Dean Vortex Fluid Mixing Conduit for UV Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid treatment systems using UV radiation face challenges in effectively mixing opaque fluids, leading to stratified doses due to stagnant flow and over/under-exposure issues, particularly with designs involving helical paths and static mixers which obstruct flow and block UV penetration.
Innovation Solution
A fluid treatment device with a tubular conduit featuring repeated patterns of four curved sections, where each section's axis of curvature is parallel or orthogonal to the previous one, inducing counter-rotating Dean Vortices and ensuring uniform UV exposure without enclosing the UV source, allowing for efficient mixing and minimizing conduit replacement length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a helical fluid path is used to induce Dean Vortices for mixing, then fluid mixing is improved, but the conduit structure becomes complex and UV penetration is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is divided into multiple straight sections connected by curved transition sections. Each curved section induces Dean Vortices locally, achieving mixing through segmented vortex induction rather than a continuous helical path. This segmentation simplifies the overall conduit structure while maintaining effective mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional helical winding approach to a three-dimensional configuration with alternating curved sections in different planes. The curved sections are arranged to induce vortices in alternating directions, creating a more efficient mixing pattern that reduces conduit complexity while improving UV penetration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If static mixers are used to ensure good mixing in fluid flow, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but UV penetration is blocked and flow obstruction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mixing function from traditional static mixer elements and implements it through the geometry of the conduit itself. The curved transition sections generate Dean Vortices passively through fluid dynamics, eliminating the need for solid mixing elements that would block UV radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical static mixer elements with a fluid dynamic system. Instead of using physical mixing structures, the conduit geometry itself generates vortices through the curvature-induced pressure differences, substituting a mechanical mixing system with a fluid dynamic mixing mechanism that allows UV penetration.
3Speed
If a single curvature helix is used to induce Dean Vortices, then fluid motion is generated, but stratified dose distribution occurs due to constant vortex pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic alternation of curved sections with different curvature directions. As fluid passes through each curved section, Dean Vortices are generated in alternating directions, creating a periodic mixing action that prevents stratified dose distribution and ensures uniform UV exposure throughout the fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic mixing pattern by alternating the curvature directions of consecutive curved sections. This dynamic configuration causes the vortex patterns to change continuously as fluid progresses through the conduit, preventing the formation of stable stratified layers and ensuring uniform dose distribution.
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 targeted mixing and uniform UV radiation distribution, improving upon previous designs by inducing multiple sets of vortices and maintaining fluid flow without obstructing UV penetration, as demonstrated by simulations and experimental results showing proportional fluence to flow rate and absorbance.
Implementation Method 1
inducing counter-rotating Dean Vortices and ensuring uniform UV exposure
Implementation Method 2
Ultraviolet radiation is commonly used to disinfect fluids. UV inactivation has numerous advantages over other methods
Data Source
Figure 1~2C
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
There is described a novel fluid treatment device that can induce Dean Vortices in the flowing fluid, and then induce a new set of Dean Vortices at an angle to those in the first set. Each subsequent curved section can induce vortices at an angle to those in the last curved section. This reactor has the effect of repeatedly twisting and splitting the fluid flow, resulting in targeted mixing similar to that of static mixers without the necessity of utilizing physical mixers. This is also an improvement over helical tubing configurations that generate only a single set of vortices and do not split and mix the flow.