US 5,544,951 AGranted

Mixing module for mixing a fluent particulate material with a working fluid

AssigneeSemi-Bulk Systems, Inc.

InventorCharles S. Alack

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A portable mixing module for preparing solutions and slurries from particulate solid material. The module comprises a portable frame, and an eductor-mixer mounted on and movable with the frame. The eductor-mixer has a first inlet for connection to a source of fluent particulate material, a second inlet for connection to a source of pressurized working fluid, and a discharge for discharging a mixture of the fluent particulate material and the working fluid at a first rate. A surge tank is mounted on and movable with the frame for receiving the mixture discharge from the eductor-mixer. A pump is mounted on and movable with the frame. It has an intake connected to the outlet of the surge tank and a discharge for connection to an outfeed line for delivery of mixture from the surge tank to a remote location. The pump is operable to pump mixture from the surge tank at a second flow rate not substantially less than the first flow rate.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A mixing module for preparing dispersions, solutions and slurties by mixing a fluent particulate material received from a source of particulate material and a working fluid received from a source of pressurized working fluid, said module comprising

a frame movable relative to said source of particulate material and with respect to said source of pressurized working fluid,
an eductor-mixer mounted on and movable with the frame having a first inlet adapted to be connected to said source of fluent particulate material, a second inlet adapted to be connected to said source of pressurized working fluid, and a discharge adapted for discharging a mixture of the fluent particulate material and the working fluid at a first flow rate,
a first connection assembly for connecting the first inlet of the eductor-mixer to said source of fluent particulate material,
a second connection assembly for connecting the second inlet of the eductor-mixer to said source of pressurized working fluid,
a small surge tank, separate from the source of working fluid, mounted on and movable with the frame for receiving the mixture discharged from the eductor-mixer, said surge tank having an outlet, and
a pump mounted on and movable with the frame having an intake connected to the outlet of the surge tank and a discharge adapted for connection to an outfeed line for delivery of said mixture from the surge tank to a remote location, the pump being operable to pump mixture from the surge tank at a second flow rate not substantially less than the first flow rate.

3 more elements

An in-line process for mixing a particulate fluent material received from a source of particulate material and a working fluid received from a source of pressurized working fluid, said process comprising

moving a frame carrying an eductor-mixer and a small surge tank relative to said source of particulate material and relative to said source of pressurized working fluid to a set-up location,
after moving the frame to said set-up location, connecting the source of particulate material to a first inlet of the eductor-mixer by means of a first supply line, and connecting the source of pressurized working fluid to a second inlet of the eductor-mixer by means of a second supply line,
conveying said particulate material through said first supply line from the source of said particulate material to said first inlet of the eductor-mixer,
pumping pressurized working fluid through the second supply line to the second inlet of the eductor-mixer,
said eductor-mixer being operable to mix said particulate material and said working fluid to form a mixture of said particulate material and said working fluid,
discharging said mixture from the eductor-mixer into the small surge tank at a first flow rate, and
pumping said mixture out of the tank at a second flow rate approximately equal to said first flow rate for delivery to a remote location via an outfeed line.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/316,649Filed 30 Sep 1994
Granted: 13 Aug 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

B01F 33/5013
Movable mixing devices, i.e. readily shifted or displaced from one place to another, e.g. portable during use: movable by mechanical means, e.g.…
B01F 25/31243
Characterised by the place of introduction of the main flow: eductor or eductor-type venturi, i.e. the main flow being injected through the…
B01F 33/502
Movable or transportable mixing devices or plants: vehicle-mounted mixing devices
B01F 33/5023
Vehicle-mounted mixing devices: the vehicle being a trailer which is hand moved or coupled to self-propelling vehicles