Patent ID: 6520490
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: B01F,G11B,H04N

Abstract:
Air entrainment apparatus to entrain air in an aqueous solution and thereby contribute to aerobic bacterial fermentation, said apparatus comprising an aqueous solution inlet for supplying said aqueous solution to a liquid conveying channel, an air inlet to allow the entry of air to said liquid conveying channel, said air being introduced symmetrically about the axis of said liquid conveying channel and a vortex generator located in said liquid conveying channel downstream from said point of introduction of said air and said aqueous solution to said liquid conveying channel, said vortex generator being defined by a sharp circumferentially extending edge connected to a transition zone in the form of a concave annular surface extending circumferentially about said axis of said liquid conveying channel and exposed to said aqueous solution flowing in said liquid conveying channel, said vortex generator being operable to cause turbulence in said aqueous solution in said liquid conveying channel and to create air bubbles in said aqueous solution.