Progressive tank system and method for using the same
AssigneeEcolab USA Inc.
InventorsZachary Wilson Logan, Richard Lee Binks, Camdon J. DePaolo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure involve methods, devices, and systems for hydrating polymers using multiple mixing chambers. Adjacent mixing chambers may be coupled using an under-over baffle, and each mixing chamber may be generally rectangular with rounded corners.
Claims20
A system for hydrating a dry polymer, comprising:
- a tank assembly having a plurality of mixing chambers, wherein adjacent mixing chambers are operatively coupled by an under-over baffle, and wherein each of the plurality of mixing chambers comprises an open interior bounded by a plurality of walls having a generally rectangular configuration, wherein adjacent walls are coupled by rounded corners;
- and
- at least one mixing device disposed within at least one of the plurality of mixing chambers.
The system of claim, wherein the plurality of mixing chambers comprises at least two mixing chambers.
A method of hydrating a dry polymer, using a plurality of mixing chambers, wherein adjacent mixing chambers are operatively coupled by an under-over baffle, and wherein each of the plurality of mixing chambers comprises an open interior bounded by a plurality of walls having a generally rectangular configuration, wherein adjacent walls are coupled by rounded corners, the method comprising:
- providing a volume of fluid to a first mixing chamber of the plurality of mixing chambers;
- providing un-hydrated wetted polymer particles to the first mixing chamber to create a volume of polymer solution;
- rolling, using a first mixing device disposed in the first mixing chamber, the volume of polymer solution;
- moving the volume of polymer solution from the first mixing chamber into a baffle via a baffle inlet, wherein the baffle inlet is defined in a lower portion of a back wall of the first mixing chamber;
- and
- moving the volume of polymer solution through the baffle and into a second mixing chamber of the plurality of mixing chambers via a baffle outlet, wherein the baffle outlet is defined in an upper portion of a front wall of the second mixing chamber.
The method of 18, further comprising stirring, using a second mixing device disposed in the second mixing chamber, the volume of polymer solution.
A system for hydrating a dry polymer, comprising:
- a polymer wetting device configured to dispense a measured amount of a wetted polymer;
- a tank assembly having a plurality of mixing chambers, wherein adjacent mixing chambers are operatively coupled by an under-over baffle, and wherein each of the plurality of mixing chambers comprises an open interior bounded by four walls, wherein adjacent walls are coupled by rounded corners, the plurality of mixing chambers comprising at least a first mixing chamber and a last mixing chamber, wherein the polymer wetting device is coupled to the first mixing chamber and configured to dispense the measured amount of the wetted polymer into the first mixing chamber;
- at least one mixing device disposed within at least one of the plurality of mixing chambers;
- a hydrated polymer discharge mechanism configured to discharge the hydrated polymer from the last mixing chamber;
- and
- a controller configured to control operation of at least one of the polymer wetting device, the hydrated polymer discharge mechanism, and the at least one mixing device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.