Acoustic Agglomeration of Ultrafine Particles in Gas Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dry-type cleaning systems are inefficient in removing ultrafine solid particles from gas flows, especially at low concentrations, and require high energy consumption and frequent maintenance due to clogging issues.
Innovation Solution
A device for acoustic agglomeration using a T-shaped acoustic chamber and an ultrasonic generator operating at 20-25 kHz, which creates a high-intensity acoustic field to agglomerate ultrafine particles in a gas flow, reducing their size by 70% in less than 1 second.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional dry-type cleaning systems are used to remove ultrafine solid particles, then the structure is simple and maintenance is easy, but the cleaning efficiency is insufficient especially for fine and ultra-fine particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using acoustic agglomeration to pre-treat ultrafine particles before they enter the main cleaning device. The acoustic field causes particles to aggregate into larger clusters, which are then more easily captured by conventional cleaning mechanisms, thus improving overall cleaning efficiency without requiring complex equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an acoustic field as an intermediary between the gas stream containing ultrafine particles and the cleaning device. This acoustic intermediary facilitates particle aggregation through vibration and pressure variations, enabling efficient removal of particles that would otherwise be difficult to capture
2Productivity
If bag filters are used to remove particles from gas flow, then the cleaning efficiency can be improved, but high pressure losses occur resulting in additional energy costs
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic agglomeration unit performs preliminary particle aggregation before the gas enters bag filters or other main cleaning devices. By pre-agglomerating ultrafine particles into larger clusters, the subsequent filtration process requires less pressure differential, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining high removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent partially replaces the mechanical filtration process with an acoustic field-based agglomeration process. Instead of relying solely on mechanical pressure differential for particle capture, the system uses acoustic vibrations to facilitate particle aggregation, reducing the energy burden on mechanical cleaning components
3Productivity
If wet cleaning filters including scrubbers are used for particle removal, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but additional resources such as water are required and moist waste is generated requiring proper management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the particle aggregation function from wet cleaning systems and implements it through a separate acoustic agglomeration unit. This allows the main cleaning device to operate in dry mode, eliminating the need for water consumption and wet waste management while maintaining high cleaning efficiency through pre-agglomerated particles
4Productivity
If acoustic agglomeration is applied to ultrafine particles, then the particle size is increased enabling capture by traditional devices, but the device complexity increases due to additional acoustic components
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic agglomeration unit is positioned as a pre-treatment stage before the main cleaning device. This preliminary action of particle aggregation simplifies the overall system design by allowing the use of conventional, simpler cleaning devices downstream, rather than requiring a single complex device to handle both agglomeration and filtration functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cleaning system into two functional modules: an acoustic agglomeration unit for particle aggregation and a conventional cleaning device for particle capture. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance and operation compared to an integrated complex system
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively reduces the concentration of ultrafine solid particles by 70% in a short process time, achieving high efficiency and energy savings while maintaining operation under various temperature and humidity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Acoustic agglomeration is a process in which high-intensity sound waves cause relative movement of suspended particles in a gas environment. This movement affects collision of particles, during which they stick together and form larger structures
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic generator operating at 20-25 kHz, which creates a high-intensity acoustic field to agglomerate ultrafine particles
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention is a device for forced agglomeration of dry solid particles in a gas flow. The device can be applied in a short section of the duct with contaminated gas. The device for agglomeration of ultrafine particles comprises a T-shaped acoustic chamber and an ultrasonic generator attached to it. An ultrasonic generator is exposed to a volume of gas flow that flows perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the ultrasonic waves of the ultrasonic generator.