Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for removing support material or resin from additively manufactured parts. The apparatus includes a processing pump at least a portion of which is located in or adjacent to a processing tank filled with a liquid formulation suitable for removal of support material or resin from additively manufactured parts. The processing pump is adapted to create a vortex within the liquid formulation in the processing tank.

Abstract: A system for mixing a fluid in a tank includes a mixer assembly, a housing, and an actuator. The mixer assembly has a motor, a shaft, and an impeller. The housing is disposed in a side wall of the tank. The housing has sufficient volume to contain the impeller. The actuator is configured to retract the mixer assembly and draw the impeller into the housing. The mixer assembly has a first conformation and a second conformation. In the first conformation the impeller is disposed in a main portion of the tank and configured to mix the fluid in response to rotation of the impeller via the motor and shaft. In the second conformation the impeller is disposed in the housing and out of the main portion of the tank.

Abstract: A system for mixing a fluid in a tank includes a mixer assembly, a housing, and an actuator. The mixer assembly has a motor, a shaft, and an impeller. The housing is disposed in a side wall of the tank. The housing has sufficient volume to contain the impeller. The actuator is configured to retract the mixer assembly and draw the impeller into the housing. The mixer assembly has a first conformation and a second conformation. In the first conformation the impeller is disposed in a main portion of the tank and configured to mix the fluid in response to rotation of the impeller via the motor and shaft. In the second conformation the impeller is disposed in the housing and out of the main portion of the tank.

Abstract: A mixing assembly for mixing settled solids in a liquid or the like, having a longitudinal axis, comprising: a mixing vessel having an apex. The assembly includes a directional tube having a first end and a second end wherein said second end, wherein the directional tube further comprises at least one slot located proximate to said second end wherein said at least one slot extends generally normal to the longitudinal axis. The assembly further includes an impeller disposed within the directional tube, connected to a rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A method of extracting bitumen from tar sands includes providing an apparatus for mixing fluids, the apparatus including: a housing, a substantially cylindrical rotor rotatably mounted within the interior chamber, a first array of spaced bores formed in the peripheral surface of the rotor, a second array of spaced bores formed in the peripheral surface of the rotor, a first fluid inlet in the housing, a second fluid inlet in the housing, and a fluid outlet in the housing positioned for withdrawal of fluid from the chamber to minimize cavitation damage at the location of the fluid outlet, and providing a separation composition at the second predetermined location, the separation composition including: a wetting agent in the amount of from about 0.001% to about 2.5% by weight of the separating composition, a hydrotropic agent, and a dispersant having flocculating characteristics, wherein the separating composition has a pH greater than 7.5.

Abstract: A weir assembly for use with a mixer-settler for liquid-liquid extraction includes in one embodiment an organic weir having an inlet opening below the free surface of the organic phase liquid and a vertically-adjustable front wall allowing adjustments in the position and/or height of the inlet opening. The organic weir can also feature an angled bottom coupled to a lip segment, an incline plate in the interior of the weir, and a front wall that is angled with respect to incoming fluid flow. In another embodiment the weir assembly can independently or additionally include an aqueous weir with a labyrinth section. The aqueous weir can optionally include an adjustable lip hingedly coupled to the top of the final partition in the labyrinth section.

Abstract: A blade is disclosed for use in a mixing impeller assembly. The blade includes a top skin element and a bottom skin element without an internal framework in between the elements. A unitary pre-shaped tip element is attached at an end of the blade to the top and bottom skin elements. The tip is welded to the top skin and the bottom skin, and has a bevel at the weld location. The top skin has an edge that abuts the tip and the lower skin has an edge that abuts the tip, and respective bevels are provided on these edges.

Abstract: An impeller assembly, comprising a generally planar disc oriented in a first plane and having a circular outer edge; and a plurality of blades mounted to the disc and extending beyond the edge of the disc, with the blades in cross-section having a shape that is substantially symmetrical along a center line and having a first segment and a second segment disposed on opposite sides of the center line, with one segment being symmetrical with at least a portion of the other segment, and with the blades mounted so that the respective center line of each blade is at an angle relative to the first plane in which the disc lies. In another variation, the blades are mounted so the center line of each blade is offset from the plane in which the disc lies.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a trapezoid settler having a longitudinal axis, a base, a first side wall oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis, and a coalescence fence connected to the first side wall and the second side wall. The coalescence fence has a first screen, a second screen oriented generally parallel to the first screen, and a media disposed between the first screen and the second screen.

Abstract: A weir assembly for use with a mixer-settler for liquid-liquid extraction includes in one embodiment an organic weir having an inlet opening below the free surface of the organic phase liquid and a vertically-adjustable front wall allowing adjustments in the position and/or height of the inlet opening. The organic weir can also feature an angled bottom coupled to a lip segment, an incline plate in the interior of the weir, and a front wall that is angled with respect to incoming fluid flow. In another embodiment the weir assembly can independently or additionally include an aqueous weir with a labyrinth section. The aqueous weir can optionally include an adjustable lip hingedly coupled to the top of the final partition in the labyrinth section.

Abstract: An impeller apparatus for use with a magnetically coupled mixer includes in one embodiment an axial-pumping impeller spaced axially apart from a driven magnet by a shaft. In another embodiment the impeller apparatus includes an up-pumping impeller spaced axially apart from a magnetic element by a shaft, the magnetic element cooperates with a superconducting element for levitating the impeller apparatus away from the bottom of the tank and cooperates with a motive device to rotate the impeller.

Abstract: An impeller blade for a top skin element joined to a bottom skin element. The blade can have an air foil shape. A pre-shaped tip is joined to the radial outside end of the blade.

Abstract: An impeller blade for a top skin element joined to a bottom skin element. The blade can have an air foil shape. A pre-shaped tip is joined to the radial outside end of the blade.

Abstract: An impeller blade for a top skin element joined to a bottom skin element. The blade can have an air foil shape. A pre-shaped tip is joined to the radial outside end of the blade.

Abstract: An impeller for use with a mixing vessel having a diameter, wherein the impeller is mountable onto a rotatable shaft that includes a flange. The impeller includes a single blade pair member. The blade pair member has a central hub portion and a first and second blade connected to the central hub portion. The first and second blades each include a generally planar portion, a tip portion and a trailing edge, wherein the generally planar portion and the tip portion intersect at a line of intersection, which is an angle relative to the trailing edge.

Abstract: A weir assembly for use with a mixer-settler for liquid-liquid extraction includes in one embodiment an organic weir having an inlet opening below the free surface of the organic phase liquid and a vertically-adjustable front wall allowing adjustments in the position and/or height of the inlet opening. The organic weir can also feature an angled bottom coupled to a lip segment, an incline plate in the interior of the weir, and a front wall that is angled with respect to incoming fluid flow. In another embodiment the weir assembly can independently or additionally include an aqueous weir with a labyrinth section. The aqueous weir can optionally include an adjustable lip hingedly coupled to the top of the final partition in the labyrinth section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of solid freeform fabrication (SFF) technology in the manufacture of impeller blades. The impeller blades may be metal plated and further incorporated onto a rigid skeletal frame to allow for more desirable wear resistance and strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of solid freeform fabrication (SFF) technology in the manufacture of impeller blades. The impeller blades may be metal plated and further incorporated onto a rigid skeletal frame to allow for more desirable wear resistance and strength.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a trapezoid settler having a longitudinal axis, a base, a first side wall oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis, and a coalescence fence connected to the first side wall and the second side wall. The coalescence fence has a first screen, a second screen oriented generally parallel to the first screen, and a media disposed between the first screen and the second screen.

Abstract: A weir assembly for use with a mixer-settler for liquid-liquid extraction includes in one embodiment an organic weir having an inlet opening below the free surface of the organic phase liquid and a vertically-adjustable front wall allowing adjustments in the position and/or height of the inlet opening. The organic weir can also feature an angled bottom coupled to a lip segment, an incline plate in the interior of the weir, and a front wall that is angled with respect to incoming fluid flow. In another embodiment the weir assembly can independently or additionally include an aqueous weir with a labyrinth section. The aqueous weir can optionally include an adjustable lip hingedly coupled to the top of the final partition in the labyrinth section.