Method and apparatus to control dispensing rate of a solid product with changing temperature

A method of dispensing a use solution, comprising:

• a) supplying a diluent having a temperature, the diluent being divided into a first diluent stream in fluid communication with a solid chemical, a second diluent stream in fluid communication with a thermal motor and a dispenser outlet, and a third diluent stream in fluid communication with a by-pass valve;
• b) spraying the first stream of diluent on the solid chemical to form a use solution;
• c) sensing the temperature of the diluent;
• and
• d) providing the third diluent stream via the by-pass valve to mix with the use solution when the temperature of the diluent reaches a predetermined temperature to activate the thermal motor, thereby reducing the use solution's concentration and maintaining the concentration below an upper limit.

A dispenser for supplying a diluent to a solid and creating a use solution, the dispenser comprising:

• a housing for holding a solid;
• a spray nozzle for use in impinging the diluent to form the use solution;
• an incoming diluent passageway operatively connected to the spray nozzle;
• a dispenser outlet passageway, having a dispenser outlet, positioned below the spray nozzle for providing a pathway for the use solution;
• a bypass valve operatively connected to the diluent passageway, the bypass valve having a temperature control valve, the temperature control valve having a bypass passageway, the bypass passageway operatively connecting the diluent passageway to the dispenser outlet, wherein additional diluent is added to the use solution, thereby controlling the use solution's concentration;
• a first manifold having an inlet in fluid communication with the incoming diluent passageway and first, second and third outlets in fluid communication with the inlet;
• the first outlet in fluid communication with the spray nozzle;
• the second outlet in fluid communication with the dispenser outlet;
• and
• the third outlet in fluid communication with the bypass valve.

A dispenser for spraying a diluent onto a solid to create a use solution, the dispenser comprising:

• a) a housing for holding the solid;
• b) a spray nozzle for use in impinging a diluent on a solid to form a use solution;
• c) a first incoming diluent passageway in fluid communication with the spray nozzle;
• d) a first flow control, positioned in the first incoming diluent passageway, for maintaining a first flow rate range independent of the diluent's pressure within a pressure range;
• e) a second incoming diluent passageway in fluid communication with the use solution;
• f) a second flow control, positioned in the second incoming diluent passageway, for maintaining a second flow rate range independent of the diluent's pressure within the pressure range, wherein the use solution's concentration is maintained over the pressure range;
• g) a dispenser outlet passageway, having a dispenser outlet, positioned below the spray nozzle for providing a pathway for the use solution;
• h) a third incoming diluent passageway in fluid communication with the use solution;
• i) a third flow control, positioned in the third diluent passageway, for maintaining a third flow rate range independent of the diluent pressure within the pressure range;
• and
• j) a bypass valve operatively connected to the third incoming diluent passageway, the bypass valve having a temperature control valve, the temperature control valve having a bypass passageway, the bypass passageway operatively connecting the third incoming diluent passageway to the dispenser outlet, wherein additional diluent is added to the use solution, thereby controlling the use solution's concentration.