Ferromagnetic Flow Device with Permeable Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow-promoting devices in heterogeneous processes face issues with gas entrapment and limited contact area between solid reaction members and fluidic media, leading to inefficiencies and prolonged process times, especially when using porous or loosely stacked reaction members.
Innovation Solution
A flow-promoting device comprising a ferromagnetic material and a retaining structure with permeable top and side walls, allowing fluidic media to aspirate across the full surface area without vortex formation, enhancing contact with fluid-permeable solid reaction members and preventing gas entrapment, and a supporting structure for controlled rotation within a vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a vortex is formed to direct fluid flow into the compartment via a central opening, then the fluid flow direction is controlled effectively, but gas entrapment and gas lock occur in porous solid reaction members
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the central opening from the top wall, extracting the problematic vortex formation mechanism while maintaining fluid flow control through alternative means (permeable walls allowing uniform distribution without central aspiration)
Solution Approach 2:
The top wall is made permeable allowing fluid to pass through uniformly across the surface, eliminating the need for central vortex formation and preventing gas entrapment by allowing gradual fluid penetration into porous reaction members
2Quantity of substance
If radial channels are used to direct fluid flow, then the fluid distribution is achieved, but the contact area between solid reaction members and fluidic medium is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional radial channel flow to two-dimensional surface flow across the entire top wall area, dramatically increasing the contact surface between fluid and solid reaction members
Solution Approach 2:
The permeable top wall allows fluid to distribute across the entire surface area rather than through limited radial channels, maximizing contact area with solid reaction members while maintaining effective fluid distribution
3Ease of operation
If a central inlet orifice is used to pump fluid radially outward, then the fluid flow path is defined, but the process time is prolonged due to limited contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The permeable top wall maintains defined fluid flow paths while allowing simultaneous flow across the entire surface area, dramatically reducing process time by enabling parallel fluid distribution to all solid reaction members
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the flow distribution function across the entire top wall surface, combining multiple flow paths into a unified permeable structure that simultaneously directs fluid to all reaction members
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 design reduces process time, increases the contact surface area between fluidic media and solid reaction members, and minimizes gas entrapment, thereby improving efficiency and operational ease.
Implementation Method 1
when the flow-promoting device is submerged into a fluidic medium and the flow-promoting device is subjected to an alternating magnetic field, the flow-promoting device is set to rotate
Implementation Method 2
said flow-promoting device comprising a ferromagnetic material
Implementation Method 3
the retaining structure comprises a top wall and a circumferential side wall, wherein the top wall and the circumferential side wall is formed mainly by said permeable material
Implementation Method 4
causing a flow of fluidic medium into and through the compartment via said permeable material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to a flow-promoting device (100; 100; 100″) for performing a biological or chemical transformation, or physical or chemical trapping from, or release of agents to, a fluidic medium. The flow-promoting device (100; 100; 100″) comprises a ferromagnetic material (5) and a retaining structure (1; 1; 1″), the retaining structure having a compartment (9; 9″) defined by a permeable material (11; 11″). The retaining structure (1; 1; 1″) comprises a top wall (3; 3″) and a circumferential side wall (4; 4″), wherein the top wall (3; 3″) and the circumferential side wall (4; 4″) is formed mainly by said permeable material (11; 11″). The compartment (9; 9″) of the retaining structure (1; 1; 1″) is arranged to contain at least one fluid-permeable solid reaction member.