Methods and apparatus for materials processing

• US 6,471,392 B1
• Filed: 03/07/2001
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The 323 Trust
• Original Assignee: Holl Technologies Company
• Inventors: McGrevy, Alan N., Holl, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Soohoo, Tony Glen
• Application Number:
  US09/802,037
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 366/279, 366/315, 366/342, 366/343, 366/348, 366/349, 366/165.1, 241/1
• US Class Current: 366/279
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/74 with rotary cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/8362 with chemical reactions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/4122 at the side walls of the receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/512 characterised by surface properties, e.g. coated or rough
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/54 Closely surrounding the rotating element
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/90 Heating or cooling systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/10 employing sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/122 Incoherent waves gamma-radiation B01J19/082
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/125 X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/126 Microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/127 Sunlight; Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/1887 forming a thin film
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00094 Jackets
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0888 Liquid-liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/182 horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/1943 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 11/02 the movement being rotary, e.g. performed by a drum or roller F28D11/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 7/0066 Multi-circuit heat-exchangers, e.g. integrating different heat exchange sections in the same unit or heat-exchangers for more than two fluids F28D7/103 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/02 by influencing fluid boundary boundary-layer control in general F15D

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for processing materials employ two cylindrical members, one mounted within the other, defining an annular processing chamber. Preferably, the outer member is stationery (stator), while the inner rotates (rotor). The radial spacing between the stator inner surface and the rotor outer surface is equal to or less than the back-to-back radial thicknesses of the two laminar boundary layers formed on the two surfaces by the material being processed. The surfaces are made smooth, as by buffing to a finish of not more than 10 microinches. This structure inhibits formation of Taylor vortices in the processing passage, which cause unstable flow and consequent incomplete mixing. Preferably, the relative velocity between rotor and stator surfaces is at least 1.2 meters per second. The surfaces may be coated with catalysts. Transducers may be provided to apply processing energy, such as microwave, light or ultrasonic waves, through the stator wall.

Claims

1. A method for processing materials, comprising:

passing materials to be processed in a flow path through an annular processing passage between two closely spaced smooth surfaces provided by respective cylindrical apparatus members at least one rotating relative to the another;

wherein the material forms material boundary layers against both the surfaces;

wherein the radial spacing between the two surfaces is equal to or less than the back-to-back radial thicknesses of the two boundary layers; and

wherein the smoothnesses of the surfaces are such that formation of Taylor vortices in the processing passage is inhibited.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical apparatus members rotate relative to one another about respective longitudinal axes that are coaxial with one another so that the radial spacing of the two surfaces is constant circumferentially thereof.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus members are moved so as to produce a linear velocity between their operative surfaces relative to one another of at least 1.2 meter per second.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smoothness of the surfaces is 10 microinches or less.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the smoothness of the surfaces is 5 microinches or less.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising applying processing energy to the processing passage through the wall of the outer of the two members.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the energy applied to the processing passage is any one of electromagnetic energy of microwave frequency, light, X-rays, gamma radiation and ultrasonic longitudinal vibrations.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or both of the surfaces is coated with catalytic material that enhances at least one of chemical, biochemical and biocidal reactions in the processing passage.

9. An apparatus for processing materials comprising:

two cylindrical apparatus members mounted for rotation relative to one another, and defining two closely spaced smooth surfaces providing an annular processing passage constituting a flow path for the material;

wherein the radial spacing between the two surfaces is equal to or less than the back-to-back radial thicknesses of the two laminar boundary layers of the material against the two surfaces that is to pass through the processing passage; and

wherein the smoothnesses of the surfaces are such that formation of Taylor vortices in the processing passage is inhibited.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cylindrical apparatus members are mounted to rotate relative to one another about respective longitudinal axes that are coaxial so that the radial spacing of the two surfaces is constant circumferentially thereof.

11. An Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the apparatus members are moved so as to produce a linear velocity between their operative surfaces relative to one another of at least 1.2 meter per second.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the smoothness of the surfaces is 10 microinches or less.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the smoothness of the surfaces is 5 microinches or less.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the smoothnesses of the surfaces are 5 microinches or less.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the smoothnesses of the surfaces are 10 microinches or less.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the apparatus members are coaxially mounted and at least one rotates relative to the other.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising means for applying processing energy to the processing passage through the wall of the outer of the two members.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the energy applied to the processing passage is any one of electromagnetic energy of microwave frequency, light, X-rays, gamma radiation and ultrasonic longitudinal vibrations.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein one or both of the surfaces is coated with catalytic material that enhances at least one of chemical, bio-chemical and biocidal reactions in the processing passage.