FlowMix® MD
Polymer dissolution unit
Efficient preparation of polymer solution
The FlowMix is a single-stage, continuously operating polymer dissolution unit for liquid polymer. The core of the unit is a mixing pump, that dynamically supplies the required mixing energy to the solution during the pumping process.
The mixing pump meters dilution water and polymer in the inlet chamber of the pump via two seperate suction sides. The required mixing energy is applied exactly at the point where water comes into contact with polymer. Next, polymer forms abruptly a three-dimensional net-structure of a large surface. On the pressure side the solution is ready for use and of high viscosity. Ageing time for polymer (ageing time = required time for the formation of the three-dimensional net structure) is not necessary. Lump formation as a result of introducing both products without sufficient mixing energy ‒ as often noticed in the case of cenventional units ‒ can be successfully avoided due to the application of the FlowMix.
The applied polymer is therefore economically and effectively brought into the solution. As a result, the polymer consumption decreases, whereas the effectiveness of the solution increases.
Dilution water is supplied to the mixing pump from a water container through a float valve. This water container, which is mounted at the FlowMix, guarantees constant pressure and an atmonspheric disconnection of the unit from the water distribution system. This, in turn, complies with the water balance requirements for water-polluting materials. The total amount of the solution as well as the flow rate of the polymer commodity are both measured on the FlowMix. With the help of an integrated controller, it is possible to pre-establish the required concentration of the solution, which remains constant independently of the used solution amount and of the viscosity of the product. Pump litering can thus be avoided.
FlowMix capacity can be varied on the mixing pump through a special control lever or an electrical positioning drive at constant rounds per minute. In the course of this, the suction volume of the mixing pump changes.
The concept of the FlowMix enables an inline application of the solution to the separation process. Tanks, metering pumps and after-dilution units are not required anymore. If the FlowMix is combined with this process, the solution will be automatically adjusted properly in case of some process alterations.
Advantages of FlowMix® MD
- Exact metering of polymer by coriolis force mass flowmeter
- Homogeneous mixture
- Compact, space saving solution
- Continuous inline operation
- Economization of large mixing and buffer tanks
- High, directly introduced mixing energy to achieve a fully developed polymer solution
- Higher dry substance
- Economization of polymer, reduction of costs
Unit capacity
from 300 l/h to 24,000 l/h
Concentration
Standard: 0,05% to 1% PE-content, other execution possible
Size
Length 1500 x width 1000 x height 1300
Control system
SIEMENS SPS S7
Operation
By SIEMENS Touchpanel
Capacity and concentration are controlled at a pre-set level.
Electrical connections
110V to 440V, 50 Hz and 60Hz, 3 Phase
Viskosity
Max. 5,000mPas
Pressure height
Max. 30m
Materials
1.4301 (AISI 304), 1.4404 (AISI 316L), product also gets in contact to 1.4539
Capacities of FlowMix® MD
| Type | Unit | FLOWMIX 125 | FLOWMIX 230 | FLOWMIX 325 | FLOWMIX 345 | FLOWMIX 435 |
| unit capacity | l/h | 300-1.600 | 700-3.600 | 1.200-6.000 | 2.400-12.000 | 4.800-24.000 |
| polymer quantity | l/h | 1-15 | 2-30 | 4-60 | 6-90 | 8-120 |
| concentration | % | 0,05-1,00 | 0,05-1,00 | 0,05-1,00 | 0,05-1,00 | 0,05-1,00 |
| max. viskosity | mPas | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| pressure height | m | 15 | 25 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
Dimension table of FlowMix® MD
| SIZES TYPE | Unit | FLOWMIX 125 | FLOWMIX 230 | FLOWMIX 325 | FLOWMIX 345 | FLOWMIX 435 |
| length | mm | 1,520 | 1,520 | 1520 | 1.520 | on request |
| width | mm | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | on request |
| height | mm | 1,600 | 1,600 | 1,600 | 1,600 | on request |
| weight | kg | 210 | 240 | 280 | 320 | on request |
| polymer connection | inch | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | on request |
| water connection | inch | 1 | 1 | 1 ½ | 1 ½ | on request |
| solution connection | inch | 1 | 1 | 1 ½ | 2 | on request |
Mr. Schlenz
Director of Borgholzhausen wastewater treatment plant
Review FlowMix:
Report based on experience by Mr. Schlenz, the director of the wastewater treatment plant in Borgholzhausen, Germany:
Question by INDAG: What has been your general experience with the FlowMix during the last years (delivered in June 1999)?
Answer by Mr. Schlenz (Director of Borgholzhausen wastewater treatment plant):
- High system availability
- Low maintenance expenditure
- Very well suited for rapid product change-over, e.g. when conducting test series
- Short maturation time due to the high mixing energy, no increased poly-consumption detected when compared to systems with maturing tanks.
- The system only operates 2 days per week, always with fresh product for dewatering, no old residue volumes from the mixing chamber facilities.
- INDAG Service assists with rapid help with problems
- Good telephone support
Question by INDAG: How is the dewatering result after the decanter?
Answer by Mr. Schlenz: The desiccation result depends on many basic condition variables. Thick sludge, cold sludge, organic percentage in the sludge, initial mixing energy of the solution into the sludge, etc.
Question by INDAG: The FlowMix continuously produces the process-ready polymer solution. Based on your experience, is additional maturation time / retention time needed for the polymer solution? How do you justify this assessment?
Answer by Mr. Schlenz: We’ve tried out many variants because, we too, also took this question under critical examination. We used long pipes to convey the product, and have inserted maturing tanks intermittently. We haven’t been able to detect any measurable difference. Conclusion summarised from the tests: water temperature, the thickness of the solution, mixing energy and contact time of the solution with the sludge are critical to attaining stable flocculation and good dewatering results.