GB2242370A - Pneumatic static mixer - Google Patents

Abstract

By using tangentially mounted, compressed air jets to create a spiral action on material falling down a pipe a thorough mixing effect can be obtained. The compressed air additionally will force the mixture down the pipe to a delivery site. The weight of the materials falling from the hopper funnel will prevent any compressed air rising out of the funnel. A static, solid, circular core prevents the formation of a non-mixing zone in the centre of the mixing site. This core need not extend much beyond the mixing jets. The mixer may be mounted on a trailer. <IMAGE>

Description

A PNsUNsATIC MIXER This invention relates to a pneumatic mixer.

At the present time industrial mixers consist of revolving containers with internal ridges to create a gravity tumbling action with the resulting mixture being impelled to a delivery by mechanical pumps or impellers.These machines are liable to excessive wear and breakdown depending on the abrasive nature of the materials being mixed.

According to the present invention a gravity fed hopper system of a conventional design will supply a variety of materials of suitable size to a funnelled smooth pipe.At a calculated distance a series of tangential holes(tuyeres) supplying compressed air in the side of the pipe,together with a static central core (to prevent a neutral mixing position),will impart a spiral mixing action to the materials.The pressure of the continuous flow of the compressed air will assist in the gravity flow of the mixture to a delivery point.The air will then be allowed to dissipate in the normal way.

This system operated by gravity and compressed air will mix any type of materials and deliver them to a site at some distance from the mixing point thus obviating expensive equipment with capital and maintenance costs.The mixing pipe can be of any suitable material to allow for the abrasive actions of materials but can be easily replaced.

Cleaning after use will give no problem as there are no moving parts nor corners in which the mixture can remain.

The complete installation can be of any suitable size from trailer portable to fixed site industrial use.

Figure 1 shows an upright front elevation of aninstallation with the feed hoppers at the top leading to a funnelled pipe with a static core located down the centre. The position of the tuyeres will be such as to prevent an unwanted upward pressure of compressed air.These tuyeres can be supplied by a'Bustle' which distributes compressed air from a conventional supply.The static core shown will extend down past the tuyeres to enable thorough mixing of the materials.The distance from the mixing point to the delivery point can be calculated according to the type of materials,the gravity effect and the pressure of the compressed air.

Claims (5)

ClAIMS

1 The pneumatic mixer involves the use of compressed air jets to create a mixing effect on materials flowing by gravity down a pipe past the jets in a controlled manner.The weight of these materials together with the pressure of the compressed air still around the mixture will result in the transfer of the mixture to a delivery point.The air will then separate from the heavier material and dissipate normally.

2 The pneumatic mixer can be of any suitable size from trailer portable to fixed site industrial use.

3 The mixing and delivery pipes can be of a material to allow for the abrasive action of some materials but can be easily and cheaply replaced wE n worn.

4 The pneumatic mixer system can be easily cleaned after use as there are no moving parts nor corners in which the mixture can remain.

5 The pneumatic mixer system can be dismounted to blow materials horizontally along the delivery pipe without using the static core.