Patent ID: 7168849

Claim:
An agitation system for producing a slurry, mixture, or solution from addition of dry solids to a liquid, comprising: a first tank having a first longitudinal axis, a static liquid level, a dynamic liquid level, and a holdup, wherein the difference between the dynamic liquid level and the static liquid level defines the height of the holdup; a solid inlet configured to feed dry solids into the first tank; a first drive shaft disposed in the first tank generally along the first longitudinal axis; a first impeller attached to the first drive shaft at a first location, wherein the first impeller is configured to pump material in a generally upward direction; a second tank having a second longitudinal axis, wherein the second tank is in fluid communication with the first tank; a second drive shaft disposed in the second tank generally along the second longitudinal axis; a second impeller attached to the second drive shaft at a first location and a third impeller attached to the second drive shaft at a second location, wherein the second impeller is configured to direct flow toward the third impeller, and the third impeller is configured to direct flow toward the second impeller; a pumper impeller attached to the second drive shaft so that the second impeller is in between the pumper impeller and the third impeller; and a separator disc attached to the second drive shaft in between the pumper impeller and the second impeller.