Abstract: A gas distribution grid for a slurry reactor includes a plurality of gas injectors horizontally arrayed across, and extending through, an otherwise gas and liquid impervious plate. The injectors have a throat open at both ends, with a gas pressure reducing bore at one end which is the entrance end and with the other end opening into an upward opening cone. Flow diverting means in the injectors prevents slurry solids from entering the throat and being attrited by the high velocity gas jet exiting the bore into the throat. It is preferred that the gas injectors not protrude above the top surface of the grid and flat space is eliminated by means such as angular fillers, to prevent solids accumulation top of the grid. A chamfer may be present at the junction of the bore and throat to prevent unrestricted expansion of the gas jet entering the throat. This is useful for injecting gas into a reactive hydrocarbon synthesis slurry in a slurry reactor, with reduced catalyst attrition and deactivation.

Abstract: A diffused aeration system has an aeration tank which contains a plurality or peripheral coarse bubble jet diffusers and a plurality of fine bubble jet diffusers strategically located therebetween to provide maximum oxygen transfer efficiency and mixing with little or no increase in operating power costs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for material separation consisting of a cyclone aerator which can enhance contact between contaminated water and air, or a oxidant gas, and can enhance the contact and attachment between particulates contained in the suspension and bubbles formed in the cyclone aerator. One embodiment comprises a plurality of plates positioned in a spaced relationship to one another within a jacketed tube. The plates are arranged in a distinct, non-radial orientation extending partially towards the center of the jacketing tube to define a cylindrical chamber within a center of the plates and an annular cylindrical chamber between the plates and the jacketing tube. A suspension is introduced into the cylindrical chamber tangentially through a feed line proximate or integral with a jacketing tube top of said jacketing tube to develop a swirling flow pattern of the suspension within the cylindrical chamber.

Abstract: In order to sparge gas into a liquid or liquid suspension in a tank wherein a principally axial flow pattern downwardly towards the bottom of the tank and then upwardly along the side wall of the tank returning axially downward is established by an axial flow impeller, a disc of a diameter less than the diameter of the impeller is spaced axially therefrom in the direction of the outlet flow towards the bottom of the tank from the impeller so as to turn the axial flow, radially, thereby establishing a pressure gradient which prevents the collection of gas released by a sparge between the disc and the bottom of the tank and flooding of the impeller. The gas is released in the axial flow from the tip region of the impeller thereby facilitating the shearing of the gas into fine bubbles promoting mass transfer of the gaseous phase into the liquid phase in the tank. Since flooding is inhibited, as much as six times the volume of gas (gas rate) can be handled as may be the case without the disc.

Abstract: A superb centrifugal flotation cell with a rotating feed, is provided for use in an effective separation process to rapidly recover greater quantities of valuable fine particles. In the process, a slurry of fine particles is injected with air bubbles and moved downwardly through a stationary pipe and a rotating feed line comprising a centrifugal rotating downfeeder. The slurry is centrifugally discharged from the rotating downfeeder into the flotation chamber where the slurry is separated into a waste stream of non-floating gangue material and a particulate-enriched froth comprising air bubbles carrying a substantial amount of the valuable fine particles for further processing.

Abstract: An aeration system for removing radon and other volatile compounds from a water or other liquid source. Water supplied from a well and/or water pressure/storage tank enters an aeration tank and is sprayed through a clog resistant nozzle. The nozzle creates a cone shaped spray of very fine water droplets or particles. Such spraying exposes the maximum amount of water surface area to the air stream and hence removes about 50% of the existing radon and other volatile compounds contained within the water. The sprayed water is then collected and fills the aeration tank and the collected water is then exposed to a source of high pressure, filtered air which is blown through a conventional sparger to vigorously agitate and aerate the sprayed and collected water in the aeration tank thereby removing any remaining radon and other volatile compounds from the water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixer for mixing two fluids, the mixer comprising a power source (5) with a rotating transmission shaft (7), a hollow rotor (6) to be submerged in a first fluid (8) and arranged to rotate with the shaft, wherein at least one end of the rotor comprises an opening or openings for supply of a second fluid (9) to the hollow rotor (6), and jet openings (10) are provided in the side surface of the rotor through which the second fluid (9) is discharged into the first fluid (8) surrounding the rotor. To achieve a better operating efficiency, the mixer has a tight liquid seal (14) shaped to cover and isolate substantially the entire portion of the rotor that is above the first fluid.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning system and method is disclosed for coupling to a first solution source comprising a suspension solution and particles suspended in the suspension solution. The fluid conditioning system includes a containment vessel defining a treatment environment and including a wall defining a fluid passage and a having an inlet apparatus. The inlet apparatus is coupled to the solution source for receiving a solution stream and directing the solution stream through the passage helically along the cylindrical wall. The containment vessel includes a sparging apparatus disposed downstream of the inlet apparatus for introducing a gas into the solution stream, and an outlet for discharging the sparged solution stream. The system further includes a flotation tank disposed proximate the containment vessel outlet for receiving the discharged solution stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating oscillatory pressure disturbances that result from venting steam from a nuclear reactor into a pressure suppression pool through a plurality of spargers is disclosed. The individual spargers are connected in series so that a time delay exists between first venting of noncondensable gas and steam from successive spargers. This time delay can be adjusted so that the pressure disturbances from successive spargers are out of phase, partially or wholly canceling one another. This cancellation of oscillatory pressure disturbances minimizes dynamic loads on the walls of the suppression pool and on structures submerged in the suppression pool.

Abstract: A method and device for using the density control water to continuously flush the oxidation air header and the sparge pipes in a flue gas wet scrubber agitation tank. The density control line is routed to the elevation where the control valve is located. A U-shaped trap is located between the control valve and air sparge header such that the density control water joins the humidified oxidation air. A liquid layer forms on the floor of the header and is moved toward the distant side of the header by the motion of the air passing on top of the liquid layer and by the continuous flow of water. The bottom section of the main header is perforated to allow the flowing water to exit the header into the tank and flush any accumulated solids that might penetrate the header through the air holes. The air holes are located in a section at a minimum of five degrees off the floor and maximum of one hundred eighty degrees off the header bottom and preferably at forty-five degrees.

Abstract: Improvements are made to a system in which force is applied to aeration units from only one side of a basin. Part of such force is vector transferred from one end of a beam of the aeration unit to the other end of the beam to move both ends of the beam. The beam supports pipes of the aeration unit. A force transfer module includes one force transfer strand held in a force transfer path between fixed opposite ends of the strand. The force transfer path extends in part along the beam, which is placed in compression. Motion of the one end of the beam resulting from the force is transferred by the single force transfer strand to the opposite end of the beam so that both ends of the beam move relative to the basin under the action of the force.

Abstract: A gas distribution grid for a slurry reactor includes a plurality of gas injectors horizontally arrayed across, and extending through, an otherwise gas and liquid impervious plate. The injectors have a throat open at both ends, with a gas pressure reducing bore at one end which is the entrance end and with the other end opening into an upward opening cone. Flow diverting means in the injectors prevents slurry solids from entering the throat and being attrited by the high velocity gas jet exiting the bore into the throat. It is preferred that the gas injectors not protrude above the top surface of the grid and flat space is eliminated by means such as angular fillers, to prevent solids accumulation top of the grid. A chamfer may be present at the junction of the bore and throat to prevent unrestricted expansion of the gas jet entering the throat. This is useful for injecting gas into a reactive hydrocarbon synthesis slurry in a slurry reactor, with reduced catalyst attrition and deactivation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for single pass mass transfer of oxygen into a liquid. The apparatus comprises individual aeration modules contiguously aligned to allow continuous gravity flow liquid to be permeated with oxygen repetitively as it passes through a successive series of reaction chambers. The invention provides furthermore a novel apparatus to interject into liquids high volumes of low-pressure air to effect mass transfer of oxygen.

Abstract: A waste water treating system which has an incline pipe for passing waste water therethrough by gravity flow. This aeration pipe has tuyere perforations penetrating the pipe along a portion and a sealed jacket surrounds this perforated portion of the pipe. An access conduit is connected to the jacket for access to the interior of the jacket and an air fan is mounted at the upper in the access conduit for forcing air under pressure from its inlet into the interior of the jacket and through the perforation as tuyeres for agitating and aerating waste water passing through the perforated aeration pipe. Additional aeration may be accomplished by gravity flow of the waste water by connecting the downstream end of this perforated pipe to a vertical riser pipe for flowing waste water by gravity flow from an upper open end of the riser pipe to assist in further aeration of the waste water.

Abstract: A device for distributing and dispersing highly pressurized air-saturated water, preferably for use in a flotation tank (1) of a water purification plant, is placed adjacent to inlet openings (2) through which water to be treated in the flotation tank (1) passes. The distribution and dispersion device includes a pre-dispenser (27, 28) which is arranged in a distribution pipe (21, 22) or its supply conduit (24), and which includes a perforated pipe mounted, preferably, coaxially in the distribution pipe or the supply conduit. Air-saturated water passes through the perforations or throttling holes (26) resulting in a first pressure decrease and subsequent dispersion. The water then passes to the distribution pipe (22) from which it passes through one or more openings (23) in the wall of the distribution pipe (22), and is forced out the flotation tank (1) during a further decrease in pressure and dispersion of the water.

Abstract: A device for using the density control water to continuously flush the oxidation air header and the sparge pipes in a flue gas wet scrubber agitation tank. The density control line is routed to the elevation where the control valve is located. A U-shaped trap is located between the control valve and air sparge header such that the density control water joins the humidified oxidation air. A liquid layer forms on the floor of the header and is moved toward the distant side of the header by the motion of the air passing on top of the liquid layer and by the continuous flow of water. The bottom section of the main header is perforated to allow the flowing water to exit the header into the tank and flush any accumulated solids that might penetrate the header through the air holes. The air holes are located in a section at a minimum of five degrees off the floor and maximum of one hundred eighty degrees off the header bottom and preferably at forty-five degrees.

Abstract: An wastewater treatment system is provided. The system includes a cylindrical tank having a sidewall, a bottom, an upper portion and a lower portion. A cone-shaped hopper, open at both ends, is positioned in the tank. The hopper's upper opening is larger than the lower opening.

Abstract: Improvements are made to a system in which force is applied to aeration units from only one side of a basin. Part of such force is vector transferred from one end of a beam of the aeration unit to the other end of the beam to move both ends of the beam. The beam supports pipes of the aeration unit. A force transfer module includes one force transfer strand held in a force transfer path between fixed opposite ends of the strand. The force transfer path extends in part along the beam, which is placed in compression. Motion of the one end of the beam resulting from the force is transferred by the single force transfer strand to the opposite end of the beam so that both ends of the beam move relative to the basin under the action of the force.

Abstract: A bubble diffusion aerator mounted onto a "pot" aerator, for oxygenating a body of water. The bubble diffusion aerator comprises spiral coils of perforated flexible tubing mounted onto a flat frame, with a single air feed line connected to the tubing at a point equidistant from the tubing ends for uniform air pressure. The frame has openings to provide a continuous flow of oxygen-deficient water across the coiled tubing. The "pot" aerator has a vertical pipe with an air feed line, with the vertical pipe mounted on a base. The diffusion aerator is mounted to the vertical pipe of the "pot" aerator at a position up off the water body bottom, minimizing air hole clogging and bottom sediment disturbance. Each aerator has a separate air feed line connected to an air compressor on shore. The aerators can be operated independently, running only the diffusion aerator for air/water transfer, running only the pot aerator to create water movement, or running both to maximize the benefits of each aerator.

Abstract: An air sparger assembly for a flue gas desulfurization wet scrubber agitation tank that eliminates the need for a mixer and reduces the amount of piping required. The air sparge pipes are arranged to be concentric with the agitation tank. A single main header provides air to the air sparge pipes. The discrete location of the air discharge holes in the sparge pipes utilizes the buoyant energy of the oxidation air to mix the slurry in the agitation tank.

Abstract: In order to efficiently mass transfer from gas, particularly air, into liquid or liquid suspensions with enhanced efficiency in terms of the mass of the gas transferred to the liquid, the gas is released or sparged through a plurality of open pipes which are disposed in a space between the bottom of the tank containing the liquid or liquid suspension and an axial flow impeller which creates a flow path downwardly past the outlet ends of the pipes. Turbulence is enhanced even though the air leaves the pipes at low velocity rather than in a jet through the use of a Bernoulli air trapping ring and plates. The ring and plates encounter the flow produced by the axial flow impeller successively. The ring distributes the air and assists in defining a low pressure region below the ring. A low pressure region also is defined by the plates on the underside thereof. The underside of the plates is in the vicinity of the outlets of the pipes.

Abstract: A superb centrifugal flotation cell with a rotating feed, is provided for use in an effective separation process to rapidly recover greater quantities of valuable fine particles. In the process, a slurry of fine particles is injected with air bubbles and moved downwardly through a stationary pipe and a rotating feed line comprising a centrifugal rotating downfeeder. The slurry is centrifugally discharged from the rotating downfeeder into the flotation chamber where the slurry is separated into a waste stream of non-floating gangue material and a particulate-enriched froth comprising air bubbles carrying a substantial amount of the valuable fine particles for further processing.

Abstract: In the submerged diffuser arrangement described in the specification, a plurality of submerged air diffuser arrangements are disposed adjacent to the bottom of in a body of wastewater to be aerated and connected an air supply pipe extending along the surface of the wastewater. Air is supplied from the air supply pipe through downcomers leading to the diffuser arrangements. The diffusers may be suspended from the air pipe above the bottom or they may rest on the bottom. In order to raise the diffuser arrangements to the surface of the wastewater for servicing, inflatable buoyant members are affixed to each diffuser arrangement or to the lower ends of the associated downcomers. The inflatable buoyant members are connected through tubing to valves from which air may be supplied under pressure, either from the air supply pipe or form a portable air compressor or a compressed air container or through an air pressure line leading from a remote air supply located on the shore of the basin.

Abstract: The aerating device comprises an air conduit assembled from a plurality of aerating modules tightly held together. Each of the aerating modules comprises an annular disperser and a sectional tubular member on which the disperser is horizontally cantilevered in the area where the components of the tubular member are held together and with which it communicates by compressed air. The disperser has a seating ring provided with a hole for compressed air to pass, the axis of the hole being misaligned with respect to the axis of the annular disperser, and a dispersing member defining, together with the seating ring, an annular space wherein a ring-shaped throttling member is fixed place. The disperser is capable of performing setting-up motions round the vertical axis of the hole in the seating ring and is provided with device for its being held rigidly to the sectional tubular member, which device has a vertical passage coaxial with the holes in the seating ring.

Abstract: A device for the saturation of liquids with gases is described and makes it possible to compensate for temperature-dependent changes in the length of the string of the aerating device without affecting its intactness. The device includes an air conduit connected to coaxially arranged and tightly held together aerating modules each of which has a perforated tubular air distributor coaxially encompassed with a tubular dispersing element. The air distributor of at least one module is sectional as for length and is made up of three coaxial components. A central component of the three components is in fact a tubular perforated element having its ends extended, with a possibility of sliding reciprocatingly, in the respective ends of extreme components. The dispersing element of the module overlaps at least partially the zone of interconnection of the sectional air distributor.

Abstract: An air diffusion apparatus for aeration of rotating biological contactors or other media in a liquid filled tank includes an air supply manifold, a drop pipe connected to the air supply manifold, and a diffuser header assembly connected to the drop pipe. The diffuser header assembly has shoes allowing it to roll or slide against the tank walls and bottom during installation and removal. The diffuser header assembly is negatively buoyant during installation and operation of the apparatus, so that attachment of the diffuser header to the bottom or sides of the tank is not required. This results in easy installation and removal of the apparatus without requiring prior removal of the contactor or other obstructions from the tank.

Abstract: An aeration system for a wastewater treatment plant has a manifold for receiving compressed air, the manifold being height-adjustably attached to a wastewater treatment basin floor. The manifold has a plurality of horizontal outlets. Each outlet has a long, linear, tubular aerator extending therefrom. At least one intermediate support for the aerators is remote from the manifold, the intermediate support being height-adjustably attached to the wastewater treatment basin floor.

Abstract: An improved air diffuser and mounting arrangement for mounting diffusers on submerged air laterals in a wastewater treatment system. The diffuser is formed form a cylindrical pipe which is flattened on most of its length but left partially cylindrical for convenient mounting. The mounting arrangement includes a removable saddle on the air lateral and a Tee fitting for mounting the diffusers. The saddle has an outlet spout which fits directly against and is connected directly to an inlet leg of the Tee fitting. The saddle construction in one form accommodates either standard U.S. or metric pipe fittings and in another form accommodates two different sizes of pipe fittings.

Abstract: A system for portably mixing the contents of a transport tank in an inexpensive, portable manner which is adaptable for use in conjunction with non-specialized container tanks and the like, providing a temporary system to convert a container tank into a sparger tank.

Abstract: Force is applied to aeration units from only one side of a basin. Part of such force is transferred from one end of a beam of the aeration unit to the other end of the beam to move both ends of the beam. The beam supports the pipes of the aeration unit. A force transfer module includes one force transfer strand held in a force transfer path between fixed opposite ends of the strand. The force transfer path extends in part along the beam, which is placed in compression. Motion of the one end of the beam resulting from the force is transferred by the single force transfer strand to the opposite end of the beam so that both ends of the beam move relative to the basin under the action of the force. When the aeration unit uses a many-sided frame to support aeration pipes, many modules are used to transfer the force along the pipes to move the entire frame at one time. A method provides a force transfer strand with first and second opposite ends and a length substantially constant under tension.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition apparatus comprises a starting material container holding a starting material in a liquid state, a starting gas generating container into which the liquid starting material is fed from the starting material container, a means for keeping constant the liquid level of the liquid starting material held in the starting gas generating container, a means for injecting a bubbling gas from the outside into the liquid starting material held in the starting gas generating container, thereby bubbling the starting gas, and a reaction chamber into which a mixed gas of the starting gas and the bubbling gas are fed.

Abstract: In grid-type aeration systems with diffusers mounted and spaced longitudinally along air distribution conduits that are submerged in wastewater and secured to and above the floors of aeration tanks, such conduits are provided with couplings having first and second matingly compatible coupling sections of synthetic polymeric material adapted for relative rotation with respect to each other, at least one locking projection having a fixed position with respect to one of the coupling sections, and a locking receptacle array including locking receptacles having a fixed position with respect to the other coupling section. The projection and receptacles are relatively moveable in the coupling for motion from a non-engaged condition to an engaged condition during make up of the coupling.

Abstract: An apparatus to mix a slurry mixture with an oxidization air within a reaction tank of a wet scrubber spray tower of a flue gas desulfurization system for a furnace. The apparatus improves the contact between forced oxidization air and slurry mixture within the reaction tank.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine having a bubble feeding device installed at the inner surface of a door of the top of a washing body for feeding air bubbles into a rotatable tub to the top of a washer body. The bubble feeding device comprises a telescopic pipe and a drive device for driving the pipe. The drive device includes a motor and first and second pulleys operatively connected to the motor. The second pulley has gear teeth formed on its circumference and a flexible string having a train of teeth is wound on the second pulley to mesh the train of teeth with the gear teeth. The flexible string extends into an inner telescopic pipe coaxially installed within the telescopic pipe and the end of the string is fixed to the lower end of the inner pipe.

Abstract: The cell 1 includes an upper cylindrical chamber 2 comprising at its center over its entire height a vertical ink removal pipe 4. A lower lateral pipe 9 receives via an opening 10 a paper pulp feed diluted in water and is fed with air from an upper pipe 12. Injectors placed on the pipe 9 inject the paper pulp and air into the chamber 2. Each injector has the shape of a tube with a constant diameter and opens at its outlet extremity through about twelve honeycomb-shaped orifices, thus ensuring a satisfactory dispersion of the air. The air bubbles lift up the ink particles so as to form a foam evacuated by the pipe 4.

Abstract: A photocatalytic oxidation and ozone catalyst system utilizes ultraviolet light and ozone in the treatment of waste and wastewater to destroy pathogens and to break down most hydrocarbons and other chemicals into non-hazardous forms. The wastewater enters the system for initial treatment and is also pumped through the venturi loop and is exposed to ultraviolet light. The ozone interacts at the venturi before the ultraviolet light is being used as a catalyst by the ultraviolet light to break apart the double bonds of ketones, aldehydes, esters, and carboxylic acids. Following initial treatment, the wastewater is pumped into the pressurized ozone enhancement vessel where vapor oxidation of the polluting chemicals occurs. The enhancement vessel comprises a liquid spray component and a series of ozone resonator plates having ozone distribution manifolds that spray the wastewater with ozone. The plates have angular channels formed therein through which the wastewater passes.

Abstract: A wine bottle aerator that includes a power control box, a stopper means, a submersion rod, and an aeration element. The aerator is affixed in a wine bottle, or any bottle desired by a user, by the stopper. The stopper includes vents to allow air flow from the interior of the subject bottle into the atmosphere. In use, the aerator is used to aerate a bottle of wine as follows: The aerator is fitted into the opening of the subject bottle. The submersion rod extends the aeration element to a position near the bottom of the bottle, so that it is completely submerged. When the aerator is activated, the pump draws air in through the air inlet into the pump. The pumping action then forces the air out of the pump through the air outlet and into the submersion rod. The air flows through the submersion rod and into the aeration element. The air then flows outward into the wine through the air holes in the aeration element. Pressure is not increased to a dangerous level in the interior of the bottle due to the vents.

Abstract: An aeration/mixing system for applying air or another gas to wastewater or another liquid. A main air supply pipe receives air from a blower and directs the air to a plurality of aeration modules each including a submerged conduit and a plurality of diffusers on the conduit. Flexible hoses connect the main pipe with the conduit of each module. In one form of the invention, a flexible line connected with each module has a sliding connection with a ballast block and may be pulled tautly and secured at the surface to hold the module down in the basin. Retrieval of the module for maintenance requires only that the line be released so that the buoyancy of the module floats it upwardly. A modified embodiment includes an inflatable bladder on each module which can be inflated to cause the module to float upwardly for retrieval.

Abstract: An aerator for an aquarium has a connector for connecting the aerator to an existing filter system. An air receiving and dispensing chamber is annular and defined between a lower annulus and an upper perforate annulus. Walls on the lower annulus mate with skirts on the upper, perforate annulus to define inner and outer walls of the chamber. Water flows through the central openings in the annuluses, from the filter, upwardly, and air passes through the upper, perforate annulus. A mixing chamber is received over the upper, perforate annulus, and a tube can be connected to the mixing chamber to carry the aerated water up. An air supply tube extends down through the center of the aerator and connects to the chamber to supply air to the chamber.

Abstract: Air grid systems for distributing a gas within treatment systems such as underdrain filters and contact clarifiers is disclosed. The air grid is supported from above so that it can be lowered into position and thus modified or repaired. Additionally, this feature permits retrofitting an air grid into an existing system, such as an underdrain filter, in which the bed of media overlying the underdrain is not upset by the installation. Thus, methods of installing or retrofitting air grid systems are also disclosed. In another aspect of the present invention, the air grid is comprised of an air manifold connected to air laterals by a spreader conduit that is inserted through a smooth bore in the walls of the manifold, thereby providing a simple and easy to manufacture structure that avoids problems found in prior art components.

Abstract: A particle generator system is described which comprises a substantially closed tank for containing liquid, a pressurized air source connected to the tank, a plurality of Laskin type nozzles operatively connected to the pressurized source and immersed in the liquid for generating particles of the liquid by passing pressurized air through the nozzles, an outlet on the tank for discharging the atomized particles and a source of dilution air for mixing with the discharged particle stream.

Abstract: A in-situ forced oxidation system is retrofitted into a wet FGD (flue gas desufurization) scrubber with no vessel penetrations below the water line of the scrubber and no additional load on the scrubber walls.

Abstract: A gas feeding device for feeding to a reaction vessel a starting gas for film formation by chemical vapor deposition. The gas feeding device is connected to a container which contains an organometallic compound, and has a plurality of gas introducing openings for introducing a carrier gas into the container for carrying vaporized organometallic compound into the reaction vessel. The gas feeding device includes an accelerating device which selects a carrier gas introducing route into the container through at least one of the plurality of gas introducing openings for accelerating the generation of the starting gas.

Abstract: A sparger system for mixing a solid/liquid suspension in a cylindrical container comprises a sparger pipe which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container. The sparger pipe is separated from an inner wall of the container by a first distance and a first end portion of the sparger pipe extends through a side wall of the container. A first flange member is releasably coupled to the first end portion of the sparger pipe so that, when the first flange member is coupled to the first end portion of the sparger pipe, the first end of the sparger pipe is sealed. The flange member may be removed from the first end portion of the sparger so that pressurized liquid may be introduced directly into the sparger pipe to clean the sparger pipe and the container. A fluid passage is coupled to the sparger pipe and extends to an opening which is above a maximum level of liquid to be stored in the container.

Abstract: A device for the preparation of frothed milk includes an a steam pipe arrangement including an inner pipe having one end adapted for connecting to a superheated steam generator of a coffee or espresso maker with superheated steam flowing through the inner pipe during operation, and an outer pipe arranged coaxially with the inner pipe and defining at least one air flow channel between the inner and outer pipes. The pipe arrangement includes an outlet configuration for outputting a mixture of steam and air. The outlet configuration includes at least two outlets arranged for opening directly into a container of milk, with at least one of the outlets being substantially radially-oriented with respect to a longitudinal direction of the steam pipe arrangement and being formed by approximately radial openings in the inner and outer pipes that are aligned with one another.

Abstract: A column flotation system including tailings recirculation. The system includes a column for particle separation and a gas injected reactor providing the site for bubble generation within a treated slurry feed. The reactor may contain a plurality of the spaced internal discs that cause shearing of the slurry to generate and entrain bubbles therein. The column may contain internal partitions in order to accommodate additional reactors. Recirculation of the tailings permits increased bubble control and improved particle separation.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating by froth flotation hydrophobic and hydrophilic particles contained in an aqueous slurry, the apparatus comprising a generally vertical tubular column having an upper froth zone, an upper separation zone, a lower separation zone, an air inlet zone, and an intermediate feed inlet zone; a feed inlet, air inlet, froth outlet and a tailings outlet; an upper baffle unit comprising a plurality of horizontally extending upper baffle plates, a vertical upper support member including an upper end portion, and first upper apparatus for removably mounting the upper baffle plates on the upper support member at predetermined vertically spaced positions; each of the upper baffle plates comprising a mounting aperture and a plurality of flow apertures; and a second upper apparatus for removably supporting the upper support member in the column with the upper baffle plates in the upper separation zone. The apparatus can include a lower baffle unit.

Abstract: A flotation method for separating particulate material including at least two separate passageways within each of which slurry is separated from froth by an interface, a feed supply within each passageway for feeding the slurry into each passageway below the interface, bubble generator located below or within the passageways, and at least one tailings outlet below the bubble generator.

Abstract: A reactor for carrying out heterogeneous-phase reactions, in particular gas/liquid reactions with a continuous liquid phase and a dispersed (discontinuous) gas phase, is described, in which, in a horizontal plane, a substantially vertically upward-directed flow of the reaction medium takes place in a first region of the reactor cross-section and a substantially vertically downward-directed flow takes place in another region of the reactor having a device for dispersing the discontinuous phase such as a dispersing screen, substantially only in the regions with upward-directed flow. The reactor is here designed in such a way that free flow of the reaction medium from regions with downward-directed flow to regions with upward-directed flow is possible in the region of the dispersing device. The preferred use of the proposed reactor is the exothermic oxidation of p-xylene and monomethyl p-toluate with air in the so-called Witten DMT process.

Abstract: A method of treating gas includes the steps of (1) mixing pressurized air and treatment liquid and thereby generating treatment foam and (2) venting the gas through the treatment foam. Preferably, the liquid is liquid deodorant for deodorizing gas from a waste water treatment system. The treatment system is efficient, economical, uncomplicated and easy to install and operate.