Patent EA-004333-B1 (EA)
Title: Methods and apparatus for mixing fluids
Inventor: JACOBS GARRY E
IPC: B01J10/00
Filed: 2001-04-24
Abstract: 1. A bubble cap comprising: a riser having a top; a cap having a bottom and at least one side slit, the cap disposed in relation to the riser such that a liquid fluid and a gaseous fluid flow co-currently upwardly in a space between the riser and the cap; and a divider disposed in the space, and extending to a length at least 50% of a distance measured between the top of the riser and the bottom of the cap. 2. The bubble cap of claim 1 wherein the length of the divider is at least 70% of the distance between the top of the riser and the bottom of the cap. 3. The bubble cap of claim 1 wherein the length of the divider is at least 90% of the distance between the top of the riser and the bottom of the cap. 4. The bubble cap of claim 1 wherein the length of the divider is 100% of the distance between the top of the riser and the bottom of the cap. 5. The bubble cap of claim 1 wherein the divider is attached to the riser. 6. The bubble cap of claim 1 wherein the divider is attached to the cap. 7. The bubble cap of claim 1 wherein the divider is attached to both the riser and the cap. 8. The bubble cap of claim 1 wherein the bubble cap has at least two dividers. 9. The bubble cap of claim 1 wherein the bubble cap has at least three dividers. 10. The bubble cap of claim 1 wherein the bubble cap has at least six dividers. 11. The bubble cap of claim 1, further comprising a swirl director attached to the riser. 12. A mixing device having a plurality of bubble caps according to claim 1. 13. A mixing device having a bubble cap of claim 1 wherein the bubble cap, having at least one slot, is positioned with respect to a distribution plate and the bottom of the cap is positioned at least 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) from the distribution plate. 14. A bubble cap, comprising: a cap with at least one slot and a riser configured to provide the cap with a skirt height of no less than 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), disposed such that a liquid fluid and a gaseous fluid flow co-currently upwardly in a space between the riser and the cap. 15. The bubble cap of claim 14, wherein the skirt height is no less than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm). 16. The bubble cap of claim 14, wherein the skirt height is no less than 4 inches (10.16 cm). 17. The bubble cap of claim 14 wherein the cap has a side that includes at least three slots. 18. The bubble cap of claim 14, wherein the slot has a length of at least 2.5 inches (6.35 cm). 19. The bubble cap of claim 14, wherein the slot has a length of at least 3.5 inches (8.89 cm). 20. The bubble cap of claim 14, wherein the slot has a length of at least 5 inches (12.7 cm). 21. A distribution device comprising: a plurality of flow-redirecting vanes, an upper plate having at least one fluid inlet orifice; a lower plate, the plates disposed in relation to the vanes such that a fluid flows outwardly through a space between the plates and discharging through a fluid outlet orifice defined by the plates and the vanes; and a distribution tray, disposed below the lower plate. 22. The distribution device of claim 21 wherein the flow-redirecting vanes are chevron type vanes. 23. The distribution device of claim 21 wherein the distribution tray is a perforated plate. 24. The distribution device of claim 21 wherein the distribution tray is a bubble cap tray. 25. The distribution device of claim 21 wherein the distribution tray is a riser tray.