Acoustic Fluid Mixing Device for Scale Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid mixing devices face issues such as inadequate mixing efficiency, high costs, lime deposits, metal precipitates, and bacterial contamination, particularly in industrial applications, and require expensive gas-liquid contactors and complex equipment setups.
Innovation Solution
A fluid mixing device comprising a pressurized tank with inlet and outlet ducts, a solenoid valve, and a processor that controls the mixing process to achieve saturation without flow rate regulation, using stainless steel construction to prevent contamination and incorporating sensors for remote monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional agitated vessels are used for mixing, then mechanical agitation allows intimate mixing between liquid and gaseous phases, but the degree of mixing achieved is insufficient and lime deposits, metal precipitates and bacterial charges form inside the equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical agitation system with an acoustic field-based mixing system. Acoustic transducers generate sound waves that create cavitation and micro-turbulence in the liquid, achieving intimate mixing without mechanical contact. This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of mechanical agitation while maintaining effective mixing between liquid and gaseous phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the mixing process by introducing acoustic energy into the system. By controlling frequency, amplitude, and duration of sound waves, the system achieves optimal mixing conditions that prevent scale formation and bacterial growth while ensuring complete saturation of gas into liquid.
2Reliability
If column contactors with plates or fills are used to maximize contact surface, then effective absorption of gas into liquid is achieved, but the device becomes economically expensive due to internal elements and pumps/compressors required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex internal elements (plates, fills, pumps, compressors) from the gas-liquid contactor system. By using acoustic field-based mixing in a simple tank configuration, the system achieves effective gas absorption without requiring these additional components, thereby reducing device complexity and operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic transducers generate self-sustaining cavitation and micro-turbulence that automatically maximize the contact surface between gas and liquid phases. The system self-regulates the mixing intensity through acoustic feedback, eliminating the need for external pumps or compressors to force fluid circulation.
3Reliability
If conventional mixing devices are used, then basic mixing function is provided, but flow rate regulation and expensive equipment setups are required to achieve complete saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex flow rate regulation mechanisms with acoustic field control. By adjusting acoustic parameters (frequency, power, duration), the system achieves complete saturation without requiring mechanical flow control devices, simplifying the overall equipment setup while maintaining high reliability.
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 achieves complete saturation of aqueous and gaseous fluids with inhibited scale and bacterial formation, reducing operational costs and environmental impact, while allowing for easy installation and use of commercial gas mixtures to modify water characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
The device 1 comprises an acoustic transducer 8. This transducer 8 generates acoustic waves capable of mixing the liquid and gaseous phases
Implementation Method 2
The device 1 comprises a solenoid valve 5. Said valve 5 is suitable for opening or closing said second inlet duct 20b
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
It is provided a device (1) for mixing fluids comprising: - a tank (2) comprising a pressurised chamber (20) capable of allowing the formation of a fluid mixture by interaction between an aqueous liquid and a gaseous fluid under pressure, a first inlet duct (20a) capable of continuously conveying the aqueous liquid into the chamber (20) from the external, a second inlet duct (20b) capable of continuously conveying the gaseous fluid into the chamber (20) from the outside and comprising a valve (5), an outlet duct (20c) capable of continuously conveying, in a continuous manner, the fluid mixture to the external, a level probe (3) capable of generating a level signal when it detects that the fluid mixture has reached a predetermined level within the chamber (20), a processor (4) operatively connected to the level probe (3) and the valve (5), wherein the processor (4) is configured to close the second inlet duct (20b) by means of the valve (5) for a period of time at least equal to the duration of the level signal so as to prevent oversaturation of the fluid mixture.