Abstract: A dewatering system for removing solids from an influent includes a filtration assembly and a feed pipe upstream thereof. The dewatering system includes a solids receptacle downstream of the filtration assembly, and an effluent collector adjacent to the filtration assembly and in fluid communication with the filtration assembly. The dewatering system includes a sensor to sense a characteristic of an influent, an effluent and/or a solid. A control system is operatively connected to the sensor to receive a sensor signal therefrom and to generate an adjustment signal based on the sensor signal to improve the efficiency of the dewatering system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for dispensing and mixing multi-component materials, in particular for viscous fluid materials. The device is adapted for dispensing multi-component compositions that are kept separate prior to use and that are also typically mixed prior to use to properly combine the constituents in order to form an active and/or working composition. In one embodiment, a device is adapted to contain at least one vessel containing a material prior to use. The device also includes a mechanism for evacuating the at least one vessel and a mechanism for mixing at least one material prior to use. The material may contain multiple constituents in one vessel or more than one vessel.

Abstract: A starch glue kitchen includes a plurality of raw material barrels, a mixing barrel, a pump, a viscosity detector, and a computer. The raw material barrels include a starch barrel, a water barrel, a thickener barrel, a crosslink agent barrel, and a chemical additive barrel. The mixing barrel is used to uniformly mix the raw materials put therein. The bottom of the mixing barrel is provided with a delivery conduit. The other end of the delivery conduit extends into the mixing barrel. The pump is provided on the delivery conduit of the mixing barrel. The viscosity detector is provided on the delivery conduit between the bottom of the mixing barrel and the pump. The computer is configured to receive signals inputted from the viscosity detector and controllably adjust the amount of raw materials outputted from the respective raw material barrels and a mixing period of the mixing barrel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to mixers for viscometers and methods of using the same. Such inventions are applicable, for example, to industrial processes such as printing. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a viscosity control system including a viscosity sensor, a mixing element, a shaft fixedly attached to the mixing element, and an actuator interfacing with the viscosity sensor and the shaft. The annular mixing element is oscillatable about an axis lying in a plane tangent to a point on a wall of the mixing element. The shaft is centered about the axis. The actuator receives a signal from the viscosity sensor and rotates the shaft and the mixing element in an oscillating manner about the axis. In some embodiments, the shaft rotates through an angle of less than 360 degrees.

Abstract: A gel mixing system that employs a dynamic diffuser for quickly removing the air from the fluid as the fluid exits a traditional gel mixer and employs progressive dilution of the gel in a series of hydration tanks to maximize hydration time without allowing the gel to become so viscous that it is not easily diluted or pumped. High shear agitation of the fluid between the hydration tanks helps to increase the hydration rate. Progressive dilution of the gel increases residence time of the gel in the tanks and results in longer hydration time in the limited tank space available, resulting in continuous production of gel that is almost fully hydrated when it is pumped to the fracturing blender and subsequently to the well bore without the need for an increase in the volume of the hydration tanks.

Abstract: A batter mixing apparatus and process is disclosed for mixing a dry batter mix with a predetermined amount of water is adapted to continuously measure the temperature and the viscosity, in centipoises, with an inline viscometer. The controls of the apparatus are fully automated using a programmable logic controller in conjunction with a touchscreen display that provides real-time data, process control parameters, and a choice of batter recipes. Once the batter has reached a desired viscosity, a variable speed feed pump is used to pump the batter to a batter applicator where a food product is coated. Excess batter from the applicator is collected and returned to the mixing apparatus via a pump. The viscosity and temperature of the returned batter is measured and adjusted automatically with dry batter mix or water in order to satisfy the set parameters.

Abstract: A viscosity controller automatically monitoring and controlling the viscosity of ink in a pad printing device on a continuous basis throughout the printing process includes a sealed ink cup having mounted thereon a motor with a paddle extending into the ink cup, a solvent tank in flow communication with the ink cup, and a valve for allowing selective amounts of the solvent to be added to the ink cup from the solvent tank. The viscosity of the ink in the cup creates torque on the paddle that affects the number of encoder pulses that are counted per time period by a motor encoder mounted to the motor, and the encoder pulses are counted and compared to a look up table stored in the microprocessor of the controller to determine if the valve should be opened to add diluting agent to the ink cup so that the ink viscosity can be maintained at a preset or predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining multiple viscous fluids in which a desired, predetermined mixture ratio is automatically maintained by at least one system microcontroller. The microcontroller processes critical data relating to a primary fluid throughout a pumping and dispensing procedure, and automatically adjusts all additional flows based on changes to the primary fluid flow rate, temperature, pressure, viscosity, and pump characteristics by adjusting the speed of the motors driving pumps for all other fluids.