Optifeed™/PIC™ - Atmospheric Powder Induction
How The Optifeed Eductor Works
The Optifeed™/PIC™ system uses the venturi principle to 'educt' powder, a liquid-powder slurry or liquid into the fluid stream. Typically, an external (centrifugal) pump provides the motive force for the liquid into the venturi.
1. The shape of the venturi accelerates the liquid stream with minimal energy loss.
2. The high velocity stream then shoots through a chamber with controlled volume, where the Bernoulli effect creates a low pressure region and subsequent 'vacuum'.
3. This vacuum draws powder, liquid or gas from the feed line, entraining this material into the liquid stream.
4. The liquid and entrained powder/liquid/gas then flow through a diffuser which decelerates the liquid back to a more typical fluid velocity for standard pipe flow.
For materials that are easily dissolved or suspended, this stream could then be sent on to the next step in the process. If materials require shear to properly disperse, deagglomerate or emulsify, they can be recirculated through a batch tank with in-tank high shear mixer. Alternately, the material can be processed a DynaShear or Boston Shearmill with Fastfeed module for in-line high shear mixing, without the need for a batch mixer.
Basic Rules for Use
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Maximum viscosity before or after ingredient introduction is 200 cps.
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Maximum allowable head on discharge side is 5 psi without a wash system or 10 psi with a wash system. If head loss exceeds recommended levels, a booster pump on the discharge piping should be installed.
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Minimum pressure on incoming side of the eductor is 50 psi.
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Minimum incoming flow rate for the eductor is 70 GPM.
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If granular ingredients are used, a wash system should be used.
If soy protein, carrageenan, starch or similar products are used, the wash system (if so equipped) should be shut off during the addition of these ingredients.
One significant point for all users of eductors to be aware of: It is very difficult to control with absolute precision the volume of the entrained material and its instantaneous ratio to the motive liquid. Most often, eductor systems are mounted in a batch mixing process to insure the desired recipes are achieved.