Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the type adapted to pump high consistency fiber suspensions includes impeller vanes having portions which are immediately adjacent the fiber suspension in the interior of a vessel from which the suspension is to be pumped. The pump additionally includes a sideplate which is mounted directly to the vessel containing the fiber suspension so as to permit the impeller of the pump-to be brought in close proximity to the fiber suspension in the vessel. The sideplate additionally includes elongated portions that extend along the outer contour of the vanes of the impeller to determine the directions from which fiber suspension enters the impeller of the pump.

Abstract: A mixer for mixing multi-phase fluids with various substances. The mixer includes a rotor with a plurality of blades extending within a chamber through which the multi-phase fluids and substances continuously flow while being mixed. The chamber of the mixer includes a single rib for generating turbulence and may be eccentrically located with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In addition, the rotor blades and the rib may be separately angled with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the type adapted to pump high consistency fiber suspensions includes impeller vanes having portions which are immediately adjacent the fiber suspension in the interior of a vessel from which the suspension is to be pumped. The pump additionally includes a sideplate which is mounted directly to the vessel containing the fiber suspension so as to permit the impeller of the pump to be brought in close proximity to the fiber suspension in the vessel. The sideplate additionally includes elongated portions that extend along the outer contour of the vanes of the impeller to determine the directions from which fiber suspension enters the impeller of the pump.

Abstract: A dynamic shaft seal for a fluid handling apparatus for pumping fibrous slurries, the fluid handling apparatus comprising an impeller mounted on a rotating shaft disposed in a pump housing, the shaft extending through an aperture extending from the pump housing into an impeller casing forming part of the pump housing. Prime mover means rotate the shaft. A slurry of a dispersed fibrous material in a fluid is disposed in the impeller casing, and a repeller chamber is formed in the pump housing in proximity to the aperture and in communication with the impeller casing. A repeller attached for rotation with the shaft extends into the repeller chamber to force a portion of the fluid in the impeller casing to move in a vortex in a direction away from the aperture. The invention includes means associated with the repeller to apply shear forces to the fluid vortex, and create circulatory flow within the vortex to maintain the dispersion of the fibrous material in the slurry.