Abstract: A mixing apparatus including a frame, a housing, and a pair of thrust generators are disclosed. The housing is pivotably mounted to the frame and is movable between a retracted position substantially parallel with the frame and an extended position substantially perpendicular to the frame. The thrust generators are opposingly mounted to the housing and face opposite directions both when the housing is in the retracted position and when the housing is in the extended position. Various mixing and disposal methods are also described.

Abstract: In one aspect, a mixing arrangement is provided for a tank mixing system which includes a tank defined by a side wall, a bottom and a top, the top including at least one opening therethrough. The arrangement includes a non-rotating elongated arm extending through the opening in the top of the tank, the arm pivoted for movement about a pivot axis; an impeller positioned on the arm for movement therewith and within the tank, the impeller moving back and forth along an arcuate path within the tank as the arm pivots back and forth about the pivot axis. In another aspect, a ball-and-socket assembly is positioned above the top of the tank and is movable along a curved path to mope an impeller in a curved path within the tank.

Abstract: Disclosed is an agitator assembly which comprises an agitator and means for mounting the agitator assembly on top of a tank. The agitator comprises a shaft, a propeller fixed to one end of the shaft, and means for rotating the shaft to provide an axial discharge from the propeller of at least 4.0 m/sec with a flow equivalent of at least 0.2 tank volumes/minute. The agitator is mounted on top of the tank so that the shaft enters the tank at an angle a to the longitudinal axis of the tank of between about 30 and about 60 degrees and at an angle &bgr; to the transverse vertical axis of the tank of less than about 50 degrees. Also disclosed is a method of shipping solids that are soluble in a solvent. The solids are placed in a tank on which the agitator assembly has been mounted. The quantity of solids placed in the tank exceeds the amount that will dissolve when the tank is filled with the solvent. The tank is transported to the location where the solids are to be removed from the tank.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of minimizing the delivery cost of a slurry. According to the invention, a mobile tank is incompletely loaded with an at least partially dehydrated component of the slurry. Sufficient room is left in the tank for a diluent to be later added and the slurry constituted in the mobile tank. The incompletely loaded mobile tank is transported to a destination, thereby obviating expense associated with transporting a diluent portion of the slurry. At the destination, diluent is added to the tank and the slurry is constituted by activating a mechanical agitator within the tank. Slurry is then off-loaded from the mobile tank.

Abstract: A purification method by mixing and diffusion of a closed water area comprises the steps of sucking bottom layer water and surface layer water, preparing a mixed water by mixing them before discharging, and discharging the mixed water into a water layer having substantially the same temperature as that of the mixed water to form and diffuse a density current of the mixed water. Therefore, convection currents in a vertical direction can be prevented, and the mixed water can be quickly diffused across a broad range of the closed water zone.

Abstract: A mixer for preparing silver halide grains for photographic use has upper and lower impellers housed in a draft tube. The bottom impeller has flat blades for micromixing silver and halide reactants introduced into the bottom of the draft tube. The upper impeller has pitched blades for macromixing the bulk fluid. The impellers are spaced apart at least the distance of their diameters so that the upper and lower impellers operate independently of one another so that micromixing is independent of macromixing. A flow disrupter structurally associated with the draft tube and positioned above the top impeller prevents vortexing of the fluid during mixing. Baffles may be provided in the draft tube to discourage vortexing.

Abstract: A digester with an agitator and a method of operating an agitator in a digester can be used, for instance, in agricultural biogas plants and communal clarification plants. The digester with an agitator and the method feature improved mixing of the waste products in the digester and enhanced digester efficiency. The digester includes a preferably round bottom surface, a filler rod and an agitator with a drive axle, preferably arranged on the periphery of the digester. The agitator is mounted in a stirring shaft or stirring pipe arranged underneath the filler standard. The method for operating the agitator in a digester involves stirring the content while material is fed into the digester through the filler standard.

Abstract: Provided is a vertical agitating apparatus which can shorten the time of vertically uniform mixing, uniformalize flow rates in the vertical direction, and shorten the time of heat transmission in a deep liquid agitating tank, an agitating tank having a conical bottom part with an acute apex angle of less than 60 deg. or in a tank combination of the former two tanks, and in which a rotary shaft is arranged in the tank so as to be rotatable by a drive located outside of the tank, bottom paddle blades having a large area are attached to the lower part of the rotary shaft, and lattice blades in combination of vertical grids and horizontal arms are provided to the rotary shaft above the bottom paddle blades, the distance between the outer edge of the vertical blades at the outermost end of the lattice blade and the center of the rotary shaft being set so as to be greater than that of the bottom paddle blades.

Abstract: The invention includes a transportable tank having an upper region and a lower region and a fluid conduit flow communicating the upper region to the lower region. The fluid conduit has at least one inlet opening in the upper region and at least one outlet opening in the lower region. A fluid conveyor associated with the fluid conduit repeatedly causes fluid to be circulated from the upper region, into the inlet, through the conduit, out of the outlet and back to the upper region.

Abstract: Disclosed is an agitator assembly which comprises an agitator and means for mounting the agitator assembly on top of a tank. The agitator comprises a shaft, a propeller fixed to one end of the shaft, and means for rotating the shaft to provide an axial discharge from the propeller of at least 4.0 m/sec with a flow equivalent of at least 0.2 tank volumes/minute. The agitator is mounted on top of the tank so that the shaft enters the tank at an angle a to the longitudinal axis of the tank of between about 30 and about 60 degrees and at an angle &bgr; to the transverse vertical axis of the tank of less than about 50 degrees. Also disclosed is a method of shipping solids that are soluble in a solvent. The solids are placed in a tank on which the agitator assembly has been mounted. The quantity of solids placed in the tank exceeds the amount that will dissolve when the tank is filled with the solvent. The tank is transported to the location where the solids are to be removed from the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for conducting aqueous liquid media includes a plurality of static mixers, a gas distributor assembly with a plurality of nozzles, at least one impeller having blades attached thereto and a plurality of static mixer assemblies having flow guide elbows and collectors. The static mixer assemblies are independently and separately mounted to orient to the current leaving the blade tips of the impeller. Swirlers are also described as being utilized in place of the static mixers.

Abstract: An axial flow mixing impeller system for efficient mass transfer by control of size of the bubbles of the fluid which is being dispersed, especially gases and liquids with viscosities greater than the liquid into which dispersion occurs, is obtained by creating passageways through the impeller blades for flow between the suction and pressure sides of the blades which disrupts the flow over the suction sides of the blades thereby reducing the tendency for bubbles to grow or coalesce into large bubbles which instead of being dispersed, rise to the surface without effective mass transfer to the liquid which is pumped by the impeller. The blades of the impeller may be slotted inwardly from the tips thereof to provide the passageways or may be formed from segments, gaps between which provide the flow passageways.

Abstract: Disclosed is an agitator assembly which comprises an agitator and means for mounting the agitator assembly on top of a tank. The agitator comprises a shaft, a propeller fixed to one end of the shaft, and means for rotating the shaft to provide an axial discharge from the propeller of at least 4.0 m/sec with a flow equivalent of at least 0.2 tank volumes/minute. The agitator is mounted on top of the tank so that the shaft enters the tank at an angle &agr; to the longitudinal axis of the tank of between about 30 and about 60 degrees and at an angle &bgr; to the transverse vertical axis of the tank of less than about 50 degrees.

Abstract: An agitator includes a drive motor having a shaft projecting through an axial end of a housing and having connected thereto a propeller boss. The propeller boss and housing define a circumferential gap spanned by a circumferentially extending radially outermost gap covering and sealing portion of a deflector ring. The deflector ring includes a radially innermost ring mounting portion located in the circumferential gap. The deflector ring is preferably made of elastomeric material and an outermost circumferential surface of the deflector ring is exteriorly convexly curved in the form of an aerofoil converging axially toward ends of sealing lips of the deflector ring gap covering and sealing portion.

Abstract: A fluid mixing system including a liquid mixing device and method for generating and maintaining a substantially uniform, horizontal velocity profile in a liquid circulation system, such as a plug flow reactor, which requires less horsepower than conventional liquid mixing systems without losing mixing effectiveness. The liquid mixing device employs a top-entry, vertically-oriented impeller and a housing that directs the pumped flow in a generally horizontal direction. The liquid mixing module may be positioned in close proximity to an aeration source within a channel.

Abstract: The first agitating impeller and the second agitating impeller, which are arranged in the addition solution mixing chamber dipped in the primary component solution stored in the reaction vessel, are rotated independently from each other in the reverse direction, so that the generation of vortexes is suppressed.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for mixing black liquor from cellulose production with ash from flue gases which is generated on combustion of black liquor. The mixing apparatus contains a cylindrical tank, a stirrer mechanism having a propeller secured on the upper part of a vertical shaft, rotating baffles secured on the lower part of the shaft, and stationary, vertical, radial baffles arranged around, and at a distance from, the rotating baffles. The invention also provides a method for mixing black liquor and ash.

Abstract: A rotor-stator assembly having a stator and a rotor for mixing and emulsifying materials in which the rotor includes wedge-shaped rotor blades and the stator includes generally V-shaped openings which together impart additional and increased high speed shearing forces and/or pressures on the mixture thereby resulting in a finer reduction of agglomerates and mixture uniformity. The rotor blades preferably comprise a wedge-shaped leading edge and desirably the blades have a V-shaped cross-section. The stator preferably includes a first plurality of elongated, spaced-apart slots, and a second plurality of spaced-apart slots. The slots are disposed so as to define a generally V-shaped configuration around the circumference of the stator.

Abstract: A device for mixing a carrier liquid with one or more additives comprising a closed housing with a non-circular cross section and with an inlet and an outlet opening for the liquid and an infeed port for each additive in addition to a mixing gear accommodated therein. The mixing gear is formed by at least one rotatingly driven blade assembly having a rotation shaft which is received centrally in the housing. The mixing gear exerts a pushing action on the liquid in the direction toward the inlet opening, whereby due to a vigorous shearing action between the generated liquid flows each additive is thoroughly mixed.

Abstract: A floating mixer which is suitable for use in anoxic processes in wastewater treatment facilities is provided. The mixer includes a float and a motor having an elongated shaft which is carried on the float such that the shaft extends into the body of liquid. A motor base is also carried by the float and it supports a shaft enclosure which surrounds and protects the shaft. When the mixer is floating in a body of liquid, the upper end of the shaft enclosure is in communication with the atmosphere above the surface of the body of liquid and the lower end of the shaft enclosure is in communication with the body of liquid. The mixer further includes a propeller attached to the drive shaft below the surface of the liquid which, when driven by the motor, creates a low pressure zone which extends to the lower end of the shaft enclosure.

Abstract: An axial-flow impeller having a maximum blade width less than 20% of the impeller diameter, the pitch angle at the radial position 0.6 is 12.degree.-22.degree., the width at the tip end portion of the blade is 12-75% of the width at the radial position 0.6, the pitch angle at the tip end portion of the blade is 5.degree.-10.degree. smaller than the pitch angle at the radial position 0.6, the width at the root of the blade is 40% or more of the width at the radial position 0.6, and the pitch angle at the root of the blade is 25.degree.-50.degree.. An axial-flow impeller having a maximum width of the blade 20% or more of the impeller diameter, the radial position of the maximum width portion is 0.4-0.8, the pitch angle of the maximum width portion is 12.degree.-22.degree., the width at the tip end portion of the blade is 12-75% of the maximum width, and the pitch angle at the tip end portion of the blade is 5.degree.-10.degree.

Abstract: A fluid mixing system including a fluid mixing device and method for generating and maintaining a substantially uniform, horizontal velocity profile in a fluid circulation system, such as a plug flow reactor, which requires less horsepower than conventional fluid mixing systems without losing mixing effectiveness. The fluid mixing device employs a top-entry, vertically-oriented impeller and a housing that directs the pumped flow in a generally horizontal direction.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus has a tank for holding a material to be mixed, a drive shaft rotatable in the tank, a radially inner impeller on the drive shaft with blades pitched to produce axial flow of the material in a first direction, and a radially outer impeller with blades pitched to produce axial flow in an opposite direction. The radially inner impeller can be a high solidity impeller disposed in a preferably-stationary flow shield occupying a portion of a circumference between the inner and outer impellers, and providing a barrier between the material flowing axially in opposite directions while leaving spaces for recirculation of material by radial flow at the ends of the opposite axial flows. The outer impeller can be coupled to the drive shaft by connecting members protruding radially through axial spaces provided in or around the flow shield. Baffles are fixed in the tank and support the flow shield.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing solid and liquid components of a slurry which have settled in a storage tank, suspending the solids in a substantially homogeneous slurry mixture are practiced by directed flow apparatus. A plurality of jet nozzles or propeller mixers is located in the storage tank within an annular band ranging between 25 percent and 75 percent of the radial length from a center of the tank to a tank wall. They are directed either in a tangent direction or at an angle away from the center of the tank to provide a substantially volume-filling mixing flow to suspend the solid slurry component in the liquid slurry component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying gypsum slurry of predetermined concentration to a follow-on utilization device, such as an irrigation network. Slurry of a first higher concentration is prepared in a vessel using a vertically arranged mixer with power and drive components mounted outside the tank and a mixer shaft bearing an impeller and a propeller positioned inside the tank for immersion in the slurry ingredients. Rotation of the impeller and propeller causes the slurry ingredients to flow downwardly in the central region of the vessel, outwardly near the bottom towards the inner wall surfaces, upwardly of the inner wall surfaces towards the top and inwardly to the central region in a cyclic fashion to produce a uniform slurry. The slurry is withdrawn through an outlet in one of the tank walls and mixed with externally supplied water in a mixing chamber to dilute the slurry to a desired useable concentration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for transporting and agitating a substance having solid and liquid constituents. The apparatus includes a mobile wheeled chassis having a pressure vessel mounted thereon. The vessel has a floor and at least one wall with an inner surface defining a vessel interior space for containing the substance. A plurality of supports are located within the interior space and mounted to the inner surface. A plurality of motors each having a shaft are located and mounted to a respective support. A plurality of agitator blades are each coupled to a respective shaft and rotated about a substantially vertical axis for directing the substance toward the floor.

Abstract: A mixing system for dissolving water soluble additive into irrigation water employs a venturi system for introduction of water soluble additive into a water stream for injection into a dispersion tank employing low speed contradirectional impellers. Dispersion of the additive through the venturi and gentle yet vigorous agitation in the dispersion tank by contradirectional impellers mixes the additive without shearing of long chain polymers thereby assuring maximum efficacy for the additive solution.

Abstract: Device for aerating and/or mixing water in a basin, using a means to impart a rotational motion to the water and having guide means (57) which convert the rotational motion into a combined horizontal and vertical motion of the water. Said guide means can be screw-shaped or plate-shaped elements of suitable shape and dimensions.

Abstract: A vertical draft tube submerged turbine mixer/aerator includes an impeller rotatedly disposed within the draft tube above an aerator. A single tiplet extends downwardly from the lower surface of each impeller blade in proximity to the blade tip for improving gas to liquid mass transfer efficiency of the mixer/aerator.

Abstract: Improved mixing effectiveness in the mixing of a gas with a liquid suspension is achieved in a batch mixing system having a mixing tank with a hemi-toroidal tank bottom which extends between a radially inner neck portion of the tank to a radially outer cylindrical wall portion of the tank. The hemi-toroidal profile of the tank bottom has a monotonically increasing toroidal radius between the neck and wall portions. Disposed within the tank is an assembly including an axial flow impeller with pitched impeller blades, a stator adjacent to the impeller and having stationary stator blades of a pitch opposite to the pitch of the impeller blades, a shroud surrounding the radial periphery of both the impeller and the stator and a gas sparging means supported by the shroud.

Abstract: An accessory for a mixer having a first Moebius shaped mixing blade mounted to a shaft and having a second, mirror image, Moebius shaped mixing blade mounted to a second shaft, the second shaft being oriented parallel to the first shaft, and wherein the individual mixing blades, as viewed from the plane normal to each shaft axis, form the FIG. 8.

Abstract: In order to extend the life of mixing impellers which circulate materials, and particularly which suspend solids, in the form of particles which erode the blades of the impellers and place a practical limit on impeller speed and/or angle of attack due to increased erosion at high flow velocity (erosion being a function of the cube of the velocity), the blades are constructed from blades into an airfoil configuration which does not limit the thickness of the plates and thereby allows the use of thick plates having extended life. An erosion resistant layer is located at least over the leading edge region of the blade and the shape of the blade reduces velocity of flow over the leading edge; the camber of the blade being maximized midway between the leading and trailing edge. The suction surface of the blade in the region subject to erosion is continuous thereby avoiding discontinuities which form vortices which enhance erosion.

Abstract: Polymer activation apparatus for activating a batch of dry polymer in dilution water includes a tank which contains the dilution water in a mixing vessel and a mixing assembly within the mixing vessel. The dilution water is circulated at a high rate through the mixing assembly to create a high shear flow condition within the mixing assembly. The polymer is introduced into the mixing assembly to disperse the polymer in the dilution water and form a slurry in the vessel without causing agglomeration of the dry polymer. After dispersion and before hydration of the polymer, the rate of circulation through the mixing assembly is reduced to create a low shear flow condition. The low shear condition is maintained as the viscosity of the solution increases.

Abstract: An auger-tube pump mixing device for mixing materials with large density differences while maintaining low stirring RPM and low power consumption. The mixing device minimizes the formation of vortexes and minimizes the incorporation of small bubbles in the liquid during mixing. By avoiding the creation of a vortex the device provides efficient stirring of full containers without spillage over the edge. Also, the device solves the problem of effective mixing in vessels where the liquid height is large compared to the diameter. Because of the gentle stirring or mixing by the device, it has application for biomedical uses where cell damage is to be avoided.

Abstract: An agitating device includes substantially cylindrical tank having a depth greater than a diameter. An elongate plate-like baffle is mounted to an inner peripheral wall of the tank, a bottom end of the baffle terminating above the bottom of the tank to recreate a space between the bottom end of the baffle and the bottom of the tank. A shaft extends into the tank into a position adjacent to the baffle. The shaft is offset from the central axis of the tank and is spaced from the peripheral walls by a distance no greater than about the same distance as that separating the center of the tank from the baffle. An agitating vane is mounted to the shaft. The shaft is rotated in a direction such that a blade of the vane causes fluid in the tank to move axially along the baffle.

Abstract: Liquid mixing impellers particularly designed for the chemical processing industry provide a generally axial flow when rotated in a first direction of rotation and provide a generally radial flow when rotated in the opposite direction of rotation. The blades are formed of sheet material with an edge which leads in the first direction of rotation being defined by a portion of the blade which is folded and turned in a chordwise sense through a limited extent back upon itself. The folded back leading edge forms a rearwardly facing concavity which faces the blade trailing edge. The power number in the radial flow rotation direction substantially exceeds the power number in the axial flow rotation direction.

Abstract: A liquid manure dispensing apparatus including a distribution head for breaking down larger clumps of liquid manure and uniformly distributing it to earth working members having an integral delivery chute. The distribution head comprises an impeller journaled for rotation in a chamber for preventing blockage by reducing the size of larger clumps of liquid manure between distal ends of integral vanes and the chamber wall. Each unitary earth working member includes an integral shank and liquid manure delivery chute, and it is designed such that the delivery chute forms a portion of the shank and to form a wedge shape. The delivery chute dispenses liquid manure behind the shank in a created furrow, wherein an outlet port of the chute opens downwardly and rearwardly to minimize blockage. The wedge shape of the chute prevents soil from collapsing into the furrow as liquid manure is dispensed to minimize soil blocking the outlet of the chute.

Abstract: A settling tank cleaning unit includes a vertically buoyant device, provided with means to generate both horizontal and vertical propulsion, thereby moving the device in a random pattern adjacent the bottom of a tank to be cleaned and, at the same time, cutting tank-deposited solids and transporting the solids to a solids and liquid mixing propeller which vertically lifts the mixture for recirculation or to a discharge zone.

Abstract: An agitator assembly for use in effecting dispersion of a fluid such as a gas in a liquid comprises a rotor having a rotatably driven shaft 18 mounting a series of scoop-shaped blades 20 which are oriented with the mouths 21 of the scoops presented in the direction of rotation of the shaft, each blade being mounted at an angle of attack such that one end of the blade leads the other in the direction of rotation. To eliminate gas cavity formation, each blade is of generally streamlined configuration in section and the ends 30 thereof are generally transverse to the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A mixing device employs a rotating hollow column or pipe that is motor-driven for rotation, is open at both ends to, at its upper or outer end, receive an inflow of a mixing fluid, such a gas or liquid, and its opposite or lower end, to simultaneously receive a co-axial inflow of a fluid-like or flowable charge material that is to be thoroughly and substantially uniformly mixed with the counter in-flowing mixing fluid.

Abstract: A mixer (1) is provided with a cover (6) on its upside for diminishing the risk for air intake when the mixer operates near a liquid surface (10).

Abstract: A mixer impeller, which is adapted to mix and blend liquids and liquid suspensions in industrial and commmercial applications and is subject to forces which tend to work the impeller loose from attachment with its driving shaft, is secured to the shaft by collars (locking rings) which are threaded on the ends of hubs from which the blades of the impeller extend. In order to secure the attachment of the collars to the hub, a locking key is inserted between the collar and the shaft. The inner periphery of the collars are tapered outwardly away from the shaft. The neck of the locking key has portions which are deflected against these tapered inner peripheries when a pin is inserted through the neck of the locking key. A ramp on the collar mates with a ramp on the key to prevent reverse rotation (working loose) of the collar. The impeller is restrained against axial movement by the collar and against rotational movement by being keyed to the shaft and restricted by the ramp on the collar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing a body of liquid in a treatment basin and for removing floating matter from the surface of the basin. A propeller type downflow mixer is buoyantly supported on a float in the basin with the inlet side of the mixer below the liquid level and the discharge side of the mixer arranged to direct the pumped liquid downwardly in the basin for mixing material in the basin. A shield is provided on the float overlying the inlet side of the pump to inhibit direct passage of liquid from the area of the basin above the shield and to induce an inflow pattern below the surface of the liquid toward the inlet of the pump. A scum receiving trough is mounted on the float and extends along the outer margin of the float with the upper weir edge adjacent the surface of the liquid in the basin to receive matter floating on the surface of the basin. Material received in the trough is selectively discharged to a receiver outside the basin.

Abstract: A mechanical flotation machine comprises a flotation cell, a circulating pipe vertically installed therein, an axial impeller mounted in the lower portion of the pipe and a guide device secured to the lower end of the pipe. The guide device has an annular gap through which pulp flow generated by the impeller returns from the cell to the pipe. Vanes are installed in the annular gap to create, above the impeller, pulp flow rotating opposite to the rotation of the impeller.

Abstract: A homogenizing mixer for stirring and homogenizing liquids such as paints, printing inks, foodstuffs, medicines and cosmetics. The homogenizing mixer has a stirring unit comprising an upper casing, a lower casing fixedly joined to the upper casing, a fixed shearing plate fixedly held between the upper casing and the lower casing, a rotary shearing disk fixedly mounted on a rotary shaft having a lower end extending within the stirring unit and an upper end operatively connected to driving means, so as to be positioned under the fixed shearing disk with a small clearance therebetween, and a propeller fixed to the lower extremity of the rotary shaft to suck a liquid into the stirring unit and to urge the liquid toward the fixed shearing disk and the rotary shearing disk so as to be discharged from the stirring unit. The clearance between the fixed shearing disk and the rotary shearing disk is adjusted properly according to the properties of the liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing or circulating a liquid or a liquid suspension (slurry) to provide efficiently, high head so as to enable slurries which are viscous or contain large or heavy particles or tend to agglomerate to be mixed or circulated, uses an impeller which provides a head coefficient, k.sub.v from about 3 to 10 at high hydraulic efficiency. The impeller has a plurality of blades with a tip configuration which develops the high head where the blades are wider at the tip than at the base and have fins disposed above and below the blades and at the way of a draft tube wherein axial flow is produced.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sample preparation chamber for a system for preparing samples of various compositions for assay by liquid chromatography. The sample preparation chamber is a container having a threaded cap and a threaded, lightweight, translucent plastic cup. A stirred/grinder shaft driven by a motor and connected to a propeller/grinder passes through the cap. The cap has a sloped bottom with a sump region, and a fill/empty pipe passes through the cap and has its outlet at or near the sump. A nozzle fill pipe arrangement allows the walls to be washed down as liquid is pumped into the cup. A second fill pipe with its outlet spaced up from the bottom of the cup is also used, and a sample metering valve having an inlet in said cup is present. The sample metering valve is used to isolate a known volume of the sample from the rest of the sample for release back into the cup after the remaining sample has been pumped to waste for purposes of diluting the known volume of sample to a known concentration.

Abstract: A device with vertical buoyancy tanks fitted to its upper part is provided with rotors which generate horizontal and vertical propulsion, and which stirs the liquid uniformly as it moves freely through a liquid storage tank, thereby preventing the accumulation of sludge. The vertical buoyancy tanks stabilize the stirrer and provide a restoring force if the stirrer is upset. The stirrer is fitted with an ultrasonic ultrasonic wave emitter, and ultrasonic receptors are installed at several positions in the liquid tank. An ultrasonic pulse is emitted after a certain interval when the stirrer is at rest on the bottom of the tank. The position of the stirrer is computed for each pulse emission, and the average is taken to give the actual position of the stirrer.

Abstract: A device for homogenizing a liquid containing a mixture of single cells and cell clusters is provided. The device includes a shroud for channeling the liquid and suspended particles. The shroud defines an inner bore that is formed to include an axial inlet opening and at least one spaced apart outlet opening. A homogenizing bit is provided that is disposed within the inner bore for dispersing the suspended particles in the liquid to form a homogenized substance. The bit includes a shear blade fixed to the bit at a location near the axial inlet opening, with the shear blade configured to cooperate with adjacent shear ports to shear a portion of the suspended particles. The bit also includes a spiral portion that is configured to draw the liquid and suspended particles axially into and through the inner bore from the inlet opening.

Abstract: A floating mixer of the type including a float for buoyantly supporting the mixer in a water treatment basin, a mixer drive motor mounted on the float and extending upwardly therefrom, and a propeller drivingly connected to the motor and disposed below the float for pumping liquid downwardly to effect mixing in the water treatment basin. A foam dispersing spray nozzle is mounted above the drive motor for discharging in a downwardly directed generally conical spray pattern outwardly of the drive motor, and an auxiliary pump is provided for pumping liquid from the basin to the spray nozzle.