Importance

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Abstract

Embodiments of a slurry reactor and slurry mixer/contactor are shown and described. Each embodiment of the reactor includes a vessel for containing a liquid slurry or suspension of particles and microorganisms. In the inside of the vessel, generally along its centerline, is a vertical conduit extending from near the top to near the bottom. At the bottom of the vertical conduit is at least one generally horizontal, hollow, stirrer blade in fluid connection with the vertical conduit. The stirrer blade is a mixer/contactor which has openings near its leading edge so fluid may pass therethrough. The stirrer blade may rotate around the vertical conduit if the conduit is fixed, or the conduit, with the stirrer blade fixed to it, may rotate around in the vessel. In any event, the rotation of the stirrer blade is caused by the hydraulic forces of fluid flowing out from the stirrer blade. The flowing fluid creates a fluidization zone in the slurry sediment bed at the leading edge of the stirrer. The fluidization zone is less dense than the rest of the sediment bed, and the stirrer blade tends to rotate into the fluidization zone. This way, controlled rotation of the stirrer blade may be created near the bottom of the vessel, enhancing mixing of the microorganisms with the slurry or suspension in the vessel, without unnecessarily damaging the microorganisms.

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First Claim