Patent ID: 9044719
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: B01F

Abstract:
1. A method of mixing a liquid having particulate, comprising the steps of: in a vessel for containing the liquid, the vessel including a sidewall, a bottom, and a baffle extending longitudinally along the sidewall approximately from the liquid surface, such that a lower end of the baffle is located in a zone defined as below the liquid surface by a distance that is approximately one-quarter to one-half of the height of the liquid; rotating an axial impeller about a substantially vertical axis, said axial impeller: being submerged below the liquid surface in the zone defined by the distance that is approximately one-quarter to one-half of the height of the liquid, and there is no impeller outside the zone; oriented upwardly to produce (a) an inner, upward flow region located along said vertical axis, (b) a transition flow region located above the impeller in which liquid moves radially outwardly toward the vessel sidewall, and (c) an outer, downward flow region located along the sidewall; and being variable speed.