Oxygenating apparatus, method for oxygenating liquid therewith, and applications thereof

A therapeutic process which comprises carrying out a therapeutic treatment of a body with an agent comprising an oxygen enriched liquid as a vehicle, the liquid having been prepared by a process which comprises the steps of:

• providing a sealed oxygen enriching space having a turbulent mixer comprising a generally tubular section disposed therein;
• maintaining an oxygen pressure of at least 40 psi in the sealed oxygen enriching space;
• introducing the liquid through a liquid inlet into the sealed oxygen enriching space;
• introducing oxygen through an oxygen inlet into the sealed oxygen enriching space;
• passing the liquid and the oxygen through the turbulent mixer to thereby generate turbulence in the liquid and the oxygen to dissolve the oxygen into the water, wherein said step of providing a sealed oxygen enriching space comprises providing an enriching space having a venturi for introducing oxygen into the liquid before substantially dissolving the introduced oxygen in the liquid in said turbulent mixer;
• and recovering oxygen-enriched liquid having a dissolved oxygen concentration of at least 40 mg/l from said turbulent mixer.

A fermentation process which comprises fermenting a fermentation liquor comprising an oxygen enriched liquid prepared by a process which comprises the steps of:

• providing a sealed oxygen enriching space having a turbulent mixer comprising a generally tubular section disposed therein;
• maintaining an oxygen pressure of at least 40 psi in the sealed oxygen enriching space;
• introducing the liquid through a liquid inlet into the sealed oxygen enriching space;
• introducing oxygen through an oxygen inlet into the sealed oxygen enriching space;
• passing the liquid and the oxygen through the turbulent mixer to thereby generate turbulence in the liquid and the oxygen to dissolve the oxygen into the water, wherein said step of providing a sealed oxygen enriching space comprises providing an enriching space having a venturi for introducing oxygen into the liquid before substantially dissolving the introduced oxygen in the liquid in said turbulent mixer;
• and
• recovering oxygen-enriched liquid having an oxygen content of at least 40 mg/l oxygen.

An apparatus for enriching a liquid with oxygen to a dissolved oxygen concentration level of at least 40 mg/l comprising:

• a liquid inlet, a sealed enriching space including a turbulent mixer having a generally tubular section for mixing oxygen into said liquid;
• a venturi including an oxygen inlet, said ventrui being disposed between said liquid inlet and said turbulent mixer for introducing an oxygen and liquid mixture into said turbulent mixer;
• means for maintaining a sufficient oxygen pressure in the sealed enriching space to enrich said liquid;
• and an outlet for recovering said liquid having a dissolved oxygen concentration level of at least 40 mg/l from said apparatus.