Abstract: A prewetting apparatus for mixing dry material with a liquid before mixing. The wetting apparatus has a cylindrical upper chamber mounted above a lower mixing chamber. The lower mixing chamber has a conic surface with an outlet below. Pressurized liquid is introduced from a housing which extends circumferentially about an upper portion of the lower section. Liquid is introduced through apertures into a groove at the upper edge of the conic surface at a predetermined flow rate and pressure so as to swirl helically down the conic mixing surface to exit at the outlet. Dry particulate matter is metered through an inlet formed in the upper cylindrical portion and is dropped at a predetermined rate into the liquid swirling in the mixing section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing two or more materials which are difficult to mix. The dispersion apparatus has a cylindrical housing which is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a separator. The materials to be mixed are forced under pressure into the lower chamber which is divided into pressure zones by kinetic baffles. A turbine blade imparts energy to the liquids which are kept from swirling by the kinetic baffles. The high pressure of the materials introduced into the chamber forces the materials through an opening between the baffle and shaft turning the blade into the upper chamber. In the upper chamber a second blade imparts centrifugal force to the materials to force them outward. The materials are sheared as they move through the apparatus and then are delivered to an outlet.

Abstract: A mixing valve having a mixing passage formed by a tapered concentric reduction member for forming a venturi, a pair of baffles supporting the reducing member to form a mixing chamber where liquid from secondary inputs is metered by the venturi into an axial flow of liquid. The mixing valve is particularly adapted for use with a method of hydrating concentrated polymer and mixing in recycled polymer from an eductor. The method includes passing water through a venturi, metering a flow of neat polymer and a flow of recycled polymer from the eductor into the mixing chamber by the venturi effect.

Abstract: A bag squeezing apparatus for breaking up bridging of material being delivered from the bag. A pair of jaws are sequentially operated to impact opposite sides of the bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing two or more materials which are difficult to mix. The dispersion apparatus has a cylindrical housing which is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a baffle. The materials to be mixed are forced under high pressure into the lower chamber which is divided into three pressure zones by kinetic baffles. A turbine blade imparts energy to the liquids which are kept from swirling by the kinetic baffles. The high pressure of the materials introduced into the chamber forces the materials through an opening between the baffle and shaft turning the blade into the upper chamber. In the upper chamber a second blade imparts centrifugal force to the materials to force them outwardly through a porous screen. The materials are sheared as they move through the screen and then are delivered to an outlet.