Cavitation Plate Flow Elements for Uniform Bubble Generation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating fluid cavitation, such as using impellers or vibrating surfaces, face challenges in achieving a uniform and controllable level of cavitation, often result in varying degrees of cavitation and can be costly, with rotating components prone to damage and limited effectiveness in exposing all fluid regions to cavitation.
Innovation Solution
A cavitation plate system with flow elements comprising inlet channels, converging nozzles, throats, diverging diffusers, and outlet channels is used to control and enhance cavitation bubble formation and collapse, ensuring consistent and controlled cavitation throughout the fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If rotating components like impellers or rotors are used to generate cavitation, then cavitation bubbles are produced through high turbulence, but the cavitation level is not uniform and is difficult to control across different regions of the fluid chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid chamber is divided into multiple discrete cavitation zones by positioning several vibrating plates at different locations. Each plate generates cavitation in its local region, ensuring uniform distribution of cavitation bubbles throughout the entire fluid volume rather than having concentrated or variable cavitation in specific areas
Solution Approach 2:
The vibrating plates are driven by variable frequency drives that allow dynamic adjustment of vibration frequency and amplitude. This enables real-time control and uniform distribution of cavitation intensity across different regions of the fluid chamber, overcoming the static and unpredictable cavitation patterns of rotating components
2Quantity of substance
If rotating components with shafts, rotors, seals and bearings are used to generate cavitation, then cavitation bubbles are produced, but the system becomes complex and components are prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex rotating mechanical components (shafts, rotors, seals, bearings) from the cavitation generation system. Instead, it uses stationary vibrating plates that can be directly coupled to vibration sources, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining effective cavitation bubble generation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the rotating mechanical system with a vibrational system. Rather than using rotating impellers that require complex support structures, the system uses stationary plates subjected to controlled vibrations, substituting a simpler mechanical approach that reduces component count and potential failure points
3Quantity of substance
If vibrating surfaces are used to cause cavitation bubbles, then cavitation is generated adjacent to the surface, but the ability to generate cavitation is limited and portions of the fluid may not be exposed to cavitation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large vibrating surface, the system employs multiple smaller vibrating plates positioned at different locations within the fluid chamber. This segmentation ensures that cavitation is generated in multiple distinct zones, collectively providing uniform exposure of the entire fluid volume to cavitation effects
Solution Approach 2:
The vibrating plates are positioned at different spatial locations and orientations within the fluid chamber, distributing cavitation generation across multiple dimensions. This multi-dimensional arrangement ensures comprehensive fluid exposure to cavitation, overcoming the limited coverage of a single surface
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
This approach allows for a uniform and controllable generation of cavitation bubbles, effectively breaching cellular matter like bacteria and viruses, improving fluid purification processes by ensuring consistent exposure and reducing equipment wear.
Implementation Method 1
reducing a static pressure of the fluid below a vapor pressure of the fluid, forming cavitation bubbles
Implementation Method 2
communicating the fluid, the cellular matter and cavitation bubbles into a diverging diffuser and collapsing the cavitation bubbles in the diverging diffuser
Implementation Method 3
Cavitation is the creation of bubbles of vapor within a liquid. The bubbles of vapor are created through the reduction in the static pressure below the vapor pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A cavitation plate and system comprises a plurality of flow elements through the thickness of the cavitation plate. Each of the plurality of flow elements comprises an inlet channel a converging nozzle coupled to the inlet channel, a throat in fluid communicating with the converging nozzle, a diverging diffuser in fluid communication with the throat and an outlet channel in fluid communication with the diverging diffuser.