Jet pumps and methods employing the same

• Main Authors: HUTCHINSON ROBERT J, DAWSON RICHARD F
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 17.09.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BLASTING; HEATING; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BYUSING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS; SIPHONS; WEAPONS

A liquid jet pump for moving a wide variety of material is described. The liquid jet pump is comprised of a nozzle assembly and a target tube, and defines a suction chamber. The nozzle assembly is configured to pull in gas, causing a gas bearing effect wherein a layer of gas surrounds the liquid jet flow exiting the nozzle assembly. The liquid jet passes through the suction chamber with minimal deflection, reducing cavitation and improving mixing as educted materials enter the suction chamber and combine with the liquid jet. The combined material is directed into the target tube, which preferably is designed to detach from the other components and is composed of abrasion-resistant material. The target tube absorbs the majority of wear, and provides ease of changing parts. The nozzle assembly is preferably positioned within the suction chamber in a way which maximizes vacuum, and the vacuum is maintained in relation to the pressure or vacuum produced by a downstream pump in a unique way, by controlling the gas flow into the nozzle assembly. In this way, the pump realizes drastic and surprising increases in solids pumping efficiency and solids/liquid mixing efficiency.