Fine bubble generating apparatus

Abstract

A fine bubble generating apparatus aiming at reducing diameters of bubbles generated through outer surface of a hollow fiber by giving a running speed to liquid contacting the surface of the fiber without utilizing mechanical power developed by a pump or the like. The fine bubble generating apparatus comprises a cylindrical device (1, 4 or 11) which is open in the upper and lower ends thereof and disposed in a liquid stored in a liquid vessel (8), the lower of the cylindrical device spaced apart from the inner surface of the bottom of the vessel; a passage (6 or 6a) which is narrow in width and formed inside the cylindrical device so as to extend vertically and whose upper and lower ends are open; a hollow fiber (3) which has a predetermined length and is inserted and held in the passage so as to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the passage and whose leading end is blocked; and a pressurized gas supply pipe connected to an open base end of the hollow fiber to supply pressurized gas into the interior of the fiber.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.