A spherical mesh bubble trapping device for collecting and converging multi-directional microbubbles

Abstract

This invention discloses a spherical mesh bubble capture device for collecting and converging multi-directional microbubbles, belonging to the field of bubble energy harvesting technology. To address the problem of inefficiently collecting the potential energy of seabed bubbles due to their small size, dispersed distribution, and random movement, this invention discloses a spherical mesh bubble capture device, comprising a transverse spindle structure and a longitudinal arc structure. The arc structure and the spindle structure are intersected by spindle segments, both possessing superaerophilic surfaces. The transverse spindle structure relies on its superaerophilic surface to adsorb and capture microbubbles from various directions, and utilizes the Laplace pressure generated by its geometric gradient to drive the bubbles from the tips of the two conical sections towards the central spindle segment. The longitudinal arc structure uses buoyancy to drive the bubbles to slide upwards from the spindle segment and converge at the top of the spherical surface. This invention can significantly improve the capture rate of multi-directionally dispersed microbubbles and the efficiency of bubble energy harvesting for power generation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention pertains to bubble collection technology in the field of bubble energy harvesting, and particularly relates to a spherical mesh bubble capture device for collecting and converging multi-directional microbubbles. Background Technology

[0002] Scientific missions and engineering needs such as deep-sea resource exploration, seabed energy development, and the protection of the marine environment and ecological security have spurred the development of in-situ seabed observation technologies. For long-term, in-situ, real-time sensing and detection on the seabed, the power supply remains a critical challenge. Vapors widely distributed on the seabed, such as eutrophic bubbles released by benthic plant photosynthesis and methane bubbles released from the seabed, contain potential energy that represents a promising in-situ seabed energy source. However, these seabed bubbles are numerous but tiny, typically ranging in size from 50 μm to 4 mm in radius, and are spatially dispersed with random movement, exhibiting a gas phase volume fraction as low as 10⁻⁶. -4 Up to 10 -7 These gases are on the order of millimeters. Their volume is extremely small, the buoyancy they experience is very weak, and their rising speed is slow. Microbubbles with diameters below millimeters have rising speeds as low as 0.05 m / s, typically exhibiting characteristics of drifting and random motion in water. The dispersed spatial distribution and random movement direction of microbubbles pose a significant challenge to the efficient harvesting and utilization of bubble potential energy. To collect the energy from dispersed microbubbles on the seabed, effective technical means must be adopted to efficiently collect and converge these randomly moving microbubbles in multiple directions and transport them to the inlet of the bubble energy harvesting device. Existing bubble harvesting technologies typically utilize funnel structures or hydrophobic and anaerobic material surfaces to collect bubbles in the water. However, funnel structures have a small effective collection area, limited to a portion of rising bubbles within the area covered by the inner wall of the funnel, and cannot collect bubbles moving in other directions around the outer wall of the funnel, resulting in a low bubble capture rate. Furthermore, hydrophobic and anaerobic materials can typically only adsorb bubbles and cannot rapidly transport and converge them. Therefore, for seabed dispersed microbubble energy harvesting devices, there is an urgent need to invent a bubble capture device that can efficiently collect and converge dispersed microbubbles from all directions and transport the collected gas to the energy harvesting device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the challenge of efficiently collecting the potential energy of seabed bubbles due to their tiny size, dispersed distribution, and random motion, this invention provides a spherical mesh bubble capture device for collecting and converging microbubbles from multiple directions. Installed below the gas storage device of a bubble energy harvesting system, this device significantly improves the capture rate of dispersed microbubbles in various directions and rapidly transports, converges, and delivers the collected gas to the gas storage device. Specifically, the device includes several transverse spindle structures and several longitudinal arc structures. Both the spindle and arc structures possess superhydrophobic and superaerophilic surfaces to facilitate the capture, transport, and convergence of dispersed microbubbles in the water.

[0004] The spindle structure is distributed along the spherical weft direction of the spherical mesh bubble trapping device, and is spindle-shaped with a thicker middle and thinner ends. The thicker middle part is the spindle segment, and the thinner ends are the conical structure. The super-aerobic conical surface of the conical structure is used to provide Laplace pressure from the tip of the cone to the spindle segment in the direction of the cone, driving the trapped bubble to move rapidly from the tip of the cone to the spindle segment.

[0005] The arc structure is distributed along the spherical meridian of the spherical mesh bubble capturing device. The arc structure and the spindle section in the middle of the spindle structure are connected to each other to ensure that after the bubble moves to the spindle section, it can be quickly transferred to the surface of the arc structure and continue to be transported and converged rapidly upward along the arc structure, and enter the gas storage device of the bubble energy harvesting system for accumulation.

[0006] On the surface of the spherical mesh bubble capture device for collecting and converging multidirectional microbubbles, the bubble capture, transport, and convergence processes all rely on the Laplace pressure at the gas-liquid interface and the buoyancy of the bubbles themselves, consuming no energy and requiring no external power supply. The arc structures are symmetrically distributed on the spherical surface, and the arc structures and the spindle structures together form a complete spherical mesh structure, thereby capturing bubbles in all directions around the spherical surface. The conical structures between any two adjacent arc structures are staggered to appropriately reduce the gap width between adjacent conical structures, reduce the probability of bubbles passing through the gap, increase the chance of bubbles colliding with the conical structures, and improve the bubble capture rate. Both the spindle structure and the arc structure are made of polymer materials or corrosion-resistant alloy materials. The cone half-angle of the conical structure ranges from 3 to 15°, and can be appropriately adjusted according to the lateral spacing between two adjacent arc structures.

[0007] By employing the above-mentioned technical solution, this invention provides a spherical mesh bubble capture device for collecting and converging multi-directional microbubbles. This device utilizes a spherical mesh structure, possessing a large projected area and bubble receiving area in all directions, enabling comprehensive adsorption of dispersed microbubbles from all directions, thereby significantly improving the capture rate of multi-directional dispersed microbubbles. In addition to improving the bubble capture rate, this device also features rapid automatic bubble transport and convergence, enabling the rapid delivery of collected gas to the gas storage device of the bubble energy harvesting system, thereby improving the average gas intake rate and power generation capacity of the energy harvesting system. Furthermore, this device is simple in structure, highly practical, and environmentally friendly. Relying on its super-aerophilic spherical mesh structure to adsorb and capture dispersed microbubbles in water, it efficiently collects gas without consuming any energy. It is not only suitable for seabed dispersed microbubble energy harvesting systems but also has broad application prospects in industrial water treatment and gas-liquid separation. Attached Figure Description

[0008] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0009] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the spherical mesh bubble trapping device for collecting and converging multi-directional microbubbles according to the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of a basic unit in the device of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a process diagram illustrating the contact, capture, transport, and convergence of bubbles in the device of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the device of the present invention after it is installed at the lower end of the bubble energy harvesting system.

[0013] In the diagram: 1. Spindle structure, 2. Arc structure, 11. Spindle section, 12. Conical structure. Detailed Implementation

[0014] To make the technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention:

[0015] like Figure 1The spherical mesh bubble capture device shown includes several transverse spindle structures 1 and several longitudinal arc structures 2. Both the spindle structures 1 and the arc structures 2 have superhydrophobic and superaerophilic surfaces to facilitate the capture, transport, and aggregation of microbubbles moving randomly in multiple directions in water.

[0016] like Figure 2 As shown, the spindle structure 1 is distributed along the spherical weft direction of the spherical mesh bubble trapping device, and is spindle-shaped with a thicker middle and thinner ends. The thicker middle part is the spindle segment 11, and the thinner ends are the conical structure 12. The super-aerophilic conical surface of the conical structure 12 is used to provide Laplace pressure from the tip of the cone to the spindle segment 11 at the root of the cone, driving the trapped bubbles to move rapidly from the tip of the cone to the spindle segment 11. The arc structure 2 is distributed along the spherical warp direction of the spherical mesh bubble trapping device. The arc structure 2 is intersected and connected to the spindle segment 11 in the middle of the spindle structure 1 to ensure that after the bubbles move to the spindle segment 11, they can quickly transfer to the surface of the arc structure 2 and continue to be transported and converged rapidly upward along the arc structure 2.

[0017] like Figure 3 As shown, the working process of the spherical mesh bubble capture device for collecting and converging multidirectional microbubbles disclosed in this invention is as follows: Bubbles in water are originally spherical. During their movement, the bubbles collide with the conical structures 12 at both ends of the spindle structure 1. Because the spindle structure 1 has a superaerophilic surface, the bubbles are immediately adsorbed and captured upon contact with the superaerophilic surface of the conical structure 12, adhering to the conical surface of the conical structure 12, and the bubbles change from a spherical shape to a streamlined shape. Since the radius of curvature of the streamlined gas-liquid interface is smaller closer to the tip of the conical structure 12, and the Laplace pressure difference is larger, a Laplace pressure F pointing towards the spindle section 11 is generated at the gas-liquid interface. γ Subsequently, the captured bubble is subjected to Laplace pressure F. γ Driven, the bubble is automatically transported to the spindle section 11. After the bubble moves to the spindle section 11, the component of its own buoyancy along the tangent direction of the arc structure 2, F... b Under the influence of [the material], it begins to be transported upward along the arc structure 2, and finally converges at the top center of the spherical mesh bubble capture device.

[0018] like Figure 4As shown, the specific working process of the spherical mesh bubble capture device for collecting and converging multi-directional microbubbles disclosed in this invention in a bubble energy harvesting system is as follows: The spherical mesh bubble capture device is installed below the gas storage device 3 of the seabed bubble energy harvesting system, with the entire device completely submerged underwater and placed in the seabed bubble leakage area. Dispersed microbubbles moving in multiple directions in the water are collected and converged at the top of the spherical surface by the spherical mesh bubble capture device, and then enter the gas storage device 3 for accumulation. After the gas accumulation reaches a threshold, it enters the gas-liquid mixing chamber 5 through the perforated plate 4 above the gas storage device 3. The bubbles mix with the water flowing in from the inlet 55 to form a gas-liquid two-phase flow, which enters the bubble rising pipe 6. The gas-liquid two-phase flow flows upward, driving the turbine generator 7 to rotate and generate electricity, ultimately completing the harvesting of bubble energy.

[0019] This invention efficiently collects and aggregates microbubbles dispersed in water undergoing multi-directional random motion into a concentrated gas, which is then input into a bubble energy harvesting system. This not only effectively improves the capture rate of multi-directional microbubbles but also enhances the average air intake rate and output power of the bubble energy harvesting system. The potential energy of dispersed microbubbles, which is normally difficult for energy harvesting systems to collect, is aggregated by this invention into directly usable concentrated gas buoyancy potential energy, which is ultimately converted into electrical energy output. This provides in-situ power for various distributed seabed in-situ sensing and detection devices and offers key technology for the construction of self-powered seabed observation networks.

[0020] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A spherical mesh bubble trapping device for collecting and converging multi-directional microbubbles, characterized in that: The device is a sphere, which includes multiple horizontally arranged spindle structures (1) and vertically arranged arc structures (2). The spindle structures (1) and arc structures (2) have superhydrophobic and superaerophilic surfaces for capturing, transporting and aggregating microbubbles dispersed in water. The spindle structure (1) is distributed along the spherical weft direction of the spherical mesh bubble trapping device and is spindle-shaped with a thicker middle and thinner ends. The thicker middle part is the spindle section (11) and the thinner ends are the conical structure (12). The super-aerobic conical surface of the conical structure (12) is used to provide Laplace pressure from the tip of the cone to the spindle section (11) at the root of the cone, driving the trapped bubble to move from the tip of the cone to the spindle section (11). The arc structure (2) is distributed along the spherical meridian of the spherical mesh bubble capturing device. The arc structure (2) is intersected with the spindle section (11) in the middle of the spindle structure (1) to form a whole, thereby controlling the bubble to move to the spindle section (11) and then transfer to the surface of the arc structure (2), and continue to be transported and converged upward along the arc structure (2) under the action of bubble buoyancy.

2. The spherical mesh bubble capturing device for collecting and converging multi-directional microbubbles according to claim 1, characterized in that: During its movement, the water bubble comes into contact with and collides with the conical structures (12) at both ends of the spindle structure (1). After contacting the superaerophilic surface of the conical structure (12), the bubble is adsorbed and captured, adhering to the conical surface of the conical structure (12). The bubble changes from a spherical shape to a streamlined shape, and a Laplace pressure F is generated at the gas-liquid interface pointing in the direction of the spindle joint (11). γ The trapped bubbles are subjected to Laplace pressure F γ Driven, the bubble is automatically transported to the spindle section (11). After the bubble moves to the spindle section (11), the component of its own buoyancy along the tangent direction of the circular arc structure (2) is F. b Under the influence of the material, it begins to be transported upward along the arc structure (2) and eventually converges at the top center of the spherical mesh bubble capture device.

3. The spherical mesh bubble capturing device for collecting and converging multi-directional microbubbles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The arc structure (2) is symmetrically distributed on the spherical surface. The arc structure (2) and the spindle structure (1) together form a complete spherical mesh structure, thereby achieving the capture of bubbles in all directions around the spherical surface.

4. The spherical mesh bubble capturing device for collecting and converging multi-directional microbubbles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conical structures (12) between any two adjacent circular arc structures (2) are staggered, thereby reducing the gap width between two adjacent conical structures (12).

5. The spherical mesh bubble capturing device for collecting and converging multi-directional microbubbles according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the spindle structure (1) and the arc structure (2) are made of polymer materials or corrosion-resistant alloy materials.

6. The spherical mesh bubble capturing device for collecting and converging multi-directional microbubbles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cone half-angle of the cone structure (12) is in the range of 3 to 15°, and is appropriately adjusted according to the lateral spacing between two adjacent arc structures (2).

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