Abstract: A vapor contact-type heating device which achieves a high-quality heat treatment is provided by increasing the mixing efficiency of vapor and supplying vapor at a relatively low pressure. By providing a pressurizing duct 45 of the liquid within a vapor mixing pump 4 as a fluid transfer device and providing a vapor supply port 46 on a casing 43 in such a manner that the vapor supply port 46 opens to this pressurizing duct 45, a vapor supply region 47 is formed in the pressurizing duct 45.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing gas and liquid is disclosed. The apparatus can comprise a draft tube having a gas conduit, a liquid inlet and a gas-liquid outlet, an impeller rotatably mounted within the draft tube. The gas can be entrained into the liquid by rotation of an impeller having relatively high angular velocity, which generates relatively low axial velocity of the liquid and relatively low angular velocity of the liquid. Floats may support the impeller and the impeller may have means for maximizing aeration of the liquid.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a first fluid channel that can circulate contaminated water in the water body, a first inlet that draws the contaminated water into the first fluid channel, and an outlet that allows the contaminated water to exit the first fluid channel. A second fluid channel installed with a filter therein can filter contaminated water in the water body to produce a filtered water flow. A fluid transport apparatus can draw the contaminated water through the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel. A flow control system allows water to flow in a predetermined angular range while blocking at least a portion of the remaining angular range in at least one of the first inlet and the outlet to achieve mixing coverage with different aspect ratio. The position of the outlet can be adjusted to optimize the flow rate and pattern.

Abstract: ROTARY SYSTEM FOR SUBMERGED PUMPS. The rotary system (2), object of the present invention, is composed of a motoreducer assembly, which is coupled to a rotating shaft (5), through a pulley transmission system. At the lower part of the rotating shaft (5) the submerged pump (1) will be set.

Abstract: A system for forming mini microbubbles has a motor, a shaft attached to the motor, a displacer attached to the shaft for mixing a media with a liquid, a discharge plate positioned adjacent the displacer, a housing adjustably attached to the discharge plate, and a media chamber fluidly connected with the discharge plate. The motor rotates the shaft. The discharge plate has a discharge hole formed therein. The media chamber is fluidly connected to the discharge hole of the discharge plate. The discharge plate is positioned between the motor and the displacer. The displacer is positioned within the housing. The media chamber can be positioned between the motor and the discharge plate.

Abstract: In an aerator (10) for aquariums and ponds there is an impeller (60) operated by an electric motor (20) having a first entry (246, 347) for the intake of water, a second entry (44) for the intake of air and an exit (254) where the water and air flow comes out, the impeller (60), when it is operated, sucks water from said first entry (246, 347), creates a lower pressure which sucks air from said second entry (44) and mixes said sucked air with water generating a flow which comes out from the exit (254).

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing gas and liquid is disclosed. The apparatus may have a plurality of blades rotated about a common shaft. The blades may have a forward portion, which cuts through a liquid, and a trailing portion, which forms the leading part of a gas cavity. The gas cavity is in communication with a gas inlet and the bulk fluid. As the blades pass through a liquid, a reduced pressure zone is formed immediately behind the blade. The reduced pressure zone allows air to be aspirated from the gas inlet into the gas cavity adjacent to the blade. Gas in the gas cavity is sheared into discrete bubbles and transferred to the liquid by the action of the trailing blade wake currents.

Abstract: A mixing bag for use in bioprocessing in which a fluid is received and agitated using an internal fluid-agitating element driven by an external motive device is disclosed. The bag may include an integral sparger and sensor receiver. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Circulation systems for ponds, lakes, or other bodies of water using a flotation platform, dish, and impeller. One embodiment has a connecting arrangement between the drive motor and the impeller that permits the two to be easily and quickly coupled and uncoupled. The connecting arrangement also is designed to accommodate slight misalignments between the shafts. An arrangement to adjust and calibrate the depth of the inlet to the draft tube is disclosed. The system further includes solar panels that can be pivotally swung outwardly to open positions, angularly adjusted about a horizontal axis, and mounted to face toward the central axis of the flotation platform rather than away from it. Arrangements are further provided to monitor and control the components of the system including remotely from shore.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of gaseous effluents, such as those originating from the production of semi-conductors involving contact with a liquid. The inventive apparatus consists of: a gas/liquid contact chamber which can receive a liquid in the lower part thereof and which is topped with a gas cover, said chamber comprising means for introducing a gas to be treated and means for releasing residual gases following treatment involving contact with the liquid; turbine-type gas/liquid contacting means comprising one or more stages which ensure improved contact between the gas and the liquid, the upper part of said means being equipped with an opening for drawing the gas situated in the gas cover above the liquid; and, preferably, means for measuring the pH of the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for oxygenating and mixing a body of liquid includes an impeller rotating about a vertical axis and driven by a submersible motor. The impeller is incased in a housing with intake ports for both oxygen and water. Ports are located around the circumference of the housing such that the oxygen infused water may exit the housing in a radial direction and be dispersed across the tank before the pockets of oxygen rise to the surface. The motor and impeller housing are mounted to a horizontally positioned plate which is suspended from a float by adjustable chains or cables allowing variance in the depth of submersion for use in lagoons. Alternatively the unit may be mounted to the bottom of a tank or basin in applications where permanent installation is feasible such as in tanks. Pure oxygen is supplied from a source outside the body of water and is of a purity level that allows highly efficient transfer of oxygen to the water receiving treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluidization aeration mixing apparatus comprising a centrifugal ventilator (1), an air pipe (2) and an integrated unit of three centrifugal impellers.

Abstract: A multi-direction submersible floating aerator has a gas-ring compressor (4), a base (6), a gas inlet tube (9), a seat (11), multiple submersible hollow shaft motors (13), and multiple propellers (14). The base (6) is disposed between the gas-ring compressor (4) and the gas inlet tube (9). The propeller (14) is coaxially connected to the submersible hollow shaft motor (13). The seat (11) is disposed between the gas inlet tube (9) and the submersible hollow shaft motor (13). The seat (11) is hollow. A first opening is disposed at the top of the seat (11), and multiple second openings are disposed on one side of the seat (11). The seat (11) is used for evenly distributing compressed air. Thus, the aeration is more even and stable, and aeration efficiency is greatly improved.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system, comprising a tank and an elongate draft tube. The tank comprises a bottom and at least one partition wall extending short of a tank curved turning wall to form at least a pair of channels for movement of a volume of a liquid. The elongate draft tube is at least partially submerged beneath the liquid and is rotated about its longitudinal axis for orbitally moving the liquid through the at least a pair of channels of the tank in a fixed direction. A process for treating wastewater is also provided.

Abstract: Circulation systems for ponds, lakes, or other bodies of water using a flotation platform, dish, and impeller. One embodiment has a connecting arrangement between the drive motor and the impeller that permits the two to be easily and quickly coupled and uncoupled. The connecting arrangement also is designed to accommodate slight misalignments between the shafts. An arrangement to adjust and calibrate the depth of the inlet to the draft tube is disclosed. The system further includes solar panels that can be pivotally swung outwardly to open positions, angularly adjusted about a horizontal axis, and mounted to face toward the central axis of the flotation platform rather than away from it. Arrangements are further provided to monitor and control the components of the system including remotely from shore.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aeration device (20) for aeration of a liquid. The aeration device comprises a plate (30) of a first material, said first material being permeable to air, said plate having inlet means (31) for inletting air into the plate and means for creating a flow of liquid across the plate of the first material, when said aeration device is immersed or submerged in a liquid. The plate of first material is stationary within the aeration device. The aeration device may moreover comprise a disc (12) arranged for being placed in parallel to the plate, but leaving a gap between the plate and the disc member, and the means for creating a flow of liquid across the plate of the first material may comprise means for rotating the disc member around a central axis through the disc member. Small or very small bubbles of air may be generated by the combination of air permeable material and creation of a flow across the plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stirring device for activated sludges comprising a stirring body (2) attached to a shaft (1) and having a hyperboloid wall (3), further comprising an air supply line (5, 8) for supplying air to a funnel-like recess (6) formed on a bottom of the stirring body (2). In order to improve the entry of air into the fluid medium surrounding the stirring body (2), the invention provides for an opening of the recess (6) formed on the bottom be covered with a covering element (7) such that an annular gap (10) having a predetermined width remains uncovered between an outer circumferential surface (9) of the stirring body (2) and the covering element (7) and for the air supply line (8) to be guided coaxially through the cover element (7) relative to the shaft (1).

Abstract: A downflow mixer with a gas injection device and/or a baffle plate is provided to improve performance of mixing and/or aeration in basins, lagoons or tanks, particularly as part of water or wastewater treatment.

Abstract: A floating oxygenation circulator platform (OCP) is disclosed employing sub-vortex induction means to initiate numerous, gentle yet complex, tumbling, swirling, rolling, roiling or rotating sub-vortices spreading outward on the liquid surface. The circulator platform itself sets in motion a non-turbulent, high efficiency, bottom to top, primary toroidal vortex flow. Varied sub-vortex induction means, mounted on, made part of, attached to, extending out from or placed around the body of the circulator platform, induce sub-vortices to increase the surface exposure of the liquid and its contents, including microbes, nutrients and large molecules, to atmospheric oxygen and UV sunlight. The OCP and its sub-vortex induction means taken together act in the manner of a Rotating Inverse Biological Contactor (RIBC), labeled “inverse” because the liquid itself rotates and tumbles its contents into direct contact with the atmosphere and sunlight, in contrast to RBC devices where solid disks rotate in and out of a liquid.

Abstract: A diffuser which includes a cylinder open at one end and closed at the opposite end, the open end of the cylinder being securable to air supply; the wall of the diffuser being formed with a plurality of holes therethrough, each hole having a larger diameter on the exterior of the wall of the diffuser than on the interior of the wall of the diffuser, the longitudinal axis of each hole being inclined at an acute angle to both the radius and the longitudinal axis of the diffuser, and the orientation of each hole with respect to the longitudinal axis of the diffuser being such that when the diffuser is rotated about it longitudinal axis in use, the leading edge of each hole is at a higher elevation than the trailing edge of each hole.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a float configured to float on the surface of a water body, a first fluid channel coupled to the float and configured to circulate contaminated water in the water body, and a second fluid channel coupled to the float and configured to filter contaminated water in the water body. A fluid transport apparatus can draw the contaminated water through the first fluid channel at a first flow rate and through the second fluid channel at a second flow rate.

Abstract: Provided is a submersible floating aerator, including a submersible hollow shaft motor (1) including a hollow shaft (2), a bottom shaft extension (4), a first motor flange (15), a second motor flange (16), a first flange (24) and a second flange (25), a gas-ring compressor (17), a base (21) having a gas inlet hole (22), a gas inlet tube (23), a dome (26), a propeller assembly (60) and an air outlet opening (18); wherein the base (21) is fixed on the top of the gas inlet tube (23), the gas-ring compressor (17) is fixed on the base (21) via a bracket (19); the air outlet opening (18) is connected to the gas-inlet hole (22) via a pipe (20); the gas inlet tube (23) is fixed to the first motor flange (15) via a first flange (24); the second motor flange (16) is fixed to the dome (26) via the second flange (25); the bottom shaft extension (4) is coaxially connected to the propeller assembly (60); and the hollow shaft (2) rotates along with the propeller assembly (60).

Abstract: A swing-type submersible floating aerator, including a gas-ring compressor, a base, a pipe, a support tube, a swing device and a driving device, wherein the base is disposed between the gas-ring compressor and the support tube, the base is disposed at the center of the swing device, and the driving device drives the swing device to rotate. The swing-type submersible floating aerator is capable of rotating 360 degrees in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, and push-flow and aeration can be performed in any direction.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for providing improved aeration of a fluid that is propelled though a pump to efficiently transfer oxygen and other gasses to a liquid body. In addition to the aeration, circulation of the liquid body may be performed to provide additional efficiency and benefit to the fluid system. In one embodiment, the apparatus performs efficient aeration by utilizing a venturi effect on the submerged intake manifold of a floating centrifugal pump. The aerated fluid is then directed to circulate the aerated liquid to a portion of the fluid body that is in greatest need of the gas that is being mixed with the fluid.

Abstract: An air injection system for aerating well water with a stream of air and having, a water circulation conduit extending down into the well, an aeration chamber extending upwardly within the well from the circulation conduit, at least one air and water discharge opening adjacent an upper end of the aeration chamber, a support disposed to support the aeration chamber at a predetermined depth in the well, and, an air compressor and a hose connected to supply air to a lower region of the aeration chamber, thus causing upward flow of air and water in the aeration chamber thereby inducing upward flow of water through said water circulation conduit from the bottom of the well to the aeration chamber.

Abstract: A bubble generator includes an air intake device, an air guide device, an aeration disc and a rotating device. The air guide device is partially immersed in liquid and guides air flowed into the air guide device through the air intake device toward the liquid. The aeration disc produces negative pressure by being rotated in the liquid and moving the liquid whereby air guided by the air guide device produces air bubbles in the liquid. The aeration disc comprises one or more blades that spin to create a vacuum of air moving downward through the air intake device and air guide device and into the liquid, and an arcuate wall that comprises one or more slots.

Abstract: A swing-type submersible floating aerator, comprising a gas-ring compressor, a base, a pipe, a support tube, a swing device and a driving device, wherein the base is disposed between the gas-ring compressor and the support tube, the base is disposed at the center of the swing device, and the driving device drives the swing device to rotate. The swing-type submersible floating aerator is capable of rotating 360 degrees in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, and push-flow and aeration can be performed in any direction.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus (100) for mixing at least two fluids, the mixing apparatus (100) comprising a shaft (120) rotatable about its longitudinal axis (121), a first (122) and a second (124) radially extending impeller mounted on the shaft (120) and respectively axially spaced apart, characterised in that the first impeller (122) comprises a plurality of curved blades (125) operable to move said fluids in an axial direction towards the second impeller (124), and the second impeller (124) comprises a plurality of curved blades (125) operable to move said fluids in an axial direction towards the first impeller (122).

Abstract: A water aerating and controlling assembly for an aquarium includes an aerating device for attaching to a container of the aquarium, a gaseous reservoir coupled to the aerating device for supplying a gaseous material to the aerating device, and a controlling device for controlling the gaseous material to be selectively supplied to the aerating device when the gaseous reservoir is opened, such as during the day time, and for allowing an air or oxygen in an environment to flow into the aerating device and to be supplied to the water plants or the water weeds when the gaseous reservoir is closed, such as during the night time.

Abstract: A bubble generator includes an air intake device, an air guide device, an aeration disc and a rotating device. The air guide device is partially immersed in liquid and guides air flowed into the air guide device through the air intake device toward the liquid. The aeration disc produces negative pressure by being rotated in the liquid and moving the liquid whereby air guided by the air guide device produces air bubbles in the liquid. The aeration disc comprises one or more blades that spin to create a vacuum of air moving downward through the air intake device and air guide device and into the liquid, and an arcuate wall that comprises one or more slots.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing gas into a large body of liquid, including a horizontal frame on ballast adjustable floats, a pressurized gas source, a vertical shaft rotatable about its axis, and a plurality of blades submerged in the liquid and extending radially from a hub on the lower end of the shaft. The blades each have an elastomeric membrane around a longitudinal member, where the longitudinal member is hollow with a closed end and in communication with the pressurized gas source through the shaft on the other end, with openings through its lower side, and the elastomeric membrane has perforations which are spaced from the longitudinal member openings. A drive on the platform rotates the shaft via a ring gear around the shaft with a key connection thereto allowing axial movement therethrough, and an inwardly facing surface supported on bearings. A selectively driven and smaller pinion gear directly engages the ring gear.

Abstract: A flotation separation system is provided for partitioning a slurry that includes a hydrophobic species which can adhere to gas bubbles formed in the slurry. The flotation separation system comprises a flotation separation cell that includes a sparger unit and a separation tank. The sparger unit has a slurry inlet for receiving slurry and a gas inlet to receive gas with at least enough pressure to allow bubbles to form in the slurry within the sparger unit. The sparger unit includes a sparging mechanism constructed to disperse gas bubbles within the slurry. The sparging mechanism sparges the gas bubbles to form a bubble dispersion so as to cause adhesion of the hydrophobic species to the gas bubbles substantially within the sparger unit while causing a pressure drop of about 10 psig or less across the sparging mechanism. The sparger unit includes a slurry outlet to discharge the slurry and the bubble dispersion into the separation tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for stirring and injecting a gas into a liquid. A drive device, located above a container containing a liquid, is connected to a vertical output shaft. The shaft has a self-suction turbine at its. The turbine is made of two stacked disks where the surface area of the lower disk is less than the surface area of the upper disk.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing gas and liquid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a draft tube having a gas inlet, a liquid inlet, a gas-liquid outlet, and an impeller rotatably mounted within the draft tube. The gas can be entrained into the liquid by rotation of an impeller having a low pitch ratio, such as less than 1:1. The impeller can have a diameter than is greater than the axial length of the impeller and includes at least one blade extending at least 30° around an axis of rotation of the impeller. Liquid turning vanes can also be positioned external to the draft tube to rotate liquid entering the draft tube in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the impeller. The impeller can be constructed to create a reduced pressure zone, which directs gas axially downward within the draft tube upon rotation of the impeller.

Abstract: A mixing bag for use in bioprocessing in which a fluid is received and agitated using an internal fluid-agitating element driven by an external motive device is disclosed. The bag may include an integral sparger and sensor receiver. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for introducing air into a slurry in a flue gas desulphurization process includes a stationary lance and an impeller. The lance include an outlet portion and a vane assembly. The outlet directs air away from the impeller. The vane assembly may produce turbulence and may convert a portion of the swirling flow from the impeller into longitudinal flow.

Abstract: A bubble generating system includes a centrifugal pump which has a front frame and a rear frame, wherein a plurality of inlets are defined in the front frame and communicates with a center passage of the centrifugal pump. A water tank is connected with the centrifugal pimp and supplies water into the centrifugal pump. An air supplier has a plurality of supply pipes connected with the inlets so as to introduce high pressurized air into the centrifugal pump. A tub has a first pipe connected to nozzles of the tub and a second pipe recycles the water in the tub back to the centrifugal pump.

Abstract: The invention describes a stirring device made from a gassing stirrer and a liquid mixer or two liquid mixers, which are arranged on a shaft and each have a feed and at least one exit opening, wherein the exit openings of the gassing stirrer and of the liquid mixer or the liquid mixers are at a distance from one another, the ratio, a/d, of the distance, a, between the exit openings to the diameter, d, of the gassing stirrer or liquid mixer being 0.02 to 0.5 and the ratio, b/d, of the distance, b, between the outer edges to the diameter, d, of the gassing stirrer or liquid mixer being 0.01 to 0.4.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing gas and liquid is disclosed. The apparatus may have a plurality of blades rotated about a common shaft. The blades may have a forward portion, which cuts through a liquid, and a trailing portion, which forms the leading part of a gas cavity. The gas cavity is in communication with a gas inlet and the bulk fluid. As the blades pass through a liquid, a reduced pressure zone is formed immediately behind the blade. The reduced pressure zone allows air to be aspirated from the gas inlet into the gas cavity adjacent to the blade. Gas in the gas cavity is sheared into discrete bubbles and transferred to the liquid by the action of the trailing blade wake currents.

Abstract: A device for foaming a liquid includes a casing with a turbine arranged inside the casing. A shaft connects an agitator with the turbine. An air supply nozzle is coupled to the casing and a tube is coupled to the casing for conducting a steam supply to drive the turbine. A pipe is connected between the agitator and the turbine to introduce a steam-air mixture to a region of the agitator. The steam-air mixture is whirled together with the liquid when the agitator is immersed in the liquid.

Abstract: A device for stirring and aerating a liquid in a treatment vessel may include a funnel disposed in the upper portion of the vessel to form a passage with the vessel. A duct is connected to the funnel and extends toward the bottom of the vessel and includes an opening in each of its upper and lower portions. A main screw is situated in the duct and has a driving device for driving its rotation. Also, the stirring device may include an aerating device that incorporates air into the liquid by imparting movement to the liquid inside the stirring device so that the liquid cascades over an upper edge and a peripheral structure disposed in the vicinity of the upper edge of the funnel.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in fluid agitation which may include a hollow drive shaft having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is coupled to a selectively rotatable power source, a first propeller, a second propeller and an atomizer coupled to the drive shaft, and a submergible vortex control plate disposed above the first propeller, and may also include a forced air source in fluid connection with the drive shaft, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The water resistant aerator design of the present invention includes a combination of known waterproofing techniques with new techniques for wastewater aerators comprising: use of a threaded joint and thread sealing compound between the lifting handle and the top endbell to provide a watertight connection between the parts; use of a single lip seal for the top lip seal that has over 18 degrees of wear motion before pressure is lost; use of a grease seal between the top lip seal and the top bearing to impede moisture from entering the motor; use of a grease seal between the bottom lip seal and the bottom bearing to impede moisture from entering the motor; use of a multi-surface silicone sealant between the bottom endbell and the air seal enclosure to provide a watertight joint that prevents water from entering the air seal enclosure; and use of an O-ring seal between the endbells and the stator shell.

Abstract: A stirring and aerating device for activated sludges, wherein a towerlike frame is formed by a carrier element (2, 3) receiving a drive device (1) and at least three support elements (4) extending from said carrier element, wherein an air inlet is provided for an aerating device (7) located in a plane beneath a stirring element (9) that is connected to the drive device (1) by the shaft (10). In order to increase service life of the device, the air is let in through a passage resembling a line that extends in a longitudinal direction in at least one of the support elements (4).

Abstract: The design of an air seal enclosure of the system and method of the present invention includes a combination of use of a multisurface silicone sealant between the bottom endbell and the air seal enclosure to provide a watertight joint that prevents water from entering the air seal enclosure. The air seal enclosure is formed from a suitable flexible material and is attached to a bottom endbell with bolts through holes in a periphery thereof. When tank liquid rises during flooding, the air seal enclosure provides a pocket of trapped air like a diving bell that prevents the tank liquid from ever reaching the bottom of the aerator.

Abstract: One embodiment of an aerator is disclosed that has a hollow intake housing with a horizontally disposed lip on a lower portion thereof. This intake housing converges a flow of bubbles into a draft tube. These bubbles are injected into a fluid in which the aerator is installed at a location that is directly under the intake housing. A fluid flow is also drawn into this draft tube through the intake housing. Fluid exiting the opposite end of the draft tube is directed into a hollow discharge housing having a divergent inner surface. A wave generator (e.g., a rotating impeller) is mounted within the hollow interior of the discharge housing. The upper end of this discharge housing also includes a horizontally disposed lip to direct a flow out of the aerator at least generally parallel with an upper surface of the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is an aerator for inducing air flow below the surface of a liquid. The aerator includes a motor having a drive shaft. A propeller is operably connected to the drive shaft of the motor and a blower is operably connected to the motor. The aerator further includes an air flow path that has an inlet and an outlet, with the inlet connected to the blower and the outlet located near the propeller. The blower and the propeller rotate at different speeds.

Abstract: A deflector for use in a hydraulic turbine is adapted to be mounted relative to a vertically extending wall of the draft tube. The deflector has an upstream plate and a downstream plate. The upstream plate is positioned to extend downwardly and outwardly from the wall of the draft tube and the downstream plate is positioned to extend downwardly and inwardly from the upstream plate. The downstream plate has at least one elongated air communication port extending therethrough and adjacent the upstream plate. An air supply inlet portion extends from the wall of the draft tube into the deflector above the elongated air communication port permitting an oxygen containing gas to flow from the air supply inlet portion downwardly through the deflector, out the elongated air communication port and into the water flowing past the downstream plate so as to enhance the dissolved oxygen content of the water.

Abstract: An aerator for mixing an ambient gas with a liquid and agitating the liquid incorporates at least three bearings that are rigidly connected to an aerator housing. A propeller is driven by a central shaft that is rotatably mounted in the aerator housing using the bearings. Two bearings are located near the ends of the central shaft. At least one additional bearing is located between the ends, for example, in a intermediate position. This additional bearing may absorb some of the force that would otherwise be transferred to the bearing near the propeller end of the central shaft. The bearings are thus subjected to lower stress and may exhibit a prolonged useful lifespan.

Abstract: A hydraulic turbine has a gas distribution manifold mounted to an inside wall of a draft tube downstream from a turbine runner. The gas distribution manifold extends at least substantially around the first inside wall of the draft tube. The gas distribution manifold has a plurality of gas outlet ports for discharging oxygen into the water as the oxygen containing gas passes there around. An oxygen containing gas supply extends along a person access passageway and through the wall of the draft tube into the gas distribution manifold adjacent a man hole door.