Abstract: In its simplest sense, the present invention provides a method for improving the contacting of plural, distinct phases in a vertically disposed vessel containing distinct fluid phases by injecting a stream of dispersed distinct phases together into the phases contained in the vessel at a sufficient velocity to force the fluid in the vessel to circulate downwardly through a central region in the vessel and upwardly in the annular region surrounding the central region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device designed to more efficiently aerate a body of liquid. The aeration device generally includes a nozzle, a liquid delivery means, and an air delivery means. The nozzle is submersed within the body of liquid and directed substantially laterally relative to the surface of the body of liquid. The nozzle includes a liquid delivery tube, which defines an upstream end of the nozzle, a coaxially aligned contraction member having a converging profile, a coaxially aligned throat member having a uniform diameter, and a coaxially aligned diffuser member having a diverging profile and an exit facing downstream, and a coaxially aligned focus member having a uniform diameter all of which are in fluid communication in series relative to one another. The liquid delivery tube is in fluid communication with the liquid delivery means, which draws liquid from the body of liquid and delivers it under pressure to the liquid delivery tube.

Abstract: In its simplest sense, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for improving the contacting of plural, distinct phases in a circulatory reactor containing a liquid-immersed circulation tube by injecting a stream of dispersed distinct phases together into the circulation tube of the circulatory reactor. Sufficient fluid movement will force the fluid in the reactor to circulate downwardly through the circulation tube and upwardly in the annular space between the tube and the reactor wall.

Abstract: An arrangement for cleaning contaminated ground water and a ground region through which it flows, comprises a shaft extending to a region of the ground water to be cleaned and having water permeable shaft walls separated from one another by a separating wall and adapted for aspirating of water from a ground region and reintroducing of the water into the ground region, elements for circulating water and including a water circulating pump and a passage extending through the separating wall and forming a part of a flow path, a shaft insert formed so that the passage is a part of the shaft insert. The shaft insert has a gas chamber through which a gas is supplied under the action of negative pressure. The water circulating pump is formed as a suction pump arranged on the shaft insert in a water aspiration region of the shaft. A water receiving chamber starts underneath the gas chamber and extends above the gas chamber.

Abstract: An arrangement for driving out volatile impurities from ground water by air or another gas, has a shaft adapted to extend to a ground water region and having at least locally a water-permeable wall formed as another wall and limiting at least partially an air receiving chamber communicating with an outside air, a ventilator communicating with the shaft for producing a negative pressure and aspirating air from a shaft portion located above a ground water level, a pipe extending in the shaft to an area under the ground water level so as to form the air receiving chamber and to provide communication to the outside air, the pipe having an inner end region provided with nozzle openings, a screening sleeve arranged concentrically relative to the pipe and at least partially covering the end region of said pipe provided with said nozzle openings. The screening sleeve is supported displaceably relative to the pipe and sealed relative to the pipe and a floating body coupled with the pipe.

Abstract: A combined water pump, aerator, and filter for an aquarium comprises a central connecting manifold 68, a vertical outer air tube (26) which extends down into a fish tank (12). Pressurized air (22) is supplied to the manifold which directs it to the outer tube. It flows down to the bottom thereof to a bubble reducer (36) which breaks the air into small bubbles. These travel by gravity up an inner, water-lift tube (28) with entrained water from the tank, thereby pumping water from the tank up the inner tube. The water-lift tube extends up into the manifold and into a turret (58A) at the top of a replaceable filter cartridge (56) above the tank; at this point the air and water separate and flow down into the housing which contains filter media (52, 54). The air exists via a hole (60) in the side of the cartridge while the water flows down via gravity through the media which filter it.

Abstract: A liquid circulating device is provided for submersion in a large holding tank to effect continuous mixing and circulation of a liquid material, such as sewage sludge, contained therein in order to facilitate the digestion of the liquid material for environmentally safe disposal. The apparatus of the present invention includes an upright, elongated stackpipe secured to the floor of the holding tank and a gas bubble generator mounted to the stackpipe for generating gas bubbles into the stackpipe. The gas bubble generator includes an interior chamber with a substantially open bottom, a pair of baffle members transversely extending within the interior chamber and an inverted cone-shaped member positioned between, and in spaced adjacency to, each baffle member. Gas under pressure is discharged into the interior chamber of the bubble generator by a gas supply line attached to an externally located compressor.

Abstract: A fuel system for horizontal takeoff and hypersonic aerospace vehicles. The fuel vapor generated in the fuel tank is mixed with the liquid fuel from the tank. The mix is compressed and supplied to the engine system as usable fuel. The compressor used for compressing the combination gas and liquid can be driven from a turbo expansion cycle using aerodynamic heating of the vehicle. Several different embodiments for mixing the fuel vapor with liquid fuel are disclosed.

Abstract: Substantially the last traces of radon are removed from typical well water at subterranean temperatures prior to significant pressurization of the water by displacement of the radon by a stream of compressed air, such radon mixing with the air vented from the system. Other objectionable gases in well water are removed concurrently with radon.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of a liquid with a gas. A gas injector, for example oxygen, is surrounded with a sheath to carry a flow of a liquid under treatment (for example lead) which is taken up and circulated by the pump. The end of the injector is thereby protected by moving away the bubbles of oxygen. Application for example in the refining of metals, for example non ferrous metals, food liquids, paper pulps and the production of sulfur.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing gas absorption in a liquid includes, in a first embodiment, gas injection airfoils at an inlet of an extended vertical tube and a pump at an outlet of the tube for drawing the liquid at a rate greater than the rise rate of the gas bubbles. An outlet of the pump preferrably includes a plurality of outlet nozzles. A second embodiment for use with a liquid or slurry includes a venturi gas inlet in place of the airfoils.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an annular vessel for holding radioactive soions which contain solids. The vessel has an inclined bottom and a discharge at the lowest point of the vessel. A plurality of pulsators charged with air are mounted in the ring-shaped interior of the vessel so as to extend into the solution. The pulsators operate to completely and evenly discharge the undissolved solids out of the vessel with the flow of solution and to prevent sedimentation. At their bottom ends, the pulsators have respective outlet nozzles which are arranged parallelly to the vessel bottom and are directed toward the lowest point thereof.

Abstract: Known water or wastewater treatment methods, wherein a layer of fluid sludge is formed during operation of the method in a first chamber beneath a body of liquid partially filling the first chamber to an upper liquid level, fluid sludge from the first chamber is processed in a second chamber and a stream of fluid sludge is conveyed by a conduit from the first chamber as influent to the second chamber, are improved by creating upward flow of fluid sludge through a vertical stackpipe by introducing large bubbles within the stackpipe with its inlet end immersed in the layer of fluid sludge, discharging fluid sludge through an elongated, longitudinal side opening in the top portion of the stackpipe into a collector zone at least a portion of which is at a vertical height above the upper liquid level, controlling the rate of the discharge of fluid sludge by vertical adjustment of the position of the side opening relative to the upper liquid level in the first chamber and flowing fluid sludge from the collector zon

Abstract: An air delivery system introduces a selected amount of aspirated air into a stream of water conducted within a tube. The aspirated air being conducted in an air conducting tube has one end open to the atmosphere, the delivery system includes a flow system in the water tube which has a variable diameter throat and an axis, an outlet system for discharging air into the water stream in a variable spaced relation to the throat, a telescoping system for adjusting the spaced relation of telescopically related water conducting members and a connector between one end of the telescopically related members and the water tube. Movement of the telescopically related water conducting members relative to the throat varies the space between the throat and the air outlet system and accordingly varies the water flow area and the amount of aspirated air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing gas absorptiion in a liquid includes, in a first embodiment, gas injection airfoils at an inlet of an extended vertical tube and a pump at an outlet of the tube for drawing the liquid at a rate greater than the rise rate of the gas bubbles. An outlet of the pump preferrably includes a plurality of outlet nozzles. A second embodiment for use with a liquid or slurry includes a venturi gas inlet in place of the airfoils.

Abstract: Diffuser (10) comprising a cylindrical body (11) inside which a helical section (12, 12a) is provided. At the base and at the top, a sparger (13) and a distributor (14) respectively are foreseen. Preferably a second sparger is foreseen at the top, around the distributor (14). Each sparger (13, 13a) consists of a hopper (15) having the major base provided with tongues (16) that radially depart from its periphery. Distributor (14) comprises a truncated-cone portion (24) having the minor base made up of a conical element (25), openings (26, 27) being provided both in the conical element and in the lateral surface of the hopper (15). The diffuser (10) is fixed to a suitable support (22) by means of tie rods (21) held on the protruding edge (18) of the upper sparger (13a).

Abstract: A method for treating water with ozone in which a countercurrent flow of liquids is established within a treatment vessel to insure intimate contact and substantial contact time between ozone and water. The ozone and water are first pre-mixed by passing the ozone through a diffuser into a moving stream of water and the mixture is circulated in a tortuous path through a coil and discharged at the end of the diffuser coil through a number of orifices into the lower portion of the treatment vessel in a generally upwardly and outwardly direction with respect to the vertical axis of the treatment tank. Treated water suitable for bottling and storage is withdrawn from the bottom of the treatment vessel at an elevation below that of the discharge orifices to establish a countercurrent flow between the incoming and outgoing fluids.

Abstract: A gas bubble generator for mixing or promoting turbulence in a liquid medium, particularly sewage or effluent, comprising a collector for gas which collector is submerged in the medium and has an exit from which leads a pipe with a curved part between the exit and a free end of the pipe from which gas escapes as a bubble to surrounding liquid medium. The free end is spaced laterally from the exit, and curvature of the curved part is such so that there is no obstruction of the pipe by the medium, the curvature forming a circular arc of 135.degree. for example. The exit of the gas collector is preferably aligned with a gas inlet to facilitate cleaning of the pipe in situ (i.e., with the generator submerged) by insertion of a flexible rod-like cleaning tool into the gas supply line, straight through the inlet and the exit, and into the pipe.

Abstract: A gas cleansing arrangement comprising a vessel (1) partially filled with liquid (32) and a gas distribution means (14) beneath the liquid surface (34). The gas distribution means (14) comprises obliquely and downwardly extending distribution pipes (26) with upwardly facing inlet openings (64) for contaminated gas and a lower opening (22). The inlet openings are each connected to a venturi device (28) having an outlet opening (31) and suction openings (29) facing the liquid (32). In use, pressurized gas urges an inner liquid surface (46) downwards in the distributor means (14), until the liquid surface (46) reaches and exposes the uppermost inlet opening or openings (64). The gas is then forced through respective venturi device (28) at a pressure drop corresponding to the height difference (h) between the inner liquid surface (46) and respective outlet opening (31).

Abstract: An air lift diffuser for use in the aeration of a body of water including an air lift tube and a gas diffuser located a distance below the open bottom end of the air lift tube. The distance in question is sufficiently large that there is substantially no obstruction to the passage of water from the space surrounding the air lift diffuser into the space between the air lift tube and the diffuser, but at the same time is not so large that rising air bubbles are likely to escape and flow outside the air lift tube. In one embodiment, a cylindrical return tube is provided around the air lift tube that directs the water stream and gas bubbles entrained therein downward, after they have risen in the air lift tube, so as to return the aerated water to the lower levels of the body of water being aerated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an efficient aeration system for use in a pool or lagoon. The system employs a venturi nozzle structure for mixing air and water. With this nozzle, multiple air streams surround a water stream to promote effective mixing. The air water mixture is discharged into a long discharge pipe which extends the mixing time for the air/water mixture leaving the turbulent mixing zone of the nozzle. Small holes drilled in the upper wall of the discharge pipe permits smaller bubbles to escape along the pipe while larger bubbles which have not yet been broken are carried further down the pipe. Further, the discharge pipe of the present invention is made larger than the nozzle area in order to slow the flow of the air/water mixture when passing through the pipe.

Abstract: A pluri-tubular aerator includes a vertical central tube member, at least one outer tube member disposed concentrically around said central tube member, and at least one of an diffuser and an air tank disposed on an lower end of the aerator for delivering externally supplied air into the central tube member or a space between the central and outer tube members. The diffuser produces a continuous stream of fine air bubbles while the air tank intermittently produces a bulky air bubble of either a spherical shape or a ring-shape. Preferably, the diffuser and the air tank are used concurrently.

Abstract: A water aeration apparatus is used for aeration purposes in the water-filled areas such as dams, impounded water or reservoirs, and lakes and marshes, and includes a tubular casing and supply chamber that causes large quantities of water to be exposed to the flotation action of air supplied under pressure, thus raising the water up to the surface. The apparatus may be used for water purification, or for anti-freezing purposes particularly in cold climate regions. The apparatus includes a collective tubular casing and a multiple-partitioned or common air supply chamber below the casing, the tubular casing including a plurality of tubular air and water passages formed by dividing the interior of the casing into several longitudinal passages or by combining individual tubes together.

Abstract: A mixer which provides axial flow in a non-uniform flow field, such as may be established by gas which is sparged into a medium being mixed in a tank, and provides large axial flow volume without flooding and withstands variable loads on the blades thereof, thereby providing for reliable operation. The mixer impeller is made up of paddle shaped blades, which near their tips (e.g., at 90% of the radius of the impeller from its axis of rotation) are of a width at least 40% of the impeller'a diameter. The blades also having camber, twist and flat sections. The flat sections being at least in the center area of the base of the blades. The hub for attaching the blades to the shaft of the mixer has radially extending arms with flat surfaces. The base of the blades are spaced from the shaft to define areas therebetween.

Abstract: An aquarium filtration system using airlift to circulate water within the living area to display aquatic organisms, water rising up through the bottom gravel, the gravel providing biological filtration. The living area of the acquarium is free from mechanical obstructions and rising air bubbles. A relatively inexpensive air pump generates the air lift, for circulating water within the living area. Water is removed at the water's surface and thereafter mechanically and chemically filtrated. A protein skimmer device is provided as an integral part of the air lift and mechanical filtration chamber to remove dissolved organic and inorganic compounds.

Abstract: A gas diffuser is provided for water and wastewater treatment. The gas diffuser unit includes a vertical open-bottomed injection pipe extending downwardly and having a plurality of vertical slot-shaped ports adjacent the open bottom. A gas bubble distribution body including a lip portion is located above the open bottom of the injection pipe, and a conical shaped deflector may be mounted on the gas injection pipe above the distribution body. Gas released from the vertical slot-shaped ports forms relatively large diameter bubbles which rise due to buoyancy. The large diameter gas bubbles are broken into smaller diameter gas bubbles and are evenly distributed upon the bottom surface of the gas bubble distribution body above the open bottom of the injection pipe. The lip portion on the gas distribution body promotes turbulence in the rising bubbles, and produces smaller diameter gas bubbles.

Abstract: An aeration device is immersed in an aeration-sedimentation basin for oxygenating the water contained therein. The aeration device comprises a vertical, hollow aeration column with a lower inlet and an upper outlet. A pipe supplied with pressurized air has an orifice to produce in the column an upward jet of air. A skirt surrounds the lower portion of the column including the inlet, which skirt has a closed, lower end but an open, upper end above the level of the solid accumulations in the basin. Water substantially free from solid accumulations is therefore pumped by the air jet through the open, upper end of the skirt and the water inlet, the pumped water flowing through the column from the inlet to the outlet while being oxygenated by the air jet, and the so oxygenated water being returned in the basin through the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaporating a liquid in a gas. It comprises a mixing chamber, a fan for forcing the gas through the mixing chamber, a fluid intake for introducing liquid into the mixing chamber where it is evaporated in the gas, and an opening for discharging the gas and evaporated liquid from the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber comprises at least two sidewalls, constituting first and second sidewalls, diverging generally upwardly and a first slot between the bases of the sidewalls. Liquid is introduced into the mixing chamber against at least one of the sidewalls to flow downwardly thereon to adjacent the slot. The gas is forced generally upwardly through the slot and into the mixing chamber in a stream to atomize the liquid adjacent the slot and propel it upwardly with at least a portion of the atomized liquid being evaporated in the gas stream.

Abstract: A fermentation vessel comprises an outer shell, and an annular draft tube located within the shell and spaced therefrom to promote continuous circulation of fluids through said draft tube within said shell. The draft tube has an internal cavity located within its walls. The cavity is connected to a fluid supply conduit that extends externally of the shell. A plurality of discrete nozzles are disposed about the circumference of the tube and communicate with the cavity to permit egress of fluids from the cavity to the interior of the shell to promote circulation.

Abstract: A water aeration apparatus is used for aeration purposes in the water-filled areas such as dams, impounded water or reservoirs, and lakes and marshes, and includes a tubular casing and supply chamber that causes large quantities of water to be exposed to the flotation action of air supplies under pressure, thus raising the water up to the surface. The apparatus may be used for water purification, or for anti-freezing purposes particularly in cold climate regions. The apparatus includes a collective tubular casing and a multiple-partitioned or common air supply chamber below the casing, the tubular casing including a plurality of tubular air and water passages formed by dividing the interior of the casing into several longitudinal passages by combining individual tubes together.

Abstract: A liquid receiver which acts as a pressure relief valve for radioactive vapor or gases from a nuclear reactor comprises a container 4 holding liquid 3 and nozzles 13 which discharge vaporous or gaseous coolant from an outlet 2 from the reactor into the liquid 3. So that the liquid 3 does not lose its barrier capability during a temporary rise of pressure or at low outflow rates of the coolant from the outlet but can be expelled independently of the nature and temperature of the coolant, the nozzles 13 are mounted on a nozzle ring 11 which has a vertical axis and all the nozzles are directed tangentially in the same direction to generate a cyclone effect in the container 4. This causes the liquid 3 to have its surface lowered from the static level 5 to the rotational surface 15. This reduces the length of the path of the escaping gas or vapor through the liquid 3.

Abstract: This invention provides apparatus for creating circulation of liquid in a vertical direction within a standing body of such liquid, using a gas bubble generator, without creating excessive turbulence at the surface of the liquid, thus avoiding the formation of foam. A preferred embodiment of this apparatus provides for a vertically extending stackpipe, a gas bubble generator at a lower portion of the stackpipe and means for delivering gas bubbles under pressure to the stackpipe, and, at the upper portion of the stackpipe adjacent the upper discharge opening, means designed to laterally divert a flow of liquid and entrained gas bubbles into a substantially horizontal direction, to cause separation of the gas and liquid and to discharge the gas to a location above the level of the surface of the body of liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of reducing agglomeration of fluids consisting of the vigorous agitation of the liquid by a double opposed vortex nozzle and the passing of the liquid through a magnetic field. One of the opposed nozzles may have ozone gas forced through it for treating sewage. The apparatus and method may also be used to treat cooling tower water.

Abstract: A method is provided for use with an apparatus which produces jets of water through a vertical water diffuser tube by supplying individually formed air bubble masses at regular intervals, which are followed by the water being drawn under the action of the air bubble masses. The method improves the water processing efficiency and ability of the apparatus by defining the volumetric quantity of a formed air mass in relation to the diameter of the particular air diffuser tube and defining a certain relationship between the length L (m) of the tube through which the rises and the time interval T (sec) at which the individual air bubble masses are produced.

Abstract: An apparatus for properly mixing the constituents of a suspension is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a tank for holding a desired quantity of suspension with an inlet at its base having an air supply affixed to the inlet for supplying air into the tank and for combination with the suspension. Additionally a funnel is used for directing the air combined with the suspension upward through the tank and a dispersion member for properly dispersing particles within the suspension and for removing the particles from the sides and bottom of the tank may also be employed.

Abstract: A jet aerator header assembly is provided for the deep oxygen contact duct of a partial, total, or non-barriered oxidation ditch having an endless channel. The header assembly may be vertically installed in the bottom of the contact duct or at an angle in the intake portion thereof as a mid-duct header assembly; it can additionally be installed in a horizontal position at the inlet of the contact duct as an inlet header assembly. Each header assembly comprises a liquid header, an air header, a plurality of jet aerators which are flow connected to both headers, stiffener plates which rigidly attach the headers to each other and to the jet aerators, and pipes connecting the headers to respective liquid and air supply lines. The mid-duct header assembly is slideably mounted within an access duct which is accessible from the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning stratified water bodies having epilimnion, metalimnion and hypolimnion layers is disclosed comprising a reservoir for containing water so as to define a gas-liquid interface, at least one upwelling conduit adapted for generally vertical disposition within the water body and having an upper discharge end fluidly connected to the reservoir and a plurality of intake ports longitudinally spaced along the conduit so as to afford fluid communication with predetermined depth levels of the epilimnion, metalimnion, and hypolimnion layers of the water body, flow controllers for selectively alternately opening and closing off the intake ports of the upwelling conduit, at least one return conduit adapted for generally vertical disposition within the water body and having an upper inlet end fluidly connected to the reservoir and a plurality of discharge ports longitudinally spaced along the return conduit so as to afford fluid communication with predetermined depth levels of the epilimnion, m

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for circulating water within a body of water including an inductor and an aspirator disposed inside the inductor. The inductor is partially submerged in the body of water and it has a restricted segment between two open ends. The aspirator is disclosed below the restricted segment in a predetermined position to provide enhanced circulation of water. Specifically, the aspirator provides a cone which fills the restricted segment with a mixture of air and water and the aspirator is positioned relative to the restricted segment so that the point where the cone begins to break apart is at or near this restricted segment.

Abstract: A water aeration apparatus is used for aeration purposes in the water-filled areas such as dams, impounded water or reservoirs, and lakes and marshes, and includes a tubular casing and supply chamber that causes large quantities of water to be exposed to the flotation action of air supplied under pressure, thus raising the water up to the surface. The apparatus may be used for water purification, or for anti-freezing purposes particularly in cold climate regions. The apparatus includes a collective tubular casing and a multiple-partitioned or common air supply chamber below the casing, the tubular casing including a plurality of tubular air and water passages formed by dividing the interior of the casing into several longitudinal passages or by combining individual tubes together.

Abstract: In apparatus for purifying waste water with activated sludge deposited on carrier particles, in which air is introduced into a treating tank for circulating the waste water and the carrier particles in the tank through an air lift, a separator is provided at an upper end of the tank for discharging purified water together with sludge peeled off from the particles thus leaving bared carrier particles in the tank for recirculation. A portion of the bottom of the tank is inclined to prevent precipitation of the activated carrier particles. The tank has a rectangular cross-sectional configuration to enable to arrange a number of tanks in a juxtaposed relation in series or parallel in a narrow floor space.

Abstract: This invention provides an aerator comprising a jet stream generator for ejecting a gas and a liquid in a mixed state from a nozzle, and a tubular flow straightener for mixing the bubble-containing stream ejected from the nozzle with ambient water and discharging the resulting mixture from the discharge orifice thereof, characterized in that the flow straightener has a tubular form whose internal diameter is reduced from the inlet toward the discharge orifice through at least a part of its length.This aerator can produce a stream containing minute gas bubbles, even when a gas is supplied thereto in such a large amount as to give a gas-to-liquid volume ratio of 3/1.

Abstract: A gas-liquid reactor includes a cylindrical vessel containing a liquid with a head space defined above the liquid surface, a submerged jet nozzle positioned on the vessel axis for injecting liquid and gas upwardly into the vessel, and at least two free jet nozzles positioned at the top of the vessel in the head space for injecting a liquid jet downwardly into the liquid in the vessel such that gas in the head space is entrained into the liquid jet and mixed into the liquid in the vessel. The reactor is provided with a cylindrical guide tube coaxial with the vessel sidewall and terminating below the liquid surface for directing circulation. A baffle system directs reactive gas rising from the liquid surface to the head space for entrainment in the liquid jet and directs reacted gas rising from the liquid surface to a vent. Diffuser tubes extend downwardly from each of the free jet nozzles into the liquid for delivering the gas-liquid mixture into the lower portion of the vessel outside the guide tube.

Abstract: A bath 10 is provided with a plurality of air nozzles 17. Air is supplied to the nozzles to bubble through water in the bath. To ensure that water does not remain in the nozzles after use of the bath, means 83,85 responsive to the passage of water from the bath is arranged to activate the air supply means 81 after water has left the bath to blow any such water out of the nozzles 17. The responsive means may include a time delay 85 so that the air supply means is not activated until a period after the passage of water from the bath.

Abstract: An aerated grit tank is provided having a longitudinally extending control wall dividing the tank into parallel lift and settling chambers. An air discharge apparatus is provided at the bottom of the lift chamber to induce an upward flow of sewage causing a generally helical flow of sewage around the control wall. The control wall is supported in the tank by mechanisms selectively operable to vertically position the wall with a bottom longitudinally extending edge in predetermined spaced relationship to a bottom floor of the tank whereby the velocity of the cross currents may be effectively controlled. One form of the structure has a single control wall unit while a second form of the invention has two wall forming panels with an uppermost panel supported in fixed relationship to the tank and a lowermost panel supported for vertical displacement.

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting fluids combined with solids comprises a cylindrical vessel with a slurry or liquid feed inlet port, a liquid outlet port, a gas inlet port and a gas outlet port. The vessel includes a lower cylindrical baffle which defines a stilling chamber therearound, the main contacting section of the vessel being above the stilling chamber. The lower end of the baffle extends below the liquid outlet port which discharges liquid from the stilling chamber. A cylindrical member is disposed in the cylindrical vessel inwardly of the stilling chamber. It has a lower end which is aligned with the gas inlet port for receiving gas therefrom and an upper end which is higher than a lower edge of the cylindrical baffle. The main contacting section above the cylindrical member has a height which makes a ratio with a length of the cylindrical member having a value within the range between 2 and 50.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of reducing agglomeration of fluids consisting of the vigorous agitation of the liquid by a double opposed vortex nozzle and the passing of the liquid through a magnetic field. One of the opposed nozzles may have ozone gas forced through it for treating sewage.

Abstract: A hydrotreating reactor having a plurality of vertically spaced contacting stages having frusto-conical baffles for back-mixing hydrocarbon oil being treated and a plurality of clear oil outlets in fluid communication with a corresponding plurality of annular stilling chambers.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is provided for creating circulation and heat transfer capability within a large body of fluid. The apparatus comprises a vertically extending stackpipe, and large bubble generator means for generating an upward current flow through the stackpipe. Improved efficiency in generating liquid flow is obtained by providing an inclined guide surface to gradually introduce a large bubble from the generator into the stackpipe through a lateral opening into the stackpipe. Most preferably, the cross-sectional area of the stackpipe is expanded beginning at about the level at which the bubble enters the stackpipe and extending to a level at or above the top of the lateral opening into the stackpipe. In this way, interference with the flow of liquid in the stackpipe is minimized and the efficiency of flow generation is maximized.

Abstract: A skirt for a sewage aerator mixer is supported on a bubble generator pipe beneath the mixer structure in a sludge basin or directly on the floor of the basin in surrounding relation to the lower end of the mixer structure to extend the sphere of influence of the mixer.

Abstract: A device for increasing the oxygen concentration in a subsurface stratum of a thermally stratified body of water. The device comprises a flexible tube (13), which is surrounded by a flexible shell (12). Compressed oxygen-containing gas is introduced through first nozzle means (29) at the lower end of the tube and through second nozzle means (31) into channel means (34) between the shell (12) and the tube (13). There is an upward flow of water in the tube and a downward flow in the channel means (34) around the tube.