US1690799A - Method of and means for reducing the viscosity of liquids - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 6, 1928.

- E. A. sNow METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR REDUCING THE VISCOSITY 0F LIQUIDS Filed April 1927- Z w i 0 3% 6a a a h 7 v 5 y m a m, 1

m 7 d m J y, 4 7/ URL Patented Nov. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. SNOW, OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR REDUCING THE VISCOSITY OI LIQUIDS.

Application filed April 4,

mon practice to subject the mix to homogenizing effects preparatory to cooling, ageing and freezing in order that the product will be smooth and free from lumps, and'this part of the process is carried out by use of homogenizing apparatus including a pressure pump and one or more homogenizing valves. In passing the mix through the valve or valves of a homogenizing machine the constrictions provided by the valves, in conjunction with the friction and very high pressure under which the mix is forced through said constrictions, operate to break up all of the solids such as butter fat, albumin, ash and the like, with the result that upon leaving the homogenizing machine or apparatus the mix is a thoroughly homogenized emulsion, but it is also objectionablythick and viscous. From the homogenizing machine the mix has heretofore ordinarily been conducted through a conduit or pipe directly to the cooler, and owing to the viscous condition of the mix as it leaves the homogenizing apparatus and reaches the cooler, together with the further stiffening or thickening effects produced by the cooler itself, it has resulted in so increasing the degree of viscosity of the mix as to often prevent, and always interfere more or less, with the flow thereof over and from the cooler and also often clogged the cooling apparatus and stopped its operation. By the use of my invention the viscosity of the mix as it is transferred from the homogenizer to the cooler is reduced to a predetermined degree such that free flow of thesame over and from the cooler is obtained. Furthermore, owing to the degree of fluidity established by use of this invention the mix flows over the cooler properly and freely so that it does not freeze thereon and is more thoroughly and properly aerated and 'cooled than has heretofore been possible. In using homogenizing apparatus alone to prepare the mix for the cooling operation it has heretofore been possible to control or regulate the viscosity of the homogenized mix onlyin the sense-that the homogenizing act-ion of the machine changes the. condition of the mix from that of afreely flowing-liquid to a com paratively stiff thick viscous emulsion varying in degree of viscosity with the degree of homogenizing action effected by the machine.

- after pointed out.

1927. Serial N0. 180,980.

Therefore, when the mix was very thoroughly homogenized it was necessarily rendered ob-' ect10nably thick and viscous.

My invention contemplates providing the otftake conduit into which the mix is dehvered from a homogenizing apparatus, with a constriction so proportioned as to capacity that the back pressure produced by the same is less than an effective homogenizing pres-- sure. That is to say, this constriction is so regulated as to capacity that while the initial or homogemzmg pressure may be, and herein 1s, utilized to propel the homogenized mix through this. new constriction yet the back pressure created by this constriction is less than the pressure required to produce homogenizing effects at this constriction. For example, homogenizing pressures are in the neighborhood of two or three thousand pounds per square inch, at least, whereas this constriction that I provide in the offtake pipe condult 1s proportioned or regulated so that only about one hundred pounds back pressure is created thereby. I find that by passmg a viscous liquid through a constriction of this sort under a pressure less than that required to produce homogenizing or disintegrating effects, the viscosity of said liquid is reduced and that the'degree of reduction can be varied by varying the capacity of.

this constriction; In other words, the distinguishing feature of my invention resides I in the employment of a constriction through is de-viscidified so to speak. I have also' found that while the homogenizing process is best carried out under temperatures ranging from Fah., to Fah., bestresults are secured in connect-ion with the employment of this feature of my invention by subjecting the liquid to this viscosity reducing treatment at a temperature of 110 degrees Fah., approximately or thereabouts, or the same as thatof the mix as it leaves the homogenizing machine.

the-r features of my invention are herein- In the accompanying drawings: F gure 1 1s a diagrammatic view of a homogenizmg apparatus or machine having associated therewith an apparatus containing the present invention.

Figure 2 is a detail herelnafter described. Having reference to the drawings 1 repre strap 3 with a sents a shaft provided with one or more,'usually three, eccentrics 2,'each connected by a der 5. This, or these, cylinders 5 communicate with a chamber 6 havin an inlet 7, controlled by a check valve 8, an connecting with a conduit 9 through which the untreated ice cream mix or the like is supplied to the ma- -'duit 18 with the inlet chine. The chamber 6 is also provided with an outlet 10 controlled by a check valve '11,

, said outlet delivering to a chamber 12 conglobe valve fitting 19 whose outlet port is concontact with its nected by a conduit 20 with the cooler, or other destination of the mixor liquid. The fitting 19 includes an interior partition 21 formed with a port 22 and a seat 23 for a flat valve 24 by means of which the capacity of the port 22 is determined and regulated. The valve 24 is rotatably connected with the inner .end of a stem 25 having threaded engagement with the valve casing of fitting 19 so that by rotation thereof: the valve 24 may be adjusted toward and from its seat 23 to regulate the capacity of the port 22 whereby the proper operating conditions may be established. At its outer end the stem 25 maybe provided with a handle 26 through which the valve 24 is manually adjusted or set. The conduit 18 communicates with a branch nipple 27 connected at its outer end with a T 28 whose opposite port is connected by a nipple 29, elggw 30 and stop cock 31 with a pressure gauge The valve 24 is ordinarily set just out of seat 23 and the homogenized liquld, impelled by the homogenizing pressure, is forced through the constricted assage thus provided between the valve an its seat and the efl'ect of the combined velocity and attenuation of the liquid established and efi'ected by this constriction is to thin out the Jmix, that is, the liquid is de-viscosed or, in

other words, its viscosity is reduced to the desired degree of fluidity. I

The valve 24 is properly'positionedby making use of the gauge 32 and is gradually closed while the homogenizing machine isin operation until the back valve builds up in itlhrpd pounds as indicated by the gauge 32, and

s said valve. at which it is left set.' As a safe guard against subjecting the gauge 32 to inurious p from the conduit 18 a safety pressure created by the piston 4 operating in a cylin the conduit 18 to one hunwill be the usual operative position for adapted to valve 33 is provided that is connected with the T 28. This safety valve 33 may be of standard construction provided witha nipple 34 to be screwed into the T 28 and with an outlet 35, the inlet 34 and outlet 35 being normally cut oil one from the other by a valve 36 held normally closed on its seat by a spring 37. The abutment ion the upper end of this spring 37 is a screw 38 by means of which the efi'ective pressure of the spring 37 may be established as desired. In practice the abutment 38 is adjusted so that the valve 36 opens under a pressure of say three hundred pounds.

The stop cock 31 is provided as, means whereby communication between the gauge 32 and the conduit 18 may be so adjusted or regulated that the pulsating pressure within the conduit 18 dueto the reciprocatory movements of the piston 4 will not vibrate the hand 39 of the gauge 32. That is, by partially closing' the stop cock 31 the movements of the piston 4 are prevented from vibrating the hand39 and at the same time the latter is free to be adjusted by the pressure within the conthe coagulated liquid through a conduit con-' taining a liquid accelerating constriction, by a pressure insufiicient to produce homogenizing eflects.

2. The method of preparing ice cream mix which consists in forcing the same through a homogenizing valve by a pressure sufiicient to secure homogenizing effects and thereafter reducing the viscosity of the homogenizing mix by passing the same through a'constriction under a pressure less than the homogenizing pressure.

3. The combination of a valve fitting whose inlet is adapted to be connected with a supply of coagulated liquid under pressure and having a normally unyielding valve ada ted .to be adjusted and set'so as to maintain a relatively low pressureupon. the inlet side thereof that is less than a presure sufiicient to eflect homogenizing action, and a ressure gauge connected with'the inlet of said valve ttin 4. The combination of a valve fittinlg having an inlet adapted to be connected wit a supply of coagulated liquid under pressure and including a normally unyielding valve constriction that creates a back pressure less than that sufiicient to effect homogenization;

be adjusted and set to provide 'a a pressure gauge connected with the inlet of said valve fitting, and a safety valve connected with the inlet of said fitting and operating automatically to open under a relatively low pressure less than that suflicient to effect homogenization.

5. The combination with a pressure pump;

a homogenizing valve whose inlet is connected with the outlet of said pum a conduit connected with the outlet of sai homogenizing valve and a liquid viscosity reducing constriction in said conduit which creates a nonhomogenizing back pressure less than the homo enizing pressure of said pump.

6. Zn apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 5 and including a pressure gau e connected with said conduit between t e ho rznoienizing valve and said constriction.

n apparatus of the character described constructed in accordance with claim 5 and including a safety valve connected with said conduit between said homogenizing valve and said constriction operating automatically to open under aback pressure greater than is suflicient to reduce the viscosity of the liquid discharged into said conduit from said homogenizing valve. a

8. An apparatus of the character described constructed in accordance with claim 5 whereincluding an. automatically operated-relief valve connected with said conduit between said homogenizing valve and said constriction.

and State of Massachusetts, this 9th day of March, 1927.

EDWARD A. SNOW.

Signed byine at Boston, county of Suffolk

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