CN117138672A

CN117138672A - Mixing apparatus with intermediate purge device and related control method

Info

Publication number: CN117138672A
Application number: CN202310627072.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 卢多维克·德梅西
Original assignee: Axel Industries
Current assignee: Axel Industries
Priority date: 2022-05-31
Filing date: 2023-05-30
Publication date: 2023-12-01
Also published as: FR3138326A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mixing device (10) for forming a multicomponent product. The mixing apparatus (10) comprises a material fluid line (12), the fluid line (12) having a first injection inlet (14), a second injection inlet (16) and a third injection inlet (18). The third injection inlet (18) is arranged downstream of the first injection inlet (14) and the second injection inlet (16). The fluid line (12) is provided with a purge device (40), the purge device (40) being arranged downstream of the third injection inlet (18) and directly at the outlet of the third injection inlet (18), the purge device (40) being movable between an active state, in which the upstream portion of the fluid line is purged, and a passive state, in which the purge device (40) allows material to flow in the fluid line (12). The invention also relates to a control method.

Description

Mixing apparatus with intermediate purge device and related control method

[ field of technology ]

The invention relates to a mixing device (mixing installation) for forming a multi-component product (multi-component product), comprising a material fluid line provided with a first injection inlet for a first material component, a second injection inlet for a second material component, which is arranged downstream of or parallel to the first injection inlet, and a third injection inlet for a third material component, which is arranged downstream of the first and second injection inlets.

The invention also relates to a related control method.

[ background Art ]

Such mixing devices for making multicomponent products are known.

EP 3460 242B1 describes a pump system for discharging multi-material components under pressure, for example using a spray gun (spray gun). The system comprises a control device and three pumps for pumping each material component, the control device comprising a control device for adjusting the mixing ratio (mixing ratio) of the material components.

However, it can be observed at the output of the system that the multi-material composition does not meet the desired criteria.

It is then necessary to perform a purge (purge) of the system, which results in a large amount of waste that must be treated. This represents an economic loss due to material loss and waste disposal.

In addition, loss of material and disposal of waste are environmental issues.

[ invention ]

It is therefore an object of the present invention to reduce the ecological and economic impact of such mixing devices.

To this end, the object of the present invention is to provide a mixing device of the aforementioned type, wherein the fluid line is provided with a purge means (purge) arranged downstream of the third injection inlet and directly at the outlet of the third injection inlet, or upstream of the third injection inlet and downstream of the first and second injection inlets, the purge means being movable between an active state (active state) in which the purge means allow a material to flow in the fluid line and a passive state (passive state) in which the purge means allow an upstream portion of the fluid line to be purged.

Thus, the purge device provides the possibility of purging only a part of the system (especially upstream of the purge device). This is advantageous when there is a defect in the material upstream of the purge device, but not in the material downstream.

According to a specific embodiment, the device comprises one or more of the following features, presented alone or in any technically possible combination:

-said third injection inlet is arranged in an injection block; the purge device is arranged downstream of and adjacent to the injection block, or in the injection block downstream of the third injection inlet, or upstream of and adjacent to the injection block;

-the purge means comprise at least one purge valve (purge valve);

-the purge device comprises a plurality of purge valves, each purge valve being movable between a purge state in which it purges material passing through the purge valve and an open state in which it allows material to flow in a fluid line opposite the purge valve;

-the apparatus comprises at least one waste container, the purge valve discharging material directly upstream of the fluid line into at least one waste container;

-the apparatus comprises at least one purge pipe (purge pipe) connected to the purge device, which discharges material upstream of the fluid line into the at least one purge pipe; and/or

-the apparatus comprises a flushing valve (flushing valve) arranged and adapted to inject a flushing liquid between the purge device and the purge tube.

The invention also relates to a control method of the mixing device, comprising the following steps:

providing a mixing device as described above, said purge means being in a passive state,

injecting a first material component (material component) at the first injection inlet,

injecting a second material component at the second injection inlet,

injecting a third material component at said third injection inlet,

-monitoring the material in the fluid line opposite the purge device, and

-moving the purge device to the active state in accordance with the monitoring.

According to a specific embodiment, the method comprises the following features:

-the monitoring step comprises a step of analysing the product in the fluid line opposite the purge means and/or a step of monitoring the length of time between injection of the second material component and the flow of the second material component opposite the at least one purge means; and/or

The first material component is injected continuously (continuous) into the fluid line, and the second material component and the third material component are each selectively injected.

The invention also relates to a processing device for effecting the deposition of a coating material on a workpiece, comprising a mixing device according to the invention and an applicator (application device) or a spray applicator.

[ description of the drawings ]

The invention will be better understood from the following description, given by way of example only, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

figure 1 is a schematic view of a first example of a mixing device according to one embodiment of the invention,

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second example of a mixing device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a third example of a mixing apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention, an

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a fourth example of a mixing device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[ detailed description ] of the invention

The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are understood in the general sense of fluid flow hereinafter.

An embodiment of a mixing apparatus 10 for forming a multi-component product according to the present invention is shown in fig. 1.

Such devices are used for producing mixtures of products intended to be sprayed or extruded, such as paints or binders, sealants, coatings, adhesives, from which they are derived.

The apparatus comprises a material fluid line (material flow line) 12 which in practice feeds a (feed) applicator or spraying device (not shown).

The fluid line 12 is provided with a first injection inlet 14 for a first material component, a second injection inlet 16 for a second material component and a third injection inlet 18 for a third material component.

The second injection inlet 16 is arranged downstream of the first injection inlet 14 or parallel to the first injection inlet 14, here shown in the embodiment downstream of the first injection inlet 14.

The third injection inlet 18 is arranged downstream of the first injection inlet 14 and the second injection inlet 16.

Thus, the fluid line includes a first portion 20 between the second injection inlet 16 and the third injection inlet 18 and a second portion 22 downstream of the third injection inlet 18.

The first portion 20 of the fluid line 12 is provided for flow comprising a first material component and a second material component (material without a third material component).

The second portion 22 of the fluid line 12 is provided for flow of a material comprising a first material component, a second material component and a third material component.

Each material component is a fluid material.

The first injection inlet 14 is fed by a supply 24 of the first material component.

The first material component is, for example, a base product, in this case a paint base.

The supply of the first material component to the first injection inlet 14 is controlled, for example, by a first injection valve 26.

Alternatively, the first injection inlet 14 is fed continuously, without being possibly interrupted by a valve.

The second injection inlet 16 is adapted to inject a second material component into the first material component flowing in the fluid line 12 at the second injection inlet 16 (e.g., at the injection block 28).

The second injection inlet 16 is fed by a supply 30 of the second material component.

The second material component is, for example, a catalyst (catalyst) or a hardener (hardener).

The supply of the second material component to the second injection inlet 16 is controlled, for example, by a second injection valve 32.

Alternatively, the second injection inlet 16 is fed continuously, without interruption by the valve.

The apparatus is adapted to incorporate the injected first material component and the injected second material component according to a desired first ratio of the first material component to the second material component.

The first material component and the second material component are then contacted in the first portion 20 of the fluid line.

In one embodiment, the fluid line 12 provides a mixer (mixer) disposed in the first portion 20 of the fluid line 12, which may include a static mixer and/or a dynamic mixer.

The mixer is adapted to improve the mixing of the first material component and the second material component.

The mixing of the first material component and the second material (referred to as a first mixing) results in a reaction being initiated between the first material component and the second material component in the first portion 20 of the fluid line 12.

The reaction includes, for example, curing (curing) and/or drying (drying) the first mixture.

The first mixture has a first service life (service life).

The service life refers to the length of time that the first mixture is considered to be available.

The first service life depends in particular on the nature of the first material component and the second material component and also on, for example, the ratio of the amount of the first material component to the amount of the second material component.

The first service life is for example less than one hour.

The third injection inlet 18 is adapted to inject a third material component into the fluid line 12, in particular into the first mixture, at the third injection inlet 18.

The third injection inlet 18 is arranged in the injection block 34.

The third injection inlet 18 is supplied by a supply 36 of a third material component.

The third material component is, for example, a diluent (diluent), which may include water or a solvent.

The supply of the third material component to the third injection inlet 18 is controlled, for example, by a third injection valve 38.

Alternatively, the third injection inlet 18 is continuously supplied without interruption by the valve.

In this embodiment, the apparatus is adapted to incorporate the injected third material component in accordance with a desired second ratio of the amount of the third material component to the amount of the first and/or second material components.

Here, the third material component dilutes the first mixture in the second portion 22 of the fluid line 12.

In one embodiment, the fluid line 12 provides a mixer disposed in the second portion 22 of the fluid line 12, which may include a static and/or dynamic mixer.

The mixer is adapted to improve the mixing of the first mixture and the third material component.

The mixing of the first mixture and the third material component is referred to herein as a second mixture.

Here the addition of the third material results in dilution of the first mixture.

In particular, this allows to obtain a mixture with the desired viscosity (in particular for optimal subsequent application of the multicomponent product).

Thus, for example, slowing down or stopping the reaction of the first mixture upon dilution.

For example, diluting the first mixture with the third material component delays curing of the multi-component product before it is deemed unusable.

The second mixture has a second service life.

The second service life is strictly greater (strictly greater than) than the first service life.

The second service life is for example greater than two hours.

The fluid line 12 is provided with a purge device 40.

The purge device 40 is arranged downstream of the third injection inlet 18 and directly at the outlet of the third injection inlet (18).

Here, the purge device 40 is placed as close as possible to the third injection inlet 18.

In the illustrated embodiment, the purge device 40 is disposed downstream of the injection block 34 including the third injection inlet 18 and adjacent to the injection block 34.

In particular, this allows existing devices to be easily tuned by adding purge devices to achieve the benefits of the present invention.

Alternatively, the purge device 40 is arranged in the injection block 34 downstream of the third injection inlet 18.

This allows compactness (compactness) to be obtained.

The distance between the purge device 40 and the third injection inlet 18 is less than or equal to 5 cm.

The purge device 40 is movable between an active purge state and a passive state.

In the active state, the purging device 40 is adapted to purge the portion of the fluid line 12 upstream of said purging device 40, in other words here substantially the first portion 20 of the fluid line 12 and the third injection inlet 18.

In the passive state, the purge device 40 allows material to flow through the fluid line 12, i.e., from the first portion 20 to the second portion 22 of the fluid line 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the purge device 40 includes a purge valve 42.

The purge device 40 may be controlled by a controller 44.

The purge valve 42 is here a three-way valve comprising an inlet 46 and two outlets 48, 50.

The inlet 46 is connected to the outlet of the third inlet 18.

The first outlet 48 is connected to the fluid line 12 downstream of the purge device 40.

The input is selectively connected to one of the two outputs.

More specifically, in the active state of purging, the inlet is connected to the second outlet 50, and in the passive state, the inlet is connected to the first outlet 48.

The purge device 40 (more specifically the second outlet 50 of the purge valve 42) is for example connected to a purge pipe 52. Accordingly, the purge device 40 in an active purge state discharges material upstream of the fluid line into the purge tube 52.

There are several alternatives in which this function may be implemented. In one embodiment, the sprayer or applicator at the end of the second portion 22 of the fluid line 12 is closed, which prevents the flow of material into the second portion 22 of the fluid line 12, thus allowing the material in the first portion 20 to flow into the purge tube 52 during the injection of the material into the first portion 20 of the fluid line 12. In one alternative, purge valve 42 is capable of opening second outlet 50 and closing first outlet 48 upon transition to an active purge state, thereby directing the flow of material injected into first portion 20 to purge tube 52.

The purge tube 52 is connected to, for example, a waste container, whereby the material discharged into the purge tube 52 is discharged into the waste container.

Advantageously, the apparatus comprises, for example, a flushing valve 54, which flushing valve 54 is arranged and adapted to inject a flushing liquid between the purge means 40 and the purge tube 52, more particularly between the second outlet 50 and the purge tube 52.

The flush valve 54 allows flushing of the flush tube 52.

Alternatively, the system does not include a purge tube, but rather includes a waste container, wherein the purge device 40 discharges material upstream of the fluid line 12 directly (directy) into the waste container. By "directly" is meant that there is no pipe between the purge device 40 (more specifically, the second outlet 50 of the purge valve 42) and the waste container.

The controller 44 is capable of moving the purge device 40 between active and passive conditions.

The controller 44 is, for example, a valve configured to be manually moved by a user.

Alternatively, the controller 44 is an automatic control module.

The control module is implemented, for example, as software or a software brick (software brick) executable by the processor.

Alternatively, the control module is implemented in the form of a programmable logic unit, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or in the form of an application specific integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

When the control module is implemented in the form of one or more software programs (i.e., as a computer program), it can also be recorded on a computer-readable medium (not shown). Computer readable media are, for example, media capable of storing electronic instructions and coupled to a bus of a computer system. For example, the readable medium is an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM memory, a RAM memory, any type of nonvolatile memory (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, NVRAM), a magnetic or optical card. A computer program with software instructions is then stored on a readable medium.

The purge device 40 is capable of selectively purging the fluid line 12 upstream of the purge device 40.

In particular, this allows to purge only a portion of the fluid line, instead of having to purge the entire fluid line even if the reason for the purge is located in the first portion of the fluid line.

The location of the purge allows all of the first mixture to be removed from the entire fluid line 12 (including the entire first portion 20).

In the mentioned embodiments, it is particularly advantageous, for example, to be able to purge the fluid line at the purge device in the following cases: the time period of at least a portion of the first mixture in the first portion achieved by mixing the first material component and the second material component is longer than the first service life, and the time period of making the second mixture in the second portion is shorter than the second service life.

In the first embodiment, when it is desired to purge the product present in the first portion 20, the first portion 20 of the fluid line 12 is purged by the purge device 40.

For example, in the event that the ratio of doses between the first and second products made is incorrect and has been injected into the fluid line 12, the first portion 20 may be purged while preserving the mixture present in the second portion 22.

In another embodiment, during an interruption in use of the system, it may be desirable to purge the first mixture before it begins to react in the pipeline while leaving the second mixture with a longer useful life in the second portion 22.

Thus, only the first mixture in the portion of the fluid line upstream of the purging device (including the first portion) may be purged.

Thus, if purging of the second mixture is not required, all of the second mixture in the second portion may remain in the second portion 22.

A new first mixture can then be formed, then a second mixture is formed, and application or spraying is restarted without any trace of the old first mixture.

This greatly reduces the amount of material that is purged (discarded) and waste to be treated. In practice, this allows saving of material contained in the line between the purge device 40 and the material spraying or application device. The amount of material saved is thus indicative of the ratio of the volume of product contained in the second portion 22 to the volume contained in the fluid line 12. In practice, the volume accommodated in the second portion 22 may represent 10 to 20 times the volume accommodated in the first portion 20. In this assumption, about 90% product economy can be achieved at the time of purging, relative to the structure in which the product present in the second portion 22 must be purged each time the first portion 20 is purged. In other words, such a configuration would allow for an approximately 90% reduction in waste upon purging the fluid line 12.

In an alternative, the purge means comprises a plurality of valves, each valve for example intended to discharge the mixture towards a different waste tank.

More specifically, the plurality of valves are similar to the valves described above and are arranged in series and in series along the fluid line after the third injection inlet (arranged in series and in succession).

Thus, the first outlet of each valve is connected to the inlet of the next valve except for the last valve.

Where the valves are adjacent to each other.

Each valve is connected, for example, at its respective second outlet to a purge tube or directly to a respective waste container.

As described above in relation to the case where the purge pipes comprise valves, each purge pipe is arranged with, for example, a waste container and/or a flushing system.

Each valve is movable between a purge state and an open state. In the purge state, the inlet of the corresponding valve is connected to its second outlet, and in the open state, the inlet of the corresponding valve is connected to its first outlet.

The purge device is in an active state when at least one of the valves is in its respective purge state.

When all valves are in their respective open states, the purge device is in a passive state, meaning that material entering the purge device at the inlet of the first one of the valves flows from valve to the outlet 168 of the last one of the valves.

This allows sorting (sorting) of the purged product for better product recycling.

Another embodiment of a mixing apparatus 10 for forming a multi-component product according to the present invention is shown in fig. 2.

The apparatus comprises a material fluid line 12 which in practice feeds an applicator or a spraying device (not shown).

Each material component is a fluid material.

The second material component is, for example, a catalyst or hardener.

In one embodiment, the fluid line 12 provides a mixer disposed in the first portion 20 of the fluid line 12, which may include a static mixer and/or a dynamic mixer.

The reaction includes, for example, curing and/or drying the first mixture.

The first mixture has a first service life.

The first service life is for example less than one hour.

The third injection inlet 18 is arranged in the injection block 34.

The third material component is, for example, a diluent, which may include water or a solvent.

The second mixture has a second service life.

The second service life is strictly greater than the first service life.

The second service life is for example greater than two hours.

The fluid line 12 is provided with a purge device 40.

The purge device 40 is disposed upstream of the third injection inlet 18 and downstream of the first and second injection inlets 14, 16.

Here, the purge device 40 is positioned as close as possible to the third injection inlet 18.

In the active state, the purging device 40 is adapted to purge the portion of the fluid line 12 upstream of said purging device 40, in other words here substantially the first portion 20 of the fluid line 12.

In the passive state, the purge device 40 allows material to flow through the fluid line 12, in other words, from the first portion 20 to the second portion 22 of the fluid line 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the purge device 40 includes a purge valve 42.

The purge device 40 may be controlled by a controller 44.

The purge valve 42 is here a three-way valve (three-way valve) comprising an inlet 46 and two outlets 48, 50.

The inlet 46 is connected to the fluid line 12 upstream of the purge device 40.

The inlet is selectively connected to one of the two outlets.

Several alternatives may allow this functionality to be implemented. In one embodiment, the sprayer or applicator at the end of the second portion 22 of the fluid line 12 is closed, which prevents the flow of material into the second portion 22 of the fluid line 12, thus allowing the material in the first portion 20 to flow into the purge tube 52 during the injection of the material into the first portion 20 of the fluid line 12. In one alternative, the purge valve 42 is capable of opening the second outlet 50 and closing the first outlet 48 upon entering an active purge state, thereby directing the flow of material injected into the first portion 20 toward the purge tube 52.

The flush valve 54 allows flushing of the flush tube 52.

Alternatively, the apparatus does not include a purge tube, but rather includes a waste container, wherein the purge device 40 discharges material upstream of the fluid line 12 directly into the waste container. By "directly" is meant that there is no pipe between the purge device 40 (more specifically, the second outlet 50 of the purge valve 42) and the waste container.

Alternatively, the controller 44 is an automatic control module.

The control module is implemented, for example, as software or a software brick executable by the processor.

In the mentioned embodiments, it is particularly advantageous, for example, to be able to purge the fluid line at the purge device in the following cases: the time period of at least a portion of the first mixture in the first portion made by mixing the first material component and the second material component is longer than the first service life, and the time period of making the second mixture in the second portion is shorter than the second service life.

In the first embodiment, when it is desired to purge the product present in the first portion 20, the first portion 20 of the fluid line 12 is purged by means of the purging device 40.

Thus, only the first mixture in the portion of the fluid line upstream of the purging device (generally corresponding to the first portion) may be purged.

This greatly reduces the amount of material that is purged (discarded) and waste to be treated. In practice, this saves material contained in the line between the purging device 40 and the device for spraying or applying the treatment material. The ratio of material saved thus represents the ratio of the volume of product contained in the second portion 22 to the volume contained in the fluid line 12. In practice, the volume accommodated in the second portion 22 may represent 10 to 20 times the volume accommodated in the first portion 20. In this assumption, about 90% product economy can be achieved at the time of purging, relative to the structure in which the product present in the second portion 22 must be purged each time the first portion 20 is purged. In other words, such a configuration would enable a reduction of about 90% of waste upon purging the fluid line 12.

In one alternative, the cleaning product may also be injected from the third material component supply 36 to effect purging of the second portion 22 without purging the first portion 20. For example, the first portion 20 may be cleaned with a first product (e.g., a solvent) and the second portion 22 may be cleaned with a second product (e.g., water) or a second solvent. This saves the use of contaminated solvents.

In this alternative, valve 42 may be configured to close first outlet 48, thereby preventing product injected from third material component supply 36 from flowing back into (flow back) first portion 20. This further allows for flushing the first portion 20 and the second portion 22 simultaneously with two different flushing products, thereby reducing the time required for flushing.

This also allows for creating a second mixture in the first part 20, e.g. during flushing of the second part 22, independently of the second part 22, thereby reducing the cycle time.

In another alternative shown in fig. 3, a valve 60 is located downstream of the third injection inlet 18.

The valve 42 of the purge device 40 is then, for example, configured to close the inlet 46 and place the first outlet 48 in communication with the second outlet 50.

Purge tube 52 may then be cleaned from the supply of third material component 36 by closing inlet 46 with purge valve 42 and closing valve 60, for example, by injecting third material component 36 (the latter being a diluent) at a third injection inlet (e.g., via an injection valve).

Alternatively, the third injection inlet is also connected to the cleaning fluid supply source, for example by an injection valve.

Alternatively, the fluid line 12 comprises a clean injection inlet arranged between the purge device 40 and the valve 60, the clean injection inlet being connected to a clean fluid supply, for example by means of an injection valve.

Thus, with the inlet 46 of the valve 42 closed, the third material component or cleaning material flows from the second outlet 50 into the purge tube 52.

Accordingly, there is no longer a need to provide a flush valve for cleaning the purge tube 52. This reduces production costs and improves reliability.

In another alternative shown in fig. 4, the purge device 140 comprises a plurality of valves 142, 144, each valve for example aimed at discharging the mixture to a different waste tank 146, 148.

More specifically, the plurality of valves 142, 144 are similar to the valves described above and are arranged in series and in series along the fluid line 112.

Thus, the first outlet of each valve 142, except the last valve, is connected to the inlet of the next valve 144.

Each valve 142, 144 is connected, for example, at its respective second outlet 150, 152 to a purge tube 154, 156 or directly to a respective waste container.

As described above with respect to the case where the purging device includes a valve, each purge tube 154, 156 is, for example, provided with a waste container 146, 148 and/or a flushing system 158, 160.

Alternatively, similar to the valve previously described with respect to FIG. 3, the valve is located downstream of the purge device 140.

Each valve 142, 144 is movable between a purge state and a bypass state (bypass state). In the purge state, the inlets 162, 164 of the respective valves 142, 144 are connected to their second outlets 150, 152, and in the open state, the inlets 162, 164 of the respective valves 142, 144 are connected to their first outlets 166, 168.

When at least one of the valves 142, 144 is in its respective purge state, the purge device 140 is in an active state.

When all of the valves 142, 144 are in their respective open states, the purge device 140 is in a passive state, in other words, material entering the purge device at the inlet 162 of the first one of the valves 142 flows from the valve to the outlet 168 of the last one of the valves 144.

This allows sorting of the purged product for better product recycling.

A method for controlling the mixing device will now be described.

A mixing device as described above is provided.

The purge device is in a passive state.

The method includes injecting a first material component at a first injection inlet 14, injecting a second material component at a second injection inlet 16, and injecting a third material component at a third injection inlet 18.

In one embodiment, the first material component is injected continuously into the fluid line 12, 112, and the second material component and the third material component are each selectively injected, more specifically, so as to achieve a desired first ratio and a desired second ratio.

For example, the injection of the second material component is performed continuously, wherein the volumetric flow rate of the second material component is adjusted to achieve the desired first ratio.

Alternatively, the injection of the second material component is performed sequentially in order to achieve the desired first ratio.

Similarly, for example, injection of the third material component is performed continuously, wherein the volumetric flow rate of the third material component is adjusted to achieve the desired second ratio.

Alternatively, the injection of the third material component is sequentially performed such that the desired second ratio is achieved.

The material flows through the fluid line.

The method includes the steps of monitoring material in a fluid line opposite the purge device 40, 140 and moving the purge device 40, 140 to an active state based on the monitoring.

In one embodiment, the step of monitoring the material includes the step of monitoring the length of time between injection of the second material component at the second injection inlet and its flow opposite the purge device 40, 140.

If the length of time is greater than the first useful life, the purge device is automatically moved, such as by the controller 44, to an active purge state to discharge the first mixture, which has elapsed time within the first portion 20 beyond the first useful life.

The first service life is for example predetermined.

Once the first mixture is discharged that has elapsed time in the first portion 20 beyond the first useful life, the purge device moves back to the passive state.

Additionally or alternatively, the step of monitoring the material includes a step of analyzing the product in the fluid line 12, 112 opposite the purge device 40, 140, for example, by means of an optical device (optical means).

The optical device can, for example, observe the material passing opposite the purge device 40, 140 (more specifically the inlet 46 of the purge valve 42 or the inlet 162 of the purge valve 142 of the purge device 140) depending on the direction of flow to detect the state of the first mixture, in particular the cure level of the first mixture.

Alternatively, a viscometer or two pressure transducers located upstream and downstream relative to each other at the first portion 20 are used to analyze the viscosity of the second mixture within the first portion 20. In this way, the viscosity of the mixture can thus be inferred from the flow data and the pressure drop in the line.

If the analyzed aspect of the first mixture is unsatisfactory, the purge device is automatically moved to an active purge state, for example by the controller 44, to discharge the first mixture until the aspect is again satisfactory.

Once the first mixture, which has unsatisfactory aspects, is emptied, the purge arrangement is moved back to a passive state.

The discharged first mixture is discharged, for example, through purge tubes 52, 154, 156.

If desired, after the purge device has been moved to a passive state, the purge valve 54, 158, 160 is activated to purge the purge tube 52, 154, 156.

Alternatively, the purge tubes 52, 154, 156 are flushed by closing the inlets 46 of the valves 60 and 42 or the inlet of the first purge valve 142 of the purge device 140, depending on the direction of flow, and injecting a third material component or cleaning fluid.

In particular, this allows to prevent the first mixture in the purge tube from solidifying.

Alternatively, the discharged first mixture is discharged, for example, directly into the waste container.

Thus, the purge device 40 first allows for easy discharge of the first mixture that is not compliant (in particular before it cures), and may require intervention to clean the equipment or even damage the installation.

The purge device 40 also allows to empty only the first mixture which does not meet the criteria, which then allows to achieve a satisfactory multicomponent product, thus limiting the waste on the one hand and the waste to be treated on the other hand.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the method further includes determining that the purge valve 142, 144 is moved from its open state to its purge state to move the purge device 40 to the active position.

This determination is made, for example, based on the nature of the first mixture passing (in other words, to be discharged) opposite the purge device 40.

For example, if the first mixture is a mixture of product a and product B, the first valve is moved from its open state to its purge state to purge the first mixture; whereas if the first mixture is a mixture of product a and product C (product C requires a different treatment than product B for waste treatment), a second, different valve is moved from its open state to its purge state to purge the first mixture.

This allows sorting of the purged product for better product recycling.

In one embodiment, the multicomponent product consists of strictly more than three material components.

As mentioned above, the mixing device comprises strictly more than three material component injection inlets placed in series along the fluid line.

The mixing device then comprises, for example, a respective purge means upstream of each injection inlet starting from the third injection inlet, as described above. Alternatively or additionally, the mixing device then comprises a respective purge means, for example downstream of each injection inlet starting from the third injection inlet and arranged directly at the outlet of said injection inlet, as described above.

Each purge device can be independently controlled to discharge material during the purge.

The control method can then be adjusted accordingly by monitoring the material in the fluid line opposite each purge device and being able to move the corresponding purge device to an active state based on the monitoring.

Similarly, such a device also makes it possible to purge the fluid line in the section and thus limit the amount of product discharged.

The invention also relates to a mixing device 10 for forming a multi-component product, the mixing device 10 comprising a fluid line 12 of material; 112, fluid line 12;112 is provided with a first injection inlet 14 for a first material component, a second injection inlet 16 for a second material component and a third injection inlet 18 for a third material component, the second injection inlet 16 being arranged downstream of the first injection inlet 14 or parallel to the first injection inlet 14, the third injection inlet 18 being arranged downstream of the first injection inlet 14 and the second injection inlet 16, characterized by a fluid line 12;112 are provided with purge means 40;140, purging the device 40;140 is arranged downstream of the third injection inlet 18 and directly at the outlet of the third injection inlet 18, or upstream of the third injection inlet 18 and downstream of the first injection inlet 14 and the second injection inlet 16, purge means 40;140 may be in an active state in an upstream portion of the purge fluid line and wherein the purge device 40;140 allow material to flow in the fluid line 12;112 between passive states of flow.

Claims

1. Mixing apparatus (10) for forming a multi-component product, the mixing apparatus (10) comprising a fluid line (12; 112) of material, the fluid line (12; 112) being provided with a first injection inlet (14) of a first material component, a second injection inlet (16) of a second material component and a third injection inlet (18) of a third material component, the second injection inlet (16) being arranged downstream of the first injection inlet (14) or parallel to the first injection inlet (14), the third injection inlet (18) being arranged downstream of the first injection inlet (14) and the second injection inlet (16), characterized in that the fluid line (12; 112) is provided with purging means (40; 140), the purging means (40; 140) being arranged downstream of the third injection inlet (18) and directly at the outlet of the third injection inlet (18) or upstream of the third injection inlet (18) and downstream of the first injection inlet (14) and the second injection inlet (16), the fluid line (40; 140) being allowed to move in a state between the fluid and the fluid line (40; 140) in an active state.

2. Mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third injection inlet (18) is arranged in an injection block (34), the purging device (40; 140) being arranged downstream of the injection block (34) and adjacent to the injection block (34), or in the injection block (34) downstream of the third injection inlet (18) or upstream of the injection block (34) and adjacent to the injection block (34).

3. Mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the purge device (40; 140) comprises at least one purge valve (42; 142, 144).

4. A mixing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the purge device (140) comprises a plurality of purge valves (142, 144), each purge valve (142, 144) being movable between a purge state in which the purge valve (142, 144) purges the material passing through the purge valve (142, 144) and an open state in which the purge valve (142, 144) allows material to flow in the fluid line (12, 112) opposite the purge valve (142, 144).

5. Mixing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, comprising at least one waste container into which the purge valve discharges the material upstream of the fluid line (12; 112) directly.

6. Mixing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, comprising at least one purge tube (52; 154, 156), the purge tube (52; 154, 156) being connected to the purge device (40; 140), the purge device (40; 140) discharging the material upstream of the fluid line (12) into the at least one purge tube (52; 154, 156).

7. Mixing apparatus according to claim 6, comprising a flushing valve (54; 158, 160), said flushing valve (54; 158, 160) being arranged and capable of injecting a flushing liquid between said purging device (40; 140) and said purging tube (52; 154, 156).

8. A control method of controlling a mixing apparatus, comprising the steps of:

-providing a mixing device (10) according to any one of claims 1-4, the purge means being in a passive state,

injecting a first material component at the first injection inlet (14),

injecting a second material component at the second injection inlet (16),

injecting a third material component at the third injection inlet (18),

-monitoring the material in the fluid line (12; 112) opposite the purge device (40; 140), and

-moving the purge device (40; 140) to the active state according to the monitoring.

9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the monitoring step comprises the step of analyzing the product in the fluid line (12; 112) opposite the purge device (40; 140), and/or the step of monitoring the length of time between injection of the second material component and the flow of the second material component opposite the at least one purge device (40; 140).

10. The control method of claim 8, wherein the first material component is continuously injected into the fluid line (12; 112), the second material component and the third material component each being selectively injected.