Boundary layer drum mixer

Abstract

The boundary layer drum mixer is an apparatus which can pass through the narrow top port of a standard chemical drum or bulk container without the need to disassemble any part of the mixer or the vessel. The invention is an enclosed system with an internal arrangement of impellers and stators which draw liquid-based media from the adjacent vessel and strategically distributes it throughout the vessel through an array of outlet ports. The strategic mixing requires low energy input, minimizes the risk of media aeration and works with a wide range of fluid levels. The apparatus imparts no net external torque, and therefore, requires no rigid mounting. The upper impeller flow positively entrains particles or liquid phases that tend to float. The lower impeller flow positively entrains particles or liquid phases that tend to sink and/or remain static in boundary layers against or near the vessel walls and base.

Claims

1. A boundary layer drum mixer comprising: a rotating motor; and a rotor assembly comprising: a shaft coupler; and a shaft; and an upper impeller; and a lower impeller; and a stator assembly comprising: a tubular housing; and an upper stator vane array; and a lower stator vane array; and an inlet stator vane array; and a media introduction port; and an array of inlet ports; and an array of outlet ports; and a lower radial friction bearing; and an adjacent vessel comprising: a rigid enclosure with sealed sides and bottom; and an affixed or removable lid; and an access port through the top of the vessel or lid; and a liquid-based media; wherein the rotating motor imparts rotational motion and energy to the rotor assembly, inducing liquid-based media from the adjacent vessel to be drawn into the media inlet ports, propelled through the impeller and stator arrangements, propelled through the tubular housing, propelled through the array of outlet ports and distributed throughout the liquid media in the adjacent vessel; wherein an upward flow of liquid-based media being propelled by the upper impeller and stator arrangement is delivered via the tubular housing to an array of upper outlet ports for distribution throughout the adjacent vessel for rapid and positive mixing and for entrainment of particles or liquid phases which tend to float at the top of the vessel.

2. The boundary layer drum mixer from claim 1, wherein a downward flow of liquid-based media being propelled by the lower impeller and stator arrangement is ejected radially from the mixer apparatus for distribution into the base of the vessel, and to cause rapid and positive mixing of particles and liquid phases settled in the boundary layer at or near the inner vessel base and inner vessel walls.

3. The boundary layer drum mixer from claim 1, wherein liquid media from an external pipe or hose can be introduced into the vessel through the body of the mixer apparatus via the integral media introduction port.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING VIEWS

(1) FIG. 1: APPARATUS SECTION VIEW

(2) (Cross sectional representation of the Boundary Layer Drum Mixer)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) Referring now in detail to FIG. 1 (apparatus section view), numbered features are described as follows: 1 is a tubular shaped housing which acts as a structural frame for the apparatus and acts as a duct for channeling and distributing liquid media. 2 is a motor used to induce a rotation to an attached shaft coupler. 3 is a shaft coupler used to induce a rotation to an attached drive shaft. 4 is a drive shaft used to induce a rotation to multiple arrays of impellers. 5 is an upper rotating impeller and static stator assembly which induces an upward axial flow of liquid media through the tubular housing. 6 is the upward flow of liquid media within the tubular housing. 7 is an array of outlet ports by which liquid media is disbursed from within the tubular housing to the volume outside the housing to the adjacent vessel. 8 is a lower rotating impeller and static stator assembly which induces a radial flow of liquid media outwardly from the annular array of outlet ports on the tubular housing to the volume outside the housing. 9 is the annular array of lower outlet ports. 10 is the radial liquid media flow adhering to the base of the adjacent container to entrain settled media in the boundary layer. 11 is an array of inlet ports and stator assemblies at a central location to introduce liquid media to the upper and lower impeller and stator assemblies. 12 is a media introduction port at the top of the housing for a return line connection for adding new or recirculated liquid media to the adjacent vessel directly through the mixer tubular housing from an adjacent pipe or hose. 13 is the lower bearing assembly to provide radial support to the drive shaft. 14 is the adjacent vessel to contain the media being mixed. 15 is the lid of the adjacent vessel. 16 represents an example fluid level of the media being mixed. 17 is a standard drum port through which the mixer assembly is installed and by which the assembly is supported radially.

(4) The apparatus can be constructed with varying geometry to accommodate vessels of different shapes and sizes. The specific quantity, size and geometry of the outlet port arrays can be varied to accommodate media of different constituents and fluid characteristics. The apparatus can be made to operate using a motor powered by either electrical energy, or compressed air energy, or hydraulic fluid energy.

(5) The materials of construction of the apparatus are not restricted, provided that they are structurally sturdy enough to perform as intended, and compatible with their environment.