Apparatus For Mixing Two Fluids Or Keeping Them Separate

Abstract

A mixing apparatus for mixing two fluids immediately following contact with each other is disclosed. The mixing apparatus includes a spring-loaded ball valve separating a first fluid from a second fluid. The ball valve closes as a result of at least spring force. The ball valve opens as a result of hydraulic pressure of one of the fluids operating against the spring force. Mixing is accomplished instantaneously by dispersing one fluid in a thin pattern around the open ball valve into a stream of the other fluid.

1 .- 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A method of forming a mixture of an aqueous fluid and a reactive polymer composition comprising: 
 passing an aqueous fluid into a mixing assembly through a first inlet port in a first direction;    passing a reactive polymer composition into the mixing assembly through a second inlet port in a second direction, the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction, with a force sufficient to open a pressure-actuated valve located at an intersection of the first inlet port and the second inlet port;    forming a mixture of the aqueous fluid and the reactive polymer composition at the intersection without forming a coagulation on the pressure-actuated valve; and    passing the mixture out of the mixing assembly through an outlet port axially aligned with the first inlet port.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first direction is substantially horizontal and the second direction is substantially vertical.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the reactive polymer composition flows at a rate in the range of from about a fraction of a gallon per hour to about several hundred gallons per hour.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the aqueous fluid flows at a rate in the range of from about a fraction of a gallon per minute to about several hundred gallons per minute.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a pressure of about 30 pounds per square inch is applied to the pressure-actuated valve.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the reactive polymer composition flows at a rate in the range of from about a fraction of a gallon per hour to about several hundred gallons per hour.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the aqueous fluid flows at a rate in the range of from about a fraction of a gallon per minute to about several hundred gallons per minute.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a pressure of about 30 pounds per square inch is applied to the pressure-actuated valve.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the reactive polymer composition flows at a rate in the range of from about a fraction of a gallon per hour to about several hundred gallons per hour, the aqueous fluid flows at a rate in the range of from about a fraction of a gallon per minute to about several hundred gallons per minute and a pressure of about 30 pounds per square inch is applied to the pressure-actuated valve.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first direction is substantially horizontal and the second direction is substantially vertical.