Abstract

A high kinetic energy water spraying apparatus wets powdered or granular dry material, particularly hard-to-wet polymers, to provide a lump-free solution of a controlled concentration. A volumetric feeder drops the dry material through a fructoconical upper portion of the apparatus. Water is injected tangentially so that the inner surface of the upper portion is completely wetted to prevent buildup of dry material on the surface.A lower portion of the apparatus comprises a cylindrical column which receives dry material from the upper portion. The inner surface of the column includes a series of spray nozzles positioned to produce downwardly sloped and radially inwardly oriented jets of liquid which impinge falling dry material with high energy. The downward slope of the jets creates a downward air flow so that any dust from the dry material is drawn downwardly into the column.