Multi-chamber high pressure dispersion apparatus

A method and apparatus for mixing two or more materials which are difficult to mix. The dispersion apparatus has a cylindrical housing which is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a separator. The materials to be mixed are forced under pressure into the lower chamber which is divided into pressure zones by kinetic baffles. A turbine blade imparts energy to the liquids which are kept from swirling by the kinetic baffles. The high pressure of the materials introduced into the chamber forces the materials through an opening between the baffle and shaft turning the blade into the upper chamber. In the upper chamber a second blade imparts centrifugal force to the materials to force them outward. The materials are sheared as they move through the apparatus and then are delivered to an outlet.

Having set forth the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A dispersion apparatus for mixing a plurality of materials, said apparatus comprising:

a housing having a bottom chamber and an upper chamber;

a motor mounted to said housing for turning a shaft extending into said housing;

a chamber separator plate mounted to said housing to separate said upper chamber from said lower chamber, said chamber separator plate having an aperture for receiving said shaft therethrough and forming an annular passage therebetween;

at least two kinetic baffles mounted within said lower chamber to form pressure zones;

an inlet plate mounted to said housing and having a primary inlet and a secondary inlet for delivering said plurality of materials into said lower chamber;

a pair of turbines mounted to said shaft, said first turbine disposed in said lower chamber and said second turbine disposed in said upper chamber; and

a distribution ring mounted to an end of said shaft, said dispersion ring having a skirt having a plurality of paddles.

2. The dispersion apparatus of claim 1, wherein said kinetic baffles comprise polygonal members disposed between said housing and said first turbine so as to form a pressure zone.

3. The dispersion apparatus of claim 2, wherein said kinetic baffles comprise essentially rectangular-shaped members.

4. The dispersion apparatus of claim 1, wherein said kinetic baffles comprise polygonal members disposed between said housing and said second turbine so as to form a pressure zone.

5. A method of mixing a plurality of materials comprising:

delivering a first material under pressure through a primary inlet into a lower mixing chamber;

forming a plurality of pressure zones with baffles;

delivering a second material into one of said pressure zones;

rotating said first and second materials in said lower chamber;

shearing said materials in a passage between an upper and said lower chamber;

rotating said materials in said upper chamber; and

collecting said materials from near the center of said upper chamber.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said delivering steps further comprise delivering said first and second materials in an upward direction into said lower chamber.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising a step of forcing said first material axially outwardly through a skirt of a dispersion ring into said lower mixing chamber.

8. A dispersion apparatus for mixing a plurality of materials, said apparatus comprising:

a housing having a bottom chamber and an upper chamber; a motor mounted to said housing for turning a shaft extending into said housing;

a chamber separator plate mounted to said housing to separate said upper chamber from said lower chamber, said chamber separator plate having an aperture for receiving said shaft therethrough and forming an annular passage therebetween, said chamber separator plate having attached thereto a plurality of baffles disposed in said upper chamber;

at least two kinetic baffles mounted within said lower chamber to form pressure zones;

an inlet plate mounted to said housing and having a primary inlet and a secondary inlet for delivering said plurality of materials into said lower chamber; and

a pair of turbines mounted to said shaft, said first turbine disposed in said lower chamber and said second turbine disposed in said upper chamber.

9. The dispersion apparatus of claim 8, wherein said chamber separator plate further comprises a plurality of baffles disposed in said lower chamber.

10. A dispersion apparatus for mixing a plurality of materials, said apparatus comprising:

a housing having a bottom chamber and an upper chamber;

a motor mounted to said housing for turning a shaft extending into said housing;

a chamber separator mounted to said housing to separate said upper chamber from said lower chamber, said chamber separator plate having an aperture for receiving said shaft therethrough and forming an annular passage therebetween;

at least two kinetic baffles mounted within said lower chamber to form pressure zones;

an inlet plate mounted to said housing and having a primary inlet and a secondary inlet for delivering said plurality of materials into said lower chamber;

a pair of turbines mounted to said shaft, said first turbine disposed in said lower chamber and said second turbine disposed in said upper chamber; and

a gland plate having a plurality of baffles, said gland plate mounted to said housing so as to be adjacent to the upper chamber of said housing, and said gland plate is adapted to induce rotation in the materials.

11. The dispersion apparatus of claim 10, wherein said gland plate further comprises an outlet through which particulate is removed from the materials.