BigPatents India

A drive for powering an agitator in a chemical process vessel may be located inside a housing attached to the vessel and may have a motor that drives a shaft that is attached to an agitator assembly inside the vessel. The shaft may pass into the vessel through a floor in the housing, which may be provided with a standpipe to prevent the flow of fluid on the floor into the vessel. A shield attached to the shaft may be provided above the standpipe to prevent fluid from entering the standpipe from above. In addition, a sump may be provided to allow effective lubrication and cooling for bearings that support the shaft. (FIG). 2