US3994480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mixing method
Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1974-06-06
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Granted: 1976-11-30
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Expires: 1994-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A method for mixing liquids and solids to form a mixture, and preferably nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertilizers in which the liquid is introduced tangentially into a mixer to establish a continuous vortex and the solids in the form of a stream are deflected from the central portion of the vortex to form a mixture of the solids with the liquid. The means for deflecting the solids into the vortex may be mechanical or a corona discharge electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Henry Fothergill
- 👤 Henry Earle
- 👤 William John Kelly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:25
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01F; B01F25/00; B01F25/10; B01F33/00; B01F33/05; C; C05; C05G; C05G5/00; C05G5/10; C05G5/12; B01F23/00; B01F23/50; B01F23/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of mixing particular solids and liquids which comprises forming the liquid into a substantially continuous vortex, establishing a corona discharge in the neighbourhood of the vortex, passing a stream of solid particles through the corona discharge, thereby charging the particles electrostatically and forming the stream into a dispersed cloud of particles, and passing the cloud of particles into the vortex.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of mixing particular solids and liquids which comprises forming the liquid into a substantially continuous vortex, establishing a corona discharge in the neighbourhood of the vortex, passing a stream of solid particles through the corona discharge, thereby charging the particles electrostatically and forming the stream into a dispersed cloud of particles, and passing the cloud of particles into the vortex.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for mixing together a nitrogen phosphorus fertilizer melt with solid potassium chloride to form a nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertilizer in a mixer comprising introducing a stream of said liquid nitrogen phosphorus melt tangentially into the mixer to establish a continuous vortex with the smallest diameter part thereof being at the bottom in at least the lower part of the mixer; introducing a stream of particulate solid potassium chloride into the mixer substantially in the central region of the vortex and substantially in the axial direction of the vortex; deflecting the particulate solid potassium chloride substantially radially outward into the vortex at a level below the level which said stream of liquid is introduced into said mixer to form said nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertilizer; and withdrawing said nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertilizer mixture from the mixer.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for mixing together a nitrogen phosphorus fertilizer melt with solid potassium chloride to form a nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertilizer in a mixer comprising introducing a stream of said liquid nitrogen phosphorus melt tangentially into the mixer to establish a continuous vortex with the smallest diameter part thereof being at the bottom in at least the lower part of the mixer; introducing a stream of particulate solid potassium chloride into the mixer substantially in the central region of the vortex and substantially in the axial direction of the vortex; deflecting the particulate solid potassium chloride substantially radially outward into the vortex at a level below the level which said stream of liquid is introduced into said mixer to form said nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertilizer; and withdrawing said nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertilizer mixture from the mixer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the mixer has a funnel-shape lower interior surface having an angle to the vertical of from 10° to 45° and wherein the vortex is formed be establishing a rotating film of the liquid on said lower interior surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 2 comprising establishing a corona discharge in the neighborhood of the vortex, passing the stream of particulate solid potassium chloride through the corona discharge, thereby charging the particles electrostatically and forming the stream into a dispersed cloud of particles and passing the cloud of particles into the vortex to form said mixed sodium phosphorus potassium fertilizer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 2 comprising subsequently forming the mixed nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertilizer into prills.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-30 | 1980-05-31 | 1980-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-30 | 1984-05-31 | 1984-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-30 | 1988-05-31 | 1988-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |