Abstract: Apparatus for wetting divided solid material so that it can be sucked into a storage tank by an entraining air stream without danger of damaging the expensive heavy duty air pump consists of a cylindrical body providing a wetting chamber which tapers outwardly from an inlet and inwardly to an outlet. A plurality of spray nozzles, each mounted in a recess, are provided uniformly spaced circumferentially and longitudinally around the chamber, so as to provide minimum spray pattern interference. A deflector means is provided immediately after the inlet to distribute the air flow over the chamber, consisting of a plurality of uniformly circumferentially distributed inwardly-extending finger-like members and an axial barrier on the flow axis. Another spray nozzle is provided spraying onto the deflector and also serving as a by-pass for the liquid supply pump, so that the nozzles operate with optimum spray patterns while the pump is at optimum flow capacity.

Abstract: A pumping system intended especially for highly contaminated liquids uses an air pump for drawing liquid into or discharging the liquid from a vessel by creating respectively a vacuum or a pressurized condition within the vessel. A special valve device is provided for the system comprising an air filter in combination with a float-actuated, shut-off switch to preclude the entry of air or liquid-borne contaminants into the pump. The float-actuated switch is arranged to disable a prime mover used for driving the pump. An additional safety feature of the system comprises the provision of an intermediate float valve located between the pump and the valve device, to preclude the passage of liquid therebetween, the intermediate valve having a sight glass to detect leakage liquid and a drain cock to permit drainage of such liquid.