Vortex chamber aerator

• US 4,606,822 A
• Filed: 11/01/1984
• Issued: 08/19/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Francis G. Miller
• Original Assignee: Francis G. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Francis G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiesa, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US06/667,128
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 261/76, 261/121 R, 261/123, 261/79 A, 261/DIG. 75, 209/166, 209/170, 209/164, 209/211, 209/144, 210/221.2, 210/512.1, 55/1, 55/419, 55/459 R, 55/459 A, 55/459 B
• US Class Current: 210/221.2
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/231 by bubbling mixers with gas or liquid agitation, e.g. with air supply tubes B01F33/40
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/10 Mixing by creating a vortex flow, e.g. by tangential introduction of flow components
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/103 with additional mixing means other than vortex mixers, e.g. the vortex chamber being positioned in another mixing chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/82 Combinations of dissimilar mixers
• CPC Class Codes: B03D 1/1418 using centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B03D 1/1456 Feed mechanisms for the slurry
• CPC Class Codes: B03D 1/1493 with means for establishing a specified flow pattern
• CPC Class Codes: B03D 1/247 Mixing gas and slurry in a device separate from the flotation tank, i.e. reactor-separator type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/75 Flowing liquid aspirates gas

Abstract

A vortex chamber aerator is provided with a split feed conduit whereby the liquid feed is introduced into the vortex chamber through two opposed passageways to provide more even distribution of the liquid currents within the vortex chamber. This results in reduced wear in the vortex chamber and more importantly presents a uniform discharge pattern of the liquid and entrained gas bubbles.

Claims

1. In a froth flotation tank having a vortex chamber for aerating and agitating an aqueous slurry and delivering a uniformly dispersed spray of gas bubbles in said aqueous slurry into said froth flotation tank, the combination of a generally cylindrical vortex chamber communicating at its base with a conical chamber, an outlet at the bottom apex end of said conical chamber, an inlet in the upper portion of said cylindrical chamber to receive gas, a single slurry feed conduit, splitter means within said feed conduit for dividing the cross-sectional area of said conduit into a first generally horizontal passageway and a second generally horizontal passageway, said passageways being side-by-side and directed toward the said cylindrical chamber, a single first side wall opening in said cylindrical chamber communicating tangentially with said first passageway, a single second side wall opening in the said cylindrical chamber remote from said first side wall opening, said second passageway extending arcuately outside said upper portion of said cylindrical chamber an communicating tangentially with said second side wall opening, whereby said aqueous slurry enters into said conical chamber without interruption.