Can a Bubbler Effectively Mix a Release Agent in a Sealed Vessel?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the effectiveness of using a bubbler to mix a release agent in a sealed vessel at an industrial urethane plant. The current mixing method, utilizing a propeller-driven system, has proven inconsistent. Participants suggest alternatives such as a circulating pump for continuous action, a reciprocating plunger sieve for timed mixing, and a rotary plunger design to minimize frothing and maintain mixture properties. The consensus indicates that while bubbling may introduce turbulence, it is generally not preferred due to potential froth and alteration of mixture properties.

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Joshua Brian Rivet
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Good Morning everyone,

I am working at an industrial urethane plant, and I am having some issues with mixing a release agent. The "RA" is distributed by a robot , and fed by a standard pressure pot. This chemical needs to be in constant suspension and our attempts at a propellor driven system have been hit or miss.

A great solution would be to install a bubbler line into the chemical, however I have my doubts that it will do much of anything to mix the material properly.

The tanks (20 liters) are pressurized to around 32 PSI , and are kept at 1/2 full. Our idea is to run a air line to the bottom of the tank and place a check valve, with assumed pressure around 20 PSI.

Would there by sufficient turbulence in the mixture? or would the tank just maintain 32 PSI and not produce a lot of bubbles?

What are your thoughts?

Great forum and new resource for us the industrial applications!

-J
 
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Circulating pump , mixture out from bottom of tank , back into tank at top via a shower head . Could be continuous action but probably better to recirculate cup fulls of fluid at timed intervals .

Reciprocating plunger sieve . A plate with big holes plunging into liquid and then back out again . Again could be continuous action but probably better to have single strokes at timed intervals .

Bubbling air might work but it is generally a non preferred option . Usual result is a tank full of froth and there is always the possibility that entrained air will alter the properties of the mixture .
 
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Another thing that could work quite well would be a rotary version of the plunger above . A plate (on one side only of the drive axle) which almost touches the sides of the tank and with big holes in it . Drive maybe two turns clockwise followed by two turns anticlockwise (with a random starting position) at timed intervals .

One type of industrial paint mixer works this way .

nb : All systems mentioned would be arranged to be quite slow acting so as to provide gentle mixing rather than harsh agitation .
 

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