US4070279A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Eductor for dissolving gases in liquids
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-09-13
•
Granted: 1978-01-24
•
Expires: 1996-09-13
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for dissolving at least one gas in a liquid comprises an eductor submerged in a liquid, desirably in combination with a high turbulence mixing device, so that synergistic results are obtained. The inlet portion of the eductor generally has an inward convergence towards a throat. The outlet portion of the eductor has an outward divergence. A diffuser which generally carries the gas mixed with a liquid extends through the eductor inlet portion and through the throat portion into the outlet portion. In a desired embodiment, the diffuser is connected or attached to a high turbulence mixing device such as desirably, a flat plate orifice in a conduit. An injection tube extends through the flat plate orifice downstream into the conduit pipe and injects a gas into the liquid to produce a gas-liquid mixture. The apparatus dissolves an exceedingly high amount of gas into a liquid and requires very low amounts of energy. In one aspect, the eductors may be placed vertically; in another aspect the eductors may be inclined within a tank, lagoon, and the like to impart a directed flow pattern thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward T. Armstrong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:29
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/02; C02F3/12; C02F3/20; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S239/00; Y10S239/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for dissolving a gas in a liquid, comprising, an eductor, said eductor having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a throat portion, said throat portion located at the junction of said inlet portion and said outlet portion, said inlet portion having an inward convergence towards said throat, said outlet portion having an outward divergence away from said throat, a diffuser for carrying at least a gas, said diffuser being a conduit and having a tip, said diffuser extending through said eductor inlet portion, through said throat portion, and into said outlet portion, said throat portion diameter ranging from about 2 to about 4 times the diameter of said diffuser, said diffuser tip extending into said outlet portion a distance of from about 0.25 to about 0.5 throat diameters, and said diffuser emitting said gas through said diffuser tip into said outlet portion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for dissolving a gas in a liquid, comprising, an eductor, said eductor having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a throat portion, said throat portion located at the junction of said inlet portion and said outlet portion, said inlet portion having an inward convergence towards said throat, said outlet portion having an outward divergence away from said throat, a diffuser for carrying at least a gas, said diffuser being a conduit and having a tip, said diffuser extending through said eductor inlet portion, through said throat portion, and into said outlet portion, said throat portion diameter ranging from about 2 to about 4 times the diameter of said diffuser, said diffuser tip extending into said outlet portion a distance of from about 0.25 to about 0.5 throat diameters, and said diffuser emitting said gas through said diffuser tip into said outlet portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said outward divergence ranges a total of from about 10° to about 30°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said diffuser diameter ranges from about 1/4 inch to about 20 inches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said inlet convergence ranges a total of from about 30° to about 90° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said diffuser diameter ranges from about 1 inch to about 12 inches and said diffuser tip extension ranges from about 0.35 to about 0.39 throat diameters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said outlet divergence is about a total of 14°, said throat diameter is about 3 times the diameter of said tip, and said tip extension is about 0.375 throat diameters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said eductor is inclined to produce circulation of said liquid.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for dissolving a gas in a liquid, comprising, an eductor, said eductor having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a throat portion, said throat portion located at the junction of said inlet portion and said outlet portion, said inlet portion having an inward convergence towards said throat, said outlet portion having an outward divergence away from said throat, a diffuser for carrying at least a gas, said diffuser being a conduit and having a tip, said diffuser extending through said eductor inlet portion, through said throat portion, and into said outlet portion, said throat portion diameter ranging from about 2 to about 4 times the diameter of said diffuser, said diffuser tip extending into said outlet portion a distance of from about 0.25 to about 0.5 throat diameters, said diffuser emitting said gas through said diffuser tip into said outlet portion, and including a high turbulence mixing device located at least 40 diameters downstream from said diffuser, said high turbulence mixing device mixing a gas in a liquid.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for dissolving a gas in a liquid, comprising, an eductor, said eductor having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a throat portion, said throat portion located at the junction of said inlet portion and said outlet portion, said inlet portion having an inward convergence towards said throat, said outlet portion having an outward divergence away from said throat, a diffuser for carrying at least a gas, said diffuser being a conduit and having a tip, said diffuser extending through said eductor inlet portion, through said throat portion, and into said outlet portion, said throat portion diameter ranging from about 2 to about 4 times the diameter of said diffuser, said diffuser tip extending into said outlet portion a distance of from about 0.25 to about 0.5 throat diameters, said diffuser emitting said gas through said diffuser tip into said outlet portion, and including a high turbulence mixing device located at least 40 diameters downstream from said diffuser, said high turbulence mixing device mixing a gas in a liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said high turbulence mixing device is located in a conduit, said conduit carrying said liquid is attached to said diffuser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said high turbulence mixing device is a flat plate orifice, an injection tube for carrying a gas, said injection tube having a tip, said tip extending downstream through said flat plate orifice and injecting said gas into said liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said injection tube tip is located from about 0.25 to about 0.5 conduit diameters downstream and said flat plate orifice diameter ranges from about 0.5 to about 0.95 conduit diameters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said injection tube tip is located from about 0.37 to about 0.39 conduit diameters downstream and said flat plate orifice diameter ranges from about 0.8 to about 0.95 conduit diameters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said eductor throat diameter ranges from about 2 to about 4 times the diameter of said diffuser.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said diffuser diameter ranges from about 1/4 inch to about 20 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said gas is air and said liquid is selected from the class consisting of water, waste water, and combinations thereof, the amount of air added to said liquid in said conduit ranges from about 0.1 to about 5.0 times the saturation limit of said air in said liquid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said gas is oxygen and said liquid is selected from the class consisting of water, waste water, and combinations thereof, the amount of said oxygen added to said liquid and said conduit ranges from about 0.5 to about 4.0 times the saturation limit of said oxygen in said liquid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the amount of gas ranges from about 0.1 to about 5.0 times the saturation limit of said gas in said liquid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said gas is selected from the class consisting of air, oxygen, sulfur dioxide, ozone, carbon diozide, chlorine, ozone in air, ozone in oxygen, and combinations thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said eductor inlet portion has a total convergence of from about 30° to about 90°.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said eductor diffuser has a diameter of from about 1 inch to about 12 inches and said diffuser tip extension ranges from about 0.35 to about 0.39 throat diameters.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said gas is air and said liquid is selected from the class consisting of water, waste water, and combinations thereof, the amount of said air added to said liquid in said conduit ranges from about 0.1 to about 5.0 times the saturation limit of said air in said liquid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said gas is oxygen and said liquid is selected from the class consisting of water, waste water, and combinations thereof, the amount of said oxygen added to said liquid ranging from about 0.5 to about 4.0 times the saturation limit of said oxygen in said liquid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said injector tip extends from about 0.37 to about 0.39 conduit diameters downstream and said flat plate orifice diameter ranges from about 0.8 to about 0.95 conduit diameters.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said eductor outlet portion has a total divergence of about 14°, said throat diameter is about 3 times the diameter of said diffuser, and said diffuser tip extensions is about 0.375 throat diameters.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said eductor is inclined to produce circulation of said liquid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said amount of gas ranges from about 0.1 to about 5.0 times the saturation limit of said gas in said liquid.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said gas is air and said liquid is selected from the class consisting of water, waste water, and combinations thereof, the amount of said air added to said liquid in said conduit ranges from about 0.1 to about 5.0 times the saturation limit of said air in said liquid.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said gas is oxygen and said liquid is selected from the class consisting of water, waste water, and combinations thereof, the amount of said oxygen added to said liquid ranging from about 0.5 to about 4.0 times the saturation limit of said oxygen in said liquid.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, including a conduit intake, said conduit intake located in said liquid at a position below said eductor diffuser tip.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said conduit intake is located at a position of 2 feet or greater below said diffuser tip.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, including a plurality of said eductors.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said conduit intake is located at a position of 2 feet or greater below said diffuser tip.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said eductor is located in an aerobic unit equilization basin and said eductor is inclined.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said eductors are located in an aerobic unit equilization basin and said eductors are inclined.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for dissolving a gas in a liquid, comprising, the steps of: providing an eductor, said eductor having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a throat portion, said throat portion located at the junction of said inlet portion and said outlet portion, said inlet portion having an inward convergence towards said throat, said outlet portion having an outward divergence away from said throat, a diffuser for carrying at least a gas, said diffuser being a conduit and having a tip, locating said diffuser so that it extends through said inward portion, through said throat portion, and into said outlet portion, said throat portion diameter ranging from about 2 to about 4 times the diameter of said diffuser, locating said diffuser tip in said outlet portion at a distance of from about 0.25 to about 0.5 throat diameters, and emitting at least a gas from said diffuser tip so that a mixing action extends through said outlet portion of said eductor.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for dissolving a gas in a liquid, comprising, the steps of: providing an eductor, said eductor having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a throat portion, said throat portion located at the junction of said inlet portion and said outlet portion, said inlet portion having an inward convergence towards said throat, said outlet portion having an outward divergence away from said throat, a diffuser for carrying at least a gas, said diffuser being a conduit and having a tip, locating said diffuser so that it extends through said inward portion, through said throat portion, and into said outlet portion, said throat portion diameter ranging from about 2 to about 4 times the diameter of said diffuser, locating said diffuser tip in said outlet portion at a distance of from about 0.25 to about 0.5 throat diameters, and emitting at least a gas from said diffuser tip so that a mixing action extends through said outlet portion of said eductor.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 35, wherein said outward divergence ranges from a total of from about 10° to about 30°.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 36, wherein said inlet convergence ranges a total of from about 30° to about 90°, and said diffuser tip extension ranges from about 0.35 to about 0.39 throat diameters.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 37, wherein said outlet divergence is about a total of 14°, said throat diameter is about 3 times the diameter of said tip, and said tip extension is about 0.375 throat diameters.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
113 words
A method according to claim 35, including injecting a gas into a liquid in the vicinity of a flat plate orifice located at least 40 diameters upstream from said diffuser to produce a gas-liquid mixture, and feeding said gas-liquid mixture to said diffuser, wherein said gas is injected through an injection tube, said injection tube having a tip, said high turbulence mixing device being a flat plate orifice, said injection tube tip extending downstream through said flat plate orifice and is located from about 0.25 to about 0.50 conduit diameters downstream, said flat plate orifice located in a conduit, said flat plate orifice diameter ranging from about 0.5 to about 0.95 conduit diameters.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 39, wherein said injection tube tip is located from about 0.37 to about 0.39 conduit diameters downstream and said flat plate orifice diameter ranges from about 0.8 to about 0.95 conduit diameters.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 39, wherein the amount of gas injected into said liquid ranges from about 0.1 to about 5.0 times the saturation limit of said gas in said liquid.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 39, wherein said gas is air and said liquid is selected from the class consisting of water, waste water, and combinations thereof.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 39, wherein said gas is oxygen, and said liquid is selected from the class consisting of water, waste water, and combinations thereof.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 39, wherein said eductor throat diameter ranges from about 2 to about 4 times the diameter of said diffuser.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 44, wherein the eductor diffuser has a diameter of about 1 inch to about 12 inches and said diffuser tip extension ranges from about 0.35 to about 0.39 throat diameters.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 45, wherein said injection tip extends from about 0.37 to about 0.39 conduit diameters downstream and said flat plate orifice diameters ranges from about 0.8 to about 0.95 conduit diameters.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 46, wherein said eductor outlet portion has a total divergence of about 14°, said throat diameter is about 3 times the diameter of said diffuser, and said diffuser tip extension is about 0.375 throat diameters.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 44 including the step of including said eductor to produce momentum mixing and to induce circulation.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 48, wherein said inclination produces a standing vortex circulation.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 44, wherein the amount of gas injected into said liquid ranges from about 0.1 to about 5.0 times the saturation limit of said gas in said liquid.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 50, including the step of inclining said eductor to produce momentum mixing and to induce circulation.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 51, wherein said inclination produces a standing vortex circulation.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 44, wherein said gas is air and said liquid is selected from the class consisting of water, waste water, and combinations thereof.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 53, including a conduit intake, said conduit intake is located in said liquid at a point below said diffuser tip.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 54, wherein said conduit intake is located at a point 2 feet or greater below said diffuser tip.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 44, wherein said gas is oxygen, and said liquid is selected from the class consisting of water, waste water, and combinations thereof.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 56, including the step of inclining said eductor to produce momentum mixing and to induce circulation.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 57, wherein said inclination produces a standing vortex circulation.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 56, including the conduit intake, said conduit intake located at a point below said diffuser tip.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 59, wherein said conduit intake is located at a point 2 feet or greater below said diffuser tip.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 59, including the step of inclining said eductor to produce momentum mixing and to induce circulation.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 61, wherein said inclination produces a standing vortex circulation.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
199 words
A method for dissolving a gas in a liquid, comprising, the steps of: providing an eductor, said eductor having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a throat portion, said throat portion located at the junction of said inlet portion and said outlet portion, said inlet portion having an inward convergence towards said throat, said outlet portion having an outward divergence away from said throat, a diffuser for carrying at least a gas, said diffuser being a conduit and having a tip, locating said diffuser so that it extends through said inward portion, through said throat portion, and into said outlet portion, said throat portion diameter ranging from about 2 to about 4 times the diameter of said diffuser, locating said diffuser tip in said outlet portion at a distance of from about 0.25 to about 0.5 throat diameters, emitting at least a gas from said diffuser tip so that a mixing action extends through said outlet portion of said eductor, and including injecting a gas into a liquid in the vicinity of a highturbulence mixing device located at least 40 diameters upstream from said diffuser to produce a gas-liquid mixture, and feeding said gas-liquid mixture to said diffuser.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
199 words
A method for dissolving a gas in a liquid, comprising, the steps of: providing an eductor, said eductor having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a throat portion, said throat portion located at the junction of said inlet portion and said outlet portion, said inlet portion having an inward convergence towards said throat, said outlet portion having an outward divergence away from said throat, a diffuser for carrying at least a gas, said diffuser being a conduit and having a tip, locating said diffuser so that it extends through said inward portion, through said throat portion, and into said outlet portion, said throat portion diameter ranging from about 2 to about 4 times the diameter of said diffuser, locating said diffuser tip in said outlet portion at a distance of from about 0.25 to about 0.5 throat diameters, emitting at least a gas from said diffuser tip so that a mixing action extends through said outlet portion of said eductor, and including injecting a gas into a liquid in the vicinity of a highturbulence mixing device located at least 40 diameters upstream from said diffuser to produce a gas-liquid mixture, and feeding said gas-liquid mixture to said diffuser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2479403A
Cited
US3183065A
Cited
US3043433A
Cited
US3220706A
Cited
US3853764A
Cited
US3415378A
Cited
US3452966A
Cited
US3671022A
Cited
US3778038A
Cited
US3696029A
Cited
US3640516A
Cited
US3643403A
Cited
US3968086A
Cited
US3696929A
Cited
US3677936A
Cited
US3826742A
Cited
US3855367A
Cited
US3840216A
Cited
US3794303A
Cited
US3865908A
Cited
US3938738A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-23 | 1981-07-25 | 1982-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-23 | 1985-07-25 | 1986-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-23 | 1989-07-25 | 1990-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |