Mixing apparatus

Mixing apparatus including a cylindrical mixing chamber having a fluid inlet at one end, a frusto-conical tubular end piece connected to the other end and flaring outwardly by progressively increasing in diameter in an outward direction to form a fluid outlet. The cylindrical mixing chamber has a plurality of rows of openings inclined inwardly towards the fluid outlet. An outer jacket surrounds the cylindrical mixing chamber in spaced relationship therewith to form a liquid receiving chamber. The inlet is shaped as to introduce liquid tangentially into said liquid receiving chamber so as to obtain greater water flow and less turbulence in said liquid receiving chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to an apparatus for continuously mixing gases, 
liquids and solids and combinations thereof. It is an improvement over 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,477 dated Oct. 2, 1984 in which applicant is a 
co-inventor. 
The device described in said patent involves inward liquid feed from 
diametrically opposite inlets, whereby liquid streams are in directly 
opposite relationship, causing substantial air-to-water volume and 
turbulence, restricted water flow to the outlet, also substantial back 
pressure and build-up within the unit of dry solid reagents because of the 
enclosed inlet end, and lengthy disassembly time of the unit, and the 
requirement of substantial inlet liquid feed pressure. 
An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-named 
disadvantages. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This invention overcomes the above-named disadvantages by providing 
tangential water flow in the mixing chamber, an open and curved inlet end 
for smoother air flow and increased volume, a flared outlet end piece for 
increased volume and less back pressure, as well as increased volume and 
easier flow through the plurality of rows of flared inlets in the wall of 
the cylindrical mixing chamber, also more thorough mixing and stripping of 
deleterious gases to the environment, such as radon gas.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, numeral 1 
denotes an outer casing of aluminum or other suitable material having 
liquid inlets 2 and 3 on diametrically opposite sides of the casing 
through which raw water enters in opposing relationship but which inlets 
are curved in a direction to provide tangential flow in chamber 6, as 
shown in FIG. 2, which tangential flow is in the direction shown by the 
arrows in FIG. 2. 
A cylindrical mixing chamber 4 is provided with a plurality of rows of 
inclined openings 5 which are directed generally towards the outlet 
defined by a frusto-conical tubular end piece 10 through which mixed 
liquid exits in the direction of the arrow, progressively increasing in 
diameter through the flared end piece to permit increased volume and less 
back pressure in fluid flow therethrough. Instead of a straight inner 
surface as shown, it may be progressively curved outwardly toward the 
exit. 
Air flow is introduced into the mixing chamber 4 by passing through a 
curved entrance piece 11, progressively decreasing in diameter as air 
enters to permit smoother air flow and increased volume. Likewise, as 
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the plurality of rows of openings 5 are similarly 
flared so as to progressively decrease in diameter when liquid is moving 
from chamber 6 to mixing chamber 4 and the frusto-conical tubular end 
piece 10 in the direction indicated by the arrow. Such openings 5 may be 
frusto-conical in outline or may be progressively curved in an outward 
direction as entrance piece 11. In addition, openings 5 are angularly 
skewed relative to the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber (as shown 
in FIG. 3a) so that liquid flowing through such openings has a component 
of motion flow relative to the radius of the mixing chamber to effect a 
somewhat spiral outward flow helically through end piece 10. The screw 
angle may be about 8 degrees or any other desired angle preferably under 
45.degree.. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the inlets 2 and 3 are so shaped as to receive 
quick-coupling attachments by having a pair of rings 2a, 2a of larger 
diameter than the ring 2b therebetween. Chamber 4 is of metal, plastic, 
ceramic, fiberglass or other hard material for handling slurries. 
A clamp comprising two semi-circular rings 2c held together by bolts (not 
shown) provide a quick coupling which, when tightened, compresses seals 2d 
to make a water-tight fit which can be very quickly assembled or 
disassembled. A similar claim (not shown) may be used on the opposite side 
of casing 1. Similar clamps (not shown) may be used to clamp together 
other component parts of the mixer at positions having similar grooves for 
receiving the clamps. 
FIG. 5 shows a modification for obtaining tangential flow comprising an 
inlet 12 of cylindrical shape entering direclty at one extremity of the 
cylindrical body 1a mounted on a mounting bracket 13. If desired, a 
similar shaped outlet (not shown) may be provided at the diametrically 
opposite end of body 1a. 
While the mixer is illustrated as operable in the horizontal position as 
shown, it is also operable, and sometimes to greater disadvantage, when 
the device is turned 90 degress such that the discharge end is vertically 
downwardly, therefore having the assistance of gravity. For example, when 
powdered reagents are introduced in the inlet end of chamber 4, it is 
easier for the gradual introduction of dry powders when assisted by 
gravity. 
An important use of the mixer described is in environmental control and in 
municpal water supplies for the purpose of stripping water of any volatile 
organic compounds, such as DES or radon gas or other undesirable gases 
which can be later trapped in activated carbon for the recapture thereof. 
Also, CO.sub.2 or chlorine or SO.sub.2 gas may be stripped by the 
apparatus described. The present mixer can be used more effectively in 
many instances than modern scrubbers. 
Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel mixer and method of 
operating it which minimizes turbulence and restriction to water flow by 
virtue of the tangential flow in the present device, the open and curved 
inlet end, the outwardly flared outlet end and the progressively narrowed 
slots surrounding the mixing chamber, all of which also minimize or even 
prevent the necessity of any inlet water pressure because of the great 
suction produced by the liquid entering the mixing chamber, which, of 
course, reduces horsepower requirements. The present device also minimizes 
back pressure and greatly reduces the air-to-water ratio from in excess of 
9 to 1 to about 5 to 1, also it eliminates the accumulation of interior 
coatings of dry solid reagents which would restrict inlet flow of air; 
also it eliminates the lengthy time for disassembly of the unit to correct 
any of the aforementioned problems; also which may be operated vertically, 
instead of horizontally, to obtain greater improvement in mixing by the 
aid of gravity. 
While I have illustrated and described several embodiments of my invention, 
it will be understood that these are by way of illustration only and that 
various changes and modifications may be contemplated in my invention and 
within the scope of the following claims: