Process and device for pressurizing flowable reaction components

Abstract

Flowable reaction components of a reaction mixture which form solid or foamed material comprising filling material are transported from a storage container to a high-pressure mixing head in pressure stages by the use of gear pumps connected in series without major wear of the gear pumps.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process for transporting and pressurizing flowable reaction components of a reaction mixture from at least one storage container to at least one mixing head, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing at least a first gear pump, a second gear pump, and a third gear pump, the first, second and third gear pumps having the same rotary speed of up to about 800 rpm.    (b) connecting the first gear pump to the second gear pump by a first pipeline then connecting the second gear pump to the third gear pump by a second pipeline;    (c) transporting the flowable reaction components, at least one of the flowable reaction components comprising filling material, to the first gear pump, then through the first pipeline to the second gear pump, then through the second pipeline to the third gear pump; and    (d) providing pressure on the flowable reaction components in stages.    
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein a first pressure stage begins at the first gear pump, a second pressure stage begins at the second gear pump, and a third pressure stage begins at the third gear pump.  
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein the volume surplus of flowable reaction components at the second pressure stage is about equal the volume of flowable reaction components lost at the first pressure stage.  
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein the volume surplus of flowable reaction components at the third pressure stage is about equal the volume of flowable reaction components lost at the second pressure stage.  
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein the pressure level is increased at each pressure stage.  
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 5 , wherein about an equally large increase in pressure is provided to the first pressure stage, the second pressure stage and the third pressure stage.  
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein excess flowable reaction components transported in the first pressure stage channel downstream from the first pressure stage and are recycled back into the process upstream from the first pressure stage.  
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein excess flowable reaction components transported in the second pressure stage channel downstream from the second pressure stage and are recycled back into the process upstream from the second pressure stage.  
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein excess flowable reaction components transported in the first pressure stage channel downstream from the first pressure stage and are recycled back into a storage container.  
     
     
         10 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein excess flowable reaction components transported in the second pressure stage channel downstream from the second pressure stage and are recycled back into a storage container.  
     
     
         11 . A process according to  claim 2 , wherein the pressure of the first pressure stage is measured.  
     
     
         12 . A process according to  claim 2 , wherein the pressure of the second pressure stage is measured.  
     
     
         13 . A process according to  claim 2 , wherein the pressure of the first pressure stage is adjusted.  
     
     
         14 . A process according to  claim 2 , wherein the pressure of the second pressure stage is adjusted.  
     
     
         15 . A process according to  claim 13 , wherein the pressure is adjusted as a function of the measured value of the pressure generated from the first pressure stage.  
     
     
         16 . A process according to  claim 14 , wherein the pressure is adjusted as a function of the measured value of the pressure generated from the second pressure stage.  
     
     
         17 . A device for transporting and pressurizing flowable reaction components of a reaction mixture, at least one of the flowable reaction components comprising filling material, from at least one storage container to at least one mixing head, comprising: 
 a first gear pump, a second gear pump, and a third gear pump, all having the same rotary speed, the first gear pump being connected to the second gear pump by a first pipeline, the second gear pump then being connected to the third gear pump by a second pipeline, wherein pressure is provided on the flowable reaction components in stages and, optionally, a line for supplying filling material.    
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 17 , wherein there is no line for supplying filling material.  
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 17 , wherein a first pressure stage begins at the first gear pump, a second pressure stage begins at the second gear pump, and a third pressure stage begins at the third gear pump.  
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 17 , wherein the first gear pump, the second gear pump, and the third gear pump are all associated with a common drive shaft.  
     
     
         21 . A device according to  claim 19 , wherein the pressure level is increased at each pressure stage.  
     
     
         22 . A device according to  claim 21 , wherein an equally large increase in pressure is provided to the first pressure stage, the second pressure stage and the third pressure stage.  
     
     
         23 . A device according to  claim 19 , wherein the volume surplus of flowable reaction components at the second pressure stage is about equal the volume of flowable reaction components lost at the first pressure stage.  
     
     
         24 . A device according to  claim 19 , wherein the volume surplus of flowable reaction components at the third pressure stage is about equal the volume of flowable reaction components lost at the second pressure stage.  
     
     
         25 . A device according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second pipelines each comprise a return line.  
     
     
         26 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the return line of the first pipeline is connected to the incoming line for the first gear pump and the return line of the second pipeline is connected to the incoming line for the second gear pump.  
     
     
         27 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the return line of the first pipeline is connected to a storage container and the return line of the second pipeline is connected to a storage container.  
     
     
         28 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the return lines each comprise at least one throttling element.  
     
     
         29 . A device according to  claim 28 , wherein the throttling element is adjustable.  
     
     
         30 . A device according to  claim 28 , wherein at least one control instrument is assigned to the throttling element.  
     
     
         31 . A device according to  claim 30 , wherein at least one pressure gauge is connected to the control instrument.  
     
     
         32 . A device according to  claim 31 , wherein the pressure gauge is arranged on the pipeline of a gear pump.  
     
     
         33 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein at least one pressure-limiting valve is arranged on the return line.