Method of mixing a fluid in a tank with a draft tube mixing system
First Claim
1. A method of efficiently mixing at least one fluid in a tank with an inlet or outlet means comprising:
- a) creating a motive force which creates fluid motion within the tank, wherein the at least one fluid has more than one density; and
b) directing at least a portion of said fluid motion toward a draft tube, said draft tube having a central passage that extends between an upper opening in an upper portion of said tank, a lower opening in the lower portion of said tank and having at least one intermediate opening that allows said fluid to flow to or from an intermediate portion of said tank,wherein said motive force causes fluid to pass through at least one of said intermediate openings, andwherein the fluid level of the tank is below the upper opening of the draft tube.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A drinking water distribution reservoir has a new draft tube mixing arrangement. An intermediate opening in the draft tube enables water to flow between the central passage of the draft tube and an intermediate portion of the tank. Directional walls can be provided on the intermediate opening to help direct flow, and a check valve can be used to prevent flow from the intermediate section of the tank into the draft tube or prevent flow from the draft tube into the intermediate section of the tank. A venturi portion can also be provided on the draft tube to help draw water from the intermediate portion of the tank into the draft tube.
45 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of efficiently mixing at least one fluid in a tank with an inlet or outlet means comprising:
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a) creating a motive force which creates fluid motion within the tank, wherein the at least one fluid has more than one density; and b) directing at least a portion of said fluid motion toward a draft tube, said draft tube having a central passage that extends between an upper opening in an upper portion of said tank, a lower opening in the lower portion of said tank and having at least one intermediate opening that allows said fluid to flow to or from an intermediate portion of said tank, wherein said motive force causes fluid to pass through at least one of said intermediate openings, and wherein the fluid level of the tank is below the upper opening of the draft tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of efficiently mixing fluids in a tank, such method comprising:
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a) creating a motive force which creates fluid motion within the tank, wherein the tank is of sufficient dimensions that an inflow or outflow through an inlet or outlet means of said tank will not create sufficient turbulence to provide substantial mixing of the contents of said tank; and b) directing at least a portion of said fluid motion toward a draft tube, said draft tube having a central passage that extends between an upper opening of said draft tube in an upper portion of said tank, a lower opening of said draft tube in the lower portion of said tank and having at least one intermediate opening in such draft tube that allows said fluid to flow to or from an intermediate portion of said tank, wherein said motive force causes fluid to pass through at least one of said intermediate openings. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of efficiently mixing at least one fluid in a tank with an inlet or outlet means comprising:
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a) creating a motive force which creates fluid motion within the tank, wherein the at least one fluid has more than one density; and b) directing at least a portion of said fluid motion toward a draft tube, said draft tube having a central passage that extends between an upper opening in an upper portion of said tank, a lower opening in the lower portion of said tank and having at least one intermediate opening that allows said fluid to flow to or from an intermediate portion of said tank, wherein said motive force causes fluid to pass through at least one of said intermediate openings and through at least one directional wall extending from the at least one intermediate opening.
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Specification