Apparatus for diluting concentrated polymer solutions

Claim 2

An improvement in apparatuses for diluting concentrated aqueous solutions of water-soluble polymers of the type having an inlet and an outlet, and a mixing zone therebetween, the improvement which comprises a substantially vertical line fitted to the outlet with the vertical line containing a first flow control means, T means and a leg, said T means being positioned between said first flow control means and said leg and being connected to said outlet, a discharge line for feeding dilute water-soluble polymer solution, means connecting said discharge line to the bottom of the leg, said discharge line being substantially perpendicular to said vertical line, said discharge line being fitted with a second flow control means and means for supplying water to the vertical line and the discharge line, with the first flow control means being upstream of the T means and the second flow control means being between the means for supplying the water to the discharge line and the vertical line.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 where the source of concentrated polymer solution is a mixing block comprising a substantially rectangular block with a bore extending throughout its entire length, said bore having a center section, a first end section and a second end section, with the first end section containing a recycle outlet and defining a pre-mixing chamber for mixing the high viscosity fluids and the water with the second end section defining an outlet port for discharging a mixture of high viscosity fluids and water, a high viscosity fluid inlet nozzle in communication with the pre-mixing chamber, a water inlet in communication with the pre-mixing chamber, means for determining the pressure within the pre-mixing chamber, adjustable flow restricting means positioned within the center section of the bore, said flow restricting means being adapted to regulate the flow through the pre-mixing chamber and through the second end section wherein the adjustable flow restricting means is a cylindrical plug having a bevelled face in partial communication with the center of the bore, a recycle inlet in communication with said adjustable flow restricting means and recycling means comprising a pump and fluid conductors connecting the recycle outlet and the recycle inlet for recycling a portion of a mixture of high viscosity fluid and water.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the flow control valve is positioned above the T means.