Apparatus and method for continuously mixing fluids
Patent 5382411 Issued on January 17, 1995. Estimated Expiration Date: January 5, 2013. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
422/131, Organic polymerization366/65, Vertical mixing chamber366/66, Plural stirrers366/153.1, Controlling level of material in mixing chamber366/158.4, Including upstream agitator366/165.2, Including deflector in chamber (deflector may be part of chamber wall)366/165.4, Feed means having a flow regulator (e.g., valve or pump)422/135Including reactant agitating means in reaction chamber
Apparatus and method of hydrating a particulated polymer and producing a well treatment gel includes a mixer for spraying the polymer with water at a substantially constant water velocity and at a substantially constant water spray pattern at all flow rates of the water. A centrifugal diffuser is connected to the mixer for receiving the mixture, centrifugally diffusing the motive energy of the mixture, and hydrating the mixture into a gel. A centrifugal separator and constant velocity jet pump may be connected between the mixer and the centrifugal diffuser. A dilution valve is connected to the discharge of the centrifugal diffuser for mixing water with the gel at a substantially constant mixing energy at all flow rates of the gel and producing a diluted gel. A viscometer may be connected to the discharge of the dilution valve for measuring the viscosity of the diluted gel and regulating the flow of gel from the centrifugal diffuser to the dilution valve in order to control the viscosity of the diluted gel.
Other References
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