Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating surfactant depleted liquid from an at least partially stable foamed aqueous admixture of water, surfactant and air includes introducing the at least partially stable foamed admixture to a channel of preselected height, length, width and inclination at such a flow rate as the foamed admixture passes through the channel. A substantially translational motion of the foamed admixture is maintained through the bulk of the channel. As the foamed admixture translates through the channel, surfactant depleted liquid drains from the interstices thereof. The air content of the foamed admixture does not increase above the air content at which substantial overdrying begins to occur in the foamed admixture. Tranquil interface flow conditions are maintained in the flow of surfactant depleted liquid drained from the foamed admixture for so long as it is in contact with the admixture.

Abstract: A freeze-thaw air dryer utilizes a heat pump to remove moisture from air by cooling the air to below the freezing point of water, causing the water to pass directly from the vapor state to the solid state and thereby to be removed from the flow of air. The vapor frozen on the cold surfaces is periodically thawed by either turning off or reversing the heat pump, and the condensate and thawed ice are automatically drained out of the device without interruption of the airflow. The geometry of the cold surfaces and the generally centripetal airflow path are designed expressly to cause a buildup of ice without impairing efficiency or blocking the airflow.

Abstract: A demisting system used to remove entrained liquid droplets from a gas stream employing radially arranged serpentine vanes. The radial arrangement of the vanes provides flow paths in which the leading edges of the serpentine vanes are closer together than the trailing edges so that a gas stream must undergo a series of direction and velocity changes. Centrifugal forces act to cause liquid droplets to impinge on the surface of the vanes. Surface tension holds the liquid on the vanes as it collects and gravity causes the collected liquid to drain downward and out of the demisting system.

Abstract: A conduit for carrying fluid in a downstream direction includes a diffusing section. Downstream extending convolutions in the wall of a diffusing section energize the boundary layer and delay boundary layer separation from the wall surface of the diffusing section or permit an increase in the diffusion angle without the occurrence of separation. Such convolutions are particularly useful when rapid diffusion is required in a short distance, such as in the diffusing section of automotive catalytic converter systems. Such a system carries engine exhaust products from a small, cylindrical pipe into a typically larger elliptical cross-section catalyst filled portion. The convolutions help to more uniformly disperse the exhaust gas throughout the catalyst bed using a relatively short diffusion section.

Abstract: A high capacity vane (10) is disclosed which incorporates a series of members (16, 18) extending at predetermined angles relative to the direction of flow of a liquid bearing gas. Each of the members includes an upstream cavity (20) and a downstream (21) which communicate with the flow through longitudinal slots (24, 28). The flow interaction with the slots and cavities provide sufficient separation of the liquid from the gas flow.

Abstract: A louver assembly, which acts as a water-removing inertial separator, is located in the air intake of an enclosure maintained at negative pressure. The louver includes a number of spaced vanes, each formed without discontinuities by simple bending into a stair-step-like configuration when viewed end-on. Air enters the enclosure by passing between adjacent vanes, experiencing changes of direction of between 70 degrees and 90 degrees at the vane's surfaces to separate water therefrom.

Abstract: A cylindrical scrubbing column having a cylindrical water-separator head is provided with an upwardly converging partition defining a diametrically extending elongated slot which communicates between the scrubbing region of the column and the head, the slot being aligned with a radial outlet for the flue gases from the head. The slot is flanked by a pair of longitudinally-extending impingement baffle register walls which remove water from the entraining flue gas by impingement baffle separation techniques and a further wall is provided at the end of the slot turned toward the radial outlet. The walls can converge in the direction of flow of the gas upwardly and the compartments behind the walls communicate with the radial outlet. The system has reduced pressure drop without detrimental effect to the separating efficiency.

Abstract: Device for the separation of liquid droplets from a gas stream comprising a plurality of wave plates (1, 2 and 3) arranged close to one another in such a way that a passage (5, 12) is defined between two adjacent plates, which passage alternately comprises a narrowing part (21) and a widening part (22) that is joined to the narrowing part (22), wherein a bend in the passage lies between the largest width of the widening part (22) and the smallest width of a narrowing part (21) that is joined to the widening part (22).

Abstract: A thin, convoluted wall member disposed upstream of the inlet of a diffuser generates large-scale vortices having axes in the downstream direction. The vortices enhance mixing within the diffuser and can also energize the boundary layer, thereby improving diffuser performance and delaying the onset of stall. Greater diffusion angles without stall are possible. The member itself creates low losses.

Abstract: A vane type mist extractor (100) is disclosed which has a collection chamber (102) which includes a portion (106) which extends downstream from the lower portion of the vanes (14) in the extractor. The portion (106) limits the bypass of any vapor flow around the bottom edges of the vanes through the collection chamber which is present in prior designs.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved baffles or deflector elements for gas treating equipment wherein each element is designed with inlet and outlet sections conntected by a low pressure drop sinusoidal curved section. Each element is also provided with liquid collection and drainage channels and optionally with gas vent channels. A high strength assembly of baffles is provided by interlocking alignment and fastening apparatus using male tabs and female slots formed on each baffle element.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a gas stream with a liquid includes a housing containing an eliminator section for removing liquid from the gas and, adjacent to and upstream of the eliminator section with respect to the gas flow, vertical angle liquid collectors mounted on side walls of the housing to remove from the gas stream large amounts of liquid which flow along the side walls. A plate member depends from a top wall of the housing and another plate member extends up from adjacent the bottom wall of the housing to deflect toward a central portion of the eliminator liquid-laden portions of the gas stream which travel along the top and bottom walls. Baffles upstream of the eliminator are adjustable to control the flow of gas through the apparatus. The eliminator includes a plurality of sawtooth blades defining zigzag paths for the gas, each blade including a plurality of planar members each having at least one vertical groove adjacent its trailing end to remove liquid from the gas and permit it to drain.

Abstract: A variable capacity evaporative humidifier includes a housing, evaporative media disposed within the housing, and variable bypass apparatus for diverting a portion of the flow of air through the housing away from the evaporative media, such that the rate of moisture added to the flow of air through the housing is variable by selecting the relative proportions of air flowing through the evaporative media and the bypass passageway. Deflector panels disposed downstream of the evaporative media and damper blades disposed within the bypass apparatus intermix the bypass airstream with the humidifier airstream, thereby avoiding stratification.

Abstract: A device for reliably covering air vents in special vehicles. The device consists of parallel strips of L-shaped or S-shaped structural section. The object is to reliably prevent not only foreign bodies but also migrating splinters thereof from penetrating inside. The end of each strip that points inside the vehicle has additional structures and parts thereof, some of which extend essentially at an angle to the end of the strip.

Abstract: A supercooling type mist eliminator apparatus has a crimped-plate type mist eliminator for removing particles of dust and mist contained in a wet exhaust gas by inertial collision. The apparatus has an exhaust gas cooling device disposed upstream of the crimped-plate type mist eliminator including supercooling elements and non-cooling sections alternately disposed adjacent to one another via a gas passageway partition plate along a plane perpendicular to the direction of the gas flow in the gas passageway. An exhaust gas mixing device is disposed upstream of the crimped-plate type mist eliminator and just behind and close to the exhaust gas cooling device.

Abstract: A modular cooling tower assembly is provided that comprises at least one cooling tower module having extendible legs capable of supporting the assembly when fully extended. When more than one cooling tower module is used in the assembly, adjacent modules are attached together at their respective frames. A single exit plenum chamber is placed over the joined modules and a single fan in the exit plenum chamber causes an air intake from an air entrance plenum chamber at the bottom of the modules upwardly past the fill sheets and out the exit plenum chamber and fan cowl. The cooled liquid falls into a common collection basin in which the extended legs of the modules are standing.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying gaseous fluids is suggested, comprising a body surrounded by separator areas (18, 20) through which the fluids are flowing. The separator areas (18, 20) here are composed of interlacing profile sections, causing an acceleration or, resp. deceleration of the fluids flowing through.

Abstract: A water entrapment device is provided, the device comprising a housing having an opening at the front and back, and an entrapment portion disposed within the housing. The entrapment portion comprises at least one screen covering the front opening, at least one entrapment member behind the screen, and an absorbent member behind the entrapment member. The device further comprises a water collecting surface and a drain.

Abstract: A separator for fluids having first and second section parts arranged in rows. The parts are, in cross section, open and trough-shaped, with edges which overlap. Each section part has an inner protrusion extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, which protrusion causes increased swirling and thus cleaning of the fluids flowing through the section parts. The section parts can be retained in a detachable manner in a holder to permit easy cleaning.

Abstract: A paint spray booth with a filter and means within the spray booth to incinerate paint from the filter. A filter particularly adapted for collecting paint overspray in a paint spray booth. The filter has a plurality of members with a first portion parallel to the path of the air and paint particle flow which is to be filtered, each of the members having a second portion extending normally in a first direction from the downstream side of the first portion. The second portions of the members are spaced from each other and form openings therebetween on a plane normal to the flow of air and paint particles. Each of the members has a third portion extending from the other side of first portion and in the opposite direction from the second portion, and the third portions of the members form slots between members with areas less than the area of the downstream openings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating an exhaust gas containing dust composed of a glassy material and a sticky material consisting principally of CaO in a gas parallel flow type solid-gas contact reactor, the aforesaid method being characterized by including the step of forcing the dust to collide with a solid surface on the upstream side of the reactor in order to separate the dust into the glassy material and the sticky material consisting principally of CaO; and the present invention is also directed to an apparatus for the above method, the apparatus being characterized by including a collision device for colliding with the dust which is disposed in an exhaust gas flow path on an upstream side of the reactor.

Abstract: A vertical distillation column for vacuum distillation having a feed inlet, a gas outlet and a de-entrainment device which comprises a downstream chamber and an upstream chamber separated from each other by an inclined permeable wall comprising coalescence means and flow controlling means restricting fluid flow through the upper part of the coalescence means.

Abstract: In a liquid separator for separating liquid components entrained in a two-phase flow, in which the flow is passed through a channel provided with trap pockets for trapping the liquid components and the trap pockets have guide plates upstream thereof the ends of which have separating edges for introducing the liquid into the trap pockets, provision is made for increasing the separating capacity and for reducing the pressure losses by having each separating edge of the respective guide plate disposed at a distance (b) upstream of the associated trap pocket and by making the end of the guide plate curve in the direction leading into the trap pocket.

Abstract: A mist eliminator module, comprising a plurality of smooth parallel mist eliminator blades, preferably formed from a fiber reinforced polymeric material is disclosed. Each blade has in a captive edge portion at least one aperture, which is aligned with apertures in adjacent blades. At least one support rod extends through the apertures, with a plurality of resilient tubular spacers fitted onto the rod between the blades. At least one rigid spacer bar, having a plurality of slots in one face for receiving the free blade edge portions is attached to the other blade edges. A water spray may be directed onto the blades to form a film of water on the blades. The blades may be cleaned in place by removing the spacer bar and separating each blade from an adjacent blade, and manually cleaning each side of each blade. The blades may also be cleaned by operating the tower with the water spray running and the support bar removed so that the blades flex sufficiently to flake off any accumulated solids.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which receives flue gases from a flue gas source, reduces the velocity of the gases, and maintains the gases at a reduced substantially uniform velocity for delivery to a cooling tower. The apparatus includes a conduit for receiving the gases at a first velocity from the flue gas source. The conduit has a longitudinal slot formed therein at the uppermost portion thereof. A tank having respective side surfaces is in communication with the tower and is positioned on the conduit; the tank overlies the conduit and receives gases from the longitudinal slot in the conduit. A plurality of arcuately-shaped, inclined, spaced-apart deflectors contact gases having the first velocity entering the tank, thereby reducing the velocity of the gases to a second reduced velocity, controlling the velocity of the gases received in the tank, and maintaining the gases on the side surface of the tank at a substantially uniform velocity.

Abstract: Low cost sealing drainboard supports adapted for use between adjacent drift eliminator sections in water cooling towers are provided which can be readily installed in the field without the necessity of custom fabrication of structural components, and which give improved drainage characteristics in the form of relatively large, concentrated streams of eliminated water resistant to reentrainment. The preferred supports are unitary, preformed synthetic resin bodies presenting an elongated, eliminator section-receiving channel together with a depending inner sealing wall and a oblique, downwardly and outwardly extending drainage tray. The tray is preformed to present a series of generally V-shaped in plane, increasing depth drainage passageways serving to collect and concentrate eliminated water into relatively large streams resistant to reentrainment in the air currents passing through the tower.

Abstract: A separator disposed in parallel relationship is provided for separating liquid particles entrained in a gas stream. It comprises zigzag walls (25) having fins (27) each covering each of the convex folds (28) of the walls while forming an open scoop (29) facing the gas flow. Each fin has a portion (27a, 27b) parallel to the wall (25) which supports it and which is spaced apart from said wall upstream and downstream of the fold (28). A rear connection zone (27c) gradually joins the wall and is connected along a line located substantially in the same plane orthogonal to the two walls defining a channel for the gas flow than the leading edge of the following fin (27).

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for separating water and steam for the drying of a moist steam which has a rising current at the inlet of the device. The device comprises at least an assembly (8) comprising drying elements in a zone (12) in which a perforated panel (11) is located. The perforated vertical panel (11) is formed by a grid of expanded metal for deflecting the incident stream (9) of the steam and rendering it horizontal or sightly downwardly inclined (16). The invention is in particular applicable to steam generators of pressurized water nuclear reactors.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator includes charging, inertia and collection sections, which are arranged in the order mentioned along the direction of gas flow containing therein particles to be removed. The charging section includes a parallel electrode and a discharging electrode located between the parallel plates, and, thus, the particles floating in the gas passing through the charging section become charged and partly agglomerated. The inertia section includes a deflector plate arranged at a predetermined angle thereby causing the gas flow to change its course of action locally to have the particles impinge on the deflector plate due to inertia. The collection section includes a trough which is formed continuous with the deflector plate with its mouth opened against the gas flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying and superheating steam, especially for supplying steam to a turbine. The apparatus includes a horizontal cylindrical pressure tank that has at least one steam inlet, a water separator that is disposed in the lower portion of the pressure tank and extends essentially over the entire length of the tank, a superheater that is disposed in the upper portion of the pressure tank and extends essentially over the entire length of the tank, and at least one steam outlet disposed on the upper side of the tank and connected to the superheater. The steam inlet is disposed at one end face of the pressure tank. Drying steam leaves the water separator, one end of which is supplied with wet steam, and enters the pressure tank.

Abstract: A modular multi-channel particle separator is provided to block foreign objects from entering the inlet of a gas turbine engine and to remove particulate matter from the inlet air stream before it reaches the compressor section of the engine. Each module is designed for easy fabrication from sheet material which can be readily configured to remove both fine and coarse particles from the air stream with minimal pressure loss, system volume and weight. Each module also defines passages for removing particular matter that has been intercepted and for conducting heating air through the module to prevent icing. The modular construction of the separator simplifies initial assembly in the gas turbine engine, as well as later maintenance and replacement of one or more modules, should that prove necessary.

Abstract: A reusable grease filter for installation in an exhaust system for restaurant cooking equipment and the like comprising a frame adapted to be fixedly mounted in an exhaust system opening; louvers positionable within the frame having a plurality of discontinuous overlapping louver surfaces extending generally transversely of an exhaust system airflow direction and providing a plurality of tortuous air passages, whereby passage of flame through the grease filter is substantially blocked by the transversely extending overlapping louver surfaces, and whereby grease and other airborne particles are removed from exhaust air; and brackets fixedly mounted on the frame for stably holding the louvers in a predetermined position and for enabling rapid removal and reinstallation of the louvers in the frame for facilitating cleaning of the louvers. Specific structure of the frame, louvers and brackets which enables these functions is described.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying wet steam and subsequently superheating the dried steam. The apparatus includes a cylindrical tank, a separator that is disposed in the tank for receiving wet steam and removing water therefrom, and a superheater disposed in the tank for receiving dry steam from the separator. The superheater is provided with a plurality of tube bundles, some of which are part of first superheater stage, and the rest are part of a second superheater stage. The tube bundles form a channel in the center of the tank. Outwardly disposed deflectors are disposed in, and extend in the longitudinal direction of, the tank. These deflectors are associated with the tube bundles in such a way that dry steam from the separator flows, from the outside, inwardly through the tube bundles of the first superheater stage, and into the central channel, and from there, from the inside, outwardly through the tube bundles of the second superheater stage.

Abstract: An air cleaner is illustrated having a transverse support carrying an eliminator blade assembled in a raised position above a downwardly inclined housing bottom. A means is provided for creating a seal for preventing the passage of air in the space beneath the eliminator blade assembled so as to bypass the eliminator utilizing a controlled level of liquid to establish the seal.

Abstract: A flue gas injection device for use in conjunction with a natural draught cooling tower of a power station comprising a pipe (1) fitted with a slot (3) for injecting desulphurized flue gas to at least one compartment (4) to regulate the flue gas speed. Compartment (4) is in communication through at least one drop separator (5) with the inside of the cooling tower (2) above the latter's exchange body.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering gold from gold-containing mixtures by forming a gaseous effluent of said mixture and bringing it into contact with baffles which are arcuately disposed in series so as to divert the gold onto collecting trays. The trays are disposed within a chamber in such manner as to create pathways for the effluent so that divergent streams of said effluent are directed to the baffles to enhance the recovery operation.

Abstract: A scrubber for the desulfurization of flue gases in which the flue gas rises through the recirculated scrubbing liquid which can contain calcium compounds, has a liquid separator at the head of the column formed by a number of impingement baffle registers or units in an annular array. The gas collecting passage surrounding this array is provided with flaps or sliders as closure elements to isolate at least one segment of this passage and thereby accommodating the scrubbing to less than full gas loading.

Abstract: An improved mist eliminator for use in a column and a method for removing liquid from a gas stream, which mist eliminator comprises a plurality of spaced apart chevron-type baffle members, the baffle members defining a plurality of gas flow paths therebetween and transversely disposed to the axis of the column, the upstream leading edge of the chevron-type baffle members characterized by a plurality of downwardly extending drainage teeth or points thereon to promote the rapid drainage of coalescent liquid from the chevron-type baffle members thereby increasing the critical or maximum allowable velocity of the gas stream and the gas capacity of the chevron-type baffle members and decreasing the pressure drop across the mist eliminator.

Abstract: This steam separator superheater comprises a horizontal axis cylindrical shell (1) enclosing in its lower portion a steam and moisture separator and in its upper portion a two-stage steam superheater resting on running paths supported half way up the shell by a frame (5). Each stage of the steam superheater is constituted by two bundles of hair-pin bent tubes (15, 16 and 17, 18) supplied with superheat steam from steam chests (43, 44, 45, 46). The upper stage rests on the lower stage. Both stages are inserted into the shell via sleeves (47, 48) outside the shell and extending loading openings made through an end plate (2) of the shell. The upper stage is lifted into position by lifting gear outside the shell (1) acting by means of lifting lines passing through passages (49) in the shell. The passages are closed by caps (51) when the separator superheater is in use.

Abstract: Illustrated and described is an apparatus for the separation of liquid drops or particulate solids from a gas stream comprising a plurality of parallel separator plates, a flow passage being formed between every two separator plates, each separator plate having at least one wave crest disposed approximately in its center and two wave troughs disposed at its edge on the inlet side and the outlet side, respectively, and forming an inlet section and an outlet section, respectively, as well as impingement-wall sections formed between the wave crest and the wave troughs, a main phase-separator chamber open in a direction counter to the direction of the gas flow being formed externally on the wave crest.In accordance with the invention, high separation efficiency with low pressure drop or low energy loss is obtained by providing an inlet nozzle formed in the inlet section, the gas stream being directable by means of the inlet nozzle onto the region on the inlet side of the opposite impingement-wall section.

Abstract: A tank containing a water separator composed of bundles of laminations for drying wet vapor, and a superheater for subsequent superheating of the dried vapor. The water separator is coaxially disposed ahead of the superheater in the horizontal-cylindrical tank, which has at least one vapor inlet and one vapor outlet. The superheater includes tube bundles which are uniformly disposed about the central axis of the tank, and can vary in number and type of construction. In the direction of the central axis of the tank, the water separator has the shape of a truncated pyramid or cone. The vapor discharge surfaces of the bundles of laminations, within the water separator, are disposed symmetrically, vertically, and in tiers relative to the central axis of the tank, and are disposed at an angle of between 10.degree. and 170.degree. thereto.

Abstract: A steam separating apparatus wherein a first separating unit receives a steam-water mixture and discharges said mixture in a substantially tangential direction against an impingement plate to separate some water from said mixture. A second separating unit is disposed in a fluid flow relation to the first separating unit and includes a plurality of plates together formed into a closed circular configuration. The latter plates are shaped in a manner to define a plurality of irregular paths for the passage of said mixture so that said mixture impinges on said plates as it passes through said paths to separate additional water from said mixture.

Abstract: A weather louver for separating particles from a gaseous medium and primarily to separate mist and droplets of moisture from an air stream. This device includes parallel passages with moisture traps and collectors having drainage troughs to separate the moisture from the air.

Abstract: Means for removing liquid droplets from a gaseous stream, in particular a drift eliminator for an evaporative cooling tower, comprising a duct formed with a generally V-shaped relatively large depression which extends along the duct and which is formed in its interior with a sharp corner extending along the depression. The drift eliminator preferably comprises an assembly of plates each having a series of parallel mutually spaced ridges which are generally triangular in transverse cross-section, which ridges form means for spacing apart adjacent plates and which define opposite sides of at least one duct. The reverse sides of the ridges preferably form the depressions which extend along the ducts.

Abstract: A mist eliminator for eliminating droplets from a gaseous flow, for instance in cooling towers, comprises parallel profile elements including flow passages with constrictions and deflecting sections for mist elimination therebetween. A droplet acceleration section is provided upstream of the first deflecting section in order to reduce pressure losses while keeping the eliminating efficiency constant or even improving the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing droplets entrained in a gas stream is disclosed wherein a plurality of longitudinally extending eliminator blades are positioned in side by side spaced apart relation for passing a gas stream with each blade having an inlet inclined section and an outlet inclined section of opposite slope connected by an intermediate transition section establishing a convex surface on the bottom of the blade and a concave surface on the top of the blade. The convex surface of the blade has a deviation greater than the deviation of the concave surface. The outlet section has a trailing end differing in shape from the leading end of the inlet section and is shown as an airfoil section at the trailing end of the concave surface of the blade. The blades are provided with notches at their ends corresponding with notches in end supporting plates for mechanically interlocking each blade with the end plates.

Abstract: An improved, three path, cellular drift eliminator is provided which effectively removes entrained water particles from high velocity moist air streams leaving a crossflow cooling tower fill structure by the use of spaced, cellular, diversion path-defining structures strategically located and arranged to facilitate maximum drift elimination. The eliminator preferably includes a plurality of discrete cells, each cell comprising three air diversion sections along the length thereof in order to divert fill derived air along a serpentine path for drift elimination purposes. The moist air is first diverted at an upward angle and laterally relative to the initial path thereof by the inlet diversion section, and thereafter is rediverted upwardly and laterally of the first diversion path by the intermediate diversion section.

Abstract: A self-locking mist eliminator is disclosed for connecting a plurality of longitudinally extending eliminator blades having front and back surfaces to a pair of end plates wherein the end plates have a pair of spaced-apart flanges projecting from one side thereof and each provided with a series of notched openings for receiving a portion of the blades. Each blade has a pair of spaced-apart openings in the blade surfaces at each end thereof. The notched openings in the end plates are enlarged in at least one direction lengthwise of the flange to provide a pin member for engagement in one of the spaced-apart openings in a blade surface and with the entrance corners into each of the notched openings chamfered whereby the blades can be pressed toward an adjacent end plate to have the end of the blade enter one of the notched openings until the pin member adjacent thereto engages the blade opening.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for removing mist from a mist laden air stream comprising:a. a plurality of stacked blades mounted in blade holding means, each blade having an inlet side and an outlet side and being stacked to allow the mist laden air stream to flow between the blades;b. impact means disposed on a surface of each blade against which the mist and air impacts for removing mist from the air stream; andc. pressure drop reducing means disposed on the outlet side of each blade for reducing the pressure drop of the air stream across the blades.The impact means is an integrally formed curved arch against which the mist laden air impacts to form drops and down which the drops flow. The pressure drop reducing means is an angled lip which extends along the length of the blade from the outlet edge of the blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for introducing a catalyst into a fuel mixture. The method includes placing water in a container; passing air through the water to ionize at least a portion of the air molecules wherein at least a major portion of the air ions have a negative charge; and introducing the ionized air into a fuel mixture. In this manner, the efficiency of the combustion of the fuel mixture is increased. The apparatus includes a container for holding water, a manifold mechanism for passing air through the water in the container in a number of streams of small bubbles and means for removing substantially all mist from the ionized air before the ionized air is removed from the container. Means are provided for removing the ionized air from the container after the air has passed through the water and for then introducing the ionized air into a fuel mixture.