Centrifugal reaction chamber

Claim 1

A centrifugal reaction chamber comprising: a substantially cylindrical vessel for holding the chemical reactants, one of which is a liquid, a shaft journaled for rotation in the vessel and coaxial with the cylindrical vessel, one or more rotating mixing elements in the vessel secured to the shaft, and means for rotating the shaft and mixing elements, each mixing element including a pair of panels and means securing the panels in a fixed closely spaced relationship to form a radially extending passage between the panels, a first panel of each mixing element extending radially outwardly from the shaft and terminating in an outer edge adjacent to but spaced from the cylindrical wall of the vessel, a second panel of each mixing element having an outer edge positioned at the cylindrical wall and extending inwardly from the cylindrical wall for a distance to overlap a substantial portion of the radial extent of said first panel and, thereby, provide a passage therebetween, the panels lying in planes which converge at an acute angle and intersect adjacent the point on the wall of the vessel nearest said outer edge of the first panel, said means for rotating the shaft moving the said first panel ahead of the second panel and forcing the reactants radially outwardly into engagement with the second panel at the wall of the vessel, the second panel forcing the reactants radially inwardly toward the center of the vessel along the backside of said first panel through said passage between the panels.