High-Density Fine Bubble Liquid Production via Filtration Concentration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current techniques for producing water with fine bubbles face limitations in achieving high-density fine bubble solutions, as the number of fine bubbles per unit volume is constrained, hindering research applications and efficiency in handling such liquids.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the preparation of initial fine bubble-containing liquid, followed by filtration to concentrate fine bubbles, and adjusting the throttle valve to control the flow rate and achieve a target density, utilizing a high-density fine bubble-producing apparatus that includes a fine bubble-containing liquid producing part, vaporizing part, and filtration system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If mechanical mixing is used to generate fine bubbles in water, then fine bubbles are produced, but the number of fine bubbles per unit volume is limited and cannot be dramatically increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of fine bubbles per unit volumeVSAvoidefficiency of handling liquid containing fine bubbles
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes large bubbles from the liquid through filtration, leaving behind a concentrated solution of fine bubbles. The filtration step separates the desired fine bubbles (which pass through the filter) from the unwanted large bubbles and liquid components, thereby increasing the density of fine bubbles in the remaining liquid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the liquid system by controlling the flow rate through a throttle valve and adjusting the filtration process. By varying the flow rate and filtration conditions, the density of fine bubbles in the liquid can be controlled to achieve a target density, transforming the liquid from a low-concentration to a high-concentration fine bubble solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If filtration is applied to concentrate fine bubbles, then high-density fine bubble-containing liquid is obtained, but the flow rate of liquid must be controlled to achieve target density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedensity of fine bubblesVSAvoidcontrol of flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the degree of opening of the throttle valve is adjusted on the basis of measurement results of bubble density. The actual bubble density is measured and compared with the target density, and the flow rate is automatically adjusted to maintain the desired density level, making the operation easier and more precise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If high-speed swirling is used to reduce bubble sizes, then fine bubbles are generated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebubble size reductionVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical high-speed swirling systems with a simpler filtration-based approach. Instead of using high-speed mechanical mixing or swirling chambers to generate fine bubbles, the system uses a filtration process to separate and concentrate fine bubbles that are already present or gently formed, thereby achieving fine bubble generation with much simpler apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Quantity of substance

If nanobubbles are generated by gas-liquid mixing with turbulence, then fine bubbles are produced, but additional components like filters and pressurization means are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of nanobubblesVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential filtration function needed to concentrate fine bubbles, removing unnecessary complex components. By focusing on the core separation mechanism rather than attempting to generate nanobubbles through complex pressurization and turbulence systems, the apparatus achieves fine bubble concentration with fewer components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 method allows for the easy production of high-density fine bubble-containing liquids with controlled bubble densities, effectively increasing the concentration of fine bubbles without significantly altering their number, enhancing the efficiency and applicability of the liquid.

Implementation Method 1

passing part of the initial liquid through a filtration filter to obtain high-density fine bubble-containing liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a degree of opening of a throttle valve which is provided on a fine bubble-containing liquid discharge passage is adjusted on the basis of measurement result of density of bubbles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP3231502B1High-density fine bubble-containing liquid producing method and high-density fine bubble-containing liquid producing apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 IDEC CORP
  • EP3231502B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3231502B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3231502B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Initial liquid containing fine bubbles is produced by mixing water and air (step S11). Fine bubbles have diameters of less than 1 µm. The density of bubbles in the initial liquid is measured (step S13), and when the measured density is less than a target density (step S14), by increasing the density of fine bubbles in the initial liquid with using a filter that does not pass all fine bubbles, high-density fine bubble-containing liquid is easily acquired (step S15). When the density of bubbles in the initial liquid is greater than the target density, the initial liquid is diluted (step S16).