Aerodynamic separation nozzle

Abstract

Multiple designs and methods for aerodynamic separation nozzles and systems for integrating multiple aerodynamic separation nozzles into a single system are disclosed herein. These aerodynamic separation nozzles utilize a combination of aerodynamic forces and separation nozzle structure to induce large centrifugal forces on the fluids that in combination with the structure of the nozzle are used to separate heavier constituents of the fluid from lighter constituents, and more particularly to separate a first or liquid phase from gaseous phases. In some embodiments a number of separation nozzles are combined into a single system suitable for dynamic processing of a process gas. In other embodiments the separation nozzles are temperature controlled to condition the incoming gas to a temperature in order to encourage a phase change in certain constituents of the gas to occur within the nozzle to further enhance separation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 563,301, filed Nov. 23, 2011; U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 583,853, filed Jan. 6, 2012; and U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 590,580, filed Jan. 25, 2012. Each patent application identified above is incorporated here by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The subject matter described herein relates to devices, systems, and methods related to the separation and concentration or depletion of various constituents of a flow or gas, including gas species, particles, phase separation within the same specie of fluid, the separation of compressible fluids from non compressible fluids, and so forth.BACKGROUND[0003]Aerodynamic separation of gas constituents is useful for a number of industrial and commercial applications. An aerodynamic separation nozzle, or, as used herein, a separation nozzle, uses aerodynamic effects and forces...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0062]Cooled or heated nozzles can produce flows that can have variable parameters that effect performance, intensify density, velocity, and by adjusting the nozzle stagnation temperature allowance can be made to control condensation. For example, cooled nozzles can be operated with a variety of coolants with a wide range of temperatures, including using a portion of the out flow for auto cooling.

[0063]Heating the nozzle for gases and vapors allows enhanced pressure diffusion and consequently gas velocity performance without complex machining and fabrication. Increases in mach velocity due to heating will increase centrifugal effect without problems caused in some species of particle formation.

[0064]The second modification to the nozzle is the shape of the deflection wall expansion wall. Previous nozzle designs have included the instantaneous nozzle throat integrated to a circular turning area, with the skimmer plane, throat plane forming the radius. In an effort to increase the centrifugal effect by increasing the deflection angle the turning area may be ellipsoid in shape.

[0065]As seen in the comparison sketch (see drawing on Appendix B) prior nozzles (circular) have carried the turning area over 180 degrees. This invention might primarily turn the flow through approximately 60 degrees. Shortened turning can create a higher diffusion coefficient. As is seen by way of example in the ellipsoid sketch, the deflection wall is formed by a 60 degree ellipse and the expansion wall by a 20 degree ellipse (end point to mid point). In addition to the difference in wall shape of this curved nozzle versus previous curved nozzles, more efficient means of positioning the skimmer placement is to place the skimmer plane at or close to the 120 degree mark of the deflection wall (placed in the nozzle schematics at the 140 degree mark). This allows for and minimizes potential relaxation diffusion of heavy components away from the diffusion wall. Options for the skimmer tip placement in relation to the deflection wall, known as “the cut” vary. Increasing or decreasing the skimmer placement from the deflection wall adjusts the mass flow fraction through the skimmer plane.

[0066]The pressure drop through the nozzle and occurring in the capillary throat is a function of friction rather than restriction, and that pressure drop downstream of a flash point drops rapidly as a result of two phase friction and vapor acceleration. The continued pressure drop (where 50% of the total pressure drop often occurs in the last 20% of the throat length) results in decreasing saturation temperature and increasing liquid quality. There is a resulting relationship of flash point to degree of nozzle curve.

Problems solved by technology

Production of these tiny nozzles by manufacturing is technically demanding, and the overall process typically includes stages having multiple vessels containing hundreds of separation elements, gas distribution manifolds, gas coolers to remove the heat of compression, and centrifugal compressors to pressurize the flow.

Second, the lighter balance gas exerts a differential drag force on the heavier and lighter isotopes.

As a result of these requirements and design constraints, the Becker process nozzle has a number of significant limitations that have reduced its applicability to general purpose gas separation including:1. The small size of the curvature wall requires that the nozzle and skimmer components are also minute in size, requiring the components be made of foil material and bonded to assemble even one nozzle.

Due to the small degree of separation caused by a single probe, the method has not progressed to any commercial degree.

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