Intermixing device having cone shaped extensions and method for intermixing a compound

Abstract

Device and method for intermixing a mass. The device includes a container and a mixing unit arranged on the container. The mixing unit includes at least one piston that is positioned in the container, and is movable in a linear direction and has at least one mixing element. The mixing element extends around the piston and includes an upper planar surface and an opposed lower planar surface. The mixing element further includes cone-shaped extensions extending from the lower planar surface and conically tapering in the linear direction away from the lower planar surface to an opening at an end of the cone-shaped extensions facing a bottom of the container to facilitate movement of the piston in the linear direction for intermixing the mass.

Claims

1. A device for intermixing a mass, comprising: a container having a base; and a mixing unit arranged on the container, wherein the mixing unit comprises at least one piston that is positioned in the container, and is movable in a linear direction and has at least one mixing element with parallelly arranged upper and lower surfaces, wherein the at least one mixing element extends around the piston and includes cone-shaped extensions extending from the lower surface and conically tapering in the linear direction away from the lower surface to an opening at an end of the cone-shaped extensions facing a bottom of the container to facilitate movement of the piston in the linear direction for intermixing the mass, and wherein the at least one mixing element has a diameter of at least 10% and up to 40% of a diameter of the base of the container.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mixing element is positioned at a first end of the piston.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the piston is positioned such that it can be rotated around a longitudinal axis.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein, in a geometric center of the at least one mixing element, the piston is connected to the at least one mixing element, wherein the at least one mixing element extends on a plane around the piston.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mixing element comprises recesses.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the piston is positioned in a vertically moveable manner.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one mixing unit is fixed at an upper end of the container.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one agitator distanced from the piston is provided.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one additional mixing element is provided, wherein the at least one additional mixing element is fixed on the piston at a distance from the first mixing element.

10. A method for producing mash comprising: intermixing a mass in a container with the device according to claim 1, wherein the mass comprises a mash.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the mass comprises at least one of a dispersion, suspension, mash, sludge, waste water, fluidized substance mixtures and melts.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cone-shaped extensions are embodied in a flexible or foldable manner.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the at least one mixing element are embodied as one of parallel planar surfaces or parallel curved surfaces.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the at least one mixing element is between 25% and 40% of the diameter of the base of the container.

15. A device for intermixing a mass, comprising: a container; and a mixing unit arranged on the container, wherein the mixing unit comprises at least one piston that is positioned in the container, and is movable in a linear direction and has at least one mixing element, wherein the at least one mixing element extends around the piston and includes an upper planar surface and an opposed lower planar surface, the at least one mixing element further includes cone-shaped extensions extending from the lower planar surface and conically tapering in the linear direction away from the lower planar surface to an opening at an end of the cone-shaped extensions facing a bottom of the container to facilitate movement of the piston in the linear direction for intermixing the mass, and wherein the at least one mixing element further comprises cylindrically curved extensions extending from the lower planar surface.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein a ratio a diameter of the container to the mixing element is at least 1.2:1.

17. A method for intermixing a mass in a container with a mixing unit arranged on the container comprising: moving the mixing unit, which is arranged on the container, within the mass, wherein the mixing unit comprises at least one piston movable in a linear direction and at least one mixing element positioned around the piston, wherein the at least one mixing element includes an upper surface with a parallel lower surface, the at least one mixing element further includes cone-shaped extensions extending from the lower surface and conically tapering in the linear direction away from the lower surface to an opening at an end of the cone-shaped extensions facing a bottom of the container to facilitate movement of the piston in the linear direction for intermixing the mass, and wherein the at least one mixing element has a diameter of at least 10% and up to 40% of a diameter of a base of the container.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the at least one mixing element comprises recesses and the mass is circulated while flowing through the recesses.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the piston and the at least one mixing element are rotated around a longitudinal axis of the piston.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the cone-shaped extensions are embodied in a flexible or foldable manner.

21. The method according to claim 17, wherein the mass comprises at least one of a dispersion, suspension, mash, sludge, waste water, fluidized substance mixtures and melts.

22. The method according to claim 17, wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the at least one mixing element are embodied as one of parallel planar surfaces or parallel curved surfaces.

23. The method according to claim 17, wherein a speed of movement of the piston is adaptable to the mass and between 0.01 m/s and 10 m/s.

24. The method according to claim 17, wherein the at least one mixing element further comprises cylindrically curved extensions extending from the lower surface.

25. The method according to claim 17, wherein the diameter of the at least one mixing element is between 25% and 40% of the diameter of the base of the container.

26. A device for intermixing a mass, comprising: a container having a base, and a mixing unit arranged on the container, wherein the mixing unit comprises at least one piston that is positioned in the container, and is movable in a linear direction and has at least one mixing element, wherein the at least one mixing element extends around the piston and includes an upper surface with a parallel lower surface, the at least one mixing element further includes cone-shaped extensions extending from the lower surface and conically tapering in the linear direction away from the lower surface to an opening at an end of the cone-shaped extensions facing a bottom of the container to facilitate movement of the piston in the linear direction for intermixing the mass, wherein the at least one mixing element has a diameter of at least 10% and up to 40% of a diameter of the base of the container, wherein the upper and lower surfaces of at least one mixing element are embodied as parallel curved surfaces, and wherein a speed of movement of the piston is adaptable to the mass and between 0.01 m/s and 10 m/s.

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein the diameter of the at least one mixing element is between 25% and 40% of the diameter of the base of the container.

28. A device for intermixing a mass, comprising: a container having a base; and a mixing unit arranged on the container, wherein the mixing unit comprises at least one piston that is positioned in the container. and is movable in a linear direction and has at least one mixing element, wherein the at least one mixing element extends around the piston and includes parallelly arranged upper and lower surfaces and recesses through which the mass passes through the mixing element, wherein the at least one mixing element has a diameter of at least 10% and up to 40% of a diameter of the base of the container, wherein the at least one mixing element is structured with conical surfaces decreasing in diameter toward the base of the container to conically reduce a flow path of the mass passing through the mixing element in a direction toward a bottom of the container.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein the conical surfaces extend from the lower surface of the at least one mixing element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Additional features, advantages and effects of the invention follow from the exemplary embodiments described below. The drawings which are thereby referenced show:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a device according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a part of a variant of a device according to the invention in a top view;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a part of the variant of the device according to the invention from FIG. 2 in a cross section based on the line in FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a part of a further variant of a device according to the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a part of a further variant of a device according to the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a part of a further variant of a device according to the invention;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a part of a further variant of a device according to the invention;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIG. 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention for intermixing a mass. The device 1 comprises a container 2 and a mixing unit 3. The mixing unit 3 is thereby arranged on the container 2 and comprises at least one piston 4 having a mixing element 5. Preferably, the mixing unit 3 is, as in FIG. 1, arranged on an upper side of the container 2; however, it can also be provided according to the invention that the mixing unit is arranged on a side wall or the base of the container 2. Furthermore, it is provided that the piston 4 with the mixing element 5 is positioned in the container 2. The container 2 with the mixing unit 3 can be embodied such that it is closed or can be closed by a lid or another cap, in order to prevent an escape of the mass. It can also be provided that the container 2 can be closed in a pressure-tight manner. Furthermore, it is provided that the piston 4 can be moved linearly in two opposing directions. As a result, the mixing element 5 arranged on the piston 4 can also be moved linearly. The linear movement can thereby be driven in any desired manner. For example a mechanical, hydraulic, electrical or manual drive by cable operation is conceivable. A spring can constitute another possibility for driving the linear movement. If the piston 4 with the mixing element 5 is arranged on an upper side of the container 2, it can be provided that the piston is arranged on a spring that is tensioned downwards in a movement of the piston 4 and released in an upward movement of the same. A speed of the movement can be adapted to the mass that is to be intermixed and typically ranges between 0.01 m/s and 10 m/s.

(11) The mixing element 5 extends in a planar manner around the piston 4 and can be arranged at any desired location of the piston 4. However, it is preferably provided that the mixing element 5 is positioned at an end of the piston 4 and that the piston 4 is fixed roughly centrally on the mixing element 5 for the purpose of optimizing a stability. The mixing element 5 can thus be moved linearly from a first end of the container 2 to a second end of the container 2 in order to completely intermix the mass. It can be provided that the mixing element 5 is detachably positioned on the piston 4. The mixing element 5 can thus be exchanged as required. In addition to the linear movement, it can be provided according to the invention that the piston 4 with the mixing element 5 is positioned such as to be rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the piston 4. With these two possibilities for moving the piston 4 and the mixing element 5, an effective and time-saving intermixing of the mass is ensured. At the same time, a stability of the piston 4 with the mixing element 5 is increased. The planar extension of the mixing element 5 is also critical for the complete intermixing of the mass. In this case, planar is to be understood as essentially two-dimensional, or the mixing element 5 is essentially wider than it is high or thick, wherein a width side is arranged roughly perpendicular to the piston 4. A geometric shape of the mixing element 5 can on the other hand be selected as desired, but this shape also depends on which mass is to be intermixed. However, it is advantageous if, in a top view, a geometry of the mixing element 5 corresponds to a cross section of the container transverse to the axis of movement of the piston. For example, in the case of a container with a round cross section, a mixing element that is round in a top view is advantageously provided. Other shapes disclosed by the invention for the mixing element 5 can be, for example, square, polygonal or undulating. It is thereby advantageous that the mixing element 5 is arranged at a distance from a wall of the container 2.

(12) Further, at least one agitator 8 distanced from the piston can be provided in container 2. Agitator 8 can, for example, be a propeller known from the prior art, and can assist the mixing element 5 with masses that are costly to intermix. The agitator 8/propeller, which is typically arranged on the base of container 2, thereby lifts the mass off of the base and the mixing element 5 performs the remaining intermixing.

(13) FIG. 2 shows the mixing element 5 in a variant according to the invention. In this variant, the mixing element 5 is embodied roughly in a round manner and comprises multiple recesses 6. The recesses 6 can have any desired geometric shape and size. In FIG. 2, the recesses 6 are embodied as roughly round recesses 6. Furthermore, any desired number of recesses 6 can be provided, depending on which type of mass is to be intermixed or how high the viscosity of the mass is. One requirement therefor is that the mixing element 5 thereby constantly remains stable and is durable. It has been shown that the mixing element 5 should have a certain minimum thickness if heterogeneous masses are to be intermixed effectively. FIG. 3 shows the mixing element 5 from FIG. 2 in a cross section based on the line in FIG. 2.

(14) FIG. 4 shows a further variant of the device 1 according to the invention. Here, the mixing element 5 comprises cone-shaped extensions 7a and cylindrically curved extensions 7b on a side. In FIG. 4, the cylindrically curved extensions 7b are arranged at the outer sides. The curvature of the extensions 7b extends against the rotation direction of the piston 4 around the longitudinal axis thereof and provides an easier rotation of the mixing element 5. According to the invention, the extensions 7b can be arranged in any desired locations of the mixing element 5. Further to the center in FIG. 4, three cone-shaped extensions 7a are arranged on the mixing element 5. The cone-shaped extensions 7a facilitate the linear movement of the piston 4 with the mixing element 5 and taper in the direction away from the mixing element 5. The cone-shaped extensions 7a can also be embodied in a flexible or foldable manner. According to the invention, it can be provided that both types of the extensions 7a, 7b are arranged together, as illustrated in FIG. 4, or that only one type each of the extensions 7a or 7b is arranged on a mixing element 5. It can also be provided according to the invention, that the extensions 7a, 7b are welded onto the mixing element 5. However, other production possibilities are also conceivable, for example, a single-piece production by means of punching and bending from a metal sheet.

(15) FIGS. 5 and 6 show two further variants of the device 1 according to the invention. In these cases, the mixing element 5 is not embodied in a flat manner, but rather in a curved manner. The curvature can thereby be embodied in both directions of the linear movement of the piston 4. If the mixing element 5 is arranged at a lower end of the piston 4, the curvature can be embodied away from the piston 4 or, as in FIG. 6, towards the piston 4. Any desired degree of the curvature can be selected. Furthermore, it can be provided that the mixing element 5 is formed from a pliable material and that the curvature of the mixing element 5 changes during the intermixing process, depending on the movement of the element. It can also be provided that the curvature of the mixing element 5 does not proceed evenly, but rather comprises additional bends.

(16) FIG. 7 shows a device 1 according to the invention with an additional mixing element 5. The additional mixing element 5 is arranged on the piston 4 at a vertical distance from the first mixing element 5 and has the same shape as the first mixing element 5.

(17) The piston 4 is used with two or more mixing elements 5 arranged thereon for the intermixing of masses in tall containers 2. Any desired number of mixing elements 5 can be arranged on the piston, and these elements can respectively have different shapes. It is expedient to maintain a certain distance between the individual mixing elements 5 in order to prevent deposits thereon from parts of the mass. Furthermore, the mixing elements 5 should comprise recesses 6 in order to ensure a complete intermixing of the mass.

(18) The container 2 can, for example, be a silo, a tank or a melting vessel. This container can thereby also be embodied with heat transfer surfaces in order to accelerate a heat exchange of the mass. Even though the indicated types of containers 2 all have a relatively large capacity, the device 1 according to the invention can already be used for containers 2 with a capacity of approximately five liters or more. The mixing unit 3, in particular the mixing element 5 and the piston 4, can be produced from a wide range of different materials, for example, from steel, stainless steel, metal, or from concrete, plastic, wood, ceramic or glass. The material selection used must be matched to requirements of the mass that is to be intermixed. If necessary, the mixing element 5 can be embodied in a fireproof manner, for example, for applications in the metal producing industry. Materials for producing the container 2 are known from the prior art. Optionally, a seal can be provided between the container 2 and the mixing unit 3, depending on where the mixing unit 3 is arranged on the container 2. The seal can, for example, be a static, translational or dynamic seal. The device can be controlled manually, electrically or mechanically, for example by a spring, and is individually adaptable.

(19) At the present time, the exact manner in which the mass is intermixed in the container 2 has not yet been conclusively resolved. FIG. 8 illustrates the currently presumed mechanism of action of a method according to the invention for intermixing a mass, in particular a free-flowing mass such as finely grained powder or a dispersion. In FIG. 8, the piston 4 is moved upwards, that is, out of the device 1, and simultaneously rotated about a longitudinal axis. The effect of the intermixing of a mass mainly occurs when the piston 4 with the mixing element 5 is pulled out. The mass is intermixed in a particularly effective manner if the mixing element 5 comprises multiple recesses 6, as shown in FIG. 8. During the movement upward of the piston 4 with the mixing element 5, the mass is pushed downwards through the recesses 6 in the mixing element 5. In order to equalize the resulting pressure differences, mass flows upwards between the mixing element 5 and the walls of the container 2. Turbulences or varying flows occur, and the mass is intermixed. The process of intermixing and the movement directions of the mass is illustrated in FIG. 8 by arrows. It is advantageous if the mixing element 5 is constantly fully covered by the mass, in order to keep an introduction of air as low as possible. It can also be provided that a propeller is arranged on the base of the container 2 for the purpose of assisting the mixing element 5. Through the linear movement of the piston 4 and the possibly additional rotation of the same and of the mixing element 5 arranged on the piston 4, a mass can be intermixed in a relatively easy, time-saving and energy-saving manner. A mass can be brought to temperature, pH homogenized or stably stored. It is further advantageous that shearing forces during the intermixing process are kept to a minimum by a device 1 according to the invention. As a result, the device 1 can also be used in combination with storage containers.

(20) The device 1 for intermixing masses can be used universally; masses with viscosities in the range from 1 mPa up to 500 Pa can be intermixed. Thus, for example, dispersions, suspensions, mashes, sludge, waste water, fluidized substance mixtures and melts can be intermixed and/or heated and/or cooled and/or pH homogenized using the device 1. An embodiment of the mixing device 5 must thereby be adapted to the viscosity and the temperature of the mass that is to be intermixed. A device 1 according to the invention is also used in fermentation tanks. Particularly in large-volume fermentation tanks, a demixing of the mass often occurs due to temperature differences. This undesired process can be counteracted by the device 1. This results in an applicability in a wide range of different areas, for example in the food industry, in chemistry, in materials engineering, in cosmetics, in pharmaceutical production, in biotechnology, in brewing, in distilling, in casting or in tank logistics. Especially for an application in casting, the mixing element 5 should be embodied in a fireproof manner. The mixing unit 3 can be used with any type of a container 2, if necessary, the unit can also be arranged on a container 2 at a later point in time. Furthermore, the mixing unit can also be used in a supporting role, for example, in combination with a propeller known from the prior art. It can be provided that the mixing unit 5 is detachably arranged on the piston 4 so that it can be exchanged for different masses. For this purpose, a connector can be provided at an upper end of the mixing element 5, into which connector the piston 4 can be inserted and attached. Alternatively, the connector can also be arranged on the piston 4, in order to be connected to the mixing element 5.