Dispensing a viscous use solution by diluting a less viscous concentrate

• US 5,816,446 A
• Filed: 01/23/1997
• Issued: 10/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Richard H., Parker, Carleton J., Steindorf, Richard E., Hodge, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): KAUFMAN, JOSEPH A
• Application Number:
  US08/787,808
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/129.1, 222/129.2, 222/145.5, 222/145.6, 222/145.7, 222/145.8, 239/310, 239/318, 137/888, 137/891, 137/896
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2215/0495 Numerical values of viscosity of substances
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/45 using flow mixing
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/451 by injecting one liquid into another
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/471 using a very viscous liquid and a liquid of low viscosity
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/312 with Venturi elements; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/31242 the main flow being injected in the central area of the venturi, creating an aspiration in the circumferential part of the conduit B01F25/31243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/31243 Eductor or eductor-type venturi, i.e. the main flow being injected through the venturi with high speed in the form of a jet
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/74 Devices for mixing two or more different liquids to be transferred coin-freed apparatus G07F13/06
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/22 derived from aromatic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/29 Sulfates of polyoxyalkylene ethers
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/523 Carboxylic alkylolamides, or dialkylolamides, or hydroxycarboxylic amides (R1-CO-NR2R3), where R1, R2 or R3 contain one hydroxy group per alkyl group
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/62 Quaternary ammonium compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/75 Amino oxides
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/83 Mixtures of non-ionic with anionic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/86 Mixtures of anionic, cationic, and non-ionic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/041 Compositions releasably affixed on a substrate or incorporated into a dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/2044 linear
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/2068 Ethers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87611 Flow control by varying position of a fluid inlet relative to entrainment chamber

Abstract

An apparatus for diluting and dispensing a liquid concentrate with a liquid diluent to form a use solution wherein the use solution has a higher viscosity than either the concentrate or the diluent is provided. The apparatus includes an aspirator, a liquid diluent conducting path, a liquid concentrate conducting path, and a liquid conducting outlet path. The aspirator has a first inlet port, a second inlet port, and an outlet port. The first inlet port is connected to the liquid diluent conducting path for receiving a stream of the liquid diluent and the second inlet port is connected to the liquid concentrate conducting path for receiving a stream of the liquid concentrate at atmospheric pressure. The liquid conducting outlet is connected to the outlet port for dispensing the use solution from the apparatus. The geometry of the aspirator nozzle and the fluid passageways in the dispenser are adapted to a high viscosity dilute product.

Claims

1. An apparatus for diluting a liquid concentrate with a liquid diluent to form a use solution, the apparatus comprising:

(a) an aspirator comprising a first inlet port for receiving a stream of the liquid diluent said diluent at water service line pressure of less than about 60 psi, a nozzle opening for the liquid diluent, a second inlet port for receiving a stream of the liquid concentrate having a viscosity of about 10 to 1000 cP, and an outlet port for the use solution having a viscosity of about 100 to 4000 cP;

(b) liquid diluent conducting means connected to the first inlet port and liquid concentrate conducting means connected to the second inlet port of the aspirator for supplying thereto the liquid diluent and the liquid concentrate respectively; and

(c) a liquid conducting outlet means having a throat and a passageway connected to the outlet port for dispensing the use solution having a viscosity greater than the liquid concentrate, from the apparatus;

wherein the use solution has a higher viscosity than the concentrate or the diluent, the ratio of the diameter of the opening to the throat and the passageway to the diameter of the nozzle opening is greater than 1.4;

1 and the liquid conducting outlet means comprises flow restriction means having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the passageway causing the passageway to fill with use solution.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the diameter of the opening to the passageway to the diameter of the opening of the nozzle is greater than 1.6:

1.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outlet port and the liquid conducting outlet means are shaped and configured to maintain during dispensing a dynamic volume of use solution within the outlet port and the liquid conducting outlet means, sufficient to maintain continuous dispensing and a consistent concentrate to diluent ratio, and are sized in relation to the flow rate of the liquid diluent and in relation to the flow rate of the liquid concentrate, through the first inlet port and the second inlet port, such that the flow rate of the use solution from the apparatus is substantially unaffected by the viscosity of use solution.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the diameter of the opening to the passageway to the diameter of the opening of the nozzle is between 1.8 and 3.0:

1.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the nozzle opening is about 3 to 10 mm.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the liquid conducting outlet means to the internal diameter of the flow restriction means is about 1.3:

1 to 3.5;

1.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid concentrate comprises about 40 to 90 wt % active ingredients in an aqueous solution.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the use solution comprises about 10 to 25 wt % actives in an aqueous solution.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the liquid concentrate has a viscosity of about 10 to 600 cP at about 22°

C. and the use solution has a viscosity of 100 to 2000 cP at about 22°

C.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid diluent is at a line pressure of about 10-60 psig.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid diluent is at a line pressure of about 20-40 psig.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distance from the nozzle opening to the throat is about 0.1 to 10 mm.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the liquid concentrate conducting means has a check valve.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the check valve is a diaphragm valve.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid concentrate has a viscosity of about 100 to 400 cP at about 22°

C. and the use solution has a viscosity of about 200 to 1200 cP at about 22°

C.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid diluent is deionized water.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid concentrate comprises an aqueous liquid containing a surfactant.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the aqueous concentrate additionally comprises a source of alkalinity.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the aqueous concentrate additionally comprises a source of acidity.

20. An apparatus for diluting a liquid concentrate with a liquid diluent to form a use solution, the apparatus comprising:

(a) an aspirator comprising a first inlet port for receiving a stream of the liquid diluent said diluent at water service line pressure less than about 60 psi, a second inlet port for receiving a stream of the liquid concentrate having a viscosity of 10-600 cP at 22°

C., a nozzle, and venturi comprising a nozzle opening, a throat facing the nozzle and a passageway terminating at an outlet port, wherein the ratio of the area of the throat to the area of the nozzle is greater than 4;

1 and effective to cause the liquid concentrate to be aspirated and drawn through the apparatus;

(b) a liquid diluent conducting means connected to the first inlet port and a liquid concentrated conducting means having a valve, the liquid concentrate conducting means being connected to the second inlet port of the aspirator for supplying thereto the liquid concentrate at atmospheric pressure; and

(c) a liquid conducting outlet means connected to the outlet port for delivering the use solution having a viscosity greater than the liquid concentrate, from the apparatus;

wherein the outlet port and the second liquid conducting means are adapted for use with a use solution having a viscosity of 200 to 1200 cP at 22°

C., the use solution having a viscosity greater than the diluent and the concentrate, the outlet port and the liquid conducting outlet means are shaped and configured to maintain during dispensing a dynamic volume of use solution within the outlet port and the liquid conducting outlet means, sufficient to maintain continuous dispensing and a concentrate to diluent ratio of about 1 part of concentrate to about 3 to 6 parts of diluent, and are sized in relation to the flow rate of the liquid diluent and in relation to the flow rate of the liquid concentrate, through the first inlet port and the second inlet port such that the flow rate of the use solution from the apparatus is substantially unaffected by the viscosity of use solution.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the liquid concentrate comprises about 40 to 90 wt % active ingredients in an aqueous solution.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the use solution comprises about 10-25 wt % actives in an aqueous solution.

23. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the passageway terminating at an outlet port has an opening with an internal diameter effective to prevent the jet of the liquid diluent from exiting the outlet port without impacting the diverging portion of the passageway of the aspirator.

24. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the passageway terminating at an outlet port comprises a flow restricting means.

25. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the liquid conducting outlet means further comprises a conduit connected downstream to the flow restriction means, the conduit having a diameter at least 1.5 times that of the flow restriction means.

26. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the liquid concentrate has a viscosity of about 100 to 400 cP at about 22°

C.

27. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the use solution has a viscosity of about 200 to 1200 cP at 22°

C.

28. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the flow restriction means comprises a cylindrical post.

29. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the flow restriction means comprises a wire insert.

30. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the liquid concentrate comprises an aqueous liquid containing a surfactant.

31. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the aqueous liquid additionally comprises a source of alkalinity.

32. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the liquid concentrate additionally comprises a source of acidity.

33. A method of diluting an aqueous liquid concentrate having a viscosity of about 10-1000 cP with an aqueous liquid diluent to form an aqueous use solution having an increased viscosity, when compared to the concentrate, the method comprising:

(a) combining the liquid diluent said diluent at water service line pressure less than about 60 psi, with the liquid concentrate having a viscosity of about 10-1000 cP, in an aspirator device, to form a liquid use solution of increased viscosity when compared to the liquid concentrate; and

(b) accumulating the aqueous use solution in a container in liquid communication with the aspirator;

wherein the viscosity of the use solution is greater than both the liquid concentrate and 200 cP.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the liquid concentrate comprises about 40 to 90 wt % active ingredients in an aqueous solution.

35. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the use solution comprises about 10-30 wt % actives in an aqueous solution.

36. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the use solution comprises about 10-25 wt % actives in an aqueous solution.

37. The method of claim 33 wherein the viscosity of the use solution is about 200-1200 cP.

38. The method of claim 33 wherein the viscosity of the use solution is about 400-1000 cP.

39. The method of claim 33 wherein the aqueous liquid diluent comprises deionized water.

40. The method of claim 33 wherein the aqueous concentrate comprises deionized water containing a surfactant composition.

41. The method of claim 33 wherein the aqueous concentrate additionally comprises a source of alkalinity.

42. The method of claim 33 wherein the aqueous concentrate additionally comprises a source of acidity.

43. An apparatus for diluting a liquid concentrate with a liquid diluent to form a use solution, the apparatus comprising:

(a) an aspirator comprising a first inlet port for receiving a stream of the liquid diluent said diluent at water service line pressure of less than about 60 psi, a nozzle opening for the liquid diluent having a diameter of about 1 to 6 mm, a second inlet port for receiving a stream of the liquid concentrate having a viscosity of about 10 to 1000 cP, and an outlet port for the use solution having a viscosity of about 100 to 4000 cP;

(b) liquid diluent conducting means connected to the first inlet port and liquid concentrate conducting means connected to the second inlet port of the aspirator for supplying thereto the liquid diluent and the liquid concentrate respectively; and

(c) a liquid conducting outlet means having a throat and a passageway connected to an outlet port for dispensing the use solution having a viscosity greater than the liquid concentrate, from the apparatus;

wherein the use solution has a higher viscosity than the concentrate and the diluent, the ratio of the diameter of the opening to the throat and the passageway to the diameter of the nozzle opening is greater than about 1.4;

1 and the liquid connecting outlet means comprises a variable flow restriction means having a diameter about 3 to 10 mm and smaller than the diameter of the passageway causing the passageway to fill with use solution.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the ratio of the diameter of the opening to the passageway to the diameter of the opening of the nozzle is greater than 1.6:

1.

45. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the outlet port and the liquid conducting outlet means are shaped and configured to maintain during dispensing a dynamic volume of use solution within the outlet port and the liquid conducting outlet means, sufficient to maintain continuous dispensing and a consistent concentrate to diluent ratio, and are sized in relation to the flow rate of the liquid diluent and in relation to the flow rate of the liquid concentrate, through the first inlet port and the second inlet port, such that the flow rate of the use solution from the apparatus is substantially unaffected by the viscosity of use solution.

46. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the ratio of the diameter of the opening to the passageway to the diameter of the opening of the nozzle is between about 1.8 and 3.0:

1.

47. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the nozzle opening is about 1 to 6 mm.

48. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the diameter of the liquid conducting outlet means to the internal diameter of the flow restriction means about 1.3:

1 to 3.5;

1.

49. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the liquid concentrate comprises about 40 to 90 wt % active ingredients in an aqueous solution.

50. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the use solution comprises about 10-25 wt % actives in an aqueous solution.

51. The apparatus according to claim 43 wherein the liquid concentrate has a viscosity of about 10 to 600 cP at about 22°

C. and the use solution has a viscosity of 100 to 2000 cP at about 22°

C.

52. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the liquid diluent is at a line pressure of about 10-60 psig.

53. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the liquid diluent is at a line pressure of about 20-40 psig.

54. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the distance from the nozzle opening to the throat is about 0.1 to 10 mm.

55. The apparatus according to claim 43 wherein the liquid concentrate conducting means has a check valve.

56. The apparatus according to claim 55 wherein the check valve is a diaphragm valve.

57. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the liquid concentrate has a viscosity of about 100 to 400 cP at about 22°

C. and the use solution has a viscosity of about 200 to 1200 cP at about 22°

C.

58. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the liquid diluent is deionized water.

59. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the liquid concentrate comprises an aqueous liquid containing a surfactant.

60. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the aqueous concentrate additionally comprises a source of alkalinity.

61. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the aqueous concentrate additionally comprises a source of acidity.

62. An aspirator adapted to dispense and dilute an aqueous concentrate with an aqueous diluent said diluent at water service line pressure less than about 60 psi to form a dilute use solution, the aspirator comprising a nozzle having a defined axial flow line, an outlet portion for the dilute use solution, an a throat having a defined axial flow line, the nozzle disposed in direct fluid communication with the throat, the axial flow line of the nozzle radially displaced, but parallel to, the axial flow line of the throat.

63. The aspirator of claim 62 wherein the ratio of the diameter of the opening to the throat to the diameter of the diameter of the nozzle is greater than about 1.4:

1.

64. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the viscosity of the liquid concentrate is about 10 to 1000 cP and the use solution has a viscosity of about 100 to 4000 cP.

65. An aspirator adapted to dispense and dilute an aqueous concentrate with an aqueous diluent to form a dilute use solution, the aspirator comprising a nozzle for the diluent and a throat for the dilute use solution, the flow of a diluent passing directly into the throat, the nozzle having a defined axial flow line and the throat having a throat wall defining an axial flow line, the nozzle in direct fluid communication with the throat, the axial flow line of the throat and throat wall being angularly displaced from the axial flow line of the nozzle at an angle greater than about 1°

, and wherein the ratio of the diameter of the opening to the throat to the diameter of the nozzle is greater than about 1.4;

1.

66. The aspirator of claim 65 wherein the angle is greater than about 3°

.

67. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the viscosity of the liquid concentrate is about 10 to 1000 cP and the use solution has a viscosity of about 100 to 4000 cP.