Fluid treatment system and method

Abstract

A fluid treatment system (1), such as a turbo emulsifier, includes a tank (2) for containing a stationary fluid mass. A rotating shaft (3) is rotated by a motor (4). A cavitation impeller (5) is attached to the rotating shaft (3) within a chamber (21) of the tank (2) so as to be immersed in the fluid mass. The impeller (5) has a pair of walls (51), a void (53) defined by inner surfaces (54) of the walls (51), and blades (56) disposed within the void (53).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of fluid treatment, and more specifically, to the field of turbo emulsions.

Background Art

[0002] A turbo emulsifier is a machine used, for example, in the field of cosmetics manufacturing to process fluids. The fluids to be processed include a main component in liquid form and one or more sub-components in the form of solid particles suspended in the main component and / or a gas dispersed in the mixture.

[0003] This process aims to make the distribution of solid particles and gas in the liquid uniform and to reduce their size.

[0004] Known examples of turbo emulsifiers include tanks for batch processing of fluids. Thus, there is no fluid flow at the input or output side of the tank during the process. A propeller is attached to the shaft, and both are rotated by a motor to stir the fluid, thus obtaining an emulsion effect.

[0005] WO2020075039 discloses a system for processing different types of fluids, in particular a cavitation reactor that provides a continuous flow of the fluid to be processed inside and outside the stator compartment. Cavitation occurs in the flowing fluid due to a rotor similar to that of a closed impeller centrifugal pump but without a suction port.

[0006] FR1580389 discloses a water purifier without a cavitation function, having an impeller fixed to a rotating shaft. There is a central opening in the upper wall of the impeller that communicates with the inside of the rotating shaft, thereby sucking air from above and introducing bubbles into the water.

[0007] US2015320053 and US2012275260 disclose examples of mixers with perforated impellers without a cavitation function.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] An object of the present invention is to improve the fluid treatment efficiency in batches, for example, for use as a turbo emulsifier.

[0009] The applicant noticed that the fluid treatment efficiency of the cavitation reactor of WO2020075039 is higher than that of conventional turbo emulsifiers. However, the cavitation reactor structure of WO2020075039 is not designed for batch operation.

[0010] And surprisingly, the applicant noticed that a single impeller of the reactor of WO2020075039 may be added to or replaced with the propeller of a turbo emulsifier without necessarily providing a stator for continuously flowing the fluid to be treated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] Therefore, the above object is achieved by the fluid treatment system or method according to any one of the appended claims.

[0012] This system includes a tank having a chamber shaped to contain a predetermined stationary fluid mass. Therefore, the fluid does not flow at the input or output side of the tank during processing. A cavitation impeller similar to that of WO2020075039 is attached to a rotating shaft so as to be immersed in the fluid mass.

[0013] By driving the cavitation impeller, a cavitation phenomenon is obtained in the tank, and there is an advantageous effect that the size of the particles in the fluid mass is reduced, and a convective stirring motion may also occur.

[0014] Despite the absence of a stator for flowing the fluid, cavitation can be promoted and its intensity increased by one or more of the following measures: - Increasing the rotational speed of the cavitation impeller, - Increasing the pressure of the fluid at the position where the cavitation impeller is present, - Providing curved blades on the cavitation impeller and rotating them in a direction of rotation such that the concave surface of the blade precedes the convex surface, - Appropriately designing the radius of the cavitation impeller and the width of the internal gap.

[0015] In some embodiments, to increase the pressure of the fluid, the cavitation impeller can be arranged at a deeper position, or for example, a second impeller of the pump type configured to push the fluid from above downward in the direction of the cavitation impeller below can be provided.

[0016] Those skilled in the art will recognize additional features and advantages of the present invention from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] To better understand the following detailed description, some embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] A fluid treatment system is indicated by reference numeral 1. System 1 is a system for the mechanical treatment of fluids, in particular a system for emulsifying fluids, preferably a turboemulsifier.

[0020] System 1 comprises a tank 2 having a chamber 21 shaped to contain a predetermined quantity of a stationary fluid mass.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, tank 2 has a bottom wall 22 and at least one side wall 23 extending above bottom wall 22, for example a substantially cylindrical side wall 23. Bottom wall 22 and side wall 23 at least partially define chamber 21.

[0022] In the present disclosure, terms such as upper and lower are intended to refer to the normal use position of tank 2 such that the weight of the fluid mass, when present within tank 2, presses the bottom wall 22 downward from above.

[0023] The fluid mass within tank 2 is shown as static, in contrast to fluids that flow continuously on the input and output sides of different types of chambers. However, other movements of the stationary fluid mass are possible, such as convective movements, wave movements, or other agitation movements.

[0024] It should be noted that when a predetermined quantity of fluid mass is present within tank 2, the fluid mass has a free surface 100 that is separated from bottom wall 22 by a predetermined height H. In tank 2, there is no open channel that is in fluid communication with chamber 21 below the water level of the free surface 100 of the fluid mass, i.e., below the predetermined height H, at least during use.

[0025] More specifically, in one embodiment, the bottom wall 22 and the side walls 23 of the tank 2 have no openings at all, and thus the channels are not connected. In such a case, the tank 2 may have an upper opening 24 for accessing the chamber 21 in order to fill and empty the chamber 21 with fluid before and after the treatment. Even more specifically, the tank 2 may have an upper wall 25 connected to at least one side wall 23, and the upper opening 24 may be formed through the upper wall 25. Alternatively, the tank 2 may not have an upper wall 25, and the upper opening 24 may be defined by at least one side wall 23.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment, the tank 2 has one or more channels (not shown) that are in fluid communication with the chamber 21 below the water level of the free surface 100 of the fluid mass. Thus, the bottom wall 22 and / or at least one side wall 23 have one or more access openings to the chamber 21 below such a water level. These channels and openings can be opened before and after the treatment to fill and empty the chamber 21 or for other purposes. However, this tank 2 is provided with a closing element (not shown) for each of these channels, and thus, during the treatment, each channel is closed and the flow of fluid at the input or output side of the tank 2 is prevented.

[0027] If such channels are present, the tank 2 may or may not have an upper wall 25 and / or an upper opening 24, and the upper opening 24 may or may not be closed by a lid 27 during use.

[0028] Next, the system 1 includes a rotating shaft 3 that mainly extends along the longitudinal axis A-A.

[0029] The rotating shaft 3 is directly or indirectly connected to the tank 2 in a known manner and is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis A-A with respect to the tank 2. Further, the rotating shaft 3 is at least partially disposed within the chamber 21 of the tank 2 so as to be at least partially immersed in the fluid mass.

[0030] System 1 includes a motor 4, such as an electric motor, which is connected to a rotating shaft 3 and configured to rotate the rotating shaft 3 relative to the tank 2. Preferably, the motor 4 is located outside the chamber 21.

[0031] In one embodiment, the rotating shaft 3 is rotatably connected to the bottom wall 22 and protrudes from the bottom wall 22 into the interior of the chamber 21. For example, the rotating shaft 3 may extend through a seal bearing device 26 disposed on the bottom wall 22.

[0032] In another embodiment, the rotating shaft 3 extends at least partially through the upper opening 24 of the tank 2. In such a case, the rotating shaft 3 does not necessarily have to be supported by the tank 2 and may be supported by any support structure selected by those skilled in the art.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the rotating shaft 3 includes a portion within the chamber 21, a portion outside the chamber 21 that is fixed to a part of the motor 4, and a magnetic joint that couples the portion inside the chamber and the portion outside the chamber together through the wall of the tank 2.

[0034] However, the present invention can also be realized in other different possible arrangements of the shaft 3, and a non-vertical shaft 3 is also possible.

[0035] System 1 includes a first impeller 5, also called a cavitation impeller, which is attached to the rotating shaft 3. Thus, when the shaft 3 rotates, the first impeller 5 is configured to rotate together with the shaft 3 about the longitudinal axis A-A relative to the tank 2.

[0036] The first impeller 5 has at least a pair of walls 51 that are spaced apart from each other along the direction of the longitudinal axis A-A. Each wall 51 is surrounded by a peripheral free edge 52 that is spaced radially from the longitudinal axis A-A. Each wall 51 may be substantially planar or funnel-shaped.

[0037] The first impeller 5 has at least one gap 53 between two continuous walls 51. If there are more than two walls 51, additional gaps 53 may exist, but hereinafter, for simplicity, only a single gap 53 will be referred to.

[0038] More specifically, each wall 51 has an inner surface 54 facing the gap 53 and extending laterally with respect to the direction of the longitudinal axis A-A, and an outer surface 55 opposite to the inner surface 54. The inner surfaces 54 of the continuous walls 51 face each other and define the gap 53 in the direction of the longitudinal axis A-A.

[0039] The gap 53 is accessible by passing between the peripheral edges 52 of the walls 51. Instead, each wall 51 of the first impeller 5 does not have an open access opening to the gap 53. Thus, the fluid cannot access the gap 53 through the openings formed through the walls 51.

[0040] More specifically, each wall 51 may have no openings at all, or may be provided with one or more openings that are closed by respective closing elements during use.

[0041] The impeller 5 has a plurality of blades 56 disposed within the gap 53. The blades 56 extend between the central portion of the impeller 5 near the longitudinal axis A-A and the peripheral portion of the impeller 5. The blades 56 divide the gap 53 into compartments that are circumferentially distributed around the longitudinal axis A-A and each extend between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the impeller 5.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, each blade 56 has a concave surface and a convex surface opposite to the concave surface. Further, the motor 4 is configured to rotate the shaft 3 in a rotational direction such that the concave surface precedes the convex surface. This direction of rotation promotes cavitation and thus makes it possible to obtain cavitation at a lower rotational speed and / or a lower fluid pressure.

[0043] In another embodiment, a direction of rotation such that the convex surface precedes the concave surface is also possible. Further alternatively, the blade 56 may extend substantially straight radially from the longitudinal axis A-A, and thus there may be no concave or convex surface.

[0044] The first impeller 5 is disposed in the chamber 21 of the tank 2 so as to be immersed in the fluid mass when present in the tank 2. In particular, the first impeller 5 is disposed below the water level of the free surface 100, that is, located below the aforementioned predetermined height.

[0045] It should be noted that the first impeller 5 immersed in the fluid is subject to the pressure of the fluid. When the shaft 3 stops, the fluid pressure at the first impeller 5 takes a predetermined base value. The base value of the pressure is determined by the depth of the first impeller 5 with respect to the free surface 100 and the air pressure conditions above the free surface 100.

[0046] In one embodiment, for example when the upper opening 24 is provided, the air above the free surface 100 is at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the base value is greater than 1 atmosphere in terms of absolute pressure, that is, greater than zero in terms of relative pressure.

[0047] In another embodiment, the tank 2 is configured to be closed in a sealed state, and the system 1 may include pressurizing or depressurizing means (of a known type, not shown) configured to increase or decrease the air pressure above the free surface 100 with respect to atmospheric pressure. This also affects the base pressure value at the first impeller 5. In many known applications, the system 1 operates in a vacuum so as not to introduce air into the fluid.

[0048] When the shaft 3 rotates, the pressure of the fluid mass can change at least locally with respect to the base value. In particular, the rotation of the first impeller 5 causes a decrease in the pressure within the void 53, promoting cavitation. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the pressure outside the void 53 increases or remains substantially equal to the base value even when the shaft 3 rotates.

[0049] In another embodiment, so as to affect the pressure value, the system 1 comprises a second impeller 6 different from the first impeller 5. The second impeller 6 is arranged in the chamber 21 of the tank 2 so as to be immersed in the fluid mass when present in the tank 2.

[0050] In Figure 1, the two impellers 5, 6 are attached to the same rotating shaft 3. In Figure 2, the second impeller 6 is attached to a separate rotating shaft 31 driven by a separate motor 41, separate from the rotating shaft to which the first impeller 5 is attached.

[0051] Preferably, the second impeller 6 is a pump impeller configured to move the fluid, preferably to cause a convective motion in the fluid mass, when rotating.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the second impeller 6 is a closed centrifugal impeller. In such a case, like the first impeller 5, the second impeller 6 has two walls 61 spaced apart in the direction of the longitudinal axis A - A and surrounded by a peripheral free edge 62. Between the walls 61, there is a void 63 defined by the inner surfaces of the walls 61. Blades 64 are arranged in the void 63. However, unlike the first impeller 5, one of the walls 61 of the second impeller 6 has a central suction port 65.

[0053] However, other types of pump impellers known to those skilled in the art are also acceptable as the second impeller 6. Furthermore, it is also acceptable to have several pump impellers 6 and / or several cavitation impellers 5 in the same system 5.

[0054] The second impeller 6 is configured to move the fluid mass when rotating, resulting in an increase in the pressure value of the fluid mass, particularly outside the first impeller 5. The increased pressure value is greater than the base pressure value.

[0055] For such a purpose, in a preferred embodiment, the second impeller 6 is disposed at a position higher than the first impeller 5 and is configured to push at least a part of the fluid mass downward when rotating.

[0056] The motor 4 is configured to rotate the rotating shaft 3 at a predetermined speed. Therefore, it should be noted that at the predetermined pressure received by the first impeller 5, and optionally taking into account the pressure generated by the second impeller 6, the first impeller 5 causes a cavitation phenomenon in the fluid mass.

[0057] More specifically, due to the fixed geometric shape of the first impeller 5, in particular the blades 56, and further the shape and dimensions of the wall 51 and the void 53, and also due to the fixed pressure outside the first impeller 5, there is a limiting value of the rotational speed that determines the trigger for cavitation. Therefore, the rotational speed set by the motor 4 is at least equal to such a limiting value.

[0058] From the above, for example, when the pressure outside the first impeller 5 increases due to the second impeller 6, or by increasing the depth of the first impeller 5, or by pressurizing the tank 2, it is understood that the speed limiting value can decrease. Furthermore, by making the curved blades 56 and rotating them so that the concave surface precedes the convex surface, the speed limiting value can also decrease.

[0059] The decrease in the limiting speed means that the same cavitation effect can be achieved at a lower speed of the shaft 3, and thus with a lower energy consumption, or the cavitation effect can be enhanced at the same speed of the shaft 3.

[0060] In addition to or instead of the pumping effect, the second impeller 6 may be configured to mechanically process the fluid by laminating shear stress. The lamination and the pumping effect can be realized by the same stage or separate stages of the second impeller 6.

[0061] From what has been described so far, the method of using system 1 in a fluid treatment process is clear. In particular, for example, it is necessary to fill the chamber 21 of the tank 2 with a static mass of the fluid to be treated in order to immerse the first impeller 5 and, if included, also the second impeller 6.

[0062] Then, the motor is driven to exceed the critical speed, whereby the first impeller 5 causes a cavitation phenomenon in the fluid mass. Finally, the fluid mass thus treated is removed from the tank 2.

[0063] During fluid treatment, i.e., as long as the shaft 3 is rotating at a speed exceeding the critical speed, the fluid does not enter and / or exit the tank 2.

[0064] Obviously, those skilled in the art will be able to make numerous modifications to the above-described variations without abandoning the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fluid processing system (1), A tank (2) having a chamber (21) shaped to accommodate a predetermined mass of stationary fluid up to a predetermined height (H) from the bottom wall (22) of the tank (2), A rotating shaft (3) is located at least partially within the chamber (21) of the tank (2) and extends mainly along the vertical axis (A-A), A motor (4) is configured to rotate the rotating shaft (3) relative to the tank (2), A first impeller (5) is attached to the rotating shaft (3) below a predetermined height (H) within the chamber (21) of the tank (2), The first impeller (5) is equipped with, A pair of walls (51) and The void (53) defined by the inner surface (54) of the wall (51), A plurality of blades (56) are arranged within the aforementioned gap (53), It has, Each of the aforementioned walls (51) is surrounded by a periphery (52) spaced apart from the vertical axis (A-A), each of the aforementioned walls (51) has an inner surface (54) extending laterally with respect to the direction of the vertical axis (A-A), and the inner surfaces (54) of the two aforementioned walls (51) face each other. A fluid processing system (1) wherein each wall (51) of the first impeller (5) does not have an open access opening to the void (53).

2. The fluid processing system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tank (2) does not have an open channel below the predetermined height (H) that is in fluid communication with the chamber (21).

3. Preferably, the tank (2) is equipped with a second impeller (6) attached to the rotating shaft (3) and positioned below a predetermined height (H) within the chamber (21), The fluid processing system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second impeller (6) is a pump impeller configured to increase the pressure value of the fluid mass at the first impeller (5) when it is rotating and when a fluid mass is present in the chamber (21), the pressure value being greater than the base pressure value of the fluid mass at the first impeller (5) when the second impeller (6) is stopped.

4. The fluid processing system (1) according to claim 3, wherein the second impeller (6) is positioned higher than the first impeller (5) and is configured to push at least a portion of the fluid mass downward when it rotates and when a fluid mass is present in the chamber (21).

5. The fluid processing system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rotating shaft (3) is rotatably connected to the bottom wall (22) of the chamber (21) and protrudes from the bottom wall (22) into the interior of the chamber (21).

6. The tank (2) has an upper opening (24) for accessing the chamber (21), The rotating shaft (3) extends at least partially through the upper opening (24), The fluid processing system (1) according to claim 1.

7. The blades (56) of the impeller extend substantially straight in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis (A-A), or The impeller's blades (56) each have a concave surface and a convex surface, and the motor (4) is configured to rotate the rotating shaft (3) such that the concave surface precedes the convex surface, or The impeller's blades (56) each have a concave surface and a convex surface, and the motor (4) is configured to rotate the rotating shaft (3) such that the convex surface precedes the concave surface. The fluid processing system (1) according to claim 1.

8. A process for processing a fluid using the fluid processing system (1) described in Claim 1, Filling the chamber (21) of the tank (2) with a static mass of the fluid to be processed, The motor (4) is driven such that the first impeller (5) causes a cavitation phenomenon in the fluid mass. To remove the fluid mass from the tank (2), A process that includes the following in order.

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