Isothermal compressor and condenser nozzle

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a novel configuration of a fluid pressurization nozzle that is relatively simple in mechanical design for achieving an isothermal or quasi-isothermal pressurization process of a fluid, such as isothermal or quasi-isothermal compression of a gas. The fluid pressurized nozzles of the present disclosure utilize the general principles of expansion-contraction nozzles (e.g., Venturi nozzles) that are modified to eliminate or significantly attenuate the generation of shockwaves in the nozzles to thereby facilitate efficient compression of the gas. A fluid pressurized nozzle of the present disclosure has a profile defining a varying cross-section along its length. Thus, the fluid pressurized nozzle is configured to influence / manipulate characteristics / characteristics of the fluid propagating along the fluid pressurized nozzle. Such characteristics may include, among other things, pressure, Mach number, velocity, and temperature. Optionally, and preferably in some embodiments, the fluid compression nozzle of the present disclosure is configured to pressurize a suction fluid (e.g., gas) introduced into the fluid pressurization nozzle by means of a heat transfer liquid (HTL) propagating / flowing along the fluid pressurization nozzle. The introduced suction fluid is mixed with the HTL to form a liquid / gas mixture in which the gas is pressurized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally pertains to the field of pressurization devices, and more specifically, to nozzles for pressurizing compressible fluids. Background Art

[0002] Conventional compression elements for two-phase media flows can be, for example, Venturi nozzles, which are convergent-divergent passive compression devices without moving parts. A self-transporting Venturi nozzle has the same operating principle as a conventional Venturi nozzle but is also equipped with one or more gas inlets. Generally, a self-transporting Venturi nozzle is characterized by a convergent inlet section, a divergent outlet section, and possibly a constricted throat located between the convergent inlet section and the divergent outlet section. Generally, a Venturi nozzle uses a fast-moving flow of a heat transfer liquid (HTL) to transport an almost stationary inhaled compressible fluid (e.g., a gas). In a self-transporting Venturi nozzle, the moving flow is accelerated by flowing through the convergent section while the pressure of the moving flow decreases at the end of the convergent section to a value higher than the ambient pressure, where the moving flow reaches its maximum speed at the throat of the nozzle. The high speed of the HTL creates a region of low static pressure and thus a pressure difference between the inhaled fluid at the throat of the nozzle. The pressure difference draws the inhaled fluid flow into the nozzle through the gas inlet, where the inhaled flow and the moving flow typically mix in the constricted throat section to form a two-phase medium. The subsequent divergent section can increase the pressure of the gas / liquid mixture. Due to the high volumetric heat capacity of the liquid, the increase in pressure is isothermal or quasi-isothermal.

[0003] However, in such nozzles, the flow velocity of the two-phase medium can easily reach supersonic speeds at high gas / liquid mixture flow rates. This can cause shock waves, which may reduce the inhalation efficiency, output pressure, and overall efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] There is a need in the art for fluid pressurization devices and techniques for effectively isothermally or quasi-isothermally pressurizing fluids and compressing gases such as atmospheric air or other gases. The devices and compression techniques described herein can provide very useful tools for improving the efficiency of fluid pressurization and other thermodynamic processes in energy conversion systems, particularly but not exclusively in heat engines (e.g., reaction turbines), and potentially for reducing their size.

[0005] Generally, in convergent-divergent nozzles such as Venturi nozzles, the flow velocity of the two-phase medium can reach supersonic speeds at high air flow rates. This can cause shock waves, which may reduce the inhalation efficiency, output pressure, and overall efficiency.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a novel configuration of a fluid pressure nozzle having a relatively simple mechanical design for effecting an isothermal or near-isothermal pressurization process of a fluid, such as an isothermal or near-isothermal compression of a gas. The fluid pressure nozzle of the present disclosure utilizes the general principle of a converging-diverging nozzle (e.g., a Venturi nozzle) that is modified to eliminate or significantly attenuate the generation of shock waves in the nozzle to thereby facilitate the effective compression of a gas.

[0007] Near-isothermal compression should be understood as a compression process in which the pressurized suction fluid maintains its temperature along the pressurization process, i.e., along the nozzle, within a range not exceeding 110%, 140%, or not exceeding 160% of its initial temperature.

[0008] The fluid pressure nozzle of the present disclosure has a profile defining a varying cross-section along its length. Accordingly, the fluid pressure nozzle is configured to affect / manipulate the characteristics of the fluid propagating along the fluid pressure nozzle. Such characteristics can include, among others, pressure, Mach number, velocity, and temperature. Optionally, and preferably in some embodiments, the fluid compression nozzle of the present disclosure is configured to pressurize the suction fluid (e.g., a gas) introduced into the fluid pressure nozzle by means of a heat transfer liquid (HTL) flowing / propagating along the fluid pressure nozzle. The introduced suction fluid is mixed with the HTL to form a liquid / gas mixture in which the gas is pressurized.

[0009] Optionally, and preferably in some embodiments, the inhaled fluid is a gas (such as air, nitrogen, hydrogen, organic vapor, water vapor, or any other gas). Optionally, the inhaled fluid is a vapor (such as water vapor or organic vapor). When the gas is introduced into the nozzle, the gas is mixed with the HTL and compressed to form a two-phase bubble medium. The gas is heated due to the compression process. The HTL absorbs heat energy from the gas during compression, thereby keeping the gas at approximately the same temperature as the HTL during compression. The temperature of the HTL only increases slightly due to its relatively high heat capacity compared to the gas, and the heat capacity of the HTL may be about 1000 times higher than that of the gas. This results in an isothermal or quasi-isothermal compression of the gas. Thus, the compressed gas is discharged from the nozzle at a pressure higher than the ambient pressure. Optionally, in the case of compressing a vapor, condensation occurs along with the compression. In some embodiments, the HTL enters the nozzle at an input pressure that can be higher than the ambient pressure and exits the nozzle at a pressure lower than the input pressure but higher than the ambient pressure. Optionally, the outlet pressure is reduced by up to 30%. In some embodiments, the gas can be introduced at ambient pressure. Optionally, for the vapor, the vapor temperature is below the phase change temperature, and when mixed with the liquid, the gas can change phase and be liquefied to form a pressurized liquid / HTL mixture such that at least one of the liquids in the mixture is pressurized. Optionally, the HTL is a vapor material in the liquid phase, and the mixture is then condensed to produce a single pressurized liquid.

[0010] The fluid pressure nozzle can be formed with multiple sections that are fluidly coupled to each other and define a flow path for the fluid. In some embodiments, the gas compression nozzle includes an inlet section (also referred to as the "first fluid manipulation section"), a mixing section (also referred to as the "second fluid manipulation section"), an intermediate section (also referred to as the "third fluid manipulation section"), and an outlet section (also referred to as the "fourth fluid manipulation section"). The inlet section is adapted to receive a flow of HTL, which may be at ambient pressure or higher than ambient pressure and at subsonic speed. The inlet section is shaped to initially decompress the flowing HTL to below ambient pressure and accelerate the flowing HTL.

[0011] The mixing section is configured to introduce a compressible suction fluid (gas or vapor) into the mixing section and mix the compressible suction fluid with a depressurized HTL maintained at a substantially constant pressure, thereby forming an HTL / fluid mixture. Optionally, and preferably in some embodiments, the suction fluid is a gas or vapor that is mixed with the HTL stream to form a two-phase bubble medium. Since the pressure difference between the HTLs in the mixing section is at a pressure lower than the pressure of the suction fluid, the gas or vapor can be introduced. The bubble medium reduces the speed of sound to below the speed of the two-phase mixture. The mixing section is shaped such that the flow velocity of the fluid mixture becomes supersonic. The intermediate section is shaped to decelerate the fluid mixture to sonic or subsonic speed while increasing the pressure of the fluid mixture.

[0012] The outlet section is shaped to pressurize the fluid mixture (received from the mixing section) to a pressure higher than the ambient pressure, and the flow in this section is subsonic. Due to the high heat capacity of the HTL, the mixture remains quasi-isothermally compressed. In some cases, due to the pressure increase, the gas phase (e.g., vapor) in the fluid mixture condenses into a liquid. Thus, the outlet section is configured to discharge the fluid mixture including the pressurized suction fluid, which can be a compressed gas or a pressurized liquid (in the case of gas condensation).

[0013] The present disclosure also provides a fluid pressurization system that can include a fluid compression nozzle. Optionally, and preferably in some embodiments, the fluid compression system is configured to perform the pressurization of the suction fluid by iteratively utilizing (recycling) the HTL. As described above, the HTL and the suction fluid are mixed in the fluid compression nozzle, and the fluid mixture including the pressurized suction fluid (compressed gas) is discharged from the fluid compression nozzle. Then, the pressurized suction fluid or a portion of the pressurized suction fluid can subsequently be separated from the mixture and released / discharged from the system to a designated pressurized fluid reservoir or used for other applications, while the HTL continues to circulate in the system for one or more additional fluid compression processes.

[0014] To this end, in some embodiments, the gas compression system defines at least one closed-loop / circular flow path for the HTL. The fluid pressurization system includes a pumping unit that pressurizes the HTL and causes the pressurized HTL to flow into a compression nozzle disposed on the closed-loop flow path. The suction fluid can be introduced into the nozzle via one or more gas inlets located on the outer periphery / envelope / sidewall of the nozzle or through a designated pipe / duct. The fluid mixture (gas-liquid bubble mixture) is ejected / discharged from the nozzle such that the suction fluid is pressurized, or if the suction fluid is a gas, the suction fluid is compressed and cooled by the HTL, while the HTL in turn can be slightly heated due to its much higher heat capacity. Optionally, and preferably in some embodiments, the fluid pressurization system is pressure-isolated from the environment. In this way, the pressurized fluid remains pressurized after being ejected from the nozzle.

[0015] The pressurized suction fluid can be separated from the ejected fluid mixture at a separation region / zone of the fluid pressurization system and discharged from the system, while the heated HTL continues to flow in the closed-loop path such that the heated HTL is pressurized by the pump unit and then flows into the nozzle. As described above, the HTL is discharged from the nozzle at a pressure lower than the input pressure, typically with a relatively low pressure difference of up to 30%. In this way, relatively little energy can be used by the pump unit to pressurize the gas. The work generated by the quasi-isothermal compression plus the head loss in the nozzle reduces the outlet-end stagnation pressure compared to the inlet starting stagnation pressure.

[0016] In each iteration / cycle, the temperature of the HTL increases (typically by one degree or several degrees). The heated HTL can be used to generate energy, such as the high-temperature isothermal expansion of a gas in a turbine. Optionally, the hot HTL can be replaced with fresh cooled HTL for the continuous operation of the gas compression system. Optionally, the HTL is cooled while cycling in an isothermal compressor.

[0017] Thus, according to a broad aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a nozzle for pressurizing a fluid, the nozzle comprising: a nozzle inlet for receiving an HTL stream into the nozzle; an outlet; a suction fluid inlet; and an arrangement of fluid manipulation sections that are (continuously) arranged in fluid communication in a cascaded manner, defining a flow path for the fluid; wherein the arrangement comprises: a first fluid manipulation section located downstream of the nozzle inlet, or a proximal end portion of the first fluid manipulation section constituting the nozzle inlet, and the first fluid manipulation section having a narrowing configuration or a converging configuration in the direction of the flow path for reducing the pressure of the HTL flowing into the first fluid manipulation section to below ambient pressure and for accelerating the flow of the HTL stream. The narrowing configuration or the converging configuration should be understood as a structure having a cross-sectional area that decreases in the direction of the flow path; a second fluid manipulation section configured as a fluid mixer and having a diverging configuration in the direction of the flow path. The diverging configuration should be understood as a structure having a cross-sectional area that increases in the direction of the flow path. The suction fluid inlet is configured to allow suction fluid communication between an ambient or a suction fluid source to be compressed and the second fluid manipulation section to allow the introduction of the suction fluid into the second fluid manipulation section for mixing with the HTL, thereby obtaining an HTL / gas mixture, and the diverging configuration of the second fluid manipulation section is designed to bring an additional gas volume into the nozzle at approximately constant pressure. At this stage, the speed of sound drops, and the mixture speed becomes supersonic. A third fluid manipulation section of the nozzle has a narrowing configuration in the direction of the flow path for decelerating the supersonic flow of the fluid mixture received from the second fluid manipulation section to sonic or subsonic speed and for increasing the pressure of the two-phase mixture flowing along the third fluid manipulation section; a fourth fluid manipulation section having a diverging configuration in the direction of the flow path and configured to increase the pressure of the subsonic fluid mixture flow received from the third fluid manipulation section to a pressure above ambient pressure; wherein the outlet is located downstream of the fourth fluid manipulation section or is constituted by a distal end portion of the fourth fluid manipulation section and is for discharging the fluid mixture received from the fourth fluid manipulation section, and wherein the fluid mixture discharged from the outlet comprises pressurized suction fluid.

[0018] In some embodiments, the HTL may comprise at least one of water, molten salt, hot oil, ethylene glycol, molten metal, bicarbonate liquid, antifreeze liquid, liquefied gas, organic phase change liquid, pentane, propane, or any combination thereof.

[0019] In some embodiments, the suction fluid is a gas. The gas may comprise at least one of air, argon, CO2, hydrogen, natural gas, nitrogen, organic vapor, water vapor, or any combination thereof.

[0020] In some embodiments, the fluid mixture is a two-phase mixture, and wherein the pressurized suction fluid discharged from the outlet of the nozzle comprises a compressed gas.

[0021] In some embodiments, the suction fluid is a vapor that condenses along a quasi-isothermal compression, and the fluid mixture discharged from the outlet is a liquid mixture, and wherein the pressurized suction fluid discharged from the outlet of the nozzle comprises a pressurized liquid. That is, the suction fluid can be sucked into the nozzle while in the vapor phase, and during the flow in the nozzle, the suction fluid changes its phase to a liquid and is discharged from the nozzle as a liquid.

[0022] In some embodiments, at least one of the fluid manipulation sections has a frustoconical longitudinal cross-sectional geometry.

[0023] In some embodiments, the nozzle includes at least one conduit that extends from the exterior of the nozzle into the second fluid manipulation section and is configured to direct the suction fluid into the mixing unit for allowing the suction fluid to mix with the HTL flowing along the mixing unit.

[0024] In some embodiments, the at least one conduit can be connected to an external suction fluid source.

[0025] In some embodiments, the third fluid manipulation section is configured to decelerate the fluid mixture flowing along the third fluid manipulation section such that the fluid mixture reaches sonic or subsonic speed at the end or distal end of the third section.

[0026] In some embodiments, the discharged fluid mixture comprises a fluid having a discharge pressure value that is at most 1 bar, or at most 2 bar, or at most 0.5 bar, or at most 0.3 bar, or at most 0.1 bar lower than the initial pressure value of the HTL flowing into the first fluid manipulation section.

[0027] In some embodiments, the initial pressure value is at most 30% greater than the discharge pressure value.

[0028] In some embodiments, the suction fluid flowing into the first fluid manipulation section has a subsonic speed.

[0029] In some embodiments, the nozzle inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with the HTL source for receiving the HTL at a pressure greater than ambient pressure.

[0030] According to another broad aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an isothermal or quasi-isothermal fluid pressurization system, the isothermal or quasi-isothermal fluid pressurization system including at least one nozzle according to any one of the above-described embodiments of the nozzle or any combination thereof for receiving pressurized HTL pressurized to above ambient pressure through a nozzle inlet of the nozzle; a fluid outlet; and a separation zone configured to receive a fluid mixture discharged from the at least one nozzle and separate the HTL and the pressurized suction fluid, wherein the pressurized suction fluid is directed to the fluid outlet for discharge through the fluid outlet to fill a tank with the pressurized fluid or direct the pressurized fluid to a pressurized fluid consumer.

[0031] In some embodiments, the fluid mixture discharged from the at least one nozzle is a two-phase mixture including a compressed gas.

[0032] In some embodiments, the fluid mixture discharged from the at least one nozzle is a liquid mixture including a pressurized liquid.

[0033] In some embodiments, the separation zone is configured to receive a fluid mixture discharged from the at least one nozzle and separate the HTL and the pressurized suction fluid, wherein the separated pressurized suction fluid is directed to the fluid outlet for discharge through the fluid outlet.

[0034] In some embodiments of the system, the pressurized suction fluid is discharged from the fluid outlet at the same flow rate as the non-pressurized fluid introduced into the nozzle.

[0035] In some embodiments, the fluid pressurization system includes a pump unit for increasing the pressure of the fluid received from the separation zone to thereby obtain pressurized HTL and for causing the pressurized HTL to flow into the nozzle.

[0036] In some embodiments, the pump unit is configured to receive a fluid at a first pressure and increase the pressure of the fluid to a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

[0037] In some embodiments, the pump unit is configured to receive a fluid from the separation zone.

[0038] In some embodiments, the second pressure is at most 1 bar, or at most 2 bar, or at most 0.5 bar, or at most 0.3 bar or at most 0.1 bar greater than the first pressure. Optionally, the inlet pressure is less than 30% higher than the outlet pressure.

[0039] In some embodiments, the second pressure is at most 30% greater than the first pressure.

[0040] In some embodiments, the pump unit includes a vertical centrifugal pump.

[0041] In some embodiments, a vertical centrifugal pump has a bottom fluid inlet configured to allow liquid to flow through the bottom fluid inlet, wherein the liquid inlet is in fluid communication with a liquid discharge device in a separation zone that stores separated liquid.

[0042] In some embodiments, a vertical centrifugal pump has at least one arm for supporting fluid flow along the at least one arm and fluidly coupled to at least one nozzle.

[0043] In some embodiments, the vertical centrifugal pump is rotatable about a vertical axis of the vertical centrifugal pump to thereby be able to suction HTL through the bottom fluid inlet.

[0044] In some embodiments, HTL flows in a system along a fluid flow path, wherein the fluid flow path includes at least one closed-loop flow path, that is, separated liquid in the separation zone is pumped back into the nozzle, and wherein the pump unit is configured to receive fluid from the separation zone and pressurize the fluid from the separation zone to thereby obtain pressurized HTL and cause the pressurized HTL to flow into at least one nozzle.

[0045] In some embodiments, the closed-loop flow path is isolated from ambient pressure, that is, the pressures in the pump, nozzle, and separation zone are isolated from ambient pressure.

[0046] In some embodiments, the suction fluid is separated from the two-phase mixture by gravity in the separation zone.

[0047] In some embodiments, the separation zone includes a curved or circular frame onto which the two-phase mixture is ejected from the nozzle, and the engagement of the mixture with the curved or circular frame results in a film flow on the surface of the curved or circular frame to thereby separate gas from liquid.

[0048] In some embodiments, the fluid outlet includes a pressure regulating valve configured to (i) allow the compressed fluid to flow through the fluid outlet in a controllable manner when there is a positive pressure difference between the compressed fluid and a fluid tank fluidly coupled to the fluid outlet or (ii) when a pressure threshold of the compressed fluid is exceeded.

[0049] In some embodiments, the fluid pressurization system includes a heat exchanger configured to receive a portion of the HTL from the separation zone, that is, the HTL separated from the suction fluid, for transferring excess heat generated due to compression and friction from liquid flow in the system to an external heat consumer or absorber, wherein after the HTL passes through the heat exchanger, the HTL returns to the separation zone.

[0050] In some embodiments, a fluid pressurization system includes: a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of a liquid in a separation zone and generate data indicative of the temperature of the liquid; a liquid valve configured to release the liquid towards a heat exchanger in a controllable manner; and a controller configured to (i) receive the temperature data and (ii) open the liquid valve in a controllable manner when the temperature is above a selected threshold.

[0051] According to another broad aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for pressurizing a fluid, the method including the following sequential steps: (i) increasing the pressure of HTL from a first pressure to a second pressure; (ii) reducing the pressure of HTL from the second pressure to below ambient pressure while accelerating HTL; (iii) allowing an intake fluid at ambient pressure - the intake fluid may be from the environment or from a closed system at approximately ambient pressure - to flow into the liquid while maintaining the intake fluid at approximately the second pressure, thereby obtaining a fluid mixture at approximately the second pressure and at supersonic speed (during the mixing of the gas and the liquid, reducing the speed of sound of the mixture to below the speed of the mixture); (iv) narrowing the flow path of the mixture to increase the pressure of the mixture and reduce the speed of the mixture to below supersonic speed; (v) expanding the flow path of the mixture to increase the pressure of the mixture to a third pressure greater than the initial intake fluid pressure while further reducing the speed of the mixture; (vi) separating the pressurized intake fluid from the fluid mixture and guiding the pressurized intake fluid to a pressurized intake fluid reservoir.

[0052] In some embodiments, step (ii) includes gradually narrowing the flow path of HTL.

[0053] In some embodiments, step (iii) includes gradually expanding the flow path of the fluid mixture.

[0054] In some embodiments, mixing the HTL flow with the intake fluid includes introducing the intake fluid from an external fluid source.

[0055] In some embodiments, the separation includes gravity separation.

[0056] In some embodiments, the separation includes guiding the ejected mixture onto a curved surface.

[0057] In some embodiments, step (i) includes pumping a liquid and flowing the liquid towards a gradually narrowing fluid path to perform step (ii).

[0058] In some embodiments, the method further includes separating the intake fluid from the two-phase mixture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] To better understand the subject matter disclosed herein and to illustrate how the subject matter can be implemented in practice, embodiments will now be described by way of non-limiting examples only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0060] Figures 1A to 1B is a schematic view of a non-limiting example of a nozzle for pressurizing a fluid according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0061] Figure 2A and Figure 2B schematically illustrate a fluid pressurization system according to some possible embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein, Figure 2A shows a fluid pressurization system including a closed-loop chamber, and Figure 2B shows a fluid pressurization system including a vertical centrifugal pump;

[0062] Figure 3 shows an experimental apparatus of the nozzle. Detailed Embodiments

[0063] One or more specific embodiments and / or alternative embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive in any way. For those skilled in the art, it is obvious that these embodiments can be practiced without such specific details. To provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features or details of the actual implementation are described in the specification. The elements illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily to scale or in the correct scale relationship, which is not important. Instead, the emphasis is on clearly explaining the principles of the present invention so that those skilled in the art can manufacture and use the interface device once they understand the features of the interface device. Without departing from the basic features described herein, the present invention can be provided in other specific forms and embodiments.

[0064] To outline several exemplary features, process stages, and principles of the present invention, the instrument examples schematically and illustratively shown in the drawings are intended for fluid pressurization. These fluid pressurization devices are shown as an exemplary implementation, which demonstrates many features, processes, and principles for providing isothermal or quasi-isothermal compression and pressurization processes, but they can also be used for other applications and can be manufactured in different variants. Therefore, this description will refer to the examples shown, but it should be understood that once the principles are understood from the description, explanation, and drawings herein, the present invention stated in the following claims can also be implemented in countless other ways. All such variants and any other modifications that are obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art and useful in minimally invasive applications can be appropriately adopted and are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0065] Referring to Figures 1A to 1B, which illustrates a cross-sectional view of a non-limiting example of a nozzle according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 1A Shown is a nozzle 10 for isothermal or quasi-isothermal pressurization of a fluid constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The nozzle 10 is formed by an arrangement structure 12 of fluid manipulation segments. In this non-limiting example, the gas compression nozzle 10 includes a first fluid manipulation segment 12f, a second fluid manipulation segment 12s, a third fluid manipulation segment 12t, and a fourth fluid manipulation segment 12r, respectively. As Figure 1A shown, the nozzle 10 has a body 13 that defines the circumferential wall of the nozzle 10 such that the fluid manipulation segments 12f, 12s, 12t, and 12r form an integral structure in which the fluid manipulation segments 12f, 12s, 12t, and 12r are fluidly connected / joined to each other.

[0066] As Figure 1A shown, the fluid manipulation segments are arranged in a cascaded manner along a common longitudinal axis O such that the segments are in fluid communication with each other and define a flow path for the fluid propagating / flowing along the nozzle 10. In some embodiments, the nozzle 10 is provided with a nozzle inlet 14i and a nozzle outlet 14u such that the flow path is between the nozzle inlet 14i and the nozzle outlet 14u in the direction L. The nozzle inlet 14i can generally be arranged upstream of the first manipulation segment 12f or can be constituted by the proximal end / end of the first manipulation segment 12f, and is adapted to receive a liquid flow into the nozzle 10. In some embodiments, the nozzle inlet 14i is in fluid communication with a motive / working fluid source (not shown) including a liquid pressurized above ambient pressure. The nozzle inlet 14i is adapted to receive pressurized HTL from a pump (not shown). Optionally, and preferably in some embodiments, the HTL can particularly include water, molten salt, hot oil, ethylene glycol, molten metal, bicarbonate liquid, antifreeze liquid, liquefied gas, or any combination thereof.

[0067] The nozzle outlet 14u can generally be arranged downstream of the fourth manipulation segment 12f or can be constituted by the distal end / end of the fourth manipulation segment 12f. The nozzle outlet 14u is configured to discharge the pressurized fluid from the gas compression nozzle 10.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first fluid manipulation segment 12f has a narrowing / converging configuration in the direction L of the fluid path. Thus, the first fluid manipulation segment 12f is configured to reduce the pressure of the HTL flowing into the first fluid manipulation segment 12f to below ambient pressure and accelerate the flow of the HTL stream. The HTL can be at an initial pressure P that can be greater than ambient pressure i and an initial velocity v that can be subsonic (Mach number M < 1) iflows downward to the first fluid manipulation section 12f. As the HTL propagates / flows in the first fluid manipulation section 12f, the HTL is depressurized to the pressure P f (P f <P i ), while the velocity increases.

[0069] The second fluid manipulation section 12s is arranged downstream of the first fluid manipulation section 12f for receiving the HTL from the first fluid manipulation section 12f. In some embodiments, the second fluid manipulation section 12s is configured to operate as a fluid mixer for allowing an entrained fluid to be introduced / entrained into the second fluid manipulation section 12s to mix with the HTL received from the first fluid manipulation section 12f, thereby obtaining a fluid mixture. The pressure in section 12s is lower than the pressure of the incoming entrained fluid, thereby causing suction of the entrained fluid. Optionally, and preferably in some embodiments, the entrained fluid is a gaseous material that is drawn / entrained into the nozzle due to a pressure difference between the HTL (at a subambient pressure) and the gas (at an ambient or supraambient pressure) in the second fluid manipulation section 12s. When the gas is inhaled, the gas mixes with the HTL (e.g., the HTL) to obtain a two-phase mixture, typically a bubble mixture / media. Accordingly, the speed of sound is reduced and the mixture flow becomes supersonic.

[0070] For this purpose, as Figure 1A shown, the second fluid manipulation section 12s may be provided with one or more entrained fluid inlets 16i (e.g., perforations and / or orifices), the one or more entrained fluid inlets 16i being configured to enable the entrained fluid to enter / aspirate into the fluid manipulation section 12s through them to mix with the liquid. Alternatively or additionally, as shown, the nozzle 10 may be associated with a conduit / duct 16p that extends from the exterior of the nozzle 10 into the second fluid manipulation section 12s. The duct 16p is configured to direct the entrained fluid into the mixing unit for allowing the entrained fluid to mix with the HTL flowing along the mixing unit. In some embodiments, the one or more gas inlets 16i and / or the duct 16p are also configured to enable fluid communication between the second fluid manipulation section 12s and an entrained fluid source (not shown) and / or the surrounding environment.

[0071] In some embodiments, the second fluid manipulation section 12s has a diverging / divergent configuration in the direction L of the flow path to facilitate the injection of the entrained fluid while keeping the flow at approximately a constant pressure. Additionally, the bubble medium causes the speed of sound in the two-phase mixture to drop below the flow velocity of the mixture, thereby causing the two-phase mixture to flow at supersonic speed (Mach number M > 1).

[0072] The third fluid handling section 12t is arranged downstream of the second fluid handling section 12s for receiving a fluid mixture from the second fluid handling section 12s. In some embodiments, the third fluid handling section 12t has a narrowing / converging configuration in the direction L of the flow path for possibly decelerating the flow of the fluid mixture received from the second fluid handling section 12s to sonic speed (M = 1) or subsonic speed (M < 1) at the end / distal end of the third fluid handling section 12t and for increasing the pressure of the fluid mixture flowing along the third fluid handling section 12t.

[0073] The fourth fluid handling section 12r is arranged downstream of the third fluid handling section 12t for receiving the fluid mixture from the third fluid handling section 12t at subsonic speed, and the fourth fluid handling section 12r terminates in a nozzle outlet 14u in this non-limiting example. In some embodiments, the fourth fluid handling section 12r has a diverging configuration in the direction L of the flow path. Thus, the fourth fluid handling section 12r is configured to increase the pressure of the fluid mixture received from the third fluid handling section 12t to a pressure above ambient pressure. The fluid mixture is discharged through the nozzle outlet 14u such that the fluid mixture comprises pressurized suction fluid.

[0074] As described above, the fluid mixture can be a two-phase mixture of HTL and gas or HTL and vapor. The HTL serves as a cooling medium thermally coupled to the gas to absorb the heat / thermal energy generated due to the compression process, thereby causing the gas to cool while the HTL is only slightly heated, thereby obtaining an isothermal or quasi-isothermal compression of the gas. In this way, at the end / distal end of the fourth fluid handling section 12r, the two-phase mixture comprises compressed gas and heated liquid (HTL) and can be discharged via the nozzle outlet 14u. In some embodiments, the vapor condenses into a liquid due to the pressure increase, resulting in a liquid mixture being discharged from the nozzle outlet 14u such that the liquid mixture comprises pressurized liquid. In some embodiments, the discharged fluid mixture comprises an HTL whose discharge pressure P dis is up to 0.1 bar to 5 bar lower or up to 30% lower than the initial pressure P i (P dis < P i ) of the HTL flowing into the first fluid handling section 12f. Optionally, the outlet of the nozzle is fluidly connected to the inlet of the nozzle via a mixture separation section and a circulation pump.

[0075] The terms "narrowing" and "converging" are used herein to denote a cross-section (transverse to the direction L) in which the fluid flow decreases in its direction, and the terms "expanding" and "diverging" are used herein to denote a cross-section in which the fluid flow increases in its direction.

[0076] Figure 1B Shows the configuration of a two-phase "reverse de Laval" nozzle such that the nozzle increases the pressure of the gas and isothermally compresses the gas by mixing the gas with HTL. It should be noted that the figure is not drawn to scale.

[0077] HTL such as water, low freezing point liquid, bicarbonate liquid, and / or other streams in the nozzle enters the inlet at a pressure above ambient and exits at a pressure above ambient. A gas such as air, hydrogen, or any other gas is drawn into the HTL, compressed and cooled by the HTL, and exits at a pressure above ambient pressure. Although Figure 1B shows water as an example of HTL and air as a gas, it should be noted that the HTL can be selected from any suitable HTL and the gas can be any suitable gas to be compressed. Optionally, the initial pressure and velocity of the HTL are generated by a pump. Optionally, the initial pressure value and the final pressure value of the HTL are the same within a range of 10%. Optionally, the initial pressure and the final pressure of the HTL are the same within a range of 20% or 30%.

[0078] Preferably, the operating temperature of the HTL is as low as possible. Optionally, below 100 °C, 25 °C, 15 °C, or 0 °C. Optionally, for a low freezing point HTL, the operating temperature is less than -10 °C, -25 °C, -50 °C. Optionally, when the HTL is liquid nitrogen, the HTL temperature is below -195 °C, or when the HTL is liquid helium, the HTL temperature is below 4.2 K.

[0079] Optionally, such a compressor can be used in a cascaded manner to achieve higher pressures. The compressed gas is brought into the gas supply device of a second closed-loop compressor for a second stage of pressure. For example, water is used as the HTL for the first stage and a supersonic nozzle is used to compress air to 15 bar. The compressed air flows into the second supersonic nozzle of a second compressor closed-loop maintained at 30 bar. At the nozzle, the pressure drops below 15 bar, allowing air to enter the nozzle. At the exit of the nozzle, the pressure increases to 30 bar and the air is compressed while being cooled by water.

[0080] As Figure 1B depicted, the nozzle can sequentially include the following sections:

[0081] 1. A converging inlet section that includes only HTL (e.g., water) for reducing the pressure below ambient pressure.

[0082] 2. Diverging two-phase flow section, in which the pressure remains constant while air is drawn into the HTL from the surrounding environment through holes, air inlets or voids in the nozzle envelope. The section marked with "-" is where the suction starts, and the section marked with "+" is where the suction ends. The mixture reduces the speed of sound to below the speed of the mixture. At the end (marked with "+") of the "diverging two-phase flow section", the flow is supersonic.

[0083] 3. Converging two-phase section, in which the pressure of the mixture increases and the Mach number (the ratio between the flow velocity and the speed of sound) decreases. At the end marked with "*" of this section, Mach = 1. Optionally, Marc-1 is implemented together with the narrowing / converging section.

[0084] 4. Diverging two-phase outlet, at which the pressure of the mixture increases and the Mach number decreases. At the end of this section, the mixture reaches its maximum pressure (as a mixture, since the HTL itself has a higher pressure when it is introduced into the nozzle).

[0085] Reference Figure 2A and Figure 2B , which schematically illustrates a non-limiting example of an isothermal fluid pressurization system 200 according to some possible embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the gas compression system 200 is configured and operable to compress a gas by repeatedly using (recycling) the HTL, such as the HTL flowing / propagating in a fluid flow path including at least one closed-loop flow path as will be further described below.

[0086] Figure 2A shows a heat transfer liquid (HTL) such as water, antifreeze liquid, hot oil or any other liquid being driven by a pump 208 at a pressure higher than the ambient pressure to form a closed-loop flow of the gas pressurization system 200. The pump has a high pressure at its inlet and a higher pressure at its outlet. The pump operates to generate flow and compensate for the pressure loss due to compression work and head loss. The gas pressurization system 200 includes at least one nozzle 10 configured to receive pressurized HTL at a pressure higher than the ambient pressure through its nozzle inlet 14i as described in Figures 1A to 1B . The system 200 is provided with a separation zone / region 204 fluidly coupled downstream of the nozzle outlet 14u such that the nozzle 10 and the separation zone / region 204 define a closed-loop liquid flow path L1. As referred to above in Figures 1A to 1BAs described, at least one nozzle 10 provides a fluid mixture comprising a pressurized suction fluid (compressed gas or pressurized liquid) and HTL. The pressure of the mixture at the outlet of nozzle 10 and thus the pressure of the HTL is only slightly reduced, e.g., by at most 1%, 2% or 10%, relative to the pressure of the HTL at the inlet of nozzle 10. In this regard, it should be noted that the separation zone / region 204 forms a pressure isolation environment in the system. In this way, the pressurized suction fluid discharged from nozzle 10 remains pressurized as it travels through separation zone / region 204.

[0087] The suction fluid to be compressed (preferably a gas) can flow to nozzle 10 via at least one suction fluid supply device, such as one or more fluid inlets 16i formed by perforations, holes, air inlets or voids and / or a pipe / conduit 16p extending from outside the system 200 into the second fluid handling section 12s. The suction fluid supply device is in fluid communication with nozzle 10 and is configured to direct the suction fluid to the second fluid handling section 12s of nozzle 10, where the pressure of the HTL is reduced to be lower than the pressure of the suction fluid to be compressed, e.g., a gas, to allow the suction fluid to mix with the HTL flowing along the second fluid handling section 12s. To this end, the system 200 may be associated with one or more gas sources (not shown) fluidly coupled to one or more fluid inlets 16i and / or pipe / conduit 16p.

[0088] Separation zone / region 204 is configured to receive the fluid mixture comprising the pressurized suction fluid discharged from at least one nozzle 10 and is configured to separate the pressurized suction fluid from the fluid mixture (i.e., separate the pressurized suction fluid and the HTL). The pressurized suction fluid can be a compressed gas or a pressurized liquid. In embodiments where the suction fluid is discharged from the nozzle in the liquid phase, the suction fluid can be aspirated in the gas phase and the phase of the suction fluid can be changed during its flow through the nozzle, particularly at the fourth handling section, or can be aspirated in the liquid phase and the phase of the suction fluid can be maintained during its flow through the nozzle. The pressurized suction fluid is directed to gas outlet 206 for discharge through gas outlet 206. Optionally, and preferably in some embodiments, gas outlet 206 is equipped with a pressure regulating valve 206v that can be selectively / controllably operated to allow the pressurized suction fluid to flow through gas outlet 206 when there is a positive pressure difference between the pressurized suction fluid and a suction fluid tank 210 fluidly coupled to the gas outlet or when a pressure threshold of the pressurized suction fluid is exceeded.

[0089] In some embodiments, the HTL is in a liquid form that is a vapor inhalation fluid. In this case, due to the high velocity and short duration in the mixing section, the HTL remains liquid at the low-pressure mixing section. In this case, the vapor is optionally condensed and a single-phase flow exits the outlet. This optionally eliminates the need for a separator section. The outlet duct withdraws compressed fluid from the compressor at a mass flow rate that is approximately the same as the suction mass flow rate.

[0090] In some embodiments, system 200 may include a heat exchanger 212 that is in fluid communication with or associated with separation zone / region 204. Heat exchanger 212 is configured to receive a portion of the HTL separated from the pressurized suction fluid from the separation zone for transferring excess heat (which may be generated due to friction from liquid flow in the system) to an external heat absorber or sink (not shown). To this end, system 200 may be equipped with a temperature sensor (not shown) that is housed in separation zone / region 204 and configured to generate data indicative of the temperature of the portion of the HTL received in separation zone / region 204. This data may be transmitted to a controller (not shown) that is configured to process the data and use the data to operate valve 204v when the temperature of the HTL is above a selected threshold, i.e., to open / close the valve in a controllable manner. Valve 204v is configured to release the HTL from separation zone / region 204 towards heat exchanger 212 in a controllable manner. After cooling the HTL, the HTL is directed back into the separation zone to return to system 200.

[0091] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the heat exchange of the HTL with the environment is sufficient to remove the excess heat and thus a heat exchanger is not required.

[0092] A pump unit 208 is also provided in system 200 at fluid flow path L1. Pump unit 208 is configured to increase the pressure of the HTL received from separation zone / region 204 to thereby obtain pressurized HTL and to flow the pressurized HTL into gas nozzle 10 to undergo another cycle.

[0093] In this way, in operation, the pressurized HTL (HTL) can continuously circulate / flow along the closed-loop liquid flow path L1 and can be repeatedly used for pressurizing the suction fluid in system 200. In each iteration / cycle, the HTL may be heated due to the gas compression / pressurization process in nozzle 10. When a selected temperature threshold is reached, the heated HTL can be replaced with cooled HTL, while the heated HTL can be used for other purposes, such as high-temperature isothermal expansion of air in a turbine.

[0094] In Figure 2BIn a non-limiting example, the pressurization system 200 operates by rotating a nozzle while supplying HTL to the nozzle at the inlet and supplying gas to the mixing chamber through a rotating arm. Centrifugal force drives the HTL flow. The nozzle is similar to Figure 1A and Figure 1B the nozzle described in, and gas is drawn into the rotating nozzle at the mixing chamber of the nozzle. The nozzle includes a narrow section where the pressure is reduced below ambient pressure and air is drawn into the nozzle at this narrow section and mixed with the HTL. The gas leaving the nozzle is compressed and cooled by the HTL. The entire rotating nozzle is located inside a closed chamber having a pressure valve for releasing compressed air at a constant flow rate. The fluid pressurization system 200 includes a chamber 240 that defines a pressure isolation compartment providing a pressure isolation environment inside it. A pumping unit is configured to pump fluid and a vertical centrifugal pump 220 that supports the fluid flow inside it. The vertical centrifugal pump is capable of rotating about its vertical axis X and can thus draw in liquid through a bottom fluid inlet due to centrifugal force. In some embodiments, the vertical centrifugal pump 220 is formed by a rotatable suction member 220p that is arranged substantially vertically relative to the bottom surface of the chamber 240. The rotatable suction member 220p has an air intake port at its bottom that hangs above the bottom surface of the chamber 240 and can be immersed in the fluid discharge device 260.

[0095] The vertical centrifugal pump 220 can be fluidly coupled to one or more gas compression nozzles constructed as described in Figures 1A to 1B . In this example, the vertical centrifugal pump 220 is fluidly coupled to a first nozzle 10a and a second nozzle 10b via a first arm 220a and a second arm 220b respectively. The first arm 220a and the second arm 220b are fluidly coupled to the rotatable suction member 220p and are configured to support the fluid flow along the first arm 220a and the second arm 220b and to direct the fluid into the nozzles 10a and 10b respectively.

[0096] The gas to be compressed is provided to the nozzles 10a and 10b via a channel 220g that extends from outside the gas pressurization system 200, along the first arm 220a and the second arm 220b into a second fluid manipulation section ( Figure 1A 12s in) of each of the nozzles 10a and 10b. When the two-phase mixture is discharged from each of the nozzles 10a and 10b, the compressed gas separates from the liquid by gravity such that the liquid is drawn by gravity into the fluid discharge device 260 at the bottom surface of the chamber 240 while the compressed gas propagates to the top section of the chamber 240 to be released through one or more gas outlets located at the top portion of the chamber 240, in Figure 2BOne such gas outlet 206 is shown. In this way, system 200 defines multiple closed-loop flow paths for the HTL, and two closed-loop flow paths associated with nozzles 10a and 10b are illustrated in this example.

[0097] In this non-limiting example, heat exchanger 212 can be in fluid communication with liquid discharge device 260 to receive a portion of the liquid separated from the compressed gas and to transfer excess heat (which may be generated due to friction from liquid flow in the system) to an external heat sink (not shown). As described above, in some embodiments, heat exchanger 212 is not required because the HTL exchanges heat with the surrounding environment at a sufficient rate.

[0098] Another example is compressing and condensing an organic vapor, such as pentane, for an organic Rankine cycle (ORC). Optionally, liquid pentane is the HTL, and vapor pentane is compressed and condensed by a compressor / condenser. In this example, liquid pentane leaves the compressor without the need for a mixture separation zone.

[0099] Experimental data

[0100] An exemplary device for constructing a nozzle to test the efficiency of a compressor.

[0101] Efficiency is the ratio between ideal isothermal compression and the power input through the pump (excluding pump efficiency).

[0102]

[0103] The water flow rate in the nozzle is 48.4 m 3 / Hr (about 13.5 liters / second). The measured inlet pressure is 8.35 bar, and the measured outlet pressure is 6.5 bar. Air is drawn into the nozzle and compressed. At the wide section of the pipe, the air is separated and leaves through a flow meter at a flow rate of 6.5 liters / second and a pressure of 6.5 bar (instead of 7.2 bar for an ideal system). We demonstrated the following efficiency:

[0104]

[0105] The head loss in the nozzle results in low efficiency. For such a small-capacity compressor demonstration, the nozzle diameter is about 2 inches, and the head loss is large. By increasing the flow rate by 10 times: 500 m 3 / hr of water and 650 liters / second of air, the head loss is expected to be significantly reduced, and the isothermal efficiency is expected to exceed η 压缩 > 90%.

[0106] The term "about" throughout this application shall be interpreted as a deviation of ±20% of the nominal value. For example, if the value is about 10, it shall be understood to be in the range of 8 to 12.

Claims

1. A nozzle for pressurizing a compressible fluid, the nozzle comprising: a nozzle inlet for receiving a flow of heat transfer liquid (HTL) into the nozzle; an outlet; a suction compressible fluid inlet; and an arrangement of fluid manipulation sections arranged to be in fluid communication in a cascaded manner and defining a flow path for the fluid; wherein the arrangement includes: a second fluid manipulation section having a divergent configuration in the direction of the flow path for receiving HTL at a pressure lower than ambient pressure or lower than the pressure of the suction fluid in the suction fluid source, wherein the suction fluid inlet is configured to allow suction fluid communication between the ambient or the suction fluid source and the second fluid manipulation section to allow introduction of the suction fluid into the second fluid manipulation section to mix with the HTL to thereby obtain a fluid mixture, and the divergent configuration of the second fluid manipulation section is designed to bring the two-phase mixture to supersonic speed at least at the distal end of the second fluid manipulation section; a third fluid manipulation section having a convergent configuration in the direction of the flow path for decelerating the flow of the fluid mixture received from the second fluid manipulation section to sonic or subsonic speed and for increasing the pressure of the two-phase mixture flowing along the third fluid manipulation section; a fourth fluid manipulation section having a divergent configuration in the direction of the flow path and configured to increase the pressure of the subsonic flow of the fluid mixture received from the third fluid manipulation section to a pressure higher than ambient pressure; wherein the outlet is downstream of the fourth fluid manipulation section or constituted by the distal end of the fourth fluid manipulation section and is for discharging the fluid mixture received from the fourth fluid manipulation section, and wherein the fluid mixture discharged from the outlet includes pressurized suction fluid.

2. The nozzle according to claim 1, the nozzle including a first fluid manipulation section located downstream of the nozzle inlet and upstream of the second fluid manipulation section, or the proximal end of the first fluid manipulation section constituting the nozzle inlet, and the first fluid manipulation section having a convergent configuration in the direction of the flow path for reducing the pressure of the HTL flowing into the first fluid manipulation section to below ambient pressure or below the pressure of the suction fluid in the suction fluid source and for accelerating the flow of the HTL stream.

3. The nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The HTL includes at least one of water, molten salt, hot oil, ethylene glycol, molten metal, bicarbonate liquid, antifreeze liquid, liquefied gas, or any combination thereof.

4. The nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The suction fluid is a gas or vapor.

5. The nozzle according to claim 4, wherein, The gas includes at least one of air, argon, CO2, hydrogen, natural gas, nitrogen, organic vapor, water vapor, or any combination thereof.

6. The nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The fluid mixture is a two-phase mixture, and wherein the pressurized suction fluid discharged from the outlet of the nozzle includes compressed gas.

7. The nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The fluid mixture discharged from the outlet is a liquid mixture, and the pressurized suction fluid discharged from the outlet of the nozzle includes a pressurized liquid.

8. The nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, the nozzle including at least one conduit extending from the exterior of the nozzle into the second fluid handling section and configured to direct the suction fluid into the mixing unit to allow the suction fluid to mix with the HTL flowing along the mixing unit and to reduce the speed of sound in the mixture to below the speed of the mixture, the mixture having a supersonic flow.

9. The nozzle according to claim 8, wherein, The at least one conduit is connectable to an external suction fluid source.

10. The nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The third fluid handling section is configured to decelerate the fluid mixture flowing along the third fluid handling section such that the fluid mixture reaches sonic or subsonic speed at the end of the third section.

11. The nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The discharged fluid mixture includes a fluid having a discharge pressure value that is at most 1 bar lower than the initial pressure value of the HTL flowing into the first fluid handling section.

12. The nozzle according to claim 11, wherein, The initial pressure value is at most 30% greater than the discharge pressure value.

13. The nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The suction fluid flowing into the first fluid handling section has a subsonic speed.

14. The nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The nozzle inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with an HTL source to receive the HTL at a pressure greater than ambient pressure.

15. The nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The HTL and the suction fluid are the same material.

16. A fluid pressurization system, comprising: At least one nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the nozzle for receiving pressurized HTL pressurized above ambient pressure through the nozzle inlet of the nozzle; A fluid outlet; A separation zone configured to receive the fluid mixture discharged from the at least one nozzle and to separate the HTL and the pressurized suction fluid, wherein the pressurized suction fluid is directed to the fluid outlet for discharge through the fluid outlet.

17. The fluid pressurization system according to claim 16, wherein, The heat transfer liquid includes at least one of water, bicarbonate liquid, molten salt, hot oil, ethylene glycol, molten metal, antifreeze liquid, liquefied gas, or any combination thereof.

18. The fluid pressurization system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, The suction fluid is a gas or a vapor.

19. The fluid pressurization system according to claim 18, wherein, The suction fluid includes at least one of air, hydrogen, argon, CO2, natural gas, nitrogen, organic vapor, water vapor, or any combination thereof.

20. The fluid pressurization system according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein The fluid mixture discharged from the at least one nozzle is a two-phase mixture including a compressed gas.

21. The fluid pressurization system according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein, The fluid mixture discharged from the at least one nozzle is a liquid mixture including a pressurized liquid.

22. The fluid pressurization system according to claims 16 to 21, wherein, The separation zone is configured to receive the fluid mixture discharged from the at least one nozzle and to separate the HTL and the pressurized suction fluid, wherein the separated pressurized suction fluid is directed to the fluid outlet for discharge through the fluid outlet.

23. The fluid pressurization system according to any one of claims 16 to 22, including a pump unit for increasing the pressure of the fluid received from the separation zone to thereby obtain the pressurized HTL and for causing the pressurized HTL to flow into the nozzle.

24. The fluid pressurization system according to claim 23, wherein, The pump unit is configured to receive the fluid at a first pressure and increase the pressure of the fluid to a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

25. The fluid pressurization system according to claim 23 or 24, wherein, The pump unit is configured to receive the fluid from the separation zone.

26. The fluid pressurization system according to claim 25, wherein, The second pressure is at most 3 bar greater than the first pressure.

27. The fluid pressurization system according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein, The second pressure is at most 30% greater than the first pressure.

28. The fluid pressurization system according to claim 26 or 27, wherein The pump unit includes a vertical centrifugal pump.

29. The fluid pressurization system according to claim 28, wherein, The vertical centrifugal pump has a bottom fluid inlet configured to enable liquid to flow through the bottom fluid inlet, wherein the liquid inlet is in fluid communication with a liquid discharge device in the separation zone that stores separated liquid.

30. The fluid pressurization system according to claim 28 or 29, wherein, The vertical centrifugal pump has at least one arm for supporting the fluid flow along the at least one arm and is fluidly coupled to the at least one nozzle.

31. The fluid pressurization system according to any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein, The vertical centrifugal pump is rotatable about a vertical axis of the vertical centrifugal pump so as to be able to suck in the HTL through the bottom fluid inlet.

32. The fluid pressurization system according to any one of claims 16 to 31, wherein, The HTL flows in the system along a fluid flow path, wherein the fluid flow path includes at least one closed-loop flow path, and wherein the pump unit is configured to receive the fluid from the separation zone and pressurize the fluid from the separation zone to thereby obtain the pressurized HTL and cause the pressurized HTL to flow into the at least one nozzle.

33. The fluid pressurization system according to claim 32, wherein, The closed-loop flow path is pressure-isolated from the environment.

34. The fluid pressurization system according to any one of claims 16 to 33, wherein, The suction fluid is separated from the two-phase mixture by gravity in the separation zone.

35. The fluid pressurization system according to any one of claims 16 to 34, wherein, The separation zone includes a curved or circular frame, and the two-phase mixture is sprayed onto the curved or circular frame from the nozzle, and the engagement of the mixture with the curved or circular frame results in a film-like flow on the surface of the curved or circular frame to thereby separate the gas from the liquid.

36. The fluid pressurization system according to any one of claims 16 to 35, wherein, The fluid outlet includes a pressure regulating valve configured to: (i) allow the compressed fluid to flow through the fluid outlet in a controllable manner when there is a positive pressure difference between the compressed fluid and a fluid tank fluidly coupled to the fluid outlet or (ii) when the pressure threshold of the compressed fluid is exceeded.

37. The fluid pressurization system according to any one of claims 16 to 36, the fluid pressurization system including a heat exchanger configured to receive a portion of the HTL from the separation zone for transferring excess heat to an external heat sink, wherein, After the HTL passes through the heat exchanger, the HTL returns to the separation zone.

38. The fluid pressurization system according to any one of claims 16 to 37, comprising: a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the liquid in the separation zone and generating data indicative of the temperature of the liquid; a liquid valve configured to release liquid towards the heat exchanger in a controllable manner; and a controller configured to: (i) receive the temperature data and (ii) open the liquid valve in a controllable manner when the temperature is higher than a selected threshold.

39. A method for pressurizing a fluid, the method comprising the following sequential steps: (i) increasing the pressure of the HTL from a first pressure to a second pressure; (ii) reducing the pressure of the HTL from the second pressure to below ambient pressure while accelerating the HTL; (iii) Allow the suction fluid under the ambient pressure to flow into the liquid while maintaining the suction fluid at approximately the second pressure, thereby obtaining a fluid mixture at approximately the second pressure and at supersonic speed; (iv) Narrow the flow path of the mixture to increase the pressure of the mixture and reduce the speed of the mixture to below supersonic speed; (v) Expand the flow path of the mixture to increase the pressure of the mixture to a third pressure greater than the initial suction fluid pressure while further reducing the speed of the mixture; (vi) Separate the pressurized suction fluid from the fluid mixture and direct the pressurized suction fluid to a pressurized suction fluid reservoir.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein (ii) includes gradually narrowing the flow path of the HTL.

41. The method according to claim 39 or 40, wherein, (iii) includes gradually expanding the flow path of the fluid mixture.

42. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 41, wherein, The HTL includes at least one of water, bicarbonate liquid, antifreeze liquid, and liquefied gas.

43. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 42, wherein The gas includes at least one of air, hydrogen, natural gas, and nitrogen.

44. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 43, wherein Mixing the HTL stream with the suction fluid includes introducing the suction fluid from an external fluid source.

45. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 44, wherein The separation includes gravity separation.

46. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 45, wherein, The separation includes directing the ejected mixture onto a curved surface.

47. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 46, wherein, (i) includes pumping the liquid and causing the liquid to flow towards a gradually narrowing flow path to perform (ii).

48. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 47, further comprising separating a gas from the two-phase mixture and pumping the two-phase mixture via the gradually narrowing flow path.

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