Agitation system and method for measuring settling rate of solids from a suspension

Abstract

An agitation system including a motor that is capable of measuring the torque output of the motor required to mix a suspension. The motor is attached to an agitator which is placed in a suspension to be measured. The agitator is placed in the suspension and the agitation system is turned on for a period of time. This period determined by the type of agitator used and the characteristics of the suspension. When the suspension is well mixed and the torque measurement on the agitator becomes stable, the agitation system is stopped. The suspension is allowed to sit without agitation for a period of time and the agitation system is started again. After a period of time the agitation system is started and the amount of torque needed to begin turning the agitator is measured.

1 . A system for measuring the settling rate of solids from a suspension, comprising:
 a motor unit;   an agitator attached to the motor unit via an attachment rod;   a container into which the suspension and the agitator are inserted; and   a control unit for controlling activation of the motor unit.   
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an additive feed system for adding an additive to the container. 
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the control unit also controls activation of the additive feed system. 
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the additive feed system withdraws an additive from a reservoir and introduces the additive to the container via at least one tube. 
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the agitator comprises at least one flat radial blade. 
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the motor unit measures torque and includes a display for showing a torque measurement. 
   
   
       7 . A system for measuring the settling rate of solids from a suspension, comprising:
 a motor unit;   an agitator attached to the motor unit via an attachment rod;   a container into which the suspension and the agitator are inserted; and   an additive feed pump for adding and additive to the container.   
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a central processing unit to control activation of at least one of the motor unit or additive feed system. 
   
   
       9 . A method for determining the settling rate of solids in a suspension, comprising:
 a) inserting an agitator, connected to a motor unit, into a suspension sample, said sample being in a container;   b) agitating said suspension for a first period of time until solids in said suspension are uniformly dispersed in the liquid;   c) stopping said agitating for a second period of time to allow the solids to settle;   d) agitating said suspension after said second period of time; and   e) measuring an amount of torque required to start the agitator after said second period of time.   
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein steps c)-e) are repeated a plurality of times and wherein said second period of time of step c) is progressively lengthened. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein steps c)-e) are repeated a plurality of times and wherein an increasing amount of an additive is added during each of said step c). 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the agitator is inserted into the container so that the agitator is about 1/16 to ¼ in. from a bottom of said container. 
   
   
       13 . A method for optimizing a suspension of solids in a solution, comprising:
 inserting an agitator, connected to a motor unit, into a suspension sample, said sample being in a container;   agitating said sample for a first period of time until solids in said suspension are uniformly dispersed in the liquid;   stopping said agitating for a second period of time to allow the solids to settle;   adding at least one of an additive and an additional amount of said solids to said suspension;   agitating said suspension after said at least one of additive and solid is added; and   measuring an amount of torque required to start the agitator after said at least one of additive and solid is added to thereby determine an optimal amount of at least one of said additive and solid in said suspension.   
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein steps c)-e) are repeated a plurality of times and wherein said second period of rest of step c) is progressively lengthened. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein steps c)-e) are repeated a plurality of times and wherein an increasing amount of one of said additive and said solids is added during each of said step c). 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the agitator is inserted into the container so that it agitator is about 1/16 to ¼ in. from a bottom of said container.