Robert A Forsyth

US Patent:

46295917, Dec 16, 1986

Filed:

Aug 8, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/763621

Inventors:

Robert H. Forsyth - Englewood CO

Assignee:

A. R. Wilfley & Sons, Inc. - Englewood CO

International Classification:

B01F 304

US Classification:

261122

Abstract:

A plurality of gas diffusers and accompanying piping system which includes lengths of supply pipe for introducing gas into a body of liquid in which the apparatus is submerged. A combination gas diffuser inlet tube and supply pipe drainer stem is incorporated into the piping system between each length of supply pipe and each gas diffuser located above the length of supply pipe. The inlet tube/drainer stem extends downward from the plenum into the supply pipe to a location closely adjacent to, but with at least part of the bottom end of the combination member spaced from, the bottom wall of the supply pipe. As the pipe is pressurized with gas, gas fills the top portion of the pipe and unwanted accumulated liquid is forced down in the supply pipe, up through each drainer stem, and out the porous plate of the associated gas diffuser. The inlet tube/drainer stem (1) provides an outlet for unwanted accumulated liquids when said diffuser and accompanying piping system are operated under normal operating pressures, and (2) is at all times the sole outlet from the gas supply pipe, in addition to the transverse openings at each end thereof, for either gases or liquids.

US Patent:

47175150, Jan 5, 1988

Filed:

Sep 18, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/908644

Inventors:

Robert H. Forsyth - Englewood CO
Troy W. Fieselman - Littleton CO

Assignee:

Wilfley Weber, Inc. - Englewood CO

International Classification:

B01F 304

US Classification:

261122

Abstract:

A fluid diffuser for dispersing gas bubbles or liquid droplets into a body of receiving liquid in a tank. The diffuser includes a fluid-emitting member for communication with the body of receiving liquid, which member defines a fluid plenum. A portion of at least one of the walls of the fluid-emitting member is porous and has a foraminous outer surface, to permit the passage of fluid from the plenum into the body of liquid. A slot-forming chamber has a wall that defines a narrow, elongated slot extending parallel to the foraminous outer surface of the plenum-defining wall of the fluid-emitting member, with the foraminous outer surface lying primarily outside the slot. Fluid supplied under pressure to the plenum flows out through the porous wall portion to produce small nascent fluid spheroids on the foraminous surface of that portion. Shearing liquid introduced into the slot-forming chamber under pressure exits through the narrow, elongated slot to form a stream of liquid that sweeps across and in contact with the foraminous outer surface just mentioned and shears the nascent spheroids off to form fine gas bubbles or fine liquid droplets. These are carried into the body of receiving liquid by the stream of shearing liquid as it exits from the slot and moves into the body of receiving liquid.