WO2006049517A1

WO2006049517A1 - Mixing pump

Info

Publication number: WO2006049517A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2005/000295
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bryson Timney
Original assignee: Ausat Sinair Limited
Priority date: 2004-11-05
Filing date: 2005-11-07
Publication date: 2006-05-11
Also published as: AU2005301409A1; NZ536363A; ZA200704454B

Abstract

A mixing pump for mixing two or more fluids, the pump having at least two fluid reservoirs and at least one tube system that is in fluid communication with first and second fluid reservoirs. The first fluid is delivered into the first fluid reservoir under pressure and the first tube system is configured to draw in the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir by a Bernoulli effect.

Description

MIXING PUMP

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mixing pump. In particular, the invention relates to a mixing pump adapted to expose two or more fluids to a mixing environment.

BACKGROUND ART

The present invention has application to many different types of mixing applications. For example, the present invention may be used in relation to: - water purification, such as drinking water and swimming pool water treatment;

- saturation of a fluid with a gas, such as oxygen saturation of water for aquaculture or horticulture, carbon dioxide saturation of soft-drink mix and chlorine saturation of industrial effluent;

- cleansing of effluent fluid, such as river water, effluent from animal holding areas on farms or treatment of aquaculture or horticultural water;

- iron removal of water from various sources, such as farm bore water, industrial waste water and farm effluent;

- admixing two or more fluids, such as mixing paint to obtain a desired colour and consistency, mixing solvents to obtain a desired concentration of particular chemical, such as ethanol/water solutions.

However, it should be appreciated that this list should not be seen as limiting, as the present invention may also have application to other processes.

For ease of reference only, the present invention will now be described in relation to farming, and in particular, the treatment of bore water for use in animal nutrition and maintenance.

Iron and manganese are present in the earth's soil in amounts that differ from region to region. Dairy farms located in regions where these elements are present in large amounts in the soil, and which rely on bore water as a water supply, are known to have significant water quality problems. This is because water contaminants such as iron and manganese have a major effect on stock health and productivity. For example, they retard the ability of the animal to uptake trace elements in the normal manner, which necessitates remedial treatment by dietary supplementation with nutrients such as copper, zinc and magnesium.

They also have a severe effect on farm buildings and equipment, which is evident on yard floors, paintwork and machinery. For example, the effect of these contaminants necessitates regular and expensive acid treatment of the milking machinery and the annual refurbishment of the paintwork. Iron also forms a deposit on all pipe-work which restricts flow-rates.

The removal of these contaminants is known to provide dairy farmers with better profits by way of reduced maintenance bills, as well as a higher milk return. There is generally a noticeable and corresponding increase in water uptake by the dairy stock, with drinking behaviour noticeably more full and with less return visits than when water quality is poor.

There are a number of proprietary iron removal plants on the market. These typically use chemical oxidants and require professional installation and ongoing servicing due to their reliance on potent chemicals.

The cost of these units can thus be prohibitive to smaller-scale farmers and a major budgetary consideration to the larger dairy operations, which may require two or even three units to satisfy their requirements.

Iron and manganese are the most common form of detrimental contaminant in bore water, followed by nitrate. Oxidisation of the bore water, which assists in the removal of both iron and manganese, can be achieved by the use of chemical oxidants: chlorine and hydrogen peroxide are the two most common in use. These chemicals work to rapidly change the dissolved iron/manganese to a visible solid particle of oxide in the water body which, if large enough, can then be filtered out. Chlorine has a drawback in that it introduces odour, and both substances leave chemical byproducts in the water. This is adequate as long as the levels are kept very low, under 2 parts per million.

An alternative water-treatment means is ion-exchange, which has its own drawbacks. For example, in addition to exchanging nitrate, the resin beads will also take up sulfate in exchange for chloride. Accordingly, if sulfates are present in the water supply, the capacity of the resin to take up nitrate is reduced. Furthermore, the ion-exchange resin may also make the water corrosive. For this reason, the water must go through a neutralising system after going through the ion exchange unit. Backwash from the ion- exchange process is high in nitrate and thus must be disposed of properly so it does not re-contaminate groundwater supplies.

It is thus an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the reference states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

It is acknowledged that the term "comprise" may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term "comprise" shall have an inclusive meaning - ie that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term "comprised" or "comprising" is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process.

Further aspects and advantages or the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a mixing pump including: a first fluid reservoir having a fluid distribution aperture for a first fluid; a second fluid reservoir having a second distribution aperture for a second fluid; characterised in that the first fluid reservoir is connected to a first tube system which is in fluid communication with the second fluid reservoir such that when a first fluid is delivered under pressure to the first fluid reservoir via the first delivery aperture, the first fluid travels along the first tube system, and given the first tube system communicates with the second fluid reservoir, the velocity of the first fluid within the first tube system creates a Bernoulli effect upon the second fluid reservoir, that causes the introduction of the second fluid into the first tube system and as a result mixes the first and second fluids with one another.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a pump mixing apparatus including: a first fluid reservoir having a first distribution aperture for a first fluid; a second fluid reservoir having a second distribution aperture for a second fluid; characterised in that the first fluid reservoir is connected to a first tube system and is connected to a second tube system which both terminate in a mixing receptacle, wherein the first tube system is in fluid communication with the second fluid reservoir such that when a first fluid is delivered under pressure to the first fluid reservoir via the first distribution aperture, the first fluid travels along the first tube system and second tube system, and given the first tube system communicates with the second fluid reservoir, the velocity of the first fluid within the first tube system thereby has a Bernoulli effect upon the second fluid reservoir, that causes introduction of the second fluid into the first tube system and as a result mixes the first and second Fluids with one another, and delivers the first and second fluid mixture (FS Mixture) to the mixing receptacle; further characterised in that the pump also includes a third fluid reservoir containing a third fluid which is in communication with the second tube system such that the velocity of the first fluid within the second tube system has a Bernoulli effect upon the third fluid reservoir, that causes the introduction of the third fluid into the second tube system and as a result mixes the second and third fluids with one another, and delivers the first and third fluid mixture (FT Mixture) to the mixing receptacle where the respective velocities of the FS and FT mixtures exiting the first tube system and second tube system respectively acts to mix the FS and FT mixtures with one another.

In yet another form of the invention there is provided a mixing pump including: - a first fluid reservoir having a first distribution aperture for a first fluid; - a second fluid reservoir having a second distribution aperture for a second fluid;

- a third fluid reservoir having a third distribution aperture for a third fluid; characterised in that the first fluid reservoir is connected to a first tube system which is in fluid communication with the second fluid reservoir such that when a first fluid is delivered under pressure to the first fluid reservoir via the first distribution aperture, the first fluid travels along the first tube system, and given the first tube system communicates with the second fluid reservoir, the velocity of the first fluid within the first tube system creates a Bernoulli effect upon the second fluid reservoir, that causes the introduction of the second fluid into the first tube system and as a result mixes the first and second fluids with one another to form a first/second (FS) mixture; further characterised in that the apparatus includes a mixing receptacle and a second tube system in fluid communication with the third fluid reservoir, and wherein the first tube system delivers the FS mixture to the mixing receptacle, such that when the FS mixture exits the first tube system, the velocity of the FS mixture creates a Bernoulli effect upon the second tube system and third fluid reservoir, that causes the introduction of the third fluid into the mixing receptacle and as a result mixes the third fluid with the FS mixture.

Throughout this specification the term "fluid" refers to any material or substance which flows or moves whether in a semisolid, liquid, sludge, gas or any other form or state.

The first fluid reservoir may have a variety of different configurations, depending on the properties of the fluid it is to hold or the volume of fluid it is intended to hold. In general, the first fluid reservoir may be an at least substantially enclosed space, suitably adapted so that the first fluid can be received by the first fluid reservoir under pressure via the first distribution aperture.

The first tube system is shaped to conduct a first fluid from the first fluid reservoir and receive and conduct the second fluid via the second reservoir for the second fluid. The first tube system is configured to receive the first fluid under pressure.

The first tube system may comprise more than one tube, provided the tubes are placed in fluid communication with each other and are configured to create a Bernoulli effect upon the second fluid in the second fluid reservoir. Throughout this specification the term "fluid communication", when used in relation to reservoirs such as tubes and the like, refers to an arrangement of reservoirs that permits the passage of fluid therethrough. The reservoirs may be completely joined, partially joined or separated, but in each case fluid is permitted to pass through respective reservoirs.

As used throughout this specification, the term "Bernoulli effect" has its standard meaning accorded in the field of fluid dynamics, that is, that the pressure of a moving fluid is inversely proportional to the velocity of the fluid.

The delivery aperture for the first and second fluids may have a variety of different configurations, depending on the fluids to be delivered. The conduction of the second fluid through the delivery aperture to the second fluid aperture may be under pressure or without pressure. The second fluid travels into the second fluid reservoir and is drawn into the first tube system by the Bernoulli effect created by the first fluid traveling through the first tube system.

The second fluid reservoir is adapted to receive the second fluid through the second distribution aperture, and may have a variety of different configurations depending on the fluid to be received and the particular application for which the mixing pump is being used. In general, the second fluid reservoir may be an at least substantially enclosed space, suitably adapted so that it can receive the second fluid.

In a preferred embodiment, the mixing pump includes a mixing receptacle that is adapted to receive the fluids from at least the first tube system. The mixing receptacle may have a variety of different configurations, depending on the fluids to be mixed. For example, if the fluids to be mixed are gases, the mixing reservoir may comprise a gas- tight receptacle that is reinforced to withstand pressure exerted by gases that are mixed.

In one preferred form, the mixing pump includes a second tube system that is configured to draw the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the mixing receptacle. In a particularly preferred form, the second tube system comprises more than one tube, provided the tubes are placed in fluid communication with each other. Where the second tube system comprises two or more tubes in fluid communication, the mixing pump preferably includes a third fluid reservoir containing a third fluid, with the third fluid reservoir also being in fluid communication with the second tube system. The second tube system may be configured such that the inflow of the third fluid into the second tube system is induced by a Bernoulli effect that is caused by the flow of the first fluid through the second tube system.

Where the mixing pump includes a second tube system that is in fluid communication with both a first fluid reservoir and a third fluid reservoir, the pressure of delivery of the first fluid into the first fluid reservoir must be adequate to force the first fluid through the second tube system in order to create a Bernoulli effect.

In one embodiment, the third and first fluids are different.

In yet another embodiment, the third and first fluids are the same fluid.

The first fluid is delivered into the first fluid reservoir under pressure, such as by way of gravity or mechanical means. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure is achieved by way of a pump. The pump may have a variety of different configurations, depending on what type of fluid it is intended to pump. For example, an electric or mechanical pump may be employed. Suitable types of pumps include, but are not limited to, centrifugal pumps, positive displacement pumps such as reciprocating piston pumps, gear pumps and rotary pumps, jet pumps, air-lift pumps and propeller pumps.

The first and second tube systems may include more than one first and second tubes, respectively. For example, there may be a plurality or cluster of either the first or the second tubes, or a plurality of both the first and second tubes. Such an arrangement of a plurality of tubes is to deliver increased volumes of the first, second and third fluids at a high velocity and thus assist with mixing of the fluids.

The methods to which the present invention may be applied include, but should not be limited to:

- gas saturation of a fluid (eg carbonation, oxygenation etc) - admixing two fluids (eg paints, solvents, chemical reagents etc)

- water or effluent treatment/purification (eg killing of microbes, removal of chemical contaminants etc)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the pump shown in Figure 1

Figure 3 is a further schematic representation of a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is an exploded elevated view in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a side elevation of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With respect to Figures 1 to 5 there is provided a fluid mixing pump as generally indicated by arrow (1).

For ease of reference only, the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings will now be discussed in relation to liquid mixing applications, although this should not be seen as limiting other possible uses for the mixing pump of the present invention. The mixing pump (1) has a first fluid reservoir (2) that is configured to receive a first fluid in the form of water or other liquid under pressure through a first distribution aperture (3) in a direction as generally indicated by arrow (4) from an external pump (5) connected to a flavoured drink solution (6), as shown in Figure 2, or a bore water supply (7), as shown in Figure 3.

The first fluid reservoir (2) is in fluid communication with a first tube system, generally indicated as (8) and optionally at least one second tube system (9). In Figures 1 to 4, there is shown second tube systems each comprising two tubes (10a, 10b). The second tube systems (9) are configured to be in fluid communication with the first fluid reservoir (2). A different configuration is shown in Figure 5, where there is shown a second tube system comprising a continuous tube (10) that does not communicate with the first fluid reservoir (2).

While the present examples are shown as having at least one second tube system (9), the skilled person will readily appreciate that the mixing pumps of the present invention may have only one or more first tube systems (8).

The fluid mixing pump (1) also includes a second fluid reservoir (12), which receives a second fluid in the form of air and ozone (Figures 1 , 3 and 5) or carbon dioxide (Figure 2) through a through a second distribution aperture (13) that receives air via an air intake filter (14) and ozone via an ozone generator (15) (Figures 1 and 3) or a carbon dioxide tank (15') (Figure 2), in a general direction as indicated by arrow (16). As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the second fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the first tube system (8), which in the present examples is by way of a bifurcation from part of the first tube system (8'). As can be seen from the different configurations of Figures 1 and 5, it is to be clearly understood that there are a number of arrangements of the first and second fluid reservoirs (2, 12) and first tube systems (8) that permit fluid communication between the first tube system (8) and respective first and second reservoirs (2, 12).

A third fluid reservoir (17) is in fluid communication with the second tube system as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 5. A third fluid may pass from the third fluid reservoir (17) through part of the second tube system generally indicated as 10a' and 10b'. Alternatively, the third fluid can pass through the entire second tube system (9), as shown in Figure 5. The third fluid reservoir (17) is configured to receive fluid either directly, such as when the mixing pump (1) is immersed in a body of water such as a tank (18) (Figure 3) or indirectly by a conduit (19) when the mixing pump (1) is placed adjacent to a body of fluid such as a flavoured drink solution (Figure 2).

The fluid in the third fluid reservoir (17) can be the same as the first fluid, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, or it can be different from the first fluid, as shown in Figure 5, where the third fluid that is received by the third fluid reservoir is ethanol, the first fluid in this example being water.

A tube-shaped mixing receptacle (20) may be configured to receive first, second and third fluids from the first and second tube systems (8, 9).

An alternative arrangement for the first and second tube systems is shown in Figure 4, wherein the three innermost tube systems shown represent first tube systems (8a, 8b, 8c) and the six outermost tube systems represent second tube systems (9a-9f). In such a configuration the respective tube systems are arranged in groups or clusters, however, the skilled person will appreciate that any arrangement of the respective first and second tube systems will be suitable for achieving appropriate mixing of the first fluid (ie water or drink mixture), the second fluid (ie air and ozone or carbon dioxide) and the third fluid (ie water or drink mixture).

A further arrangement for the first and second tube systems (8, 9) is shown in Figure 5, where the first tube system (8) communicates with the first and second reservoirs (2, 12), and the second tube system (9) communicates only with the third fluid reservoir (17).

In operation, the liquid to be mixed is pumped into the first fluid reservoir (2) by a pump (5) and flows through the first tube system (8) and may also travel through the second tube system (9) under pressure, as shown in Figures 1 to 4. In all examples shown, a Bernoulli effect is created in the second fluid reservoir (12) by the passage of the first fluid through the first tube system (8), which draws in large volumes of air and ozone or carbon dioxide gas from the second fluid reservoir (12) into the first tube system (8). The air and ozone or carbon dioxide are distributed as small particles or bubbles among the water to be treated within the first tube system (8) and delivered into the mixing receptacle (20).

A Bernoulli effect may also be created in the third fluid reservoir (17) by the pumping of the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir (2) through the second tube system and through the third fluid reservoir (17). Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, there is no fluid communication between the first and third fluid reservoirs (2, 17). The Bernoulli effect in Figures 1 to 4 draws the fluid in the third fluid reservoir into the second tube system such that it mixes with the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir (2). In Figure 5, the velocity of the first and second fluids as they exit the first tubing system (8) in the mixing receptacle (20) creates a Bernoulli effect in the third receptacle (17) and second tube system (9).

The third fluid may thus be drawn from a body of fluid such as water, in which the mixing pump is immersed, as in one embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 3.

With respect to Figure 2, where there is shown an alternative embodiment of the invention, the third fluid may be delivered from a body of drink mixture to the third fluid reservoir (17) via a suitable conduit (19) into the second tube systems (1Oa', 10b') under a Bernoulli effect created by the passage of the first fluid through the second tube systems (9).

In relation to Figure 5, where there is shown yet a further alternative embodiment of the invention, a third fluid such as ethanol can be distributed from the third fluid reservoir (17) independently of the first fluid (purified water) and second fluid (air), in order to create an aerated water/ethanol mix.

In applications of the mixing pump where there is water exposed to air and ozone, water contaminants such as manganese and algae undergo oxidization, and the water is thereby cleansed. Where ferrous (uncomplexed) iron is a contaminant in a water or other fluid supply, it undergoes oxidization to its ferrous (solid, complexed) form as ferric hydroxide or ferric oxide, depending on the pH of the water supply. Ferric hydroxide or ferric oxide may be optionally filtered out from the treated water using a filter (21 ) having appropriately sized pores for ferric hydroxide filtration. Other suitable filters and particulate removers may also be used in series with the mixing pump of the present invention to remove other particulate matter, such as sand or other soil contaminants. In the context of pool or aquaculture water, a scum skimmer (not shown) may also be desirable.

Additionally, it may also be desirable to use the mixing pumps of the present invention in combination with pH meters and/or adjustment devices, such as a high-volume, automated system placed in series with an inflow and/or an outflow fluid source.

As shown in Figure 2, in the context of carbonation of softdrink, a refrigeration unit (22) may be desirable in order to increase the solubility of the second fluid, that is, the carbon dioxide gas within the first fluid, the drinking mixture.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A mixing pump including:

a first fluid reservoir having a fluid distribution aperture for a first fluid;

- a second fluid reservoir having a second distribution aperture for a second fluid;

characterised in that the first fluid reservoir is connected to a first tube system which is in fluid communication with the second fluid reservoir such that when a first fluid is delivered under pressure to the first fluid reservoir via the first delivery aperture, the first fluid travels along the first tube system, and given the first tube system communicates with the second fluid reservoir, the velocity of the first fluid within the first tube system creates a Bernoulli effect upon the second fluid reservoir, that causes the introduction of the second fluid into the first tube system and as a result mixes the first and second fluids with one another.

2. The mixing pump of claim 1 , further including a mixing receptacle adapted to receive the first and second fluids from the first tube system.

3. The mixing pump of claim 2, further including a second tube system in fluid communication with the first reservoir and the mixing receptacle.

4. The mixing pump of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first fluid is delivered under pressure by a pump.

5. The mixing pump of any one of claims 2 to 4, further including a plurality of first and/or second tube systems.

6. The mixing pump of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the mixing pump is adapted for placement within a receptacle, the receptacle containing a volume of the first fluid.

7. The mixing pump of claim any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the mixing pump is adapted for placement adjacent to a receptacle containing a volume of the first fluid.

8. The mixing pump of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fluid is a liquid.

9. The mixing pump of one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first fluid is a gas.

10. The mixing pump of one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second fluid is a liquid.

11. The mixing pump of one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second fluid is a gas.

12. The mixing pump of claim 10, wherein the first fluid is water or effluent.

13. The mixing pump of one of claim 11 , wherein the second fluid includes air.

14. The mixing pump of claim 11 , wherein the second fluid includes ozone.

15. The mixing pump of claim 11 , wherein the second fluid includes air and ozone.

16. The mixing pump of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the ozone is fed into the second distribution aperture of the second fluid reservoir by a bulb-generator.

17. A mixing pump including:

a first fluid reservoir having a first distribution aperture for a first fluid;

a second fluid reservoir having a second distribution aperture for a second fluid;

characterised in that the first fluid reservoir is connected to a first tube system and is connected to a second tube system which both terminate in a mixing receptacle, wherein the first tube system is in fluid communication with the second fluid reservoir such that when a first fluid is delivered under pressure to the first fluid reservoir via the first distribution aperture, the first fluid travels along the first tube system and second tube system, and given the first tube system communicates with the second fluid reservoir, the velocity of the first fluid within the first tube system thereby has a Bernoulli effect upon the second fluid reservoir, that causes introduction of the second fluid into the first tube system and as a result mixes the first and second fluids with one another, and delivers the first and second fluid mixture (FS mixture) to the mixing receptacle; further characterised in that the pump also includes a third fluid reservoir containing a third fluid which is in communication with the second tube system such that the velocity of the first fluid within the second tube system has a Bernoulli effect upon the third fluid reservoir, that causes the introduction of the third fluid into the second tube system and as a result mixes the second and third fluids with one another, and delivers the first and third fluid mixture (FT Mixture) to the mixing receptacle where the respective velocities of the FS and FT mixtures exiting the first tube system and second tube system respectively acts to mix the FS and ST mixtures with one another.

18. The mixing pump of claim 17, wherein the first fluid is delivered under pressure by a pump.

19. The mixing pump of claim 17 or claim 18, further including a plurality of first and/or second tube systems.

20. The mixing pump of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the mixing pump is adapted for placement within a receptacle, the receptacle containing a volume of the first fluid.

21. The mixing pump of claim any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the mixing pump is adapted for placement adjacent to a receptacle, the receptacle containing a volume of the first fluid.

22. The mixing pump of any one of claims 17 to 21 , wherein the first fluid is a liquid.

23. The mixing pump of one of claims 17 to 21 , wherein the first fluid is a gas.

24. The mixing pump of one of claims17 to 23, wherein the second fluid is a liquid.

25. The mixing pump of one claims 17 to 23, wherein the second fluid is a gas.

26. The mixing pump of claim 22, wherein the first fluid is water or effluent.

27. The mixing pump of claim 25, wherein the second fluid includes air.

28. The mixing pump of claim 25, wherein the second fluid includes ozone.

29. The mixing pump of one of claim 27, wherein the second fluid further includes ozone.

30. The mixing pump of claim 28 or claim 29, wherein the ozone is fed into the second distribution aperture of the second fluid reservoir by a bulb-generator.

31. A mixing pump including:

a first fluid reservoir having a first distribution aperture for a first fluid;

- a third fluid reservoir having a third distribution aperture for a third fluid;

characterised in that the first fluid reservoir is connected to a first tube system which is in fluid communication with the second fluid reservoir such that when a first fluid is delivered under pressure to the first fluid reservoir via the first distribution aperture, the first fluid travels along the first tube system, and given the first tube system communicates with the second fluid reservoir, the velocity of the first fluid within the first tube system creates a Bernoulli effect upon the second fluid reservoir, that causes the introduction of the second fluid into the first tube system and as a result mixes the first and second fluids with one another to form a first/second (FS) mixture;

further characterised in that the apparatus includes a mixing receptacle and a second tube system in fluid communication with the third fluid reservoir, and wherein the first tube system delivers the FS mixture to the mixing receptacle, such that when the FS mixture exits the first tube system, the velocity of the FS mixture creates a

Bernoulli effect upon the second tube system and third fluid reservoir, that causes the introduction of the third fluid into the mixing receptacle and as a result mixes the third fluid with the FS mixture.

32. A mixing pump, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.