Advanced fluid processing methods and systems
AssigneeFujifilm Planar Solutions, LLC
InventorsShih-Pin Chou, Wen-Hung Chang, Deepak Mahulikar, Tamas Varga, Abhudaya Mishra
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Abstract
This disclosure features methods of forming chemical compositions. The method includes (1) mixing a plurality of continuous material flows in a mixing tank to form a chemical composition, each continuous material flow including at least one component of the composition; and (2) moving a continuous flow of the chemical composition to a packaging station downstream of the mixing tank. The mixing and moving steps are performed continuously. This disclosure also features systems that can be used to perform such methods.
Claims36
A method of forming a chemical composition, the method comprising:
- mixing a plurality of continuous material flows in at least one mixing tank to form a chemical composition, each continuous material flow comprising at least one component of the chemical composition;
- and
- moving a continuous flow of the chemical composition to a packaging station downstream of the at least one mixing tank;
- wherein the mixing and moving steps are performed continuously,
- wherein the material and chemical composition flows are in an in-process steady state;
- and
- wherein the mixing step in the at least one mixing tank comprises at least one mixing method selected from the group consisting of turbulent mixing of the material flows, mechanical agitation of the material flows, recirculation of the chemical composition, and a combination thereof.
A system, comprising:
- a plurality of material tanks, each material tank being configured to receive a material used to form a chemical composition;
- at least one mixing tank in which the materials from the material tanks are mixed to form a chemical composition, wherein the mixing tank is in fluid communication with the plurality of material tanks, the mixing tank is configured to continuously receive the materials from the material tanks and to continuously deliver the chemical composition downstream, and the mixing tank optionally comprises a recirculation loop in fluid communication with the mixing tank;
- optionally, at least one holding tank downstream from the mixing tank and in fluid communication with the mixing tank;
- and
- optionally, at least one filter apparatus in fluid communication with the mixing tank or the optional holding tank, the filter apparatus being configured to receive and filter the chemical composition;
- wherein the system does not include an in-line static or dynamic mixer between each material tank and the mixing tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.