Fluidized mixing and blending of nanopowders with secondary gas flow

US8550698B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• ORION ENGINEERED CARBONS GMBH · DE
• New Jersey Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Robert Pfeffer · Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, DE
• Jose A. Quevedo · Brick, US
• Juergen Flesch · Rayong, TH

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 9, 2007
• Grant date: Oct 8, 2013
• Expiry date: Feb 8, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B82Y30/00
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Methods and systems for enhancing fluidization of nanoparticle and/or nanoagglomerates and for mixing and blending nanoparticle/nanoagglomerate systems at the nanoscale are provided. A fluidization chamber is provided with a fluidizing medium (e.g., a fluidizing gas) directed in a first fluidizing direction, e.g., upward into and through a bed containing a volume of nanoparticles and/or nanopowders. A second source of air/gas flow is provided with respect to the fluidization chamber, the secondary air/gas flow generally being oppositely (or substantially oppositely) directed relative to the fluidizing medium. Turbulence created by the secondary gas flow, e.g., a jet from a micro jet nozzle, is advantageously effective to aerate the agglomerates and the shear generated by the jet is advantageously effective to break apart nanoagglomerates and/or reduce the tendency for nanoagglomerates to form or reform. A downwardly directed source of secondary gas flow located near the main gas distributor leads to full fluidization of the entire amount of powder in the column. In addition, the oppositely directed fluid flow facilitates powder circulation within the fluidization chamber, thereby e…