge means, means connected to said valve
means in said discharge means for opening and closing said
discharge valve means, said means for opening and closing said
discharge valve means including means for opening said valve in
said first feed means when said discharge valve means is closed and
for closing said valve in said first feed means when said discharge
valve means is opened, said first float in said chamber including
means for closing said valve in said first feed means when the
liquid in said chamber lifts said first float and for opening said
valve in said first feed means when the liquid in said chamber is
below the level to lift said float.
Description
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for mixing highly
volatile liquid with nonvolatile materials for the treatment of
fabric and, more particularly, to such a method and apparatus for
mixing liquid ammonia with resins, dyes or other finishing agents
for the treatment of fabric to make such treated fabric crease and
wrinkle resistant.
In U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 834,730, filed June 19, 1969,
there is shown and described apparatus for treating fabric with
ammonia or ammonia with additives, such as resin. The fabric is fed
into a chamber having an ammonia saturated atmosphere and immersed
in a trough containing liquid ammonia or liquid ammonia and
additives. In the trough, the fabric is saturated. After the fabric
is fed out of the trough, the ammonia is driven off.
Liquid ammonia, at atmospheric conditions, is highly volatile and
is usually stored under pressure and, in storage under pressure,
may be refrigerated. In the apparatus of the aforementioned
application, the treatment cabinet is insulated. The ammonia
vaporized therein reduces the temperature of the cabinet atmosphere
to a relatively low temperature. Thus, while the volume of liquid
ammonia in the fabric immersion trough is relatively low, the
relatively low temperature of the cabinet atmosphere and the
ammonia vapor saturated condition of such atmosphere prevents
significant vaporization of the liquid ammonia from the immersion
trough while fabric is being treated. Thus, because the liquid
ammonia in the ammonia immersion trough in the treatment chamber
does not vaporize, the proportion of nonvolatile additives, such as
resin, in the liquid ammonia in the immersion trough can be
maintained at a substantially constant level. This is important
because, if there is substantial variation in the additive content
of the liquid ammonia as the fabric is passed therethrough, the
amount of additive, such as resin, deposited on such fabric will
vary, resulting in marked variations in the properties of the
fabric after treatment.
The addition of the additives to the liquid ammonia, and the
uniform dispersion of such additives therein, is of substantial
importance to the depositing of the additives on the fabric in a
uniform manner. Thus, in order that the additive, such as dye,
resin, or other fabric finisher might be added to the liquid
ammonia in uniform quantity and might be uniformly dispersed in the
liquid ammonia, it is desirable to make such addition to the liquid
ammonia and disperse the additive therein before the mixture is fed
to the fabric immersion trough. This is accomplished, in the
instant invention, by mixing tanks located outside of the treatment
cabinet. Such tanks are connected to the immersion trough so that,
as the liquid ammonia-additive mixture is required in the immersion
trough, it is fed to the trough automatically from the mixture
tank.
In the apparatus of the instant invention, two tanks are provided.
While the liquid ammonia-additive mixture is being fed from one
tank to the fabric immersion trough in the treatment chamber, the
other tank is being charged with liquid ammonia and additive, such
as resin, and the additive is being dispersed in the liquid
ammonia. The liquid ammonia, as it may vaporize from the mixing
tank during charging and dispersion in such tank, is automatically
replaced with liquid ammonia to maintain the liquid
ammonia-additive proportion at a constant level until such time as
the mixture in such tank is fed to the immersion trough in the
treatment chamber. Thus, in the process and apparatus of the
instant invention, the immersion trough in the treatment chamber is
constantly supplied with a liquid ammonia-additive mixture in which
the additive content and additive dispersion is maintained at a
constant uniform level.
The invention and advantages thereof will be better understood from
the following description and appended drawing.
Referring to the drawing, the apparatus of the instant invention
includes treatment cabinet, generally designated 2, into which
fabric 4 is fed through seal, generally designated 6, and around
roll 8 into immersion trough, generally designated 10, all as more
particularly described in the afore-mentioned U.S. patent
applications.
For purposes more fully described later herein, trough 10 has, near
its upper level, float 12 connected to micro-switch 14.
Micro-switch 14 is connected to solenoid 16 of valve 18 in supply
line 20. Supply line 20 is connected to supply line 22 of trough
10. Supply line 20 has manual valves 24, 25 and supply line 22 has
a manual valve 26. During normal operation, manual valve 24 is
opened and valve 26 is closed. During shut down or when it may be
desired to empty immersion trough 10, manual valve 24 in supply
line 20 is closed and valve 26 in supply 22 is opened.
Mixing tank, generally designated 30, is connected to supply line
20 through connecting line 32. Valve 34, controlled by solenoid 36,
and manual valve 38 are in connecting line 32 between mixing tank
30 and supply line 20. Intermediate valves 34, 38 dump line 40,
having manual valve 42, is connected to line 32. The upper end of
mixing tank 30 is connected, by vent line 44, to duct 46 connected
to the interior of chamber 2 and by vent line 45 to duct 47. Duct
47 is connected to the stack, not shown, of chamber 2. Flapper
valve 50 at the junction of vent lines 44, 45 vents tank 30 to
either duct 46 and chamber 2 or to duct 47 and the stack, not
shown.
A second mixing tank, generally designated 54, is connected to
supply line 20 through connecting line 56. Valve 58, controlled by
solenoid 60 and manual valve 62 are in connecting line 56 between
mixing tank 54 and supply line 20. Intermediate valves 58, 62, dump
line 64, having manual valve 66, is connected to line 56. The upper
end of mixing tank 54 is connected, by vent line 68, to duct 46 and
duct 47. Flapper valve 69 at the junction of line 68 and duct 46,
selectively vents tank 54 to duct 46 and chamber 2 or to duct 47
and the stack, not shown.
Mixing tanks 30, 54 are identical and each have identical liquid
ammonia and resin feeds, feed controls and control circuitry.
Hence, in the following description, one of the mixing tanks and
the control circuitry will be described, it being understood that
the other tank includes the same elements.
Mixing tank 30 includes mixing chamber 70 of heat insulating
material such as, for example, inner and outer metal shells filled,
intermediate the shells, with a non-heat conducted material. Cover
72, preferably removable, has a downwardly extending flange 74 and
inwardly extending flange 76 which, with seal 78, forms a
vapor-tight seal at the upper end of mixing chamber 70. Mixer 80,
having shaft 82 and mixing impeller 84, is mounted on cover 72.
Coolant coil 86, fed with a coolant from a condenser and
compressor, not shown, is mounted in mixing chamber 70 around the
periphery thereof. Additive supply line 90, having valve 92,
controlled by solenoid 94, and liquid ammonia line 96, having valve
98, controlled by solenoid 100, extend downwardly into mixing
chamber 70 and, as later described, feed liquid ammonia and
additive into tank 30. Float 102 is connected to micro-switch 104
and micro-switch 104 is connected, through lead 106, and timer 110
to solenoid 94. Float 112 is connected to micro-switch 114 and
micro-switch 114 is connected to solenoid 100. Solenoid switch 116
is normally closed and is opened when switch 118 in line 120,
connected to solenoid 36, is closed for reasons later explained
herein.
In the operation of chamber 2 for the treatment of fabric 4 by
immersing and saturating the fabric to be treated with ammonia,
trough 10 may be supplied with liquid ammonia through supply lines
20, 22 or with liquid ammonia-additive mixture. When liquid
ammonia, alone, is employed, valves 24 and 25 in supply line 20 are
opened and manual valves 26, 38, 62, in supply line 22 and
connecting lines 32, 56, respectively, are closed. When the fabric
is to be treated with liquid ammonia-additive mixture, manual valve
25 in supply line 20 is closed and manual valves 38 and 62 in
connecting lines 32, 56, respectively, are opened.
The following description of the operation of the apparatus and
method of the instant invention is for treatment of the fabric in
immersion trough 10 with liquid ammonia-additive mixture. Such
additive may be resins, dyes or other fabric finishes. Hence,
manual valve 25 in supply line 20 and manual valve 26 in supply
line 22 are closed and manual valve 24 in supply line 20 and manual
valves 38, 62 in connecting lines 32, 56 are open. Prior to the
start of such treatment, one of the mixing tanks has been charged
with liquid ammonia and additive and such additive has been
dispersed therein, in the manner hereinafter described. The various
switches connecting the electrical controls to a source of power,
not shown, have been closed and switch 118 on electrical lead 120
to solenoid 36 has been closed, opening solenoid switch 116.
Solenoid 36 opens valve 34 and the liquid ammonia-additive mixture
in such charged tank is fed through the connecting line into supply
line 20. As the level of liquid ammonia-additive mixture in trough
10 drops, float 12 closes, switch 14 actuates solenoid 16 and opens
valve 18, allowing the liquid ammonia-additive mixture from the
charged mixing tank to feed through supply lines 20, 22 into trough
10. As the level of the liquid in immersion trough 10 increases
float 12 opens switch 14, de-energizes solenoid 16 and closes valve
18. This operation continues until the mixing tank charged with
liquid ammonia-additive mixture on stream is empty. The second tank
is charged, in the manner hereinafter described, while the first
tank is on stream and is put on stream when the first tank is
emptied. The empty mixing tank is taken off stream and
re-charged.
In the method, or process, of the instant invention for mixing a
measured amount of nonvolatile material, such as, resins, dyes, or
other fabric finishing materials, with a measured amount of
volatile liquid ammonia, for dispersing the nonvolatile material in
the liquid ammonia and for maintaining the proportion of such
measured amount of nonvolatile material in such measured amount of
volatile liquid at substantially a constant level, the volatile
liquid ammonia is first fed into the insulated mixing vessel. A
portion of the liquid ammonia volatilizes and, with the coolant
circulated through the coolant coils in the insulated mixing
vessel, lowers the temperature of the vessel and the liquid ammonia
therein. As such temperature is lowered, the volatility of the
liquid ammonia decreases and the level of the liquid ammonia in the
vessel increases. When the liquid ammonia reaches a predetermined
level in the mixing tank and while continuing to feed such liquid
ammonia into the tank, a measured amount of the nonvolatile
material is fed into the mixing tank, added to the liquid ammonia
and, by agitating the liquid ammonia, is substantially uniformly
dispersed or distributed in the liquid ammonia in the mixing tank.
While the nonvolatile material is being added and dispersed and
continuing, thereafter, the feed of liquid ammonia to the mixing
tank is continued until the level of the liquid ammonia in the
mixing tank reaches the measured amount. The feed of liquid ammonia
to the mixing tank is then cut off but, as the liquid ammonia in
the mixing tank volatilizes, additional liquid ammonia is added to
the mixing tank to maintain the liquid level in the mixing tank at,
substantially a constant level.
Agitation of the liquid ammonia and the nonvolatile material added
thereto in the mixing tank, and the addition of liquid ammonia to
the mixing tank to maintain the liquid level in such tank
substantially constant, continues until the liquid ammonia-additive
mixture in the tank is to be used. During the addition of the
liquid ammonia nonvolatile material to the tank and while the
material and liquid are being agitated, and additional liquid
ammonia is being added to the mixing tank to maintain the liquid
level substantially constant, the mixing tank is vented to an
ammonia recovery system, an incinerator where the ammonia vapors
are burned, or to the atmosphere.
When the liquid ammonia-additive mixture in the mixing tank is to
be fed to the ammonia immersion trough 16 in the fabric treatment
chamber 2, the feed of liquid ammonia to the mixing tank is cut
off. The vent of the mixing tank containing the liquid
ammonia-additive mixture to be fed, is cut off from the ammonia
recovery system, the incinerator or the atmosphere, as the case may
be, and the mixing tank is then vented to fabric treatment chamber
2. Thus, the ammonia vapor saturated condition of the atmosphere in
the mixing vessel above the liquid ammonia-additive mixture in the
mixing tank and the condition in the fabric treatment chamber 2 are
substantially the same and stabilized. The liquid ammonia-additive
mixture charged mixing tank is then on stream to feed liquid
ammonia-additive mixture to fabric immersion trough 10, the liquid
ammonia-additive mixture in the charged mixing tank being fed to
trough 10 as the level of the mixture in such trough drops.
In charging the mixing tank in accordance with the instant
invention, manual switch 118 is opened, de-energizing solenoid 36,
closing valve 34 and de-energizing solenoid switch 116. Thus,
micro-switch 114 is connected to the power supply, not shown.
Because the mixing tank is then empty, floats 112 and 102 are down.
With float 112 down, micro-switch 114 is closed and energizes
solenoid 110, opens valve 98 and allows liquid ammonia from a
source, not shown, to feed, through liquid ammonia line 96, into
mixing chamber 70. With float 102 in the down position,
micro-switch 104 is open. Hence, timer 110 and solenoid 94 are not
energized. Valve 92 is closed and remains closed. No additive is
fed into mixing chamber 70.
During the charging of the mixing tank, the tank being charged is
vented to duct 4. Thus, the flapper valve to duct 47 is open and
closed to duct 46, leading to chamber 2. When the tank is on
stream, the flapper valve in the vent of the tank on stream is in
the reverse position, i.e., vents the charged, on stream tank to
duct 46 leading to chamber 2 and cuts-off the vent to duct 47.
While the liquid ammonia is being fed to the tank undergoing
charge, coolant is pumped through coolant coils 86. Coolant coils
86, and the liquid ammonia vaporizing in the tank undergoing charge
rapidly lower the temperature in mixing chamber 70 so that, as the
ammonia level rises in mixing chamber 70 and the temperature within
mixing chamber 70 lowers vaporization of the ammonia in mixing
chamber 70 decreases. Thus, the amount of ammonia vapor discharged
into duct 47 and recovered, burned, or discharged in the
atmosphere, decreases. As the liquid ammonia level in mixing
chamber 70 continues to rise, the ammonia level reaches float 102,
lifts the floats and closes micro-switch 104. When micro-switch 104
closes, timer 110 is actuated and energizes solenoid 94 and opens
valve 92. Additive, through additive supply line 90 is fed into
mixing chamber 70. Timer 110 is set so that solenoid 94 is
energized for a fixed time interval. Thus, valve 92 remains open
for a fixed time interval and a measured amount of additive is fed,
through supply line 90, into mixing chamber 70. At the end of the
pre-set time interval, timer 110 de-energizes solenoid 94 and
closes valve 92.
While the liquid ammonia and additive are being fed into mixing
chamber 70, while the mixing chamber is charged and at stand-by and
while the charged mixing chamber is on stream, mixer 80 is in
operation and mixer impeller 84 continuously agitates the additive
in the liquid ammonia, maintaining the additive dispersed in the
liquid ammonia in mixing chamber 70.
During the addition of the additive to mixing chamber 70, through
additive supply line 90 and open valve 92, liquid ammonia is being
continuously fed, through liquid ammonia supply line 96 and open
valve 98, into mixing chamber 70. When the liquid ammonia level in
chamber 70 reaches float 112, the liquid ammonia in mixing chamber
70 raises float 112, opens micro-switch 114, de-energizes solenoid
100 and closes valve 98 cutting off further flow of liquid ammonia
into mixing chamber 70. With the flow of liquid ammonia through
feed line 96 cut off, the liquid ammonia-additive mixture in mixing
chamber 70 is ready for use. However, at such time, the other
mixing tank, previously charged and placed on stream, may not be
empty. Thus, the more recently charged mixing tank must be
maintained at a hold condition with the proper additive-to-liquid
ammonia proportion and dispersion until such recently charged
mixing tank is put on stream.
During such holding some of the liquid ammonia in the recently
charged mixing tank will vaporize depending, of course, upon the
temperature of the mixture. The liquid ammonia in such mixture is
volatile and the additive is not. Thus, as the liquid ammonia
vaporizes and the level in mixing chamber 70 falls, with the mixing
tank on hold, the additive concentration in the mixture will
increase. To avoid such increase in additive concentration and to
maintain the additive-liquid ammonia, in the mixing tank at the
desired concentration, when the liquid level in mixing chamber 70
drops float 112 lowers, closes micro-switch 114, re-energizes
solenoid 110 and re-opens valve 98. Thus, additional liquid ammonia
is fed into mixing chamber 70 until the liquid level again rises,
raises float 112, recloses micro-switch 114, de-energizes solenoid
110 and recloses valve 98. Hence, the liquid level in mixing
chamber 70, while the mixing tank is on hold, is maintained at a
substantially constant level.
The closing of switch 118, energizing of solenoid 36 and opening of
valve 34, placing the charged mixing tank on stream opens valve 116
and de-energizes micro-switch 114 and solenoid 110. Thus, while the
tank is on stream, further flow of liquid ammonia through feed line
96 into the on stream tank is cut off. While the tank is on stream,
the tank is vented to chamber 2 through duct 46. Thus, ammonia
vapor conditions in the area above the ammonia in the tank that is
on stream and the vapor conditions in chamber 2 are equalized and
substantially the same.
The method and apparatus of the instant invention may be utilized
in the ammonia treatment of fabric where additive materials, in
addition to the ammonia, are employed in the fabric treatment.
Thus, the apparatus and process may be employed for the addition of
any material that is compatible with liquid ammonia and can be
dispersed therein.
In the foregoing description, two tanks have been described, one
tank being on stream and the other tank being in the process of
being charged or charged and on hold while the first tank is on
stream and being emptied. It is to be understood that, in the
operation of the instant apparatus and process, more than two tanks
may be used. The use of additional tanks is of particular advantage
where various fabrics are to be treated, one fabric after the
other, with ammonia and different additives, or the same additives
in different proportions, such as resins in different
proportions.
The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as
terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no
intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any
equivalents of the features shown and described or portions
thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are
possible.
* * * * *