Abstract: Superfine dry polymer particles (about 70-400 mesh, mean average) are hydrated while in a highly energized turbulence. The dry particles are metered at a rate which separates the particles at the time when they first strike a solvent. The turbulence of the mixed particles and a solvent (preferably water) further separates and wets the particles.

Abstract: Superfine powder particles (70-400 mesh, mean average) are wetted in a processing unit that disperses the powder by impact with an impeller before substantial contact with a solvent, such as water. The impeller is provided with posts that extend the dispersion zone above the impeller to capture and disperse any powder that may accumulate on the top of the impeller. The impeller is driven by a variable speed motor to adjust the rotational speed of the impeller to increase the efficiency of wetting. Processing may be adapted to wetting of other superfine materials, such as clays.

Abstract: A process for activating polymer including preconditioning a diluent by heating it to a high temperature and then mixing the heated diluent with the polymer to form a blend having a high polymer content (e.g., about 5% polymer and 95% hot diluent). The blend is activated and then diluted by mixing it with a cold or cool diluent in order to provide an output stream of about 0.25-2% polymer having a relatively low temperature. The high temperature and high polymer content enables a continuous process, as distinguished from batch processes used heretofore which required substantial holding time in an aging tank. The reduction of the temperature of the blend by mixing it with cold or cool diluent prevents damage to heat-sensitive polymers.

Abstract: A process for activating polymer including preconditioning a diluent by heating it to a high temperature and then mixing the heated diluent with the polymer to form a blend having a high polymer content (e.g., about 5% polymer and 95% hot diluent). The blend is activated and then diluted by mixing it with a cold or cool diluent in order to provide an output stream of about 0.25-2% polymer having a relatively low temperature. The high temperature and high polymer content enables a continuous process, as distinguished from batch processes used heretofore which required substantial holding time in an aging tank. The reduction of the temperature of the blend by mixing it with cold or cool diluent prevents damage to heat-sensitive polymers.

Abstract: A continuous output system makes paper coating by combining an emulsifier with ASA particles having sizes in the low to sub-micron region. A turbine, pump, blender or other device exposes the ASA to a number of repeated episodes of high shear until the resulting ASA is in the form of particles having a mean average diameter in approximately the 1&mgr; range. A manifold provides the system piping in order to minimize the internal areas where ASA may build up. This manifold has a plurality of holes bored in a solid metal block so that each of the bores forms a short pipe which is only an inch or two in length in order to reduce the interior surface area of an ASA transport and conveyance system.

Abstract: A system for activating or inverting modern, fast to activate polymers has a chamber with two entrances, one for neat polymer and one for an electrolyte. The polymer and electrolyte first meet at a polymer/electrolyte interface formed by an orifice in the polymer entrance. Within the chamber, a valve is arranged at that orifice so that the neat polymer never encounters the electrolyte during periods when the system is shut-down and not operating. This increases the maintenance time period between back flushing and cleanout of the polymer delivery channel.

Abstract: A low cost dry polymer processing system has a housing containing submersible pump with a weir mounted on top of the housing and over an impeller chamber in the housing. The weir is a combination of a sleeve and a coaxial funnel with a top edge of the funnel that is level with respect to gravity to the extent that an inside wall of the funnel is wetted with an unbroken sheet of liquid. An electrolyte liquid rising in the sleeve overflows the top edge of the funnel in order to form a liquid sheet or curtain uniformly covering the inside wall of the funnel. The amount of liquid is limited so that the impeller is not hydraulically locked. Dry polymer is dropped through the funnel and into the eye of the impeller enclosed within the chamber which is drained via a port in the bottom of the pump housing. Fresh electrolyte is introduced into the housing at a level which is under the impeller. Thereafter, the mixture of the electrolyte and polymer is drained from the impeller compartment via the port.

Abstract: A polymer processing system has a polymer input and an electrolyte input which may be varied independently of each other. The polymer and electrolyte are combined and mixed to provide an out flowing solution which flows through a sensor cell that gives an output signal indicating the concentration of polymer in the solution leaving the processing system. The user repeatedly and incrementally sets the inflows of polymer and electrolyte to provide a preselected variety of concentrations of polymer in the out flowing solution. On each incremental setting, a memory stores information relating the concentration to the output signal. Thereafter, the processing system automatically maintains any desired polymer concentration in joint response to the output signal and the stored information.

Abstract: The invention is a paper coating system which introduces ASA particles having sizes in the sub-micron region into an emulsifier without shearing the emulsifier. The system has a continuous output--as distinguished from a batch system. The system comprises a variable speed low pressure starch metering pump, a variable speed high pressure ASA metering pump, a high pressure atomizing nozzle assembly, and a manifold which brings the starch and the atomized ASA flow together. The high nozzle pressure breaks up or atomizes the ASA into minute sub-micron particles that are evenly distributed throughout the starch to form a nearly perfect oil in water emulsion. By controlling the nozzle pressure, the proper particle size can be produced quite easily. An optical monitoring device that uses a coherent (laser) light source continuously measures and validates the quality of the ASA emulsion.

Abstract: A low cost dry polymer processing system has an inverted submersible pump with a weir mounted on top of the pump housing and over an impeller in the housing. The weir is a combination of a sleeve and a coaxial funnel with a top edge of the funnel that is level with respect to gravity. An electrolyte liquid rising in the sleeve overflows the top edge of the funnel in order to form a liquid curtain uniformly covering the inside wall of the funnel. The amount of liquid is limited so that the impeller is not hydraulically locked. Dry polymer is dropped through the funnel and into the eye of the impeller. Thereafter, the remainder of the polymer processing is carried out by any suitable means.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and activating polymer which includes the introduction of gas with water and polymer in order to create a variable density type foam which aids in the activation and enhances the efficiency of the polymer. The apparatus of the preferred embodiment provides the introduction of water and polymer into a mixing loop having a premixing manifold containing a static mixer, injecting or sparging gas into the outflow from the static mixer, blending and activating by mechanical agitation the water polymer and gas mixture, partially feeding back into the mixing loop the mixture to provide a desired level of polymer activation which is delivered at a desired rate of flow. This system provides capabilities for selecting the desired level of activation, levels of polymer concentration, levels of overall flow rate as well as controlling the various energy imparting elements of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for thoroughly wetting a dry polymer and mixing it with water, or another electrolyte, to make an electrolyte/polymer mixture. The system uses a funnel which has water introduced along a circumferential pattern therein to form a wall of swirling water over the inner wall of the funnel. The dry polymer is dropped into the eye of the impeller vortex. The spout of the funnel opens directly into the vortex or eye of an impeller of a pump which imparts substantial energy to the mixture. After the dry polymer is thoroughly wetted by the impeller action, the mixture is transferred to a mixing vessel where a large volume of air is blown through the mixture at a relatively low pressure while the mixture ages. The viscosity of the mixture is enhanced by the conformationally structuring of the polymer at the water/air interface of the blown air. After processing in the mixing vessel, the polymer is withdrawn and used for any suitable purpose.

Abstract: A low cost optical sensor using ordinary non-coherent light reads the polymer content of a processed polymer solution and gives a go/no-go signal in response thereto. The system shuts down in response to the no-go signal. There are no moving parts to pick up or be fouled by polymer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the feed rate of water treatment chemicals to a process stream requiring such treatment. A sample stream is obtained from the dynamic process stream at a controlled and constant rate and is fed to a settling column. The settling column is equipped with underflow and overflow weirs and a sensor between the weirs for monitoring the concentration of solids. The settling column provides a quiescent area in which solids and/or other particulate matter to be settled can demonstrate their relative tendency to do so. A controller responsive to the sensor governs the feed rate of a particular treatment chemical.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the liquid level of overflow ponds and the like. It comprises a vertical standpipe having a polymer feed inlet near its bottom, a valve for controlling flow of polymer to the polymer feed inlet, at least 1 fluid discharge inlet near the bottom of the vertical standpipe. A flexible hose connects the fluid discharge inlet to a corresponding opening located in a horizontal plate which is adapted to ride up and down on the standpipe. The horizontal plate is fitted with a float, filter and a valve shut off plunger.