Patent ID: 7674439

Claim:
A mixing apparatus comprising: a sloped collecting stage that is configured to combine a substantial gas phase fluid and a substantial liquid phase fluid to form a mixed phase fluid; a swirl chamber downstream of the collecting stage that is configured to swirl the mixed phase fluid wherein the swirl chamber has an outlet; wherein the collecting stage circumferentially surrounds the swirl chamber, and wherein the swirl chamber comprises a plurality of openings that are configured to allow passage of the mixed phase from the collecting stage into the swirl chamber; a splash plate in fluid communication with, and downstream of the outlet; a plurality of outwardly extending beams that are configured to form a passageway for the liquid phase fluid and that are in fluid communication with the splash plate; and wherein the outwardly extending beams are disposed below the swirl chamber, and are configured to receive and transport a portion of the liquid phase fluid from the splash plate to so radially distribute the liquid phase fluid.