Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid treatment apparatus with ring vortex processor for treating a liquid medium and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for enhancing chemical reactions occurring in processes utilizing hydrodynamic cavitation. The liquid treatment apparatus with ring vortex processor efficiently utilizes fluid energy for cavitation bubble formation, maximizes the temperatures and pressures generated during bubble collapse, and minimizes damage caused by erosion.

Abstract: A liquid treatment apparatus includes a supply chamber for receiving a fluid, a discharge chamber for discharging the fluid, and a cavitation generating chamber extending from the supply chamber to the discharge chamber. The cavitation generating chamber is operable to generate cavitation bubbles. A method of treating a liquid comprises directing a fluid from a supply chamber into a cavitation generating chamber by constricting the fluid through an orifice, wherein the orifice has a cross dimension that is substantially less than a cross dimension of the supply chamber, such that a fluid jet is formed. The method further includes allowing the fluid jet to expand downstream of the orifice such that the velocity of the fluid is reduced so that the jet axial velocity head at the chamber outlet is less than the difference between the static pressure within the discharge chamber and the vapor pressure of the fluid. The method also includes discharging the fluid into a discharge chamber via a chamber outlet.

Abstract: A liquid treatment apparatus includes a supply chamber for receiving a fluid, a discharge chamber for discharging the fluid, and a cavitation generating chamber extending from the supply chamber to the discharge chamber. The cavitation generating chamber is operable to generate cavitation bubbles. A method of treating a liquid comprises directing a fluid from a supply chamber into a cavitation generating chamber by constricting the fluid through an orifice, wherein the orifice has a cross dimension that is substantially less than a cross dimension of the supply chamber, such that a fluid jet is formed. The method further includes allowing the fluid jet to expand downstream of the orifice such that the velocity of the fluid is reduced so that the jet axial velocity head at the chamber outlet is less than the difference between the static pressure within the discharge chamber and the vapor pressure of the fluid. The method also includes discharging the fluid into a discharge chamber via a chamber outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a material from a medium includes a first housing having a wall with a plurality of openings formed therein, a conveyor disposed in the housing for moving the material therealong, and a conduit line communicating with the interior of the housing for supplying the medium to the apparatus. At least one of the first housing and the conveyor rotate relative to a central axis to direct the medium toward the wall so as to separate the material from the medium. A method for filtering a material from a medium includes supplying the medium to a first housing, spinning the medium within the housing, passing the medium through a wall of the housing to separate the material from the medium, moving the material along the housing, introducing a fluid into the material within the housing, and washing the material using the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a liquid includes a first flow generator having an outlet for generating a first flow stream and a reaction chamber positioned in proximity to the outlet of the first flow generator and having a cavity adapted to receive the first flow stream from the first flow generator and reverse its direction within the confined space of the cavity. The flow generator may be a cavitation generator for producing multiple cavitation bubbles in the first slow stream, or a nozzle for generating a flow stream devoid of cavitation bubbles. A method for treating a liquid includes directing the liquid into a first flow generator configured to generate a first flow stream of the liquid, and directing the first flow stream from the first flow generator into a cavity of a reaction chamber.

Abstract: A baffle includes a body member having a first surface, a second opposed surface, and an outer peripheral edge. An aperture may be formed through the body member to define an inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge is distorted to be non-planar. An apparatus includes a first conduit having a first end, a second end, and a first channel extending therebetween. At least one baffle is disposed in the first channel and includes a body member having a first surface, a second opposed surface, and an outer peripheral edge. At least one aperture may be formed through the body member to define an inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge is distorted to be non-planar. A second conduit may be disposed inside the first conduit and extend through the aperture in the baffle. The apparatus may be an ultraviolet light reactor, a heat exchanger, or a static mixer.

Abstract: A baffle includes a body member having a first surface, a second opposed surface, and an outer peripheral edge. An aperture may be formed through the body member so as to define an inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge is distorted so as to be non-planar. An apparatus includes a first conduit having a first end, a second end, and a first channel extending therebetween. At least one baffle is disposed in the first channel and includes a body member having a first surface, a second opposed surface, and an outer peripheral edge. At least one aperture may be formed through the body member to define an inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge is distorted so as to be non-planar. A second conduit may be disposed inside the first conduit and extend through the aperture in the baffle. The apparatus may, for example, be configured as an ultraviolet light reactor, a heat exchanger, or a static mixer.

Abstract: A baffle includes a body member having a first surface, a second opposed surface, and an outer peripheral edge. An aperture may be formed through the body member to define an inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge is distorted to be non-planar. An apparatus includes a first conduit having a first end, a second end, and a first channel extending therebetween. At least one baffle is disposed in the first channel and includes a body member having a first surface, a second opposed surface, and an outer peripheral edge. At least one aperture may be formed through the body member to define an inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge is distorted to be non-planar. A second conduit may be disposed inside the first conduit and extend through the aperture in the baffle. The apparatus may be an ultraviolet light reactor, a heat exchanger, or a static mixer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improvements in the steeping process of corn wet milling and a steeping system therefore. The process for steeping corn includes subjecting corn situated in a battery of no less than four steeping tanks to a countercurrent flow of steep water. The first steeping tank defines a new corn receiving tank and the last steeping tank defines a discharge tank. The countercurrent flow of steep water includes sulfur dioxide and flows in a direction from the discharge tank to the new corn receiving tank. The sulfur dioxide concentration in the steep water of the first steeping tank is greater than the sulfur dioxide concentrations in a plurality of the remainder of the steeping tanks, which maintain sulfur dioxide levels that are substantially equivalent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improvements in the steeping process of corn wet milling and a steeping system therefore. The process for steeping corn includes subjecting corn situated in a battery of no less than four steeping tanks to a countercurrent flow of steep water. The first steeping tank defines a new corn receiving tank and the last steeping tank defines a discharge tank. The countercurrent flow of steep water includes sulfur dioxide and flows in a direction from the discharge tank to the new corn receiving tank. The sulfur dioxide concentration in the steep water of the first steeping tank is greater than the sulfur dioxide concentrations in a plurality of the remainder of the steeping tanks, which maintain sulfur dioxide levels that are substantially equivalent.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treatment of liquids by generating hydroxyl radicals through the dissolution of water molecules by hydraulic cavitation.

Abstract: A system and method is provided which includes using a liquid treatment apparatus, which is equipped with cyclonettes, for example, to subject a liquid medium processing stream in an alcohol production process to hydraulic cavitation, i.e., to shear under vacuum, at one or more locations. The liquid treatment apparatus, in one embodiment, is directed to the formation of a central axial jet and a vacuum chamber that can be sealed by the exiting jet. Cavitation is generated by directing a high velocity jet of liquid medium processing stream through a volume of vapor under a vacuum created in the chamber through which the jet travels. This can reduce the production cost of alcohol, such as ethanol, by improving alcohol yield per bushel, among other benefits. In one embodiment, the alcohol production process is a dry grind process, a modified dry grind process, or a wet mill process. In one embodiment the alcohol production process utilizes grain as a starting material.

Abstract: A baffle includes a body member having a first surface, a second opposed surface, and an outer peripheral edge. An aperture may be formed through the body member so as to define an inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge is distorted so as to be non-planar. An apparatus includes a first conduit having a first end, a second end, and a first channel extending therebetween. At least one baffle is disposed in the first channel and includes a body member having a first surface, a second opposed surface, and an outer peripheral edge. At least one aperture may be formed through the body member to define an inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge is distorted so as to be non-planar. A second conduit may be disposed inside the first conduit and extend through the aperture in the baffle. The apparatus may, for example, be configured as an ultraviolet light reactor, a heat exchanger, or a static mixer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treatment of liquids by generating hydroxyl radicals through the dissolution of water molecules by hydraulic cavitation.

Abstract: An outlet nozzle for use within a centrifuge rotor. The outlet nozzle includes an axial inlet channel and an outlet channel disposed angularly with respect to the inlet channel. An insert is received within the holder and includes an orifice portion and a directing portion. The directing portion shields at least a portion of the outlet channel for preventing impact therewith and for diverting fluid flow from the inlet channel of the holder and into the orifice portion of the insert. The insert further includes an inlet edge at a proximal end which is defined by the intersection of the outlet channel and the inlet channel.

Abstract: A pressurized cyclone for separating solid material from a fluid flow in which the solid material is entrained in a gaseous fluid maintained in an elevated pressure. The cyclone includes a housing having upper and lower ends and defining a longitudinal axis. An agitator assembly is positioned within the housing proximate the lower end, and includes a plurality of radially extending agitator members supported for rotation about the longitudinal axis. A plurality of radially extending anti-rotation members are removably supported within the side wall, wherein the plurality of anti-rotation members are axially spaced relative to the plurality of agitator members. A motor is operably connected to the agitator members for rotating the agitator members about the longitudinal axis whereby the agitator members move relative to the anti-rotation members for agitating the solid material.

Abstract: A nozzle removal assembly including an outlet nozzle for centrifuge rotors and cooperating hand tool. The nozzle has an improved structure for facilitating the installation within and removal from a rotor wall. The centrifuge nozzle includes a body portion having inlet and outlet ends wherein the outlet end includes a placement channel. The placement channel defines a radially inwardly facing engagement surface supported externally to the rotor wall for engagement with a hand tool. The hand tool is adapted for engaging the radially inwardly facing engagement surface of the placement channel wherein both rotational and axial forces may be applied to assist in the removal of the nozzle from the rotor wall.