METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCTION OF AIR INGESTION DURING MIXING

A mixing tank is disclosed for reducing ingestion across an interface. The tank may include a first zone including most of the volume of the tank; a second zone including the interface; a source of mixing energy configured to provide a first bulk energy dissipation rate in the first zone; a divider located between said first zone and said second zone inhibiting transfer of said mixing energy from said first zone to said second zone to preserve in said second zone a bulk power dissipation level less than a said first bulk power dissipation level; and a mass transport passageway between said first zone and said second zone for preserving a uniformity between the first and second zones. A method is disclosed for manufacturing a mixing tank and for retrofitting and existing mixing tank and for managing mixing to prevent air ingestion.