The HyperSparge™ injects air or oxygen into the process slurry or solution at supersonic velocities. The unique nozzle profile differs from other sparging technologies by accelerating the gas stream to supersonic velocities, resulting in very high rates of shear at the point of injection. These high local shear rates dramatically improve the gas-liquid interfacial area, resulting in efficient and reliable gas mass transfer.

The HyperSparge™ is designed to be inserted through multiple locations on the circumference of the process vessel. For oxidative leaching applications at least three injection points are recommended as this affords three zones of high intensity mixing and mass transfer opportunity.

The HyperSparge™ is offered in a range of pipe lengths to ensure that every client can inject gas into the quiescent zone of the reactor where highest gas holdup will be achieved. This is in comparison to “down the shaft” injection systems where the gas in injected into a zone where the fluid flow is often upwards and oxygen is easily wasted.

High gas injection velocities ensure the sparger nozzle is self-cleaning. The ceramic nozzle is housed within a SAF2507 nozzle holder to ensure long nozzle life. On one Glencore site, nozzles have not been changed in 10 years.