Importance

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Abstract

The improved steady bearing contains a trap at the distal end of a mixer shaft in a vessel whereby the steady bearing is isolated from materials being mixed. The steady bearing is preferably a dry-running ceramic ball bearing assembly. A hood on the mixer shaft defines a cavity open downward in communication with the interior of the vessel within which cavity the steady bearing is disposed. The cavity is provided with a process fluid, preferably a gas, at a pressure equal to or greater than the hydrostatic pressure of the materials being mixed outside the hood, whereby the materials are excluded from the hood and therefore are prevented from coming into contact with the steady bearing.

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First Claim