Method and apparatus for dissolving powder in a liquid
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorJohn M. Castano
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system including an apparatus and method for dissolving powder into a lid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a powder supply device which supplies powder, such as a water soluble resin polymer which is to be dissolved in water, to a powder and air mixing chamber. Pressurized air, at a low pressure, is mixed with the powder to provide an air and powder mixture. The pressurized air and powder mixture is supplied to the bottom of a powder and liquid mixing tank, below the surface of the liquid. A mechanical mixer gently agitates the liquid while the low pressure powder and air mixture is supplied to the mixing tank, to assure generally uniform distribution and dissolving of the powder in the liquid.
Claims16
An apparatus for dissolving powder into a liquid, comprising:
- a powder supply device, coupled to a powder and air mixing chamber, for providing a flow of said powder to be dissolved into a liquid, to said powder and air mixing chamber;
- a pressurized air source, coupled to at least one pressurized air inlet of said powder and air mixing chamber, for supplying pressurized air to said powder and air mixing chamber through said at least one pressurized air inlet, for mixing said powder with said pressurized air for providing a powder and air mixture, and for pressurizing said powder and air mixing chamber;
- a powder and liquid mixing tank including a quantity of said liquid into which said powder is to be dissolved, said quantity of said liquid in said mixing tank defining a liquid surface region;
- at least one powder and air mixture supply line, coupled between said pressurized powder and air mixing chamber and a bottom region of said powder and liquid mixing tank, for supplying, under pressure, said powder and air mixture to said bottom region of said powder and liquid mixing tank, below said surface region of said liquid;
- and
- a variable speed mechanical agitator, disposed in said liquid in said powder and liquid mixing tank, for agitating said liquid in said mixing tank while said powder and air mixture is supplied to said bottom region of said powder and liquid mixing tank, to provide generally uniform distribution and dissolution of said powder in said liquid.
An apparatus for dissolving a water soluble resin polymer into a liquid, comprising:
- a water soluble resin polymer supply device, coupled to a water soluble resin polymer and air mixing chamber, for providing a flow of said water soluble resin polymer to be dissolved into a liquid, to said water soluble resin polymer and air mixing chamber;
- a pressurized air source, coupled to at least one pressurized air inlet of said water soluble resin polymer and air mixing chamber, for supplying pressurized air to said water soluble resin polymer and air mixing chamber through said at least one pressurized air inlet, for mixing said water soluble resin polymer with said pressurized air for providing a water soluble resin polymer and air mixture, and for pressurizing said water soluble resin polymer and air mixing chamber;
- a water soluble resin polymer and liquid mixing tank including a quantity of said liquid into which said water soluble resin polymer is to be dissolved, said quantity of said liquid in said mixing tank defining a liquid surface region;
- at least one water soluble resin polymer and air mixture supply line, coupled between said pressurized water soluble resin polymer and air mixing chamber and a bottom region of said water soluble resin polymer and liquid mixing tank, for supplying, under pressure, said water soluble resin polymer and air mixture to said bottom region of said water soluble resin polymer and liquid mixing tank, below said surface region of said liquid;
- and
- a mechanical agitator, disposed in said liquid in said water soluble resin polymer and liquid mixing tank, for agitating said liquid in said mixing tank while said water soluble resin polymer and air mixture is supplied to said bottom region of said water soluble resin polymer and liquid mixing tank, to provide generally uniform distribution and dissolution of said water soluble resin polymer in said liquid.
A method for dissolving powdered water soluble resin polymers in water, comprising the steps of:
- mixing said powdered water soluble resin polymer with low pressure air;
- supplying said powdered water soluble resin polymer air mixture under low pressure to the bottom of a water mixing tank, having water therein;
- and
- gently agitating said water to more uniformly distribute and dissolve said powder into said water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.