Multi-Phase Reaction Processing with Electric Field Cavitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for fluid processing under high shear stress and cavitation are limited by low energy density, making them unsuitable for large-scale industrial processing and effective treatment of fluid streams for reactions such as particle size reduction, advanced oxidation, and cellular lysing.
Innovation Solution
The application of an electric field in a region of liquid undergoing ultra-high shear impact, mixing, and cavitation, combined with the use of counter-rotating disks with extensions to create cavitation and high shear stress, enabling advanced oxidation reactions and multi-phase reaction processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional cavitation methods (hydrodynamic or acoustic) are used for fluid processing, then cavitation can be generated, but the energy density is low and unsuitable for large-scale industrial processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical field application with mechanical cavitation generation in a single processing chamber. The electrical potential applied between the counter-rotating disks creates electrostatic forces that enhance the cavitation effect, merging electrical energy input with mechanical fluid dynamics to achieve ultra-high energy density processing suitable for large-scale industrial applications
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a composite processing environment where electrical fields and mechanical cavitation fields coexist and interact. This composite approach allows simultaneous application of electrical energy and mechanical shear stress, producing synergistic effects that dramatically increase energy density beyond what either method could achieve alone
2Power
If counter-rotating disks with extensions are used to create cavitation, then high shear stress and cavitation are generated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counter-rotating disks serve multiple functions simultaneously: they generate mechanical shear stress through counter-rotation, create cavitation through their extension geometries, and act as electrical electrodes when potential is applied. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each processing mechanism, thereby managing system complexity while achieving high power output
3Productivity
If electrical potential is applied between rotating disks, then advanced oxidation processes are created, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts processing parameters including electrical potential magnitude, disk rotation speed, and extension geometry to optimize the balance between oxidation efficiency and energy consumption. By changing these parameters, the system can operate at different points on the energy-efficiency curve depending on processing requirements
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 effectively creates advanced oxidation processes within a water stream, facilitating the destruction of organic compounds and substantial removal of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), while also enabling particle size reduction and other physical chemistry reactions.
Implementation Method 1
The cavitation field can be created by means of hydrodynamic processes wherein a localized pressure drop and possibly turbulence are used to generate a cavitation bubble region
Implementation Method 2
The cavitation field can be created by means of hydrodynamic processes wherein a localized pressure drop and possibly turbulence are used to generate a cavitation bubble region
Implementation Method 3
This approach effectively creates advanced oxidation processes within a water stream, facilitating the destruction of organic compounds
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments under the present disclosure include the application of an electric field in a region of liquid undergoing ultra-high shear impact, mixing and or cavitation. The co-location of electrolysis and high shear mixing and or cavitation has demonstrated the ability to cause advanced oxidation reactions and advanced reduction reactions in fluid systems such as water with both dissolved and suspended solids, and hydrocarbon with and without water emulsion.