DISTRIBUTIVE AND DISPERSIVE MIXING APPARATUS OF THE CDDM TYPE, AND ITS USE
A distributive and dispersive mixing apparatus of the CDDM type comprising two confronting surfaces as being the inner surface of shell ( 4 ) and the outer surface of fixed cage ( 2 )) and at least one cage-like member ( 3 ) disposed between the confronting surfaces said cage-like member ( 3 ) defining passages for fluid flow adjacent at least one of the confronting surfaces CHARACTERISED IN THAT the or at least one cage-like member ( 3 ) has a relative rotational movement but is not freely rotating relative to at least one of the confronting surfaces and/or at least one other cage-like member, and the bulk fluid flow within the mixing apparatus is in the plane of the surface of the or at least one cage-like member perpendicular to the direction of relative rotational movement.
1 . A distributive and dispersive mixing apparatus of the CDDM type comprising two confronting surfaces ( 1 , 4 ) and at least one cage-like member ( 2 , 3 ) disposed between the confronting surfaces ( 1 , 4 ) said cage-like member ( 2 , 3 ) defining passages for fluid flow adjacent at least one of the confronting surfaces ( 1 , 4 ) CHARACTERISED IN THAT at least one of the at least two confronting surfaces ( 1 , 4 ) is smooth, and the or at least one cage-like member ( 2 , 3 ) is driven by a motor to perform a rotation relative to at least one of the confronting surfaces ( 1 , 4 ) and/or at least one other cage-like member ( 2 , 3 ), and ports ( 5 , 6 ) are provided for ingress and egress such that the bulk fluid flow within the mixing apparatus is in the plane of the surface of the or at least one cage-like member ( 2 , 3 ).
2 . A mixing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least two confronting surfaces ( 1 , 4 ) is provided with cavities.
3 . A mixing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the confronting surfaces ( 1 , 4 ) can be rotated relative to each other.
4 . A mixing apparatus according claim 1 , which comprises at least two of said cage-like members ( 2 , 3 ).
5 . A mixing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein said at least two cage-like members ( 2 , 3 ) can be rotated relative to each other.
6 . A mixing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the confronting surfaces ( 1 , 4 ) are cylindrical and the, or each, respective portion of the cage-like member ( 2 , 3 ) is generally tubular.
7 . A mixing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the confronting surfaces ( 1 , 4 ) are circular and the, or each, respective portion of the cage-like member ( 2 , 3 ) is generally disk-shaped.
8 . A mixing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the confronting surfaces ( 1 , 4 ) are frusto-conical and the, or each, respective portion of the cage-like member ( 2 , 3 ) is generally frusto-conical.
9 . A mixing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the confronting surfaces ( 1 , 4 ) is stepped.
10 . A mixing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the surfaces of a cage-like member ( 2 , 3 ) is stepped.
11 . A mixing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the normal separation of the confronting surfaces ( 1 , 4 ) varies in the direction of bulk flow.
12 . A mixing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the normal separation of at least one confronting surfaces ( 1 , 4 ) and an adjacent cage like member ( 2 , 3 ) varies in the direction of bulk flow.
13 . Use of mixing apparatus according to claim 1 for the treatment of a liquid, emulsion gel.