Patent ID: 7645432

Claim:
An exhaust treatment system comprising: an exhaust duct including an upstream end adapted to receive exhaust gases from a source and a downstream end; an exhaust outlet joined to the downstream end of the exhaust duct in fluid communication with the exhaust duct, adapted to flow exhaust gases out from the exhaust duct and adapted to flow water and particulate matter out from the exhaust duct; and at least one venturi nozzle joined to the exhaust duct between the upstream end and the downstream end, the venturi nozzle being arranged to inject a water/air mixture into the exhaust duct, the venturi nozzle having: (a) a nozzle housing having a water inlet and a water/air mixture outlet, the water/air mixture outlet being fluidicly connected to the exhaust duct; (b) a narrowing inlet channel, provided within the nozzle housing, having a channel inlet approximate the nozzle water inlet and a channel outlet within the nozzle housing; (c) an air inlet, provided on the nozzle housing and opening onto the channel outlet within the nozzle housing, through which air can enter; and (d) an internal baffle positioned within the nozzle housing downstream of the channel outlet around which water flowing through the channel outlet can pass; whereby water entering the venturi nozzle via the water inlet increases in velocity within the narrowing inlet channel, is mixed with air from the air inlet as it exits the channel, and such water/air mixture is injected into the exhaust duct via the water/air mixture outlet; wherein the water/air mixture causes particulate matter suspended in the exhaust gases to adhere to water droplets in the water/air mixture.