The invention relates to apparatus and a process for mixing a gas/vapour with a process liquid comprising a material and a carrier liquid. The apparatus comprises a passage (10) having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16) for a process liquid comprising the material and an inlet (24) for supersonic steam which is configured such that the angle of impingement of the steam on the carrier liquid can be varied.

The invention relates to apparatus and a process for mixing a gas/vapour with a process liquid comprising a material and a carrier liquid. The apparatus comprises a passage (10) of polygonal cross section having an inlet (14), an outlet (16) for a process liquid comprising the material, and a nozzle (24) for introducing supersonic gas/vapour at a mixing zone (42) in a single plane.

The invention relates to apparatus and a process for mixing a gas/vapour with a process liquid comprising a material and a carrier liquid. The apparatus comprises a passage (10) having an inlet (14), an outlet (16) for a process liquid comprising the material, and an inlet (24) for introducing supersonic steam at a mixing zone (42). The profile of the mixing zone (42) can be varied to optimise mixing.

A direct contact steam injection heater that allows shear to be adjusted by modifying a lateral position of a movable combining tube. The movable combining tube includes a rack on an outer surface of the combining tube that engages a movable lever arm of an adjustment mechanism. The pivoting movement of the lever arm moves the combining tube in a lateral direction to adjust the shear in the product being heated. The combining tube is supported in a housing by a pair of lateral bushings and a pair of end seals prevent product from entering the combining tube housing. The lever arm is coupled to a worm gear shaft such that rotation of the worm gear shaft creates pivoting movement of the lever arm and lateral movement of the combining tube.