Coaxial tubular fluid processing device and system - Patents.com

Abstract

Various implementations include a fluid treatment device. The device includes an outer tube, an inner tube, a plurality of blades, and a medium. The outer tube includes an inner surface. The inner tube is coaxially disposed within the outer tube. The outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer tube define an annulus extending axially between ends of the inner tube. The plurality of blades are disposed within the annulus. The plurality of blades are configured to change a component of a flow direction of a fluid flowing across the blades in a circumferential and / or radial direction. The medium is disposed within the inner tube. The inner tube defines a plurality of perforations extending between its outer and inner surfaces. The annulus defines a general flow path of the fluid flowing between the outer and inner tubes.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [Background technology]

[0002] There is a need in the art for devices and methods for treating fluids, for example to reduce or eliminate contaminants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and / or microorganisms in the fluid. The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein address these and other needs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In accordance with the purpose of the presently disclosed devices, systems, and methods, as embodied and broadly described herein, the subject matter of the present disclosure relates to coaxial tubular fluid treatment devices and systems, and methods of use thereof.

[0004] Disclosed herein is a fluid treatment device comprising: an outer tube having an inner surface; an inner tube coaxially disposed within the outer tube, the inner tube having an inner surface and an outer surface extending between opposite ends of the inner tube, the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer tube defining an annulus extending axially between the ends of the inner tube; a plurality of blades disposed within the annulus, the plurality of blades configured to change a component of a flow direction of a fluid flowing across the blades in a circumferential and / or radial direction; and a medium disposed within the inner tube, the inner tube defining a plurality of perforations extending between the outer and inner surfaces, the annulus defining an overall flow path of the fluid flowing between the outer and inner tubes.

[0005] In some examples, each of the plurality of blades is fixedly coupled to the outer surface of the inner tube, in some examples, each blade has a proximal end coupled to the outer surface of the inner tube, a distal end opposite and spaced apart from the proximal end along a transverse axis of the blade, a leading edge, and a trailing edge, the leading edge and the trailing edge extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a longitudinal axis of the blade extending through the leading edge and the trailing edge.

[0006] In some examples, the blade plane of each blade includes the transverse and longitudinal axes of the respective blade, the blades of the first subset are arranged in a first row circumferentially around the inner tube and the blades of the second subset are arranged in a second row circumferentially around the inner tube, the first row being axially spaced from the second row, and the blade planes for the first blade in the first subset and the first blade in the second subset are coplanar.

[0007] In some examples, the blade plane of each blade includes the transverse and longitudinal axes of the respective blade, the blades of a first subset are arranged circumferentially around the inner tube in a first row and the blades of a second subset are arranged circumferentially around the inner tube in a second row, the first row being axially spaced from the second row, and the blade planes for the blades in the first and second rows being circumferentially spaced apart.

[0008] In some examples, a plane including the leading edges of the first subset of blades is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the inner tube. In some examples, the trailing edge of each blade is arcuate, the leading edge of each blade is planar, the length of the proximal end is less than the length of the distal end, and the cross-sectional shape of each blade taken through a plane including the longitudinal axis of the blade is triangular. In some examples, the transverse axis of at least one of the plurality of blades is radially spaced from the central longitudinal axis of the inner tube. In some examples, the surface of each blade extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge is planar when viewed from the distal end of the blade.

[0009] In some instances, the media emits gas into the fluid flow path, and the flow of fluid across the blades increases the amount of gas emitted by the media.

[0010] In some examples, each of the plurality of perforations is circular in shape when viewed from the outer surface of the inner tube, each of the plurality of perforations is circular in shape when viewed from the outer surface of the inner tube, the dry particles comprising the precursor have a first average particle size, each of the plurality of perforations has a perforation diameter, and the first average particle size is greater than the perforation diameter such that the medium does not leak through the plurality of perforations. In some examples, each of the plurality of perforations is circular in shape when viewed from the outer surface of the inner tube, the dry particles comprising the precursor have a first average particle size, and the dry particles comprising the proton generating species have a second average particle size, each of the plurality of perforations has a perforation diameter, and the first average particle size and the second average particle size are greater than the perforation diameter such that the medium does not leak through the plurality of perforations.

[0011] In some examples, the device further comprises a permeable liner, the liner disposed within the inner tube adjacent the plurality of perforations. In some examples, the medium is disposed within the liner. In some examples, the liner is substantially impermeable to liquid water. In some examples, the liner comprises a nonwoven fabric or paper. In some examples, the liner comprises polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene. In some examples, the liner is a sachet comprising three layers of membrane material forming a two-compartment sachet to separate the dry particles of the proton generating species from the dry particles of the precursor.

[0012] In some examples, the medium is configured to generate gas from the precursor such that the gas is released into the fluid flow path, hi some examples, the medium includes dry particles including the precursor.

[0013] In some examples, the medium further comprises a proton generating species.In some examples, the medium further comprises dry particles comprising the proton generating species.

[0014] In some examples, the medium disposed within the inner tube includes a mixture of dry particles including a precursor and dry particles including a proton-generating species.

[0015] In some examples, the medium disposed within the inner tube comprises a layered bed including alternating layers of dry particles including the precursor and layers of dry particles including the proton generating species, hi some examples, the total number of layers in the layered bed is 3 or more.

[0016] In some examples, the precursor comprises a chlorine dioxide precursor and the gas comprises chlorine dioxide (ClO2), the precursor comprises a carbon dioxide precursor and the gas comprises carbon dioxide (CO2), or a combination thereof.

[0017] In some examples, the dry particles comprising the precursor further comprise a porous support selected from the group consisting of zeolite crystals, silica, pumice, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, and clay, and the precursor is impregnated in the porous support.

[0018] In some examples, the dry particles including precursors include between 1% and 100% by weight, between 1% and 90% by weight, or between 1% and 50% by weight of precursors.

[0019] In some examples, the precursor comprises a carbon dioxide precursor, the carbon dioxide precursor comprises a carbon-containing compound selected from the group consisting of carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates, and combinations thereof, hi some examples, the carbon-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, and combinations thereof.

[0020] In some examples, the precursor comprises a chlorine dioxide precursor, the chlorine dioxide precursor comprising a chlorine dioxide generating compound selected from the group consisting of metal chlorite, metal chlorite, chloric acid, hypochlorous acid, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the metal chlorite comprises sodium chlorite, barium chlorite, calcium chlorite, lithium chlorite, potassium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, or combinations thereof, or the metal chlorite comprises sodium chlorate, lithium chlorate, potassium chlorate, magnesium chlorate, barium chlorate, or combinations thereof.

[0021] In some examples, the dry particles comprising the proton-generating species further comprise a porous support selected from the group consisting of zeolite crystals, silica, pumice, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, and clay, and the proton-generating species is impregnated in the porous support.

[0022] In some examples, the dry particles including the proton generating species include between 1% and 100%, between 1% and 90%, or between 1% and 50% by weight of the dry particles of the proton generating species.

[0023] In some examples, the proton-generating species includes an organic acid, an inorganic acid, a metal salt, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the proton-generating species includes an organic acid and / or an inorganic acid selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, propionic acid, sulfuric acid, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the proton-generating species includes a metal salt selected from the group consisting of ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, CaCl2, ZnSO4, ZnCl2, CoSO4, CoCl2, MnSO4, MnCl2, CuSO4, CuCl2, MgSO4, sodium acetate, sodium citrate, sodium sulfate, sodium hydrogen sulfate, hydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, and combinations thereof.

[0024] In some examples, the media is configured to emit a gas, and the fluid flow created by the plurality of blades increases the gas reactivity with VOCs and / or microorganisms in the fluid.

[0025] In some examples, the plurality of blades are configured to induce turbulence in a fluid flowing across the blades.

[0026] In some examples, the plurality of blades are configured to create vortices in a fluid flowing across the blades.

[0027] In some examples, the fluid includes air, hi some examples, the air has a humidity of between 20% and 90% or between 50% and 80%.

[0028] Also disclosed herein are systems that include any of the devices disclosed herein. For example, also disclosed herein is a system for processing a fluid, comprising a plurality of fluid processing devices, each of the devices comprising an outer tube including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an inner surface extending from the first end to the second end, and an inner tube disposed coaxially with the outer tube, the inner tube including an inner surface and an outer surface extending between the ends of the inner tube, the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer tube defining an annulus extending axially between the ends of the inner tube. A system comprising: a side tube; a plurality of blades disposed within an annulus configured to change a component of a flow direction of a fluid flowing across the blades in a circumferential and / or radial direction; and a medium disposed within an inner tube, wherein the inner tube defines a plurality of perforations extending between an outer surface and an inner surface, the annulus defines an overall flow path of the fluid flowing between the outer tube and the inner tube, and at least one of a first end of at least one of the devices is disposable within a second end of at least another of the devices.

[0029] In some examples, at least one of the first ends of at least one of the devices is removably disposable within a second end of at least another of the devices.

[0030] In some examples, at least one of the first ends of at least one of the devices is fixably disposable within a second end of at least another of the devices.

[0031] In some examples, each of the plurality of blades is fixedly coupled to an outer surface of the inner tube.

[0032] In some examples, each blade has a proximal end bonded to the outer surface of the inner tube, a distal end opposite and spaced from the proximal end along the blade's transverse axis, a leading edge, and a trailing edge, the leading edge and the trailing edge extending between the proximal and distal ends, and the longitudinal axis of the blade extending through the leading edge and the trailing edge.

[0033] In some examples, the blade plane of each blade includes the transverse and longitudinal axes of the respective blade, the blades of the first subset are arranged in a first row circumferentially around the inner tube and the blades of the second subset are arranged in a second row circumferentially around the inner tube, the first row being axially spaced from the second row, and the blade planes for the first blade in the first subset and the first blade in the second subset are coplanar.

[0034] In some examples, the blade plane of each blade includes the transverse and longitudinal axes of the respective blade, the blades of a first subset are arranged circumferentially around the inner tube in a first row and the blades of a second subset are arranged circumferentially around the inner tube in a second row, the first row being axially spaced from the second row, and the blade planes for the blades in the first and second rows being circumferentially spaced apart.

[0035] In some examples, a plane containing the leading edges of the first subset of blades is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the inner tube.

[0036] In some examples, the trailing edge of each blade is arcuate, the leading edge of each blade is planar, the length of the proximal end is less than the length of the distal end, and the cross-sectional shape of each blade taken through a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the blade is triangular.

[0037] In some examples, a transverse axis of at least one of the plurality of blades is radially spaced from a central longitudinal axis of the inner tube.

[0038] In some examples, the surface of each blade extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge is planar when viewed from the distal end of the blade.

[0039] In some examples, the system further comprises a permeable liner, the liner disposed within the inner tube adjacent the plurality of perforations. In some examples, the medium is disposed within the liner. In some examples, the liner is substantially impermeable to liquid water. In some examples, the liner comprises a nonwoven fabric or paper. In some examples, the liner comprises polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene. In some examples, the liner is a sachet including three layers of membrane material forming a two-compartment sachet to separate the dry particles of the proton generating species from the dry particles of the precursor.

[0040] Also disclosed herein is a method of treating a fluid using any of the systems of devices disclosed herein. For example, also disclosed herein is a method of treating a fluid, comprising providing a medium in an inner tube, the inner tube having at least an outer surface with a plurality of blades, and disposing the inner tube in the fluid stream such that the plurality of blades and the medium are in contact with the fluid stream, the plurality of blades changing the component of the flow direction of the fluid flowing over the blades to a circumferential and / or radial direction. In some examples, the medium releases gas, and the fluid flow created by the plurality of blades increases the mixing between the gas of the medium and the fluid stream.

[0041] In some examples, the method further includes providing an outer tube coaxially disposed about the inner tube and disposing the outer tube within the fluid flow to contain and focus the fluid flow.

[0042] In some examples, the method is carried out at a temperature between -25°C and 50°C, between 0°C and 40°C, or between 32°C and 38°C.

[0043] Additional advantages of the disclosed devices, systems, and methods will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description. The advantages of the disclosed devices, systems, and methods will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed devices, systems, and methods as claimed.

[0044] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0045] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0046] Example features and implementations are disclosed in the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0047] [Figure 1A] 1 is a perspective view of a fluid treatment device according to one implementation. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the fluid treatment device of FIG. 1A with the outer tube removed. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1B is a side view of the fluid treatment device of FIG. 1A with the outer tube removed. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1B is an end view of the fluid treatment device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fluid processing device according to another implementation. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the fluid treatment device of FIG. 2A with the outer tube removed. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2B is a side view of the fluid treatment device of FIG. 2A with the outer tube removed. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2B is an end view of the fluid treatment device of FIG. 2A. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a side view of a system for processing a fluid, the system including two fluid processing devices coupled to each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] The devices, systems, and methods described herein may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of certain aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter, and the examples included therein.

[0049] Before the present devices, systems, and methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the aspects described below are not limited to particular synthetic methods or to particular reagents, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0050] Also, throughout this specification, various publications are referenced. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. The references disclosed are also discussed in the sentence in which they are relied upon, and are individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein for the material contained therein.

[0051] As used herein and in the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that are defined to have the following meanings.

[0052] As used herein, the term "comprises" and variations thereof are used synonymously with the term "include" and variations thereof and are open and non-limiting terms. Although the terms "comprises" and "includes" are used herein to describe various implementations, the terms "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of" can be used in place of "comprises" and "includes" to provide more specific implementations, and are also disclosed.

[0053] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a composition" includes mixtures of two or more such compositions, reference to "the compound" includes mixtures of two or more such compounds, reference to "an agent" includes mixtures of two or more such agents, etc.

[0054] "Exemplary" means "an example of" and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. "Etc." is used in a limiting sense, but rather for descriptive purposes.

[0055] It is understood that throughout this specification, the identifiers "first" and "second" are used merely to aid the reader in distinguishing between various components, features, or steps of the subject matter of the present disclosure. The identifiers "first" and "second" are not intended to imply any particular order, quantity, priority, or importance to the components or steps modified by these terms.

[0056] The term "or combinations thereof" as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the items listed preceding the term. For example, "A, B, C, or combinations thereof" is intended to include at least one of A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and also at least one of BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB, if order is important in a particular context. Continuing with this example, combinations including repeats of one or more items or terms, such as BB, AAA, AB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, etc., are expressly included. Those skilled in the art will understand that there is typically no limit to the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise clear from the context.

[0057] Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods that provide for the treatment of fluids.

[0058] As used herein, "fluid" includes a liquid, a gas, a supercritical fluid, or a combination thereof. In some examples, a fluid includes a gas, such as air, water vapor, carbon dioxide, etc. In some examples, a fluid includes a liquid, such as liquid water.

[0059] As used herein, the term "treating" or other forms of this term such as "treat", "treated" or "treatment" refers to the administration of a composition or the implementation of a method to reduce, prevent, inhibit, or eliminate a particular characteristic or event (e.g., bacterial growth or survival). As used herein, the term "treating" or other forms of this term such as "treat", "treated" or "treatment" includes, but is not limited to, "oxidizing", "sanitizing", "disinfecting", "sterilizing", "deodorizing", "sweetening", "acidifying", and combinations thereof. As used herein, "reducing" or other forms of this term such as "reducing" or "reducing" refers to the reduction of an event or characteristic (e.g., bacterial population or activity).

[0060] The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein for providing treatment of a fluid may include an inner tube disposed within an outer tube, with an annulus defined between an outer surface of the inner tube and an inner surface of the outer tube. The inner tube defines a plurality of perforations, and a medium is disposed within the inner tube such that gas generated by the medium can flow out of the inner tube and into the annulus, cleaning the fluid as it flows through the annulus. The device includes a plurality of blades disposed within the annulus for redirecting the flow of the fluid through the annulus to promote mixing of the fluid and the gas.

[0061] Various implementations include a fluid treatment device. The device includes an outer tube, an inner tube, a plurality of blades, and a medium. The outer tube includes an inner surface. The inner tube is coaxially disposed within the outer tube. The inner tube includes an inner surface and an outer surface extending between opposite ends of the inner tube. The outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer tube define an annulus extending axially between the ends of the inner tube. A plurality of blades are disposed within the annulus. The plurality of blades are configured to change a component of a flow direction of a fluid flowing across the blades in a circumferential and / or radial direction. A medium is disposed within the inner tube. The inner tube defines a plurality of perforations extending between the outer and inner surfaces. The annulus defines a general flow path of the fluid flowing between the outer and inner tubes.

[0062] Various other implementations include a system for processing a fluid. The system includes a plurality of fluid processing devices, as described above. Each of the devices further includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. An inner surface of the outer tube extends from the first end to the second end, and the inner tube extends from the first end to the second end. At least one of the first ends of at least one of the devices is disposable within the second end of at least another of the devices.

[0063] Various other implementations include a method of treating a fluid, the method including providing a medium within an inner tube including at least an outer surface having a plurality of blades, and disposing the inner tube within the fluid stream such that the plurality of blades and the medium are in contact with the fluid stream, the plurality of blades changing a component of a flow direction of the fluid flowing across the blades in a circumferential and / or radial direction.

[0064] 1A-1D show a fluid treatment device 100 according to one implementation. The device 100 includes a first end 102, a second end 104, an outer tube 110, an inner tube 120, a plurality of blades 140, and a media 170.

[0065] The outer tube 110 has an outer tube longitudinal axis 112, an inner surface 114, and an outer surface 116. The inner surface 114 of the outer tube 110 and the outer surface 116 of the outer tube 110 extend from the first end 102 of the device 100 to the second end 104 of the device 100.

[0066] The inner tube 120 has an inner tube longitudinal axis 122, an inner surface 124, and an outer surface 126. The inner tube 120 inner surface 124 and the inner tube 120 outer surface 126 extend from the first end 102 of the device 100 to the second end 104 of the device 100. The inner tube 120 is disposed within the outer tube 110 such that the outer tube longitudinal axis 112 is coaxial with the inner tube longitudinal axis 122. A medium 170 is disposed within the inner tube 120, as discussed below.

[0067] The outer surface 126 of the inner tube 120 and the inner surface 114 of the outer tube 110 define an annulus 130 that extends axially between the first end 102 of the device 100 and the second end 104 of the device 100. The annulus 130 defines a general flow path 132 for fluid to flow between the inner surface 114 of the outer tube 110 within the outer surface 126 of the inner tube 120.

[0068] The outer surface 126 of the inner tube 120 defines a plurality of perforations 128 extending from the outer surface 126 of the inner tube 120 to the inner surface 124 of the inner tube 120. A medium 170 is disposed within the inner tube 120 such that the medium 170 is in fluid communication with the annulus 130. The medium 170 is configured to generate gas from the precursors. The medium 170 is discussed in further detail below. The plurality of perforations 128 are configured to allow gas generated from the precursors to flow out of the inner tube 120 and into a fluid flow passage 132 flowing through the annulus 130 defined by the outer surface 126 of the inner tube 120 and the inner surface 114 of the outer tube 110.

[0069] In some examples, the medium 170 includes dry particles including a precursor. The dry particles including a precursor can have a first average particle size. Each of the plurality of perforations 128 has a perforation diameter, and the first average particle size is larger than the perforation diameter such that the medium 170 does not leak out of the plurality of perforations 128.

[0070] In some examples, the medium 170 further comprises a proton generating species. In some examples, the medium 170 further comprises dry particles that include a proton generating species.

[0071] In some examples, the medium 170 includes dry particles including a precursor and dry particles including a proton generating species. The dry particles including the precursor have a first average particle size, and the dry particles including the proton generating species have a second average particle size. In some examples, each of the plurality of perforations 128 has a perforation diameter, and the first average particle size and the second average particle size are larger than the perforation diameter such that the medium 170 does not leak out of the plurality of perforations 128. In some examples, the device 100, 200 can include a permeable liner 134, 234, as discussed further below.

[0072] Each of the plurality of perforations 128 is circular in shape when viewed from the outer surface 126 of the inner tube 120. However, in other implementations, the plurality of perforations 128 is a linear slot, an oval shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, or any other shape having a perforation dimension that is smaller than the first average grain size and / or the second average grain size such that the media 170 does not leak through the plurality of perforations 128.

[0073] The device 100, 200 shown in Figures 1A-2D may also include a permeable liner 134, 234 disposed within the inner tube 120, 220 along the inner surface 124, 224 of the inner tube 120, 220 and adjacent the plurality of perforations 128, 228. The liner 134, 234 is substantially impermeable to liquid water but allows gases such as air, chlorine dioxide, and carbon dioxide to pass through. The medium 170, 270 is disposed within the liner 134, 234, and the permeable liner 134, 234 helps retain the medium 170, 270 within the inner tube 120, 220 by preventing the medium 170, 270 from leaking out of the plurality of perforations 128, 228. However, in other implementations, the device does not include a permeable lining. In implementations that include a liner 134, 234, the liner prevents the media 170, 270 from leaking through the plurality of perforations 128, 228. Thus, in implementations that include a liner 134, 234, the first average grain size and the second average grain size can be smaller than the perforation diameter.

[0074] Each of the blades 140 is fixedly coupled to and extends from the outer surface 126 of the inner tube 120 such that the plurality of blades 140 are disposed within the annulus 130. Each of the blades 140 has a proximal end 142 coupled to the outer surface 126 of the inner tube 120, a distal end 144 spaced opposite the proximal end 142 along a transverse axis 150 of the blade 140, a leading edge 146 extending between the proximal and distal ends 142, 144 of the blade 140, and a trailing edge 148 extending between the proximal and distal ends 142, 144 of the blade 140. A blade longitudinal axis 152 extends through the leading and trailing edges 146, 148 of each of the blades 140. Each of the blades 140 further includes a blade plane 154 that includes a transverse axis 150 and a blade longitudinal axis 152. The leading edge 146 of each of the blades 140 of the first subset of blades 160 is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the inner tube longitudinal axis 122. The transverse axis 150 of each of the blades 140 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D is radially spaced from the inner tube longitudinal axis 122 such that the blades 140 extend at an oblique angle relative to a tangent to the outer surface 126 of the inner tube 120. However, in other implementations, the transverse axis of each of the blades intersects the inner tube longitudinal axis such that the blades extend perpendicular to a tangent to the outer surface of the inner tube.

[0075] A leading edge 146 of each blade 140 is planar and a trailing edge 148 of each blade 140 is arcuate in shape. The surface of each blade 140 extending between the leading edge 146 and the trailing edge 148 is planar when viewed from the distal end 144 of the blade 140. The length of the proximal end 142 is less than the length of the distal end 144. The cross-sectional shape of each blade 140 taken through a plane containing the blade longitudinal axis 152 is triangular.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2D , the blades 240 of the first subset 260 are circumferentially arranged around the inner tube 220 in a first row, and the blades 240 of the second subset 262 are circumferentially arranged around the inner tube 220 in a second row that is axially spaced from the first row. The blade planes 254 of the first blades 240 in the first subset 260 are coplanar with the blade planes 254 of the second blades 240 in the second subset 262. However, in other implementations, such as the device shown in FIGS. 1A-1D , the blade planes 154 for the blades 140 in the first row of the first subset 160 and the blade planes 154 for the blades 140 in the second row of the second subset 162 are circumferentially spaced apart. In other implementations, the blade planes for the blades in the first and second rows are disposed in any other arrangement relative to one another. Because the processing device 200 is similar to the device 100 shown in Figures 1A-1D, similar reference numbers are used to refer to similar features of the device 200 shown in Figures 2A-2D as used for the device 100 shown in Figures 1A-1D.

[0077] 1A-2D, as fluid flows axially through the annulus 130, 230 defined by the outer surface 126, 226 of the inner tube 120, 220 and the inner surface 114, 214 of the outer tube 110, 210, the plurality of blades 140, 240 redirects a component of the flow direction of the fluid flowing across the blades 140, 240 in a circumferential and / or radial direction. The redirection of the fluid promotes mixing of the gas and fluid generated by the medium 170, 270.

[0078] 1A-1D are configured to redirect fluid flow by inducing turbulence in the fluid flowing across the blades 140. The turbulence breaks up any boundary layer that may have formed adjacent the outer surface 126 of the inner tube 120 such that the more radially outward fluid flowing through the annulus 130 can move radially inward toward the perforations 128.

[0079] 2A-2D, the blades 240 of the device 200 are configured to create vortices in the fluid flowing across the blades 240. The increased swirling of the fluid flowing through the annulus 230 promotes mixing of the fluid with the gas generated by the medium 270. In other implementations, the blades of the device can be configured to induce any type of movement of the fluid flowing through the annulus to promote mixing of the fluid with the gas generated by the medium.

[0080] Each of the blades 140, 240 shown in FIGS. 1A-2D is coupled to the outer surface 126, 226 of the inner tube 120, 220, while in other implementations, each of the blades is coupled to the inner surface of the outer tube. While the blades 140, 240 shown in FIGS. 1A-2D are similarly shaped, in other implementations, each blade has any shape that changes the circumferential and / or radial components of the flow direction of the fluid flowing across the blade. While the blades 140, 240 of each subset 160, 162, 260, 262 of blades in FIGS. 1A-2D are equally circumferentially spaced around the inner tube 120, 220, in other implementations, the blades are arranged at unequal circumferential intervals. In other implementations, the blades are not arranged in subsets, but are arranged in any other arrangement or are randomly arranged along the outer surface of the inner tube.

[0081] In use, the medium 170, 270 is disposed within the inner tube 120, 220. The medium 170, 270 is configured to generate gas from a precursor. The perforations 128, 228 defined by the inner tube 120, 220 allow gas to flow out of the inner tube 120, 220 and into the annulus 130, 230, but are small enough to prevent the medium 170, 270 from leaking through the perforations 128, 228.

[0082] The fluid flow is then forced into and through the first end 102, 202 of the annulus 130, 230 defined by the outer surface 126, 226 of the inner tube 120, 220 and the inner surface 114, 214 of the outer tube 110, 210, and out the second end 104, 204 of the annulus 130, 230. The fluid flow can be created naturally or by a fan, pump, or any other device capable of creating a pressure differential across the device to cause fluid movement. The first end 102, 202 of the device 100, 200, the second end 104, 204 of the device 100, 200, or both, can be coupled to a duct, tube, or other type of fluid channeling device through which the fluid flows such that the fluid flows through the annulus 130, 230 of the device 100, 200. As fluid flows axially through the annular portions 130, 230 of the devices 100, 200, the multiple blades 140, 240 change the flow direction component of the fluid flowing across the blades 140, 240 to circumferential and / or radial directions, which promotes mixing of the gas and fluid generated by the media 170, 270.

[0083] In some examples, the fluid can include air. In some examples, the air can have a humidity of 20% or more, where the humidity is non-condensing (e.g., 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, 40% or more, 45% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more, or 90% or more). In some examples, the air can have a humidity of 100% or less, where the humidity is non-condensing (e.g., 95% or less, 90% or less, 85% or less, 80% or less, 75% or less, 70% or less, 60% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, or 30% or less). The amount of humidity in the air can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the air can have a humidity between 20% and 100%, where the humidity is non-condensing (e.g., 20% to 60%, 60% to 100%, 20% to 40%, 40% to 60%, 60% to 80%, 80% to 100%, or 50% to 80%).

[0084] In some examples, contacting or mixing the fluid with the gas produced by the medium can treat the fluid, for example, by carbonating or enriching the fluid. In certain examples, treating the fluid can include sweetening and / or acidifying the fluid, for example with carbonation.

[0085] In some examples, contacting or mixing the fluid with the gas produced by the medium can treat the fluid, for example, by reducing or eliminating contaminants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and / or microorganisms, in the fluid. For example, the fluid exiting the second end of the annulus can be treated before it enters the device.

[0086] In some instances, treating the fluid may result in a reduction or inactivation of the population of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) in the fluid. In some instances, treating the fluid may result in a complete (100%) reduction or inactivation of the bacterial population (e.g., elimination of bacteria).

[0087] In some examples, treating the fluid may result in a reduction in the activity (e.g., infectiousness, infectivity, transmissibility, or a combination thereof) of a population of bacteria in the fluid. For example, treating the fluid may inactivate the bacteria and / or reduce the transmissibility of the bacteria.

[0088] In some examples, the microorganism is one or more microorganisms selected from the group consisting of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and combinations thereof.

[0089] Examples of bacteria include adenoviruses, astroviruses, Bacillus bacteria, Blastomyces dermatitidis, bovine coronavirus, bovine viral diarrhea, Malta fever, Clostridium bacteria, Coccidioides immitis, common cold (e.g., rhinoviruses such as rhinovirus A, rhinovirus B, and rhinovirus C), Corynebacterium bovis, Cryptococcus neoformans, echoviruses, enteroviruses, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, feline calicivirus (FCV), influenza viruses (e.g., hepatitis A, hepatitis B, herpes simplex viruses (e.g., herpes simplex 1, herpes simplex 2), Histoplasma capsulatum, human These include, but are not limited to, immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza viruses such as influenza A, influenza virus B, and influenza virus C), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Legionella pneumophila, other Legionella species, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycoplasma spp., Norovirus, Pasteurella spp., poliovirus (e.g., poliovirus type 1), Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rotavirus, Salmonella typhi, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Group B hemolytic streptococcus, Group A hemolytic streptococcus, Streptococcus uberis, Trepella pyogenes, and Vaccinia virus.

[0090] In some examples, the virus may include an influenza virus, a coronavirus, or a combination thereof. Examples of influenza viruses include, but are not limited to, influenza virus A (including H1N1, H2N2, H3N2, H5N1, H7N7, H1N2, H9N2, H7N2, H7N3, H10N7, H7N9, and H6N1 serotypes), influenza virus B, influenza virus C, and influenza virus D. Examples of coronaviruses include avian coronavirus (IBV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), feline coronavirus (FCoV), feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), feline enteric coronavirus (FECV), canine coronavirus (CCoV), rabbit coronavirus (RaCoV), mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), murine coronavirus (RCoV), rat salivary gland dacryoadenitis virus (SDAV), bovine coronavirus (BCoV), bovine enterovirus (BEV), porcine coronavirus HKU15 (PorCoV), and porcine coronavirus HKU15 (PorCoV). Examples of viruses that may be present include, but are not limited to, HKU15, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (HEV), turkey bluecomb coronavirus (TCoV), human coronavirus (HCoV)-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-NL63, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV) (SARS-CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV)-2 (SARS-CoV-2), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus (CoV) (MERS-CoV). In some examples, the virus may include severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV)-2 (SARS-CoV-2).

[0091] In some examples, treating the fluid may result in a reduction in the amount or concentration of volatile organic compounds (e.g., VOCs) in the fluid. In some examples, treating the fluid may result in a complete (100%) reduction in the amount of VOCs (e.g., elimination of the VOCs).

[0092] Examples of VOCs include acetone, ethanol, isopropanol, butanal, propane, butane, hexanal, methylene chloride, benzene, perchloroethylene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, tetrachloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, xylene, 1,3-butadiene, vinyl chloride, carbon disulfide, chloroform, gasoline, methyl mercaptan, hexane, and NO. x (e.g. NO, NO2, etc.), SO x (e.g., SO, SO2, SO3, etc.), H2S, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen iodide, hydrogen bromide, nitric acid vapor, chlorine, carbon disulfide, mercaptans, skancheline, putrescine, cadaverine, trimethylamine, skatole, ethanethiol, s-ethyl thioacetate, diethyl sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, methanethiol, indole, pyridine, ammonia, methionine, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

[0093] In some examples, the method can be performed at a temperature of -25°C or higher (e.g., -20°C or higher, -19°C or higher, -18°C or higher, -17°C or higher, -16°C or higher, -15°C or higher, -10°C or higher, -5°C or higher, 0°C or higher, 5°C or higher, 10°C or higher, 15°C or higher, 20°C or higher, 25°C or higher, 30°C or higher, 31°C or higher, 32°C or higher, 33°C or higher, 34°C or higher, 35°C or higher, 36°C or higher, 37°C or higher, 38°C or higher, 39°C or higher, or 40°C or higher). In some examples, the method can be carried out at a temperature of 50°C or less (e.g., 45°C or less, 40°C or less, 39°C or less, 38°C or less, 37°C or less, 36°C or less, 35°C or less, 34°C or less, 33°C or less, 32°C or less, 31°C or less, 30°C or less, 25°C or less, 20°C or less, 15°C or less, 10°C or less, 5°C or less, 0°C or less, -5°C or less, -10°C or less, -15°C or less, -16°C or less, or -17°C or less). The temperature at which the method is carried out can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the method can be carried out at a temperature of -25°C to 50°C (e.g., -25°C to 15°C, 15°C to 50°C, -25°C to -15°C, -15°C to 0°C, 0°C to 25°C, 25°C to 50°C, 0°C to 40°C, or 32°C to 38°C).

[0094] In some implementations, two or more fluid treatment devices, such as those shown in FIGS. 1A-2D, can be coupled together in a modular and / or permanent system to pass fluid through the two or more devices. FIG. 3 shows such a system 500 for treating a fluid, including a first fluid treatment device 300 and a second fluid treatment device 400. The first and second treatment devices 300, 400 are similar to the device 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, so similar reference numbers are used to refer to similar features of the devices 300, 400 shown in FIG. 3 as used for the device 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. The inner diameter of the first end 302 of the outer tube 310 of the first device 300 and the outer diameter of the second end 404 of the outer tube 410 of the second device 400 are sized such that the first end 302 of the outer tube 310 of the first device 300 is disposable within the second end 404 of the outer tube 410 of the second device 400. Thus, the first device 300 and the second device 400 can be coupled together such that the annular portion 330 of the first device 300 and the annular portion 430 of the second device 400 are axially aligned and in fluid communication with one another. Although the first end 302 of the outer tube 310 of the first device 300 can be removably disposed within the second end 404 of the outer tube 410 of the second device 400 in the system 500 shown in FIG. 3, in other implementations the first end of the outer tube of the first device can be fixedly disposed within the second end of the outer tube of the second device.

[0095] The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein that provide for the treatment of a fluid can include a medium configured to generate a gas from a precursor such that the gas is released into a flow path of the fluid.

[0096] The precursor may be provided in any form that allows the precursor to react with protons (e.g., from a proton-generating species) to produce a gas. In some examples, the medium includes a precursor, and the precursor reacts with protons in the fluid.

[0097] In some examples, the medium comprises dry particles comprising the precursor. As used herein, the term "dry particles" indicates that the particles have a water content of 20% or less by weight (e.g., 15% or less, 10% or less, 5% or less, 4% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less by weight).

[0098] In some examples, the dry particles including the precursor are in the form of a powder. In some examples, the dry particles including the precursor can include a porous support in which the precursor is impregnated into the porous support. In some examples, the porous support is inert. In some examples, the porous support has pores, channels, etc. located therein. Exemplary porous supports include, but are not limited to, silica, pumice, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, clay, porous polymers, alumina, zeolites (e.g., zeolite crystals), or mixtures thereof.

[0099] The porous carrier can have an average particle size. "Average particle size" and "average particle size" are used interchangeably herein and generally refer to the statistical average particle size of particles in a particle population. For example, the average particle size of a plurality of particles having a substantially spherical shape can include the average diameter of the plurality of particles. In the case of anisotropic particles, the average particle size can refer to, for example, the average maximum dimension of the particles (e.g., the length of a rod-shaped particle, the diagonal of a cube-shaped particle, the bisector of a triangular-shaped particle, etc.). The average particle size can be measured using methods known in the art, such as sieving or microscopy.

[0100] In some examples, the porous support can have an average particle size of 0.5 micrometers (microns, μm) or more (e.g., 1 μm or more, 2 μm or more, 3 μm or more, 4 μm or more, 5 μm or more, 10 μm or more, 15 μm or more, 20 μm or more, 25 μm or more, 30 μm or more, 35 μm or more, 40 μm or more, 50 μm or more, 60 μm or more, 70 μm or more, 80 μm or more, 90 μm or more, 100 μm or more, 125 μm or more, 150 μm or more, 175 μm or more, 200 μm or more, 225 μm or more, 250 μm or more, 300 μm or more, 350 μm or more, 400 μm or more, 450 μm or more, 500 μm or more, 600 μm or more, 700 μm or more, 800 μm or more, 900 μm or more, 1 millimeter (mm) or more, 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more, 4 mm or more, 5 mm or more, 6 mm or more, 7 mm or more, 8 mm or more, 9 mm or more, 10 mm or more, 15 mm or more, or 20 mm or more) in their maximum dimension. In some examples, the porous support can have an average particle size of 25.4 mm (e.g., 1 inch) or less (e.g., 24 mm or less, 23 mm or less, 22 mm or less, 21 mm or less, 20 mm or less, 19 mm or less, 18 mm or less, 17 mm or less, 16 mm or less, 15 mm or less, 14 mm or less, 13 mm or less, 12 mm or less, 11 mm or less, 10 mm or less, 9 mm or less, 8 mm or less, 7 mm or less, 6 mm or less, 5 mm or less, 4 mm or less, 3 mm or less, 2 mm or less, 1 mm or less, 900 μm or less, 800 μm or less, 700 μm or less, 600 μm or less, 500 μm or less, 450 μm or less, 400 μm or less, 350 μm or less, 300 μm or less, 250 μm or less, 225 μm or less, 200 μm or less, 175 μm or less, 150 μm or less, 125 μm or less, 100 μm or less, 90 μm or less, 80 μm or less, 70 μm or less, 60 μm or less, 50 μm or less, 40 μm or less, 35 μm or less, 30 μm or less, 25 μm or less, 20 μm or less, 15 μm or less, 10 μm or less, or 5 μm or less) in their maximum dimension. The average particle size of the porous support in their maximum dimension can be in the range from any of the minimum values described above to any of the maximum values described above.For example, the porous support may have an average particle size of 0.5 μm to 25.4 mm (e.g., 0.5 μm to 1 mm, 1 mm to 25.4 mm, 0.5 μm to 100 μm, 100 μm to 500 μm, 500 μm to 1 mm, 1 mm to 10 mm, 10 mm to 25.4 mm, 175 μm to 400 μm, or 600 μm to 2 mm). The average particle size of the porous support may be selected taking into consideration various factors. In some examples, the average particle size of the porous support may be selected based on the presence or absence of a liner, the diameter of each of the multiple perforations, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the porous support is uniformly impregnated with the precursor throughout the volume of the porous support via pores, channels, etc.

[0101] In some examples, the dry particles comprising precursors comprise 1% or more precursor by weight (e.g., 5% or more, 10% or more, 15% or more, 20% or more, 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, 40% or more, 45% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more, or 90% or more). In some examples, the dry particles comprising precursors comprise 100% or less precursor by weight (e.g., 95% or less, 90% or less, 85% or less, 80% or less, 75% or less, 70% or less, 65% or less, 60% or less, 55% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the precursor-containing dry particle comprises a porous support impregnated with the precursor, the porous support comprising 1% or more by weight of the precursor (e.g., the amounts provided above) and / or 50% or less by weight of the precursor (e.g., 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, or 10% or less). The amount of precursor in the precursor-containing dry particle can range from any of the minimum values ​​described above to any of the maximum values ​​described above. For example, the precursor-containing dry particle can comprise 1% to 100% by weight of the precursor (e.g., 1% to 50%, 50% to 100%, 1% to 25%, 25% to 50%, 50% to 75%, 75% to 100%, 1% to 90%, 5% to 50%, 5% to 45%, or 10% to 40%).

[0102] In some examples, the porous support is impregnated with the precursor by using a porous support having a low moisture (e.g., water) content. In some examples, the low moisture content is 5% or less by weight (e.g., 4% or less by weight, 3% or less by weight, 2% or less by weight, or 1% or less by weight). In some examples, the porous support has an initial moisture content of greater than 5% and can therefore be dehydrated to produce a moisture content of 5% or less. In some examples, the dehydrated porous support is then immersed or sprayed with an aqueous solution of the precursor at an elevated temperature (e.g., in the range of 120° F. to 190° F.) and the resulting slurry is thoroughly mixed. In some examples, the mixed slurry is then air-dried to a moisture level of 20% or less by weight (e.g., 0% to 20% by weight, 0% to 15% by weight, 0.25% to 10% by weight, 0.5% to 5% by weight, 0.5% to 3% by weight) to produce the impregnating agent (i.e., the precursor impregnated in the porous support) disclosed herein. In some examples, the impregnating agents disclosed herein may be prepared without a drying step by calculating the amount of aqueous solution of precursor needed to achieve the desired final moisture level (e.g., 0%-20%, 0%-15%, 0.25%-10%, 0.5%-5%, 0.5%-3%) and adding this amount of aqueous solution to the dehydrated porous support to impregnate the porous support, thereby forming dry particles comprising the precursor.

[0103] In some examples, the precursor is impregnated into the porous support and treated with a base. In some examples, the base is any suitable base that can reduce the available protons and inhibit the reaction until a proton-generating species overcomes the base and reacts with the precursor, increasing shelf stability and slowing the reaction rate when the mixture is activated. Exemplary bases include, but are not limited to, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, or blends thereof.

[0104] In some embodiments, the precursor may include, for example, a chlorine dioxide precursor, the gas may include chlorine dioxide, the precursor may include a carbon dioxide precursor, the gas may include carbon dioxide, or a combination thereof.

[0105] In some examples, the precursor comprises a chlorine dioxide precursor. The chlorine dioxide precursor can be selected from any composition that can react with protons to generate chlorine dioxide gas. The chlorine dioxide precursor can comprise, for example, a chlorine dioxide generating compound selected from the group consisting of metal chlorite, metal chlorate, chloric acid, hypochlorous acid, and combinations thereof. Examples of metal chlorite include, but are not limited to, sodium chlorite, barium chlorite, calcium chlorite, lithium chlorite, potassium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, and combinations thereof. Examples of metal chlorite include, but are not limited to, sodium chlorite, lithium chlorite, potassium chlorate, magnesium chlorite, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the chlorine dioxide precursor is impregnated into a porous support such as a zeolite crystal, as described above and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,567,405, 5,573,743, 5,730,948, 5,776,850, 5,853,689, 5,885,543, 6,174,508, 6,379,643, 6,423,289, 7,347,994, 7,922,992, and 9,382,116, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0106] In some examples, the precursor comprises a carbon dioxide precursor. The carbon dioxide precursor can be selected from any composition capable of reacting with protons to produce carbon dioxide gas or carbonic acid. The carbon dioxide precursor can comprise, for example, a carbon-containing compound selected from the group consisting of carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates, and combinations thereof. Examples of carbon-containing compounds include, but are not limited to, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the carbon dioxide precursor is impregnated into a porous support such as a zeolite crystal, as described above and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,992,992 and 8,709,396, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0107] The medium can further include, for example, a proton-generating species. The proton-generating species as disclosed herein can be any composition capable of generating protons to react with the precursor to generate a gas. The proton-generating species can include, for example, an organic acid, an inorganic acid, a metal salt, or a combination thereof.

[0108] In some examples, the organic and / or inorganic acid can be selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, propionic acid, sulfuric acid, and combinations thereof.

[0109] In some embodiments, the proton-generating species comprises a metal salt. In some embodiments, the metal salt is a chloride, sulfate, phosphate, propionate, acetate, or citrate that combines with water to generate an acid, i.e., a proton. In some embodiments, the metal is an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or a transition metal.

[0110] Examples of metal salts include, but are not limited to, ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, CaCl2, ZnSO4, ZnCl2, CoSO4, CoCl2, MnSO4, MnCl2, CuSO4, CuCl2, MgSO4, sodium acetate, sodium citrate, sodium sulfate, sodium hydrogen sulfate, hydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, and combinations thereof.

[0111] In some embodiments, the proton-generating species is a metal salt that can also act as a water-retaining substance (e.g., CaCl2, MgSO4).

[0112] In some embodiments, the proton-generating species is activated to generate protons by contacting the proton-generating species with a moisture-containing (or water-containing) fluid. In some embodiments, the metal salt is ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, or a mixture thereof, and these iron salts can absorb water in addition to functioning as a proton-generating species. In some embodiments, the moisture-containing fluid is liquid water or an aqueous solution. In some embodiments, the moisture-containing fluid is a moisture-containing gas, such as air or water vapor. In some embodiments, the protons generated by the proton-generating species react with a gas precursor. The proton-generating species can also be activated in ways other than exposure to a moisture-containing fluid. In some embodiments, the proton-generating species can be activated and release protons when exposed to water in a powder or impregnated porous carrier containing the precursor.

[0113] The proton-generating species can be provided in any form that allows for the release of a proton.

[0114] In some examples, the medium further comprises dry particles comprising the proton-generating species. As used herein, the term "dry particles" indicates that the particles have a water content of 20% or less by weight (e.g., 15% or less, 10% or less, 5% or less, 4% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less by weight).

[0115] In some examples, the dry particles including the proton-generating species are in the form of a powder. In some examples, the dry particles including the proton-generating species may further include a porous carrier, and the proton-generating species may be impregnated in the porous carrier. In some examples, the porous carrier is inert. In some examples, the porous carrier has pores, channels, etc. located therein. Exemplary porous carriers include, but are not limited to, silica, pumice, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, clay, porous polymers, alumina, zeolites (e.g., zeolite crystals), or mixtures thereof.

[0116] In some examples, the porous support can have an average particle size of 0.5 micrometers (microns, μm) or more (e.g., 1 μm or more, 2 μm or more, 3 μm or more, 4 μm or more, 5 μm or more, 10 μm or more, 15 μm or more, 20 μm or more, 25 μm or more, 30 μm or more, 35 μm or more, 40 μm or more, 50 μm or more, 60 μm or more, 70 μm or more, 80 μm or more, 90 μm or more, 100 μm or more, 125 μm or more, 150 μm or more, 175 μm or more, 200 μm or more, 225 μm or more, 250 μm or more, 300 μm or more, 350 μm or more, 400 μm or more, 450 μm or more, 500 μm or more, 600 μm or more, 700 μm or more, 800 μm or more, 900 μm or more, 1 millimeter (mm) or more, 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more, 4 mm or more, 5 mm or more, 6 mm or more, 7 mm or more, 8 mm or more, 9 mm or more, 10 mm or more, 15 mm or more, or 20 mm or more) in their maximum dimension. In some examples, the porous support can have an average particle size of 25.4 mm (e.g., 1 inch) or less (e.g., 24 mm or less, 23 mm or less, 22 mm or less, 21 mm or less, 20 mm or less, 19 mm or less, 18 mm or less, 17 mm or less, 16 mm or less, 15 mm or less, 14 mm or less, 13 mm or less, 12 mm or less, 11 mm or less, 10 mm or less, 9 mm or less, 8 mm or less, 7 mm or less, 6 mm or less, 5 mm or less, 4 mm or less, 3 mm or less, 2 mm or less, 1 mm or less, 900 μm or less, 800 μm or less, 700 μm or less, 600 μm or less, 500 μm or less, 450 μm or less, 400 μm or less, 350 μm or less, 300 μm or less, 250 μm or less, 225 μm or less, 200 μm or less, 175 μm or less, 150 μm or less, 125 μm or less, 100 μm or less, 90 μm or less, 80 μm or less, 70 μm or less, 60 μm or less, 50 μm or less, 40 μm or less, 35 μm or less, 30 μm or less, 25 μm or less, 20 μm or less, 15 μm or less, 10 μm or less, or 5 μm or less) in their maximum dimension. The average particle size of the porous support in their maximum dimension can be in the range from any of the minimum values described above to any of the maximum values described above.For example, the porous carrier can have an average particle size of 0.5 μm to 25.4 mm (e.g., 0.5 μm to 1 mm, 1 mm to 25.4 mm, 0.5 μm to 100 μm, 100 μm to 500 μm, 500 μm to 1 mm, 1 mm to 10 mm, 10 mm to 25.4 mm, 175 μm to 400 μm, or 600 μm to 2 mm). The average particle size of the porous carrier can be selected taking into consideration various factors. In some examples, the average particle size of the porous carrier can be selected based on the presence or absence of a liner, the diameter of each of the multiple perforations, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the porous carrier is uniformly impregnated with the proton-generating species throughout the volume of the porous carrier via pores, channels, etc.

[0117] In some examples, the dry particles comprising the proton generating species comprise 1% or more by weight of the proton generating species (e.g., 5% or more, 10% or more, 15% or more, 20% or more, 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, 40% or more, 45% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more, or 90% or more). In some examples, the dry particles comprising the proton generating species comprise 100% or less by weight of the proton generating species (e.g., 95% or less, 90% or less, 85% or less, 80% or less, 75% or less, 70% or less, 65% or less, 60% or less, 55% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the dry particle containing the proton generating species comprises a porous support impregnated with the proton generating species, the porous support comprising 1% by weight or more (e.g., the amounts provided above) of the proton generating species and / or 50% by weight or less of the proton generating species (e.g., 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, or 10% or less). The amount of the proton generating species in the dry particle containing the proton generating species can range from any of the minimum values ​​described above to any of the maximum values ​​described above. For example, the dry particle containing the proton generating species can comprise 1% to 100% by weight of the proton generating species (e.g., 1% to 50%, 50% to 100%, 1% to 25%, 25% to 50%, 50% to 75%, 75% to 100%, 1% to 90%, 5% to 50%, 5% to 45%, or 10% to 40%). In some examples, the porous support impregnated with the proton generating species is separate from the porous support impregnated with the precursor.

[0118] In some examples, the porous support is impregnated with the proton-generating species by using a porous support having a low moisture (e.g., water) content. In some embodiments, the low moisture content is 5% or less by weight (e.g., 4% or less by weight, 3% or less by weight, 2% or less by weight, or 1% or less by weight). In some embodiments, the porous support has an initial moisture content of greater than 5% and can therefore be dehydrated to produce a moisture content of 5% or less. In some embodiments, the dehydrated porous support is then immersed in or sprayed with an aqueous solution of the proton-generating species at an elevated temperature (e.g., in the range of 120° F. to 190° F.) and the resulting slurry is thoroughly mixed. In some embodiments, the mixed slurry is then air-dried to a moisture level of 0% to 20% by weight (e.g., 0% to 15% by weight, 0.25% to 10% by weight, 0.5% to 5% by weight, 0.5% to 3% by weight) to produce the impregnating agent (i.e., the proton-generating species impregnated in the porous support). In some embodiments, the impregnating agents disclosed herein may be prepared without a drying step by calculating the amount of aqueous solution of the proton generating species needed to achieve the desired final moisture level (e.g., 0%-15%, 0.25%-10%, 0.5%-5%, 0.5%-3%) and adding this amount of aqueous solution to the dehydrated porous support to impregnate the porous support. In some embodiments, the proton generating species is provided in excess of the stoichiometric amount needed to generate gas when reacted with the precursor.

[0119] In some examples, the medium can further include a deliquescent agent. Examples of deliquescent agents include, but are not limited to, aluminum chloride, aluminum nitrate, ammonium acid fluoride, cadmium nitrate, cesium hydroxide, calcium chloride, calcium iodide, cobalt (II) chloride, gold (III) chloride, iron (III) chloride, iron (III) nitrate, lithium iodide, lithium nitrate, magnesium chloride, magnesium iodide, manganese (II) sulfate, methoxalic acid, potassium carbonate, potassium oxide, silver perchlorate, sodium formate, sodium nitrate, tachyhydrite, taurocholic acid, tellurium tetrachloride, tin (II) chloride, tin (II) sulfate, yttrium (III) chloride, zinc chloride, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the deliquescent agent is in the form of a powder. In some examples, the deliquescent agent can be impregnated into a porous carrier. In some examples, the porous carrier is inert. In some examples, the porous carrier has pores, channels, etc. located therein. In some examples, the porous support is uniformly impregnated with the deliquescent agent throughout the volume of the porous support via pores, channels, etc. In some examples, the deliquescent agent impregnated porous support is separate from the precursor impregnated porous support and / or the proton generating species impregnated porous support.

[0120] In some examples, the medium can further include a desiccant. Examples of desiccants include, but are not limited to, activated alumina, benzophenone, bentonite clay, calcium oxide, calcium sulfate (Drierite), calcium sulfonate, copper (II) sulfate, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium perchlorate, molecular sieves, potassium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, silica gel, sodium, sodium chlorate, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfate, sucrose, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the desiccant is in the form of a powder. In some examples, the desiccant can be impregnated into the porous carrier. In some examples, the porous carrier is inert. In some examples, the porous carrier has pores, channels, etc. located therein. In some examples, the porous carrier is uniformly impregnated with the desiccant throughout the volume of the porous carrier via the pores, channels, etc. In some examples, the porous carrier impregnated with the desiccant is separate from the porous carrier impregnated with the precursor and / or the porous carrier impregnated with the proton generating species.

[0121] In some examples, the medium includes dry particles that include a precursor and dry particles that include a proton-generating species.

[0122] In some examples, the medium disposed within the inner tube includes a mixture of dry particles including a precursor and dry particles including a proton-generating species.

[0123] In some examples, the medium disposed within the inner tube comprises a layered bed including alternating layers of dry particles including the precursor and layers of dry particles including the proton generating species. In some examples, the total number of layers in the layered bed is 3 or more (e.g., 4 or more, 5 or more, 6 or more, 7 or more, 8 or more, 9 or more, 10 or more, 11 or more, 12 or more, 13 or more, 14 or more, 15 or more, 16 or more, 17 or more, 18 or more, 19 or more, 20 or more, 22 or more, 24 or more, 26 or more, 28 or more, 30 or more, 35 or more, or 40 or more). In some examples, the total number of layers in the layered bed is 48 layers or less (e.g., 46 layers or less, 44 layers or less, 42 layers or less, 40 layers or less, 38 layers or less, 36 layers or less, 34 layers or less, 32 layers or less, 30 layers or less, 28 layers or less, 26 layers or less, 24 layers or less, 22 layers or less, 20 layers or less, 19 layers or less, 18 layers or less, 17 layers or less, 16 layers or less, 15 layers or less, 14 layers or less, 13 layers or less, 12 layers or less, 11 layers or less, 10 layers or less, 9 layers or less, 8 layers or less, 7 layers or less, 6 layers or less, or 5 layers or less). The total number of layers in the layered bed can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the total number of layers in the layered bed can be 3 layers to 48 layers (e.g., 3 layers to 24 layers, 24 layers to 48 layers, 3 layers to 30 layers, 3 layers to 20 layers, or 4 layers to 16 layers).

[0124] In some examples, the bed can further include a porous woven or nonwoven layer between one or more of the layers to separate the layers. The woven or nonwoven layer can be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyester (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET)). For example, the porous separator layer can be a spunbond nonwoven polyester layer.

[0125] In some examples, two or more fluid treatment devices can be coupled together in a modular and / or permanent system to pass fluid through the two or more devices. Figure 3 shows such a system 500 for treating a fluid, including a first fluid treatment device 300 and a second fluid treatment device 400. In certain examples, the medium disposed within the inner tube of the first fluidic device can include a precursor (e.g., dry particles including a precursor) and the medium disposed within the second fluidic device can include a proton-generating species (e.g., dry particles including a proton-generating species), or vice versa.

[0126] The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein that provide for the treatment of a fluid can include a medium, the medium configured to generate gas from a precursor such that the gas is released into the fluid flow path. In some examples, the medium releases the gas into the fluid flow path, and the flow of the fluid flowing over the blades increases the amount of gas released by the medium. In some examples, the medium is configured to release gas, and the flow of the fluid created by the multiple blades increases the gas reactivity with VOCs and / or microorganisms in the fluid.

[0127] In some embodiments, the proton generating species is provided in the same housing with an impregnating agent comprising a precursor impregnated in a porous carrier. For example, the medium can be disposed in a permeable liner disposed in the inner tube adjacent to the multiple perforations along the inner surface of the inner tube. In some embodiments, the encapsulating material (e.g., liner) can include any encapsulating material that is substantially impermeable to liquid water. In some embodiments, the medium is disposed in a humidity-activated sachet and encapsulated in the liner. Exemplary liners include, but are not limited to, nonwoven fabrics or paper. Exemplary commercially available materials for liners include, but are not limited to, polyethylene, such as TYVEK® (high density polyethylene), and polytetrafluoroethylene, such as GORE-TEX®. In some embodiments, the liner allows water vapor to enter. In some embodiments, the liner allows gas to be released therefrom into the fluid flow path. In some embodiments, the liner is a sachet that includes three layers of membrane material forming a two-compartment sachet to separate the proton generating species (whether impregnated in a porous support or not) from the precursor (whether impregnated in a porous support or not). In some embodiments, the layers of membrane material can be selected from different membrane materials and the permeability of the outer membrane can determine how quickly moisture can enter the sachet to activate the precursor and the proton generating species. In some embodiments, the layers of membrane material can be selected from different membrane materials and the central membrane can determine how quickly protons from the proton generating source can pass to the precursor to react and generate gas.

[0128] Although several example implementations are provided herein, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein.

[0129] Disclosed are materials, systems, devices, methods, compositions, and components that can be used for, can be used in conjunction with, can be used in preparation for, or are products of the disclosed methods, systems, and devices. These and other components are disclosed herein, and when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed, it is understood that each of the various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these components is specifically contemplated and described herein, although specific references may not be expressly disclosed. For example, when a device is disclosed and any and all combinations and permutations of the device are described, possible variations are specifically contemplated, unless specifically indicated to the contrary. Likewise, any subset or combination of these is specifically contemplated and disclosed. This concept applies to all aspects of this disclosure, including, but not limited to, steps in a method using the disclosed system or device. Thus, when there are various additional steps that can be performed, it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed in any particular method step or combination of method steps of the disclosed method, and each such combination or subset of combinations should be considered to be specifically contemplated and disclosed.

Claims

1. 1. A fluid treatment device comprising: an outer tube having an inner surface; an inner tube coaxially disposed within the outer tube, the inner tube having inner and outer surfaces extending between opposite ends of the inner tube, the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer tube defining an annulus extending axially between the ends of the inner tube; a plurality of blades disposed within the annulus configured to change a component of a flow direction of a fluid flowing across the plurality of blades in a circumferential direction and / or a radial direction, each blade of the plurality of blades comprising: a proximal end coupled to the outer surface of the inner tube; a distal end opposite and spaced from the proximal end along the transverse axis of the blade; A leading edge portion; a trailing edge; and a plurality of blades, the leading and trailing edges extending between the proximal and distal ends, the longitudinal axes of the blades extending through the leading and trailing edges, the blade plane of each blade including the transverse and longitudinal axes of the respective blade, the transverse axis of each blade being radially spaced from the inner tube longitudinal axis of the inner tube such that each blade of the plurality of blades extends at an oblique angle relative to a tangent to the outer surface of the inner tube; a medium disposed within the inner tube; the inner tube defines a plurality of perforations extending between the outer surface and the inner surface; the annulus defines a general flow path for the fluid to flow between the outer tube and the inner tube; the blades of a first subset of the plurality of blades are arranged circumferentially in a first row about the inner tube, and the blades of a second subset of the plurality of blades are arranged circumferentially in a second row about the inner tube, the first row being axially spaced from the second row, and the blade planes for first blades in the first subset and first blades in the second subset are coplanar; The device, wherein the flow direction of the fluid flowing across the blades is changed such that a radially outward portion of the fluid moves radially inward toward the plurality of perforations in the inner tube.

2. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each blade cut in a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the blade is triangular.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the medium is configured to generate the gas from a precursor such that the gas is released into the flow path of the fluid.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the medium comprises dry particles comprising the precursor.

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the medium further comprises a proton-generating species.

6. The device of claim 3 , wherein the medium disposed within the inner tube comprises a mixture of dry particles comprising a precursor and dry particles comprising a proton-generating species.

7. The precursor comprises a chlorine dioxide precursor, and the gas comprises chlorine dioxide (ClO ２ ), or the precursor comprises a carbon dioxide precursor and the gas is carbon dioxide (CO ２ 4. The device of claim 3, comprising:

8. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the dry particles comprising the precursor further comprise a porous support selected from the group consisting of zeolite crystals, silica, pumice, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, and clay, and the precursor is impregnated in the porous support.

9. The device of claim 4, wherein the dry particles comprising the precursor comprise from 1% to 100% by weight of the precursor.

10. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the precursor comprises a chlorine dioxide precursor, the chlorine dioxide precursor comprising a chlorine dioxide-yielding compound selected from the group consisting of metal chlorites, metal chlorates, chloric acid, hypochlorous acid, and combinations thereof.

11. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the metal chlorite comprises sodium chlorite, barium chlorite, calcium chlorite, lithium chlorite, potassium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, or a combination thereof, or wherein the metal chlorite comprises sodium chlorate, lithium chlorate, potassium chlorate, magnesium chlorate, barium chlorate, or a combination thereof.

12. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the medium containing the proton-generating species further comprises a porous support selected from the group consisting of zeolite crystals, silica, pumice, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, and clay, and the proton-generating species is impregnated in the porous support.

13. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the medium containing the proton-generating species comprises between 1% and 100% by weight of the proton-generating species.

14. The device of claim 5 , wherein the proton-generating species comprises an organic acid, an inorganic acid, a metal salt, or a combination thereof.

15. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the proton-generating species comprises an organic and / or inorganic acid selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, propionic acid, sulfuric acid, and combinations thereof.

16. The proton-generating species is ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, CaCl ２ , ZnSO ４ , ZnCl ２ , CoSO ４ , CoCl ２ , MnSO ４ , MnCl ２ , CuSO ４ , CuCl ２ , MgSO ４ 15. The device of claim 14, comprising a metal salt selected from the group consisting of sodium acetate, sodium citrate, sodium sulfate, sodium hydrogen sulfate, hydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, and combinations thereof.

17. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of perforations has a circular shape when viewed from the outer surface of the inner tube, the dry particles comprising the precursor have a first average particle size, the dry particles comprising the proton-generating species have a second average particle size, and each of the plurality of perforations has a perforation diameter, and the first average particle size and the second average particle size are larger than the perforation diameter so that the medium does not leak through the plurality of perforations.

18. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the medium is configured to emit a gas, and the fluid flow created by the plurality of blades increases gas reactivity with VOCs and / or microorganisms in the fluid.

19. The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of blades are configured to induce turbulence in the fluid flowing across the blades.

20. The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of blades are configured to create vortices in the fluid flowing across the blades.

21. 1. A system for processing a fluid, comprising: a plurality of fluid treatment devices including the fluid treatment device of claim 1; A system wherein at least one of the first ends of at least one of the devices is disposable within a second end of at least another of the devices.

22. A fluid processing device comprising: an outer tube having an inner surface; an inner tube coaxially disposed within the outer tube, the inner tube having inner and outer surfaces extending between opposite ends of the inner tube, the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer tube defining an annulus extending axially between the ends of the inner tube; a plurality of blades disposed within the annulus, the plurality of blades configured to change a component of a flow direction of a fluid flowing across the plurality of blades in a circumferential direction and / or a radial direction; a medium disposed within the inner tube; the inner tube defines a plurality of perforations extending between the outer surface and the inner surface; the annulus defines a general flow path for the fluid to flow between the outer tube and the inner tube; the medium disposed within the inner tube comprises a mixture of dry particles including a precursor and dry particles including a proton-generating species; each of the plurality of perforations has a circular shape when viewed from the outer surface of the inner tube; the dry particles including the precursor have a first average particle size; the dry particles including the proton-generating species have a second average particle size; each of the plurality of perforations has a perforation diameter, and the first average particle size and the second average particle size are larger than the perforation diameter so that the medium does not leak through the plurality of perforations; device.

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