Mixing apparatus

Apparatus for mixing dry particulate material and a liquid diluent, said apparatus comprising:

• mixing structure including first and second bodies, said first body including a first nozzle portion having a first frustoconical inner surface defining an opening through said first body and a frustoconical outer surface, said first body having a circular cavity therein surrounding said first nozzle portion, said second body including a second nozzle portion having a second frustoconical inner surface defining an opening through said second body, means interconnecting said first and second bodies in an assembled condition to form said mixing structure with said first and second inner frustoconical surfaces cooperating to define a first path extending through said mixing structure and converging toward an exit end thereof, said second body cooperating with said cavity to define an annular chamber encircling said nozzle portions, said outer frustoconical surface being spaced from said second inner frustoconical surface for cooperation therewith to define an annular nozzle opening providing communication between said chamber and said first path, means for feeding particulate material to said first path, means for feeding liquid diluent into said chamber along a second path substantially tangent thereto for establishing a swirling flow of liquid around said nozzle portions and into said nozzle opening thereby to direct into said first path a hollow, swirling, frustoconical stream of liquid diluent, said stream of liquid diluent wetting and mixing with the particulate material and cooperating with said first frustoconical inner surface for forming a Venturi to draw particulate material into said first path, and secondary mixing means communicating with said first path for receiving the mixture of particulate material and liquid diluent therefrom and effecting further mixing thereof.