Collapsible sparger

A collapsible sparger for installation in a vessel through a flanged opening comprising:

• (a) a central tubular conduit having openings through the walls thereof, and having a distal insertion end and a proximal end such that said proximal extends outward of said vessel through said flange when said distal end is inserted into said vessel;
• (b) a plurality of rotatable tubular members rotatably secured along the length of said central tubular conduit, the interior of each of said rotatable tubular members being in fluid communication with the interior of said central tubular conduit;
• (c) plurality of tubular sparging elements secured at a ninety-degree angle to each of said plurality of rotatable tubular members, each of said plurality of tubular sparging elements being in fluid communication with the interior of the rotatable tubular member to which it is secured;
• (d) a plurality of link arms secured to said plurality of rotatable tubular members such that said link arms can secure said rotatable members in a position normal to said central tubular conduit;
• and
• (e) a plurality of tubular sparging elements secured at a ninety-degree angle to each of said plurality of rotatable tubular members, each of said plurality of tubular sparging elements being in fluid communication with the interior of the rotatable tubular member to which it is secured.

A method of installing a collapsible sparger inside a vessel through a flanged opening, said collapsible sparger having (a) a central tubular conduit having openings through the walls thereof, and having a distal insertion end and a proximal end such that said proximal end extends outward of said vessel through said flange when said distal end is inserted into said vessel;

• (b) a plurality of rotatable tubular members rotatably secured along the length of said central tubular conduit, the interior of each of said rotatable tubular members being in fluid communication with the interior of said central tubular conduit;
• (c) plurality of tubular sparging elements secured at a ninety-degree angle to each of said plurality of rotatable tubular members, each of said plurality of tubular sparging elements being in fluid communication with the interior of the rotatable tubular member to which it is secured;
• and (d) a plurality of link arms secured to said plurality of rotatable tubular members such that said link arms can secure said rotatable members in a position normal to said central tubular conduit, comprising the steps of:
• (A) inserting the collapsible sparger through said flanged opening with the rotatable tubular members aligned with the axis of the central tubular conduit;
• (B) rotating the rotatable tubular member nearest the distal end into a position normal to the central tubular conduit;
• (C) withdrawing the collapsible sparger sufficient distance to secure the link arms of the tubular member nearest the distal end into position to secure the tubular member nearest the distal end in a position normal to the central tubular conduit;
• and
• (D) repeating the steps (A) through (C) for each successive rotatable tubular member from said distal end until all of said plurality of rotatable tubular members are secure in a position normal to said central tubular conduit.