Patent GB-712817-A (GB)
Title: Fluid-liquid contacting device and process
Inventor: COPPOCK PHILIP DALTON
IPC: C02F1/20
Filed: 1950-06-15
Abstract: A diaphragm for dispersing fluids in liquids consists of a sheet of flexible but elastically non-stretchable material bearing at least one perforation comprising two or more slits which intersect one another, the perforation being made without any removal of the sheet material.  The diaphragm may be 0.002-0.015 inch thick and made of sheet steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, or bronze.  The slits forming the perforations may be 1/24 -1 inch long, and there may be 2-10 perforations per square centimeter.  The perforations open and close in response to pressure difference across the diaphragm, and may be of X, V, or Y shape, forming tongues which lift slightly under pressure; to prevent back-flow of liquid, a bar may be secured to the tongue or to the lower face of the diaphragm.  The diaphragm forms the fluid outlet of a disperser which is immersed in a liquid, and may be used for chemical processes involving reaction of a gas with a liquid, or for degassing liquids by blowing through an inert gas. The invention also includes an aerobic fermentation process in which air is passed through a diaphragm having perforations in the form of single straight, curved, or bent slits.  Various arrangements and shapes of perforations are shown diagrammatically.  The first Provisional Specification refers to Specification 712,170.ALSO:A diaphragm for dispersing fluids in liquids consists of a sheet of flexible but elastically non-stretchable material bearing at least one perforation comprising two or more slits which intersect one another, the perforation being made without any removal of the sheet material.  The diaphragm may be 0.002-0.015 inch thick and made of sheet steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, or bronze.  The slits forming the perforations may be 1/24 -1 inch long, and there may be 2-10 perforations per sq. cm.  The perforations open and close in response to pressure difference across the diaphragm, and may be of X, V, or Y shape, forming tongues which lift slightly under pressure; to prevent back-flow of liquid a bar may be secured to the tongue or to the lower face of the diaphragm.  The diaphragm forms the fluid outlet of a disperser which is immersed in a liquid, and may be used for the aeration of liquids in froth flotation processes.  Various arrangements and shapes of perforations are shown diagrammatically. The first Provisional Specification refers to Specification 712,170.ALSO:A diaphragm for dispersing fluids in liquids consists of a sheet of flexible but elastically non-stretchable material bearing at least one perforation comprising two or more slits which intersect one another, the perforation being made without any removal of the sheet material.  The diaphragm may be 0.002-0.015 inch thick and made of sheet steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, or bronze.  The slits forming the perforations may be 1/24-1 inch long, and there may be 2-10 perforations per sq. cm.  The perforations open and close in response to pressure difference across the diaphragm, and may be of X, V, or Y-shape, forming tongues which lift slightly under pressure; to prevent back-flow of liquid, a bar may be secured to the tongue or to the lower face of the diaphragm.  The diaphragm forms the fluid outlet of a disperser which is immersed in a liquid, and may be used for the aeration of liquids, e.g. fermentation broths or in liquid-liquid contacting processes, e.g. solvent extraction.  The invention also includes an aerobic fermentation process in which air is passed through a diaphragm having perforations in the form of single straight, curved, or bent slits.  Various arrangements and shapes of perforations are shown diagrammatically.  The first Provisional Specification refers to Specification 712,170.