liquid dispensing manifold 1

[what4]

i need to dispense 15L (probably more) of a viscous emulsion in very small drops (1-5mm in diameter) fast. does anyone know of any company that manufacturers a large dispensing manifold? thomas register search has been slow and inaccurate.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Manifolds are notorious for uneven distribution problems.

So I thought about an array of small syringes.
An array of 1000 syringes would have to dispense 18,335 drops of 2.5mm diameter, each, to move 15l.

Exactly how fast do you need this to happen?





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Ashereng]

Swagelok has dispensing manifolds. Maybe take a look there?

How viscous is viscous?

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[what4]

Thanks for the responses. I knew I should have been more specific in my initial messsage. I have an emulsion that tends to separate out fairly quick (I can overcome that with a simple mixer in the supply vat) that is the consistency of maple syrup. I did the same calculations the other day and came up with a pour time of about 12 days - hence the need for a large dispensing manifold. One with 500 ports can do it in about 36 minutes. I am hoping my size range is wide enough to accomodate any manifold problems. I was picturing something like a large shower head. I will look into Swagelok.
Thanks again.

 

[btrueblood]

You could also put a static mixer in the line(s) feeding your manifold, as an addition (belt and suspenders) to the vat mixer...

 

[MikeHalloran]

I'm picturing something like a shower head, too, but with a few enhancements.

1. Lots of holes. Okay, this is obvious.
2. The upstream side of each hole is countersunk a little, about the volume of a drop, maybe a little more.
3. Instead of a mixer, the supply vat has a pump that maintains a flow across the upstream side of the shower head, through a wide, shallow channel.
4. Upstream of the shallow channel is a flexible diaphragm.
5. Upstream of the diaphragm is a chamber that is alternately pressurized and vented, so the diaphragm moves 'forward' in the direction of discharge periodically.
6. As the diaphragm contacts the back surface of the showerhead, it makes intimate contact with the periphery of each countersunk hole.
7. As the diaphragm is further pressurized, it displaces the goo from each counterbore, individually, dispensing a drop per hole.

As for producing, say 10,000 precisely countersunk holes, I'll have to think about that for a while.




Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA