Low shear polymer dissolution apparatus

An apparatus for dispersing solid particles in a liquid, said apparatus comprising a conduit for transporting a liquid and solid particles while said solid particles are being dispersed in said liquid, said conduit having an inlet and an outlet, said solid particles having a tendency to agglomerate, a plurality of dispersal members disposed within and spaced apart along the length of a portion of said conduit so as to encounter the solid particles which are entrained in the liquid, said plurality of dispersal members promoting the dispersal of the solid particles within the liquid without subjecting the solid particles to high shear rates, each of said plurality of dispersal members is sized so as to permit the liquid and any dissolved solids contained therein to pass therethrough essentially unrestrained while any agglomeration of said particles tends to break up into its constituent particles upon encountering one of said dispersal members, and a retainer connected to the outlet of the conduit with said retainer having openings of a predetermined maximum size to retain undissolved solid particles until they are reduced to the predetermined maximum size, thereby providing a low shear environment for the dispersal of said solid particles while protecting said solid particles.