Abstract: A fluid contacting device comprising of a bundle of notched and precontoured strips which are notched periodically at edges and shaped by giving proper orientation (twist) so that the liquid trickling down the strip flows and spreads on the contoured roughened surface simultaneously alternating back and forth on the two opposite sides of the strip and intermixing from one strip to adjoining ones through plurality of contact points achieved with haystack bundle like winding of alternately inclined strips around equipment axis to achieve intimate contact between trickling film and other phase traveling in the twisting channels.

Abstract: A gas/liquid mixing device is provided in which bubbles having such a small diameter as to be invisible to the eye are produced and dissolved in water in a short time, whereby the solubility of gas can be improved. The gas/liquid mixing device has a mixing cylinder, a drive unit, and a gas supply device. In the mixing cylinder, a rotary vane having guide vanes is rotated to compress water in the mixing cylinder and gas supplied into the mixing cylinder so that the water flow containing the bubbles is dispersed outwardly through bubble dispersing holes formed in the wall of the mixing cylinder.

Abstract: An aerating unit includes a container, a submersible motor disposed in the container and having a shaft which is provided with a propeller, an air conduit connected to an air supply at one end and extending into said container at the other end which defines an air outlet adjacent to and facing toward the propeller for introducing air toward the propeller, and a base disposed below and aligned vertically with the propeller in the container and having a curved surface which is convex in a direction toward the propeller for deflecting the air directed from the propeller in radial directions away from the curved surface.

Abstract: The invention describes an apparatus which can be used both for aeration of water and mixing of water. The apparatus comprises a power source which can drive a helical propelling device, whereby the propelling device can operate in both directions of rotation. The propelling device is located completely below the surface of the water. Further, the apparatus is fitted with an additional circulation element which is positioned above the propelling device and at least partly below the surface of the water. The apparatus can also be fitted with further conventional elements such as a pump housing, a deflector and so on.

Abstract: The invention describes a device for treating liquids, in particular waste water, it being possible for the device both to aerate and mix the water. This device includes an aerator and includes a structure to which an independently working mixer is attached. The assembly may be attached to a float or be suspended above the liquid. Preferably, the mixer will be displaceably attached to the structure. The structure may be attached to the aerator or to the float.

Abstract: An evaporative humidifier including a portable housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, an air flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and a liquid reservoir; a blower system including a fan blade for producing air flow through the path between the inlet and the outlet; and a liquid absorbent evaporator pad disposed above the reservoir and in the path between the inlet and the outlet; the pad being a hollow cylinder and having a top surface, a bottom surface, and radially spaced apart cylindrical and coaxial inner and outer surfaces; and wherein the air flow path includes an axial section at least partially defined by the inner surface, and a transverse section communicating with the outer surface.

Abstract: The invention generally provides an apparatus that aerates the aquatic environment and agitates the bottom of the aquatic environment. One aspect of the invention provides a variable buoyancy aerator which cycles between an agitation mode and an aeration mode. Another aspect of the invention provides a system for maintaining an aqua-culture environment including one or more variable buoyancy aerators, a power source connected to supply power to activate the aerators and a controller connected to the power source to regulate activation of each aerator. The invention also provides a method for maintaining an aqua-culture environment including positioning one or more variable buoyancy aerators within the aqua-culture environment and regulating activation of each aerator to provide aeration, bottom agitation and controlled circulation to the aquatic environment.

Abstract: Impellers are provided which enhance the efficiency of surface aeration of a liquid, for example, liquid contained in open aeration tanks, in terms of the mass of oxygen transferred per hour to the liquid per horsepower used in driving the impeller. The impeller is an axial flow impeller and may be either a pitched blade turbine (PBT) or have airfoil shaped blades. In either case, the impeller has a portion which extends radially along an edge thereof which projects above the surface of the liquid being mixed in a vertical direction, a sufficient distance to substantially prevent flow of the liquid over the top edges of the blades of the impeller. Preferably, the impeller is rotated in an up-pumping direction and propels the liquid being aerated in a radially outward direction. A sufficient upward surge of liquid is produced so that the liquid is observed to splash back onto the surface a plurality of times in the course of operation of the impeller.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a motor (16) which is mounted on a float and in which the motor drives an impeller device (20) which extends below the liquid surface (11), with the motor (16) being mounted in a chamber (12) which is fully sealed from the liquid and which serves as a float (10). The apparatus may be fitted with a supply conduit (30) in order to bring gas, such as air, from above the liquid surface to the vicinity of the impeller device (20). The apparatus may be used for the treatment, mixing and/or aeration of liquids such as for example waste water.

Abstract: A combination vaporize/humidifier having a bucket member for holding water, a vaporizer head and a humidifier head wherein either connectors are provided on the humidifier head and vaporizer head to directly connect the heads to the bucket member. An alternative embodiment provides for an adapter plate such that the adapter plate allows for the heads to be securely attached to the bucket member.

Abstract: A liquid management unit uses a substantially horizontal rotor device partially submerged in a liquid so that at least a portion of a rotating component or the rotor device moves a liquid above the surface of the body of water and is then collected in a container for filtering, irrigation, or other purposes. A flap may be used with the container for opening and closing the container to incoming liquid. A control device such as an endless screw, chain, or rod may be used for opening and closing the flap especially when it is located on the interior of a shroud. A flow restriction unit can also be used with the liquid management unit to provide increased velocity to incoming liquid. The flow restriction unit is formed as a U-shaped member with an open inlet and opposite open outlet end. The inlet end cross sectional area may be increased by angling the sides outward at the inlet or slanting the bottom downward from the outlet to the inlet ends.

Abstract: A liquid management unit uses a) a shaft mounted disc rotor partially submerged into a liquid for introducing flow-inducing energy and air or treatment gas into the liquid, b) a first baffle for receiving liquid from below the surface of a body of liquid and directing the liquid to the rotor, and c) a second baffle for receiving treated liquid from the rotor and directing the treated liquid below said surface of the body of liquid. The rotor and baffles may be mounted in various orientations including both horizontal and vertical positions. The disc rotor and first and second baffles are mounted on a frame that is supported by pontoons. A shroud placed over the disc rotor and input and output baffles with an air passage through them form a pressurized three-point aeration system in which the input baffle pre-aerates the water to satisfy chemical oxygen demand, the disc rotor transfers additional air to the water, and the output baffle post-aerates the water to satisfy the overall oxygen demand of the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for mixing gas and liquid. An impeller is rotatably mounted inside a draft tube. Inlet baffles are mounted adjacent the inlet end of the draft tube in close proximity to the impeller. In addition, outlet baffles are mounted adjacent the outlet end of the draft tube in close proximity to the impeller. Rotation of the impeller draws liquid down through the draft tube and creates vortices which serve to entrain gas into the liquid. The provision of inlet and outlet baffles directly adjacent the rotating impeller produces high gas entrainment and shear rates and improves gas transfer efficiency. The gas-liquid vortex mixer is particularly suitable for treating industrial and municipal waste water, as well as various other liquids. Gases such as air, oxygen, hydrogen, and the like are efficiently dissolved in such liquids during operation of the gas-liquid vortex mixer.

Abstract: A shell and tube heat exchanger reactor with forced circulation is used to improve heat and mass transfer for exothermic liquid-liquid, gas-liquid and gas-liquid-solid reactions. Enhanced productivity and selectivity are obtained.

Abstract: A coolmist humidifier appliance which emits liquid in the form of mist or fog to achieve enhanced humidification includes a lower housing part which is positionable on a support surface and an upper housing part which is removably positionable on the lower housing part and includes a motor and an impeller assembly for drawing liquid upwardly from the lower housing part and spraying it radially outwardly against a ring of comb teeth so as to form liquid droplets outside of the ring of comb teeth. The upper housing part includes a discharge opening and a guide wall which extends downwardly toward the lower housing part and toward the discharge opening along a spiral curve so that the liquid droplets will move toward the discharge opening along a volute passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for aerating a liquid, having a surface, employs a motor having a rotating member and a non-rotating member. A shaft is coupled to the rotating member of the motor. Also coupled to the shaft is an input of a planetary gear assembly, comprising stationary upper portion and a rotatable lower portion. The rotatable lower portion is coupled to the axial section of an aeration rotor so that as the aeration rotor is placed in the liquid, a portion of the planetary gear assembly is in contact with the liquid, thereby facilitating cooling of the planetary gear assembly by the liquid. The planetary gear assembly also comprises a seal between the stationary upper portion and the rotatable lower portion disposed above the liquid and disposed above substantially all of the oil in the planetary gear assembly so as to inhibit spillage of oil from the planetary gear assembly into the liquid if the seal fails.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for rapidly and efficiently dissolving gases in a liquid. A diffuser, having a closed top and an opened bottom, preferably in the form of a conical-shaped frustum having a plurality of openings around the perimeter near the closed top, is submerged in the liquid and rotated at relatively high speeds creating a centrifuge-pump. When the rotating diffuser is located near the surface of the liquid, no additional gas is required in the dissolution process because gas from the surface of the liquid is introduced by cavitation. When the device is submerged substantially below the surface or if a gas other than oxygen is to be dissolved, additional gas must be pumped into the bottom opening of the rotating diffuser or very near the high velocity horizontal liquid jets on the periphery of the diffuser. This device can be used in the oxygenation of treated sewage water, the removal of impurities from liquids, and the oxygenation of horticultural ponds to increase production.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas-induced reactor which mainly includes a tank body without inner baffles and a draft tube with inner baffles mounted in the tank body. An upper and a lower turbines are installed in series on a shaft of said tank body and enclosed by the draft tube. The turbines each have six 45.degree. pitched, rectangular, flat blades. When the two turbines rotate at high speed to agitate gas and liquid in the draft tube, a downward regular gas vortex is formed at a center of liquid surface in the tank body above the draft tube. The regular gas vortex is pulled inward to the draft tube and is disturbed by the baffles in the draft tube to become an irregular gas vortex in the draft tube. The irregular gas vortex is broken by the rotating turbines into bubbles which are angularly distributed out of the draft tube and into liquid in the tank body.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in aeration of a fluid. The apparatus includes a power unit having a rotatable shaft. An impeller is coupled to the shaft. The impeller has a blade with a generally uniform outside diameter. A diffuser head is positioned proximate the impeller. The impeller may be a screw impeller. The diffuser head may be a stepped diffuser head.

Abstract: An apparatus for scrubbing or washing a gas having a chamber, which is partially filled with a washing liquid, and into which the gas to be washed flows and the washing liquid is sprayed by a rotatable device for pumping liquid from the chamber and spraying the liquid into the chamber. The apparatus has a compact construction and requires only a small surface on which to stand, but nevertheless provides for low pressure losses. The chamber is composed of first and second chamber parts which are arranged next to one another and are separated by a partition arranged between them so as to project from above at least partially into the washing liquid in the chamber, the two chamber parts being connected with one another in a deflection area above the liquid.

Abstract: A process vessel (2) is for achieving contact between at least one fluid passing through the vessel (2) and a packing material contained therein. The process vessel (2) has a peripheral wall (8) disposed around a longitudinal axis, an inlet for permitting entry of fluid into the vessel and an outlet for permitting the exit of fluid from the vessel. A redistributor (4) is located within the vessel (2) and the redistributor (4) follows a locus (3) which extends around the inside surface (10) of the peripheral wall (8). The locus (3) is neither perpendicular or parallel to the longitudinal axis and is preferably spiral or helical.

Abstract: A humidifier comprising a bucket housing, a fan for producing a flow of air between an inlet port and an outlet port defined by the humidifier, a motor having a shaft disposed within the humidifier, and an impeller assembly coupled to the shaft of the motor, the impeller assembly comprising a hollow stem extending into the bucket housing and having longitudinal ribs disposed within the stem, and a disk disposed on an upper end of the stem, the disk defining an inner annular shoulder, an outer annular shoulder, a circumferential edge and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures disposed between the inner and outer annular shoulders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming controlled vortexes and for circulating gas thereby in a reactor (1, 15) containing liquid or a suspension of liquid and solids. Into the reactor there is also fed gas, so that the liquid is set into a turbulent motion by means of mixers (4, 17, 18) and flow baffles (6, 17, 19). By means of adjustable flow baffles (6, 19), there are created in the reactor at least two vortexes (10), external to the mixer shaft, for sucking gas from the suspension surface into the liquid phase.

Abstract: A method for aerating waste water, wherein the interface area between air and waste water is enlarged by splashing the water by means of blades and wherein the sludge present in the waste water is kept in suspension by creating flows and/or turbulence in the water. The waste water is set in motion by moving a plurality of blades arranged in a circle through the waste water, in such a manner that the connecting parts interconnecting the blades substantially do not extend into the waste water. The device for aerating waste water is provided with a container for waste water and with a rotor being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, whose portion pointing downwards may extend into the waste water. The rotor comprises blades having surfaces which are substantially radially and axially oriented, whereby the blade surfaces are at least partially located below the rotor parts interconnecting the blades so that the connecting parts substantially do not extend into the waste water.

Abstract: A humidifier having a reservoir, an exhaust opening, and a humidification unit including a motor driven fan with a suction tube attached thereto, a diffusion screen, and an intake opening. Water is drawn from the reservoir through the suction tube and dispersed towards the diffusion screen to cause mist which is combined with air drawn through the intake opening by the fan and expelled through the exhaust opening. An integral latch mechanism removably and replaceably attaches the suction tube to the fan to facilitate cleaning of the tube.

Abstract: A reactor for introducing gas into a fluid comprises a mixing tank (12, 43) for the fluid and a partition means (13,45) for dividing the tank into at least two chambers (21, 89) and (23, 91). The reactor further comprises a first pump means (14, 47) located in one of the chambers for circulating the fluid downwards in one chamber and then upward in the other chamber and an aerator assembly (29, 49) for aerating a sidestream of the fluid and introducing the aerated fluid into the tank for mixing the aerated fluid with the circulating fluid in the tank. The aerator assembly comprises a bank of venturi aerators (38, 57) each having an aerator inlet; an aerator outlet; and a constriction intermediate the aerator inlet and the aerator outlet for creating a region of reduced pressure in the fluid, the constriction being elongate in a section transverse to the direction of flow of the fluid through the constriction; and a means for introducing the gas into the constriction to aerate the fluid.

Abstract: A disc-shaped mixing tool (11) is used to mix liquids and to dissolve gases in liquids. The mixing tool (11) has a knife-sharp peripheral edge and several axial through bores (17), so that a liquid stream in the form of several cyclones (25) occurs upon rotation of the mixing tool (11). The bores (17) are each conically bevelled both on the upper and on the lower sides (13, 15) and are axially rounded off in the region (27) between the bevels in such a way that a radial airfoil profile (21) and, in a peripheral direction between adjacent bores (17), a peripheral airfoil profile (23) each result. Upon flowing through the bores (17) the liquid is spun radially outwards, resulting in tiny cavitation bubbles at the peripheral edge (19).

Abstract: A diffuser for vaporizing and dispensing a fluid germicide to disinfect a room and associated equipment. The inventive device includes a vapor generating assembly for mechanically atomizing a fluid germicide. A blower assembly dilutes and heats the vapor and forces the same through a rectangular diffuser to coat the associated room and equipment with a fine mist of the germicide.

Abstract: Sloped inner and outer conical baffles are provided in a gas-liquid mixing system having a recirculating portion of a body of liquid, separated from a quiescent portion of the body of liquid and an overhead gas phase, precluding the collection of gas under the baffles, eliminating dead zones of gas, and minimizing the passage of gas to the overhead gas phase during normal operation, while facilitating the venting of gases during upset conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for dissolving a gas in a liquid such as a hot edible oil for deodorizing, hydrogenating or other purposes. The invention comprises recirculating the liquid from a closed container, through an eductor and back into the liquid, and connecting the vacuum end of the eductor to the overhead gas space to draw gas down into the liquid. Preferably the apparatus contains an impeller means for sucking gas down from the overhead space, if the liquid is at an operating level.

Abstract: Components, usually but not exclusively gaseous components, are removed in a liquid medium from gas streams and chemically converted into an insoluble phase or physically removed. Specifically, hydrogen sulfide may be removed from gas streams by oxidation in aqueous chelated transition metal solution in a modified agitated flotation cell. The same principle may be employed with other procedures in which a gaseous phase is dispersed in a liquid phase to effect an interaction between components present in such phases. A gas-liquid contact apparatus, generally a combined chemical reactor and solid product separation device, comprising such modified agitated flotation cell also is described. In order to effect efficient mass transfer and rapid reaction, gas bubbles containing hydrogen sulfide and oxygen are formed by rotating an impeller at a blade tip velocity of at least about 350 in/sec. to achieve the required shear.

Abstract: Components, usually but not exclusively gaseous components, are removed in a liquid medium from gas streams and chemically converted into an insoluble phase or physically removed. Specifically, hydrogen sulfide may be removed from gas streams by oxidation in aqueous chelated transition metal solution in a modified agitated flotation cell. A gas-liquid contact apparatus, generally a combined chemical reactor and solid product separation device, comprising such modified agitated flotation cell also is described. In order to effect efficient mass transfer and rapid reaction, gas bubbles containing hydrogen sulfide and oxygen are formed by rotating an impeller at a blade tip velocity of at least about 350 in/sec. to achieve the required shear. To assist in the reaction, a surrounding shroud has a plurality of openings, generally of aspect ratio of approximately 1, of equal diameter and arranged in uniform pattern, such as to provide a gas flow therethrough less than about 0.02 lb/min/opening in the shroud.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a preferred application for the treatment of stored, waste or filtered water by the transfer of an oxidizing gas into this water. In this case, it has the functions of a turbojet with mass transfer. The installation is constituted by a vessel comprising two concentric parallel chambers communicating with each other at least by their ends,and the central chamber is provided, firstly, at least with two turbines arranged in stages, the rotational axis of which is the same as the axis of symmetry of the installation and, secondly, structures forming counter-blades placed in an alternating position with the turbines.

Abstract: Cowling for a rotary surface aerator used for the aeration of tanks intended for the aerobic treatment of water, consisting of a skirt surrounding the aerator, wherein the skirt is made of a flexible substance or material and is ballasted in its lower part.

Abstract: A humidifier including a base enclosure defining a reservoir to be filled with liquid, an opening disposed above the reservoir, and a discharge orifice communicating therewith; a humidification unit mounted on the base, covering the opening and adapted to produce dispersion of liquid retained by the reservoir; the humidification unit being separable from the base along a joint extending around the opening; and a seal mechanism including a channel for receiving liquid disposed to form a seal preventing the passage through the joint of liquid dispersed by the humidification unit. This arrangement provides a vapor seal for power units that expel vapor through a distinct discharge orifice.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for treating a gas and a liquid, typically in water, comprises discharging the water radially outwardly from a rotating head and using the water movement to draw air into an intake to be scrubbed, humidified and cooled by the water, before exiting.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an emission control system including an air pretreatment system for enhancing the ability of air passing therethrough to absorb moisture, a humidification chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being attached to the air pretreatment system, the pretreated air passing from the air pretreatment system into the inlet and through the humidification chamber so that it is humidified at a consistently controllable rate in its passage through the humidification chamber to and out of the outlet.

Abstract: An improved system is provided for thoroughly chilling a beverage such as water flowing into a refrigerated reservoir. The system includes an injector nozzle disposed generally at an upper end of the reservoir, together with a dispense valve for drawing the beverage in chilled form from a lower end of the reservoir. A vertically elongated and rotatably driven impeller shaft is mounted within the reservoir and carries a spaced plurality of vaneless impeller disks for causing the beverage flowing downwardly through the reservoir to undergo a plurality of directional changes in a radially outward direction for improved heat transfer with a chiller coil wrapped about the reservoir. This improved heat transfer provides for efficient beverage chilling prior to dispensing. The system is particularly useful in dispensing chilled water, juices, and soft drink beverages.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of liquid by aeration is provided. The apparatus has a motor, a propeller carried by a motor-driven shaft, an airflow passage to the propeller, and bearings supporting the shaft at at least one location spaced from the motor. In accordance with the present invention, an air pocket is established about at least one of the bearings for keeping liquid from the bearings as by a conical member extending over the shaft from the bearing.

Abstract: An evaporative air cooler with a rotary fan blowing and evaporating droplets generated by an impeller, which shares the same motor shaft with the rotary fan. The evaporative air cooler comprises a housing (1) having rear inlets (23), front outlets (3), and a motor-supporting plate (6). An electric motor (7) is vertically mounted to the plate with its rotating shaft being directed downward and connected to a rotary fan (9). The rotary fan sucks, blows and evaporate droplets produced by an impeller (14) with blades (11) and a fluid-sucking tube (13).

Abstract: Cowling for a rotary surface aerator used for the aeration of tanks intended for the aerobic treatment of water, consisting of a skirt surrounding the aerator, wherein the skirt is made of a flexible substance or material and is ballasted in its lower part.

Abstract: An aeration and mixing apparatus for use in a wastewater treatment facility is mounted on a float and includes an axial-flow mixer having a stem that extends through a flow channel in the float, a diffuser cone slidingly mounted on the mixer stem and a diffuser hood fixedly attached to the diffuser cone and located below the float. A diffuser-drive mechanism mounted on the float transfers the diffuser cone and attached diffuser hood between a first, aeration position and a second, anoxic-mixing position. In the first position, the cone is spaced above the channel of the float and the diffuser hood abuts a bottom surface of the float with wastewater being propelled by the mixer upwardly through the hood and flow channel onto the diffuser cone where it is dispersed outwardly in the air above the float.

Abstract: A high efficiency gas dissolution system is used to dissolve gas in a portion of a body of liquid, improving gas utilization and reducing associated energy requirements. A portion of the body of liquid is recirculated through a mechanical, in-line gas dissolution device wherein a secondary feed gas is dissolved in the liquid.

Abstract: An improved water carbonator system is provided for thoroughly mixing a carbonating gas with a water supply flowing through a refrigerated reservoir of the type used in soft drink dispenser stations and the like. The carbonator system includes water and gas injector nozzles disposed generally at an upper end of the reservoir, together with a dispense valve for drawing carbonated chilled water from a lower end of the reservoir. A vertically elongated and rotatably driven impeller shaft carries a spaced plurality of vaneless impeller disks for causing the water flowing downwardly through the reservoir to undergo a plurality of directional changes in a radially outward direction. Such directional changes in flow result in improved intermixing with the carbonating gas and improved chilling of the water prior to dispensing. In one form, the impeller shaft is rotatably driven by a motor mounted outside the reservoir.

Abstract: An improved gas-liquid contact apparatus comprises a housing having a reservoir for retaining a liquid therein. A combined mixing and separation system functions to draw a gas over the surface of the liquid to form a mixture and then scrubs and separates pre-selected elements from the mixture. The separated elements are recycled, shiphoned-off for use as an end product or drained back into the reservoir. The apparatus is particularly useful for removing pre-selected elements from contamined air or from exhaust gases discharged from an internal combustion engine. In one described embodiment, the apparatus is vertically disposed and the mixing and separation system includes a rotor having a conically shaped lower end emersed in the liquid to draw-up and spray the liquid into the gas stream. A blower creates a differential pressure across the system and provides the motive force for the scrubbing and separation functions.

Abstract: An improved water carbonator system is provided for thoroughly mixing a carbonating gas with a water supply flowing through a refrigerated reservoir of the type used in soft drink dispenser stations and the like. The carbonator system includes water and gas injector nozzles disposed generally at an upper end of the reservoir, together with a dispense valve for drawing carbonated chilled water from a lower end of the reservoir. A vertically elongated and rotatably driven impeller shaft carries a spaced plurality of vaneless impeller disks for causing the water flowing downwardly through the reservoir to undergo a plurality of directional changes in a radially outward direction. Such directional changes in flow result in improved intermixing with the carbonating gas and improved chilling of the water prior to dispensing. A drive motor has a drive shaft connected in common to a pump for delivering water into the reservoir, and to the impeller shaft.

Abstract: An improved water carbonator system is provided for thoroughly mixing a carbonating gas with a water supply flowing through a refrigerated reservoir of the type used in soft drink dispenser stations and the like. The carbonator system includes water and gas injector nozzles disposed generally at an upper end of the reservoir, together with a dispense valve for drawing carbonated chilled water from a lower end of the reservoir. A vertically elongated and rotatably driven impeller shaft carries a spaced plurality of vaneless impeller disks for causing the water flowing downwardly through the reservoir to undergo a plurality of directional changes in a radially outward direction. Such directional changes in flow result in improved intermixing with the carbonating gas and improved chilling of the water prior to dispensing.

Abstract: Apparatus designed to mix and/or aerate waste water by floating on the surface of the water, comprising a motor (2) having a shaft (3) oriented downwards and driving a propeller (4), a guide tube (5), a water-deflecting device (6) and at least two floats, an upper float (9) and a lower float (10), mounted apart one above the other and arranged concentrically relative to the axis of the motor (2), which allow the apparatus (1) to be positioned between two limiting levels relative to the surface of the water:a lower level where only the upper float (9) is situated on the surface of the water and in which the apparatus is suitable for use as a mixer anda upper level where only the lower float (10) is operational and in which the apparatus is suitable for use as an aerator.

Abstract: A gas-liquid mixing vessel utilizes an axial flow, down-pumping impeller in a draft tube to create vortex development so as to draw gas from the overhead in a body of recirculating liquid. A surge tank is used to accommodate volume changes in the vessel, and a liquid level control feature, in which the gas phase pressures in the mixing vessel and the surge tank are adjusted, is used to maintain the liquid level in the mixing vessel at a desired level for proper vortex development.

Abstract: In a solid state relay circuit including a power semiconductor for switching power to a load circuit and having circuitry for disabling the power semiconductor to protect against current overload or short circuits, such disabling means including a silicon controlled rectifier for short circuiting the input to the power semiconductor, apparatus for sensing the presence of transient voltages in the load circuit, and apparatus for disabling any short circuit caused by the silicon controlled rectifier due to such voltage transients.