Patent ID: 7726870
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: B01F

Abstract:
1. A method for mixing a static fluid with a particulate material, a liquid, a compressible fluid or gas, or combinations thereof, to form a uniform mixture, using a motive fluid stream, wherein the method comprises: positioning a plurality of radial eductors into a tank, each of the plurality of radial eductors having a mixing chamber and at least two induction ports, wherein each of the plurality of radial eductors is adapted for simultaneous pressurization within the tank, and wherein the plurality of radial eductors are positioned to create a continuous turbulence within the tank; flowing the static fluid into the tank until the static fluid completely covers the plurality of radial eductors; flowing the static fluid into an external energy source that is in fluid communication with the tank, pressurizing the static fluid with the external energy source, thereby forming the motive fluid stream; using the external energy source to flow the motive fluid stream from the external energy source and into each of the plurality of radial eductors, wherein the motive fluid stream has a first flow rate as it flows into each of the plurality of radial eductors, thereby simultaneously pressurizing the plurality of radial eductors; flowing the particulate material, the liquid, the compressible fluid or gas, or combinations thereof, through at least one of the at least two induction ports into the mixing chamber of at least one of the plurality of radial eductors; blending the motive fluid stream with the particulate material, the liquid, the compressible fluid or gas, or combinations thereof, thereby forming a high pressure mixture; expelling the high pressure mixture from each of the plurality of radial eductors and into the static fluid, thereby generating a mixed fluid in a low pressure region proximate to each of the plurality of radial eductors, wherein the mixed fluid comprises the static fluid mixed with the high pressure mixture; drawing the mixed fluid through at least one of the at least two induction ports and into the mixing chambers of each of the plurality of radial eductors at a second flow rate; and continuously mixing the mixed fluid within the mixing chamber, continuously expelling the mixed fluid into the tank with the static fluid, and continuously drawing the mixed fluid through at least one of the at least two induction ports and into the mixing chambers, thereby forming the uniform mixture.