APPARATUS FOR INTRODUCING A GAS INTO A BODY OF LIQUID

摘要

An apparatus for introducing gas into a large body of liquid, including a horizontal frame on ballast adjustable floats, a pressurized gas source, a vertical shaft rotatable about its axis, and a plurality of blades submerged in the liquid and extending radially from a hub on the lower end o f the shaft. The blades each have an elastomeric membrane around a longitudinal member, where the longitudinal member is hollow with a closed e nd and in communication with the pressurized gas source through the shaft on th e other end, with openings through its lower side, and the elastomeric membran e has perforations which are spaced from the longitudinal member openings. A drive on the platform rotates the shaft via a ring gear around the shaft wit h a key connection thereto allowing axial movement therethrough, and an inwardly facing surface supported on bearings. A selectively driven and smaller pinio n gear directly engages the ring gear.