Chemical Mixing System and Method

Abstract

A chemical component mixing apparatus for use with a fluid source in creation of a concentrated solution mixture is described. The mixing apparatus includes at least one mixing station. The mixing station includes an injector assembly, where the injector assembly includes at least one venturi chamber having at least one suction port in fluid communication with the at least one venturi chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one super concentrate chemical component housed within a chemical container, where the chemical container is fluidly connected by a first tube to the at least one venturi chamber via the at least one suction port, a receiving container fluidly connected to the injector assembly via a second tube, and a fluid source inlet introducing a fluid into the at least one mixing station, where the pressure within the at least one mixing station is less than 150 psi. The fluid passes through the at least one venturi chamber, thereby drawing the at least one super concentrate chemical component into the venturi chamber, and the concentrated solution mixture is dispensed from the injector assembly into the receiving container.

1 . A chemical component mixing apparatus for use with a fluid source in creation of a concentrated solution mixture, comprising:
 at least one mixing station, the mixing station including:
 an injector assembly, wherein the injector assembly includes at least one venturi chamber having at least one suction port in fluid communication with the at least one venturi chamber; 
 at least one super concentrate chemical component housed within a chemical container, wherein the chemical container is fluidly connected by a first tube to the at least one venturi chamber via the at least one suction port; 
 a receiving container fluidly connected to the injector assembly via a second tube; and 
   a fluid source inlet introducing a fluid into the at least one mixing station, wherein the pressure within the at least one mixing station is less than 150 psi;   wherein the fluid passes through the at least one venturi chamber, thereby drawing the at least one super concentrate chemical component into the venturi chamber and mixing the at least one super concentrate chemical component with the fluid therein to create a concentrated solution mixture; and   wherein the concentrated solution mixture is dispensed from the injector assembly into the receiving container.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure within the at least one mixing station is between 10-50 psi. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the pressure within the at least one mixing station is between 15-40 psi. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a water softener. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the injector assembly includes a multi-port injector. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first tube is ½ inch tubing. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the ½ inch tubing is connected to an adapter for releasably securing the ½ inch tubing to the at least one suction port of the at least one venturi chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the ½ inch tubing contains a metering tip within the tubing for at least partially restricting flow of the chemical component housed in the chemical container into the injector assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mixing station further includes a pressure regulator. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one mixing station further includes a valve upstream of the pressure regulator. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one mixing station further includes a float positioned at least partially within the receiving container. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one mixing station further includes a circuitry hub electrically connecting the float to the valve. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the valve is a water solenoid valve. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the float signals the valve to cease flow of the fluid through the mixing station when the receiving container is filled with a predetermined amount of the concentrated solution mixture dispensed from the injector assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the electrical connection of the float to the circuitry hub comprises an adapter cord. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one mixing station is a plurality of mixing stations, and the adapter cord connects multiple circuitry hubs of the multiple mixing stations to a single float at least partially within a single receiving container. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the single float signals the valve of each of the multiple mixing stations to cease flow of the fluid through the mixing stations when the receiving container is filled with a predetermined amount of the concentrated solution mixture. 
     
     
         19 . A method for mixing a concentrated chemical solution, comprising:
 receiving a base fluid flow into a mixing station having an injector assembly that includes at least one venturi chamber having at least one suction port in fluid communication with the at least one venturi chamber;   regulating the pressure of the base fluid flow to less than 150 psi;   providing a source of at least one liquid chemical component in fluid communication with the injector assembly via a first tube;   providing a receiving container for collection of the final concentrated chemical solution that is in fluid communication with the injector assembly via a second tube;   mixing the at least one chemical component with the base fluid in the at least one venturi chamber to create the concentrated chemical solution, wherein flow of the base fluid through the at least one venturi chamber of the injector assembly draws the at least one liquid chemical component through the at least one suction port and into the flow of the base fluid; and   dispensing the concentrated chemical solution into the receiving container.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the pressure is regulated between 10-50 psi. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the pressure is regulated between 15-40 psi. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising pressurizing the base fluid flow. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the injector assembly includes a multi-port injector. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising reducing the resistance area of the first tube by increasing the diameter of the first tube. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising at least partially restricting the flow of the at least one chemical component flowing into the injector assembly with a metering tip. 
     
     
         26 . An adapter for connecting a tube to a venturi-style injector, comprising:
 a housing having a hollow interior, the housing comprising an inlet and an outlet to the hollow interior;   a first attachment mechanism for attaching a tube to the inlet; and   a second attachment mechanism for attaching the outlet to a suction port arm of a venturi-style injector;   wherein the second attachment mechanism includes a notch pattern sized and shaped to receive a reciprocal knob pattern forming part of the arm of the injector when the adapter is pressed onto the injector arm; and   wherein, upon passage of the knob pattern through the notch pattern, the adapter can be twisted, such that the notch patter rotates away from the knobs and releasably locks the adapter onto the injector.