Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid mixer having a multiplicity of slotted orifice plates spaced apart along the flow path within a chamber. Liquid passes through and exits from the slots at a 30-60 degree angle to the exit face of the orifice plates, thereby inducing turbulence which causes good mixing. Preferably the slots are radially disposed in circular orifice plates fitted closely within a cylindrical chamber. The radial length L of the slots is preferably five times the slot width T, and the spacing S of the orifice plates is 4-8 times the width. Straight slots are simplest to make but curved slots are preferred. Radial slots in a circular disc are preferred but other orientations are useful. When used for dispersing small volumes of water into oil, water is injected transversely into the oil upstream of the orifice plates, to cause initial droplet formation; and, the oil-water fluid velocity through the slots is kept in the range of 80-1600 feet per second.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for dispersing water within a flowing stream of fuel oil, to produce an oil and water emulsion which improves combustion efficiency by as much as 15 percent. The apparatus includes a pressurized supply of water, a differential pressure regulator, a proportioning or tracking valve, and an emulsifying mixer. The differential pressure regulator provides water to the tracking valve at a pressure which is a constant amount above that of the oil just upstream of the mixing point. The tracking valve has two chambers. A first chamber receives oil and contains a float which moves in response to oil flow therethrough; a float extension penetrates from the first chamber into the second chamber which receives the water, and causes movement of a needle shaped element therein, to vary the water flow path area. The operative valve elements are coaligned and configured especially for responsiveness and accuracy in proportioning.