APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING HIGHLY HOMOGENOUS MULTI-COMPONENT SUSPENSIONS, MIXTURES, POWDERS, AND MATERIALS

Abstract

 The invention relates to equipment for producing highly homogenous multi - component suspensions, mixtures, powders, and materials and can be used in many manufacturing industries, for example, the food industry, health care industry, agriculture, construction, oil production, mining, and electronics, where highly homogenous mixtures, highly homogenous suspensions, and highly concentrated viscous suspensions are required. Apparatus for producing highly homogeneous multi - component suspensions, mixtures, powders, and materials that comprises an actuator connected functionally to a control unit; thermostat station; working liquid container; washing liquid container; receiver of gaseous medium for drying and bubbling purposes; an electromagnetic radiation source (11), and a control and monitoring panel, the actuator comprising a housing (13) with a charging system (5) and a discharging system (6); an inlet cone (14); a material forced- feed mechanism (16); a conical base ( 18) of the external working zone element (19) having an individual reciprocation drive (20) for movement relative to the longitudinal axis thereof and a conical base (21) of the internal working zone element (22) having an individual drive (23) for reversing the rotation thereof, the conical bases of the external and internal working zone elements being provided with cavities (25, 26) and channels (27, 28) for the flow of a temperature stabilizing agent, and the conical base of the external working zone element being provided with channels (29) for liquid and/or gaseous ingredients to be delivered to the working zone (24) to produce a working medium and with channels (30) to supply liquid andlor gas for washing, drying, and bubbling purposes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to equipment for producing highly homogenous multi-component suspensions, mixtures, powders, and materials and can be used in many manufacturing industries, for example, the food industry, health care industry, agriculture, construction, oil production, mining, and electronics, where highly homogenous mixtures, highly homogenous suspensions, and highly concentrated viscous suspensions are required.

Background Art

[0002] A prior art apparatus for preparing a multi-component suspension from fuel oil and/or coal and water is disclosed in Russian Patent No. 2,380,147 published on January 27, 2010, said apparatus comprising a main hollow volume housing enclosing a stepped rotor installed therein and an additional hollow volume housing having its open end joined to the open end of the main housing and cavities provided therein, two end-to-end magnetic chambers, one of which encloses a rotor having cells for the cavitating process to take place and for magnetizing suspension components, and the other chamber encloses a working drive member for magnetizing, mixing, and dispersing components, the open end of the main housing receiving a baffle plate having through apertures provided in the body thereof, the second magnetic chamber of the additional housing being connected to a pipe for discharging the finished product, the apparatus being provided with a volume filter having a pipe to supply the components, said filter communicating with the interior of the main housing by a pipeline delivering the filtered components thereto.

[0003] As described, the prior art invention has a complicated design using too much structural material.

[0004] Another prior art invention is a grinding mill that is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,933,317 published on January 20, 1976. The mill is an apparatus comprising a mill consisting of two coaxial cones mounted to approach (extend toward) each other to reduce the spacing between the walls of the cones from the apex of the cone to the base. The outer cone is provided on the internal surface (working zone) thereof with internal helical ribs (internal grooves), and the inner cone is provided on the external surface (working zone) thereof with projecting helical ribs (external grooves). The internal and external ribs are so related to one another that they cross, allowing the material being ground to pass between the two cones from the apex to the base of the cone. The crossing ribs of the inner and outer cones extend in the opposite directions relative to one another, for example, the ribs of one cone may form a righthand screw, and the ribs of the other cone form a left-hand screw.

[0005] The prior art invention, as it is described, has limited functionalities because it cannot grind and process different kinds of materials in desired media to obtain materials having required properties.

[0006] The closest prior art invention in respect of the combination of essential features is the apparatus for comminuting and producing highly homogenous mixtures and highly concentrated viscous suspensions that is disclosed in Russian Patent No. 2,238,799 published on October 27, 2004. The apparatus comprises a housing having an inlet cone in the top portion thereof; a screw feeder extending within the housing along the axis thereof; a screw feeder drive, and an outer and inner cones having spindle-shaped conical elements disposed freely in the working zone between the cones, their apexes facing the bases of the cones, the internal surface of the outer cone and the external surface of the inner cone that face each other being provided with a lining of wear-resistant material to produce cavities for the flow of a temperature stabilizing agent between the housing and lining of each cone, the outer cone being provided with an individual drive to reciprocate it relative to its longitudinal axis, and the inner cone being provided with an individual drive to rotate it. The housing is provided with an agitator mounted in the inlet cone on the shaft in the top portion of the screw feeder. The agitator is capable of rotating and/or reciprocating independently from the screw feeder. The outer cone is provided with injectors to supply pressurized washing liquid into the working zone of the cones.

[0007] Without negating the advantages of the prior art apparatus, it is impossible to understand the technical effect and broad functionalities of the prior art apparatus in the absence of a description of the additional equipment that is the know-how of the patent owner of the prior art invention.

Disclosure of Invention

[0008] The technical result achieved in this invention consists in expanding the functionalities and area of applications thereof; improving process efficiency; processing virtually any materials within a wide range of hardness and temperature differences; producing pure and extra-pure materials of desired properties at low temperatures; and making the production process environment-friendly.

[0009] This technical result is achieved in an apparatus for producing highly homogeneous multi-component suspensions, mixtures, powders, and materials that comprises an actuator connected functionally to a control unit; thermostat station; working liquid container; washing liquid container; receiver of gaseous medium for drying and bubbling purposes; an electromagnetic radiation source, and a control and monitoring panel, the actuator comprising a housing with a charging system and a discharging system; an inlet cone; a material forced-feed mechanism; a conical base of the external working zone element having an individual reciprocation drive for movement relative to the longitudinal axis thereof and a conical base of the internal working zone element having an individual drive for reversing the rotation thereof, the conical bases of the external and internal working zone elements being provided with cavities and channels for the flow of a temperature stabilizing agent, and the conical base of the external working zone element being provided with channels for liquid and/or gaseous ingredients to be delivered to the working zone to produce a working medium and with channels to supply liquid and/or gas for washing, drying, and bubbling purposes, the internal surface of the internal working zone element matching the external surface of the base thereof, and the external surface thereof following the generatrix of desired configuration limited by one secant or two secants and circumscribed around the longitudinal axis of the working zone along a directrix or directrixes of desired configuration, at an inclination angle of said generatrix to the secant at the base of the working zone element varying between 0° and 90°, the external surface of the external working zone element matching the internal surface of the base thereof, and the internal surface of the external working zone element following the generatrix of desired configuration limited by two secants and circumscribed around the longitudinal axis of the working zone along directrixes of desired configuration, at an inclination angle of said generatrix to the secant at the base of the working zone varying between 0° and 90°, the internal and external working zone elements having a calibration zone defined by a calibrator at the base thereof in the form of surfaces produced by parallel directrixes, and the internal working zone element having on the surface thereof helical working elements on two-thirds of the height thereof, one-third of the surface thereof nearer the base being smooth.

[0010] The aforesaid technical result is also attained by providing the internal working zone element on the surface thereof with helical working elements on two-thirds of the height thereof, one-third of the surface thereof nearer the base being smooth, or the internal working zone element being smooth over two-thirds of the surface thereof, and the lower one-third thereof extending to the calibration zone being provided with helical working elements, or both the internal and external working zone elements being smooth over two-thirds of the height of the surface thereof, and the lower one-third thereof extending to the calibration zone being provided with helical grooves, their helixes extending in opposite directions. Furthermore, the external and internal working zone elements may have a smooth working surface.

[0011] The apparatus housing may be provided with an agitator in the inlet cone thereof, and the forced-feed mechanism may be designed as a screw feeder. The agitator may be joined to the screw feeder in the top portion thereof and may rotate and/or reciprocate independently from the screw feeder.

[0012] The aforesaid technical result is also achieved by the longitudinal axis of each conical bases extending coaxially in a vertical direction or at an angle. Also, the working zone elements may be removable, and the helical working elements may be linearly interrupted, or linearly solid, or perforated, and the internal and external elements of the working zone may be provided, over the full height of their surface extending to the calibration zone, with helical working elements, their helixes extending in opposite directions relative to each other.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0013] The idea of the invention will be clear from the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a general view of the apparatus in plan;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the actuator;

FIG. 3 is a view of a fragment of the actuator;

FIG. 4 is a view of a variant of the internal working zone element;

FIG. 5 is a view of a variant of the external working zone element;

FIG. 6 is a view of a perforated helical working element;

FIG. 7 is a view of the oppositely directed helical perforated working elements;

FIG. 8 is a view of a helical working element on the external working zone element;

FIG. 9 is a view of a linearly interrupted helical working element.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

[0014] An apparatus for producing highly homogeneous multi-component suspensions, mixtures, powders, and materials comprises an actuator 1 connected functionally to a control unit 2, thermostat station 3, data control and monitoring panel 4, charging system 5, discharging system 6, working liquid container 7, receiver 8 of a gaseous medium for drying and bubbling purposes, washing liquid container 9, receiver 10 of a gaseous working medium for producing material of novel properties, and an electromagnetic radiation source 11. Actuator 1 is mounted on a support plate 12 and comprises a housing 13 provided with charging system 5 and discharging system 6, an inlet cone 14, an agitator 15, mechanism in the form of a screw feeder 16 to force-feed the material being processed, screw feeder drive 17, conical base 18 of an external working zone element 19 provided with an individual drive 20 to reciprocate it relative to the longitudinal axis thereof, and a conical base 21 of an internal working zone element 22 provided with an individual base 23 for reversing the rotation thereof. The conical bases 18 and 21 of the external and internal elements of working zone 24, respectively, are provided with cavities 25 and 26 and channels 27 and 28 for the flow of a temperature stabilizing agent.

[0015] The conical base of the external working zone element is provided with channels 29 for supplying liquid and/or gaseous ingredients to working zone 24 for producing a working medium and channels 30 for supplying a liquid and/or gaseous medium for washing, drying, and bubbling purposes. The temperature stabilizing agent is supplied to and withdrawn from cavity 25 of conical base 18 through a delivery pipe 31 and discharge pipe 32, respectively, and to cavity 26 of conical base 21 through a delivery pipe 33 and discharge pipe 34, respectively. The external and internal elements of working zone 24 are provided with a calibration zone 35 formed by a calibrator 36 located at the base. The internal and external elements of the working zone are provided with alternating smooth working surface 37 and helical working surface 38. Working surface 38 may be provided in the form of an interrupted helix 39. The external and internal elements are provided with helical channels 40. The helical working elements are provided with perforations 41. For frictional and liquid materials to be processed, internal element 22 has on the surface thereof a helical working element over two-thirds of the height thereof, and one-third of the surface thereof is smooth. For loose and liquid materials to be processed, internal working zone element 22 is smooth over two-thirds of the height of its surface and provided with helical working elements extending over one-third of its surface to the calibration zone at bottom. For hard loose materials to be processed, the internal and external elements of the working zone are smooth over two-thirds of the height of their surface and provided with helical grooves with oppositely directed helixes extending over one-third of their surface to the calibration zone at bottom. When extra-hard materials are processed, the working zone elements are smooth. When hard materials are processed, the internal and external elements of the working zone are provided with helical working elements having oppositely directed helixes extending over the full height of their surfaces to the calibration zone.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention operating in an upward flow of the temperature stabilizing agent, but this is not a rigid requirement because the apparatus can operate in a downward flow with the same effect. The apparatus uses a temperature stabilizing agent at temperatures ranging from -196°C to +500°C, that is, temperature is chosen depending on the material being processed. For example, below zero temperatures are used for embrittlement or production of pure and extra-pure material comminuted.

[0017] The position of conical base 18 of external working zone element 19, that is, its reciprocation, is controlled by drive 20 and, therefore, the desired calibrator value is controlled as well. The size of particles is controlled by the pitch of conical base 18 with an accuracy of up to 10 nM. The size of the actuator, rotation speed, structural materials, screw pressure, pressure and temperature of the temperature stabilizing agent, and so on are also chosen depending on specific conditions. The wide mechanical and chemical contact between particles of the feedstock materials and the working members, the difference in the speeds at which the components move at different points of the working zone, and the pressure difference assure a high homogeneity of the mixture ingredients essential for a high activity of the resultant materials to be achieved. The components will be comminuted actively for the most part by overcoming their minimum, that is, tangential, breaking strength at minimum power inputs.

[0018] For example, a highly concentrated viscous suspension is prepared as follows:

[0019] Measured quantities of highly siliceous components, such as sand, chemical additives, and water are charged into the inlet cone and forced by the screw feeder under high pressure into the working zone of tapering height between conical bases 18 and 21. The mixture of components passes through the initial mixing stage under the effect of pressure as it rotates and advances through the screw portion of the housing and along the helical path in the working zone. It is subjected to intensive comminution and dissolution thereafter. The resultant suspension is discharged through the calibrator.

[0020] The minimum-maximum particle size obtained in the apparatus is equal to 10 nM, which is the maximum size for a minimum of particles produced, the size of the particles actually produced being within the range of two-thirds to three-quarters of any specified particle size for any maximum specified size of the material charged in. The apparatus is suitable for producing and processing dry materials, for example, highly homogenous active micro-silica, micro-calcite, coal, talc, and the like, and liquid highly concentrated viscous suspensions, sandcement suspensions, water-coal suspensions, and other highly homogenous suspensions having a specified ratio of ingredients; processing materials in an inorganic medium at pH between 2 and 14, and in any specified organic medium at a desired temperature maintained with an accuracy of ±0.1°C to ±0.5°C in any specified temperature field by force-feeding a temperature stabilizing agent at a required temperature.

[0021] The invention produces substances and materials having novel specified properties with a high accuracy.

[0022] The apparatus starts operation on the following general principle:

[0023] Before the apparatus is connected to the power network, all systems thereof are checked by polling, whereupon its power supply is turned on.

[0024] After the thermostat (temperature and moisture control) station has been turned on, its control system sets the desired working temperature in the working zone of the actuator (homogenizer) of the apparatus. The calibrator control system specifies the calibrator parameters. The medium parameters are specified in the working chamber of the actuator (homogenizer). The main motor of the actuator (homogenizer) is turned on, and so is the supply of the material to be processed. Simultaneously, the working medium is supplied to the working zone of the actuator (homogenizer). If needed, the process is adjusted, and all specified parameters analyzed and adjusted, if necessary. The thermostat system specifies and maintains the process temperature with an accuracy of ±0.1°C to ±0.5°C within the working temperature range of -196°C to +500°C.

[0025] The apparatus can be used for processing materials within the hardness range on the international scale from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond). The working medium specifying and maintaining system specifies and maintains the desired working medium in the working zone: any liquid with a pH index from 2 to 14, any liquid organic medium, including highly flammable liquid, and any gaseous medium, for example argon. This system also specifies and maintains the parameters of electromagnetic radiation applied to the working zone of the homogenizer, such as radiation power and wavelength from 10⁵ to 10^-16 meters, essential for maintaining the processes.

[0026] A system for bubbling the material being processed is turned on, if necessary, during apparatus operation. The apparatus operates continuously as material to be processed is fed in from above and the processed material comes out through the discharging system at bottom. The system monitors continuously the specified parameters automatically.

[0027] The claimed invention is, therefore, a multipurpose apparatus having broad processing capabilities because it can be used in many industries.

[0028] This is a multifunctional invention because it manufactures a desired product as well as comminutes materials in an environment-friendly process.

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing highly homogeneous multi-component suspensions, mixtures, powders, and materials, which apparatus comprises an actuator connected functionally to a control unit; thermostat station; working liquid container; washing liquid container; receiver of a gaseous medium for drying and bubbling purposes; a gaseous medium receiver; an electromagnetic radiation source, and a data control and monitoring panel, said actuator comprising a housing having a charging system and a discharging system; an inlet cone; mechanism for force-feeding the material being processed; a conical base of the external working zone element having an individual drive to reciprocate it along the longitudinal axis thereof and a conical base of the internal working zone element having an individual drive to reverse the rotation thereof, the conical bases of the external and internal working zone elements being provided with cavities and channels for the flow of a temperature stabilizing agent, and the conical base of the external working zone element being provided with channels to supply liquid and/or gaseous ingredients to the working zone to produce a working medium and with channels to supply a liquid and/or gaseous medium for washing, drying, and bubbling purposes, the internal surface of the internal working zone element matching the external surface of the base thereof, and the external surface thereof following a generatrix of a specified configuration cut by one secant or two secants and circumscribed around the longitudinal axis of the working zone along a directrix or directrixes of a specified configuration at an inclination angle of said generatrix to the secant at the base of the working zone element within 0° to 90°, and the external surface of the external working element zone matching the internal surface of the base thereof, and the internal surface of the external working zone element following a generatrix of a specified configuration cut by two secants and circumscribed around the longitudinal axis of the working zone along directrixes of a specified configuration at an inclination angle of said generatrix to the secant at the base of the working zone within 0° to 90°, the external and internal working zone elements having alternating smooth and/or helical working surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internal working zone element is provided on the surface thereof with helical working elements extending over two-thirds of the height thereof, and one-third of the surface thereof nearer the base is smooth.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internal working zone element is smooth over two-thirds of the surface thereof and is provided with helical working elements extending over one-third of the surface thereof at bottom to the calibration zone.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internal and external working zone elements are smooth over two-thirds of the height of the surface thereof and are provided with helical grooves having oppositely directed helixes extending over one-third of the surface thereof at bottom to the calibration zone.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external and internal working zone elements have each a smooth working surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing thereof is provided with an agitator in the inlet cone thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forced-feed mechanism is a screw feeder.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the agitator is joined to the screw feeder in the top portion thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the agitator is capable of rotating and/or reciprocating independently from the screw feeder.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of each of the cone bases is vertically coaxial or extends at an angle.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the working zone elements are removable.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the helical working elements are linearly interrupted.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the helical working elements are linearly solid.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the helical working elements are perforated.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internal and external working zone elements are provided with helical working elements having oppositely directed helixes extending over the full height of the surface thereof to the calibration zone.

Drawing