Method and apparatus for vortical liquid-gas movement

Claim 2

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of separating liquid from said gases includes agglomerating said atomized liquid after passage through said duct, discharging said gases, and returning said separated liquid to said reservoir.

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein the rotational velocity of the outer confines of said vortex is about 6,000 feet per minute, and wherein the ratio of rotational velocity to linear velocity is about 3:1.

Claim 4

Apparatus for atomizing and elevating liquids and entraining gases therewith, comprising an elongated substantially vertical and substantially cylindrical imperforate uniform diameter duct; orifices at the top and bottom of said duct; said bottom orifice having a nonhorizontal configuration; a reservoir containing a liquid beNeath said duct; means for maintaining the surface of said liquid at a level, relative to said duct, such that a portion of said nonhorizontal bottom orifice is partially submerged in said liquid, the remaining portion of said bottom orifice not being submerged in said liquid providing substantially nonrestricted entry for gases into said duct above the surface of the liquid; fan means positioned closely above said top orifice substantially in axial alignment with said duct, said fan means generating an upwardly spiraling vortex of gases within said duct under conditions of subatmospheric pressure with the rotational velocity of the outer rotating confines of said vortex being between 2,000 and 12,000 feet per minute and of sufficient magnitude to rupture the surface tension of the liquid at rest within the confines of said duct, whereby said liquid is atomized and elevated in said vortex within said duct along with gases drawn through the nonsubmerged portion of said nonhorizontal bottom orifice; and means connected to the top of said duct for removing liquid from said gases after contact thereof with said fan means, a sump housing containing said reservoir including an inlet for gas thereabove, a top closure member for said sump, means securing said duct adjacent its top orifice to said closure member in sealing relation thereto, and an upwardly extending stack sealingly secured to said closure member, said fan means for generating an upwardly spiralling vortex being positioned in said stack in coaxial alignment with said top orifice.

Claim 5

The apparatus claimed in claim 5, wherein the bottom of said duct is cut on a diagonal of from 15* to 75* with the horizontal.

Claim 6

The apparatus claimed in claim 5, wherein said fan means comprises a motor and fan wheel positioned closely above said top orifice and substantially coaxial therewith, said fan wheel having blades at least a section of which directly above said top orifice function in the manner of backwardly inclined centrifugal blower blades.