Patent ID: 8262984
Filing Date: 2012-09-11
Classification: C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A mixing, milling, and aeration apparatus for digesting metal ore with bacteria comprising: a tank configured to contain contents, said contents including solids and bacteria, said tank having a center, an interior bottom surface, and an interior wall, said interior bottom surface defining a tank radius length; a center post supported by said interior bottom surface of said tank in an area proximate to said center; a plurality of mixing blades, each blade having a bottom blade edge, a fixed end, and a free end, each of said mixing blades defining a blade length, each of said fixed ends being attached to said center post, each of said mixing blades radially extending from said center post, said plurality of mixing blades being configured to revolve around said center and to mix said contents within said tank; at least one roller, each of said rollers defining a roller length essentially equal to said blade length, each of said rollers also defining a central bore aligned along a central roller axis, each of said rollers being supported by one of said mixing blades and being arranged to radially extend from said center post, each of said rollers being configured to roll in a forward roll direction about its respective central roller axis as said roller rolls along said interior bottom surface and as said plurality of mixing blades revolve around said center, each of said rollers being further configured to apply a crushing force to said solids while said solids rest along said interior bottom surface; and at least one gas distributor supported by at least one of said mixing blades, each of said gas distributors defining a distributor length essentially equal to said roller length, each of said gas distributors having a distributor top and a distributor bottom, said distributor bottom defining a plurality of holes, each of said gas distributors being arranged such that said plurality of holes are directed toward one of said rollers, said plurality of holes being configured to accommodate distribution of gas through said gas distributor into said contents of said tank; wherein said plurality of mixing blades revolves in a direction round said center and thereby mixes said contents while, simultaneously, gas is distributed via said at least one gas distributor so as to encourage mixing of said contents and distribution of oxygen through said contents and while, simultaneously, said at least one roller applies said crushing force to said solids on said interior bottom surface of said tank so as to discourage fouling of said interior bottom surface.