Vena contracta

Abstract

A vena contracta, converging/diverging nozzle, or orifice plate that allows the saturation of oxygen in water to exceed 100 percent is disclosed. A flow of water is directed toward the outlet end of the vena contracta, converging/diverging nozzle, or orifice plate and a flow of air is directed into the inlet end thereof. The direction of the flow of water is opposite to the direction of the flow of air. The flow of air passes through an orifice in the vena contracta or converging/diverging nozzle, or through the orifice plate and creates a shock wave adjacent the outlet end thereof. The shock wave creates a mass transfer interface permitting the saturation of oxygen in the water to exceed 100 percent. The supersaturated water then exits past the vena contracta, converging/diverging nozzle, or orifice plate for discharge through a piping system into a pond, water reservoir or such containment area as is required by a particular application.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.