METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MIXING CHEMICAL COMPONENTS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF POLYURETHANE

摘要

Embodiments of the invention describe methods and apparatus for mixing chemical components in the manufacture of polyurethane foam. The chemical components include a polyol and different blowing agents. The blowing agents are injected directly into a mixing chamber (100) at different height levels according to their boiling points. The mixing chamber allows continuous discharge of the mixture into a static mixer (400) for further mixing before being stored into a storage tank (600). The blowing agents are chemical compounds selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon-containing compounds, hydrofluorocarbon-containing compounds or hydrofluoroolefin-containing compounds.

主权项

1. A mixing apparatus for the manufacture of polyurethane foam, the mixing apparatus comprising:
a mixing chamber including
a first nozzle to allow a polyol having a boiling point of around 200 to 250 degrees Celsius to be injected into the mixing chamber;a second nozzle positioned at a lower height level than the first nozzle to allow a first blowing agent to be injected into the mixing chamber, wherein the first blowing agent is a hydrocarbon-containing compound having a boiling point of around 40 to 60 degrees Celsius;a third nozzle positioned at a lower height level than the second nozzle to allow a second blowing agent to be injected into the mixing chamber, wherein the second blowing agent is a hydrofluorocarbon-containing compound having a boiling point of around 20 to 40 degrees Celsius;a fourth nozzle positioned at a lower height level than the third nozzle to allow a third blowing agent to be injected into the mixing chamber, wherein the third blowing agent is a hydrofluorocarbon-containing compound having a boiling point of around 0 to 20 degrees Celsius;a fifth nozzle positioned at a lower height level than the fourth nozzle to allow a fourth blowing agent to be injected into the mixing chamber; wherein the fourth blowing agent is a hydrocarbon-containing compound, hydrofluorocarbon-containing compound or hydrofluoroolefin-containing compound having a boiling point of around −30 to 0 degrees Celsius; and an outlet at the top of the mixing chamber, wherein the injected polyol and the first, the second, the third, and the fourth blowing agents react to form a mixture that is discharged through the outlet.