An apparatus (10) and a method for mixing or dissolving a particulate solid such as a granular chemical (12) in a liquid such as water (14) to form a liquid solution (16) of substantially homogeneous concentration. The apparatus (10) comprises a vessel (18) having an inlet (34) in fluid communication with an outlet (32). A conical frustum (24) is formed at its largest diameter end with the outlet (32). The smallest diameter end of the conical frustum (24) is downstream of the largest diameter end of the conical frustum (24). A suction line (26) connected at one end to the smallest diameter end of the conical frustum (24) is connected at an opposite end to a pump (28). A discharge line (30) is plumbed downstream from the pump (28) and connected to the vessel (18) at the inlet (34). The water (14) or solution (16) can be pumped from the outlet (32) through the conical frustum (24) and the suction line (26), by the pump (28), and discharged through the discharge line (30) to the inlet (34) and returned to the vessel (18) through a flow nozzle (22). The flow nozzle (22) comprises a tube formed in the shape of an elbow and is connected at one end to the vessel (18) at the inlet (34). The flow nozzle (22) is shaped to direct the water (14) or solution (16) in a direction which is substantially parallel to an inside surface of the vessel (18) adjacent the inlet (34) such that the water (14) or solution (16) is given a substantially circular flow (36). The method comprises recirculating water (14) through the vessel (18) via the conical frustum (24), the suction line (26), the pump (28) and the discharge line (30). The combined action of recirculation and the substantially circular flow created by the flow nozzle (22) and conical frustum (24) mixes or dissolves the granular chemical (12), for example, added to the water (14).