Fine Bubble Generation Using Sub-Micron Pores and High-Speed Liquid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating fine bubbles in liquids are limited to producing bubbles with diameters in the range of hundreds of micrometers, and require large devices due to the need for vibration to achieve nano-order bubble sizes, making it difficult to create compact and downsized apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A fine bubble generating method and apparatus that uses a gas discharge member with pore diameters of 1.5 μm or less, where the liquid is moved relative to the gas discharge surface at a velocity of at least 1 m/sec, allowing for the generation of nano-order bubbles without the need for vibration, and featuring a pore diameter distribution with a narrow size variation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If vibration having a frequency of 1 kHz or less is applied to the porous body to generate fine bubbles, then fine bubbles can be generated, but the device becomes large and cannot be downsized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the vibration transmission mechanism from the system. Instead of using a vibrator and vibration transmission member to apply vibration to the porous body, the patent uses a simple porous body that directly generates fine bubbles through its pore structure and liquid flow, removing the complex vibration generation and transmission components entirely
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical vibration system (vibrator and vibration transmission member) with a fluid dynamics-based system. Fine bubbles are generated through the interaction of liquid flow with the porous body structure, substituting mechanical vibration with fluid flow mechanisms to achieve the same fine bubble generation effect
2Device complexity
If pore diameter of gas discharge pore is 5 μm or more, then device can be simplified, but only microbubbles can be generated and fine bubbles with nano-order diameters cannot be generated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pore diameter parameter to 1.5 μm or less, which is a significant reduction from the conventional 5 μm or more. This parameter change enables the generation of fine bubbles with nano-order diameters while maintaining a simple device structure without requiring complex vibration mechanisms
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
Enables the efficient production of nano-order fine bubbles with small diameter variation, allowing for the creation of compact and downsized apparatuses capable of generating a large number of bubbles with consistent sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a gas discharge member in which multiple gas discharge pores having pore diameters (mode diameter) of 1.5 μm or less are opened
Implementation Method 2
the liquid is relatively moved along the gas discharge surface of the gas discharge member such that a velocity relative to the gas discharge member is not less than 1 m/sec
Data Source
AI summary
A fine bubble generating apparatus has a storage tank, a liquid feeding unit suctioning and feeding liquid stored in the storage tank, a gas discharge unit discharging gas into the liquid which is being fed by the liquid feeding unit, and a storage tank. The gas discharge unit includes a gas discharge member with pores having pore diameters of 1.5 μm or less, and a base member having a groove formed in a surface contacting the gas discharge surface of the gas discharge member. The liquid feeding unit moves the liquid along the gas discharge surface of the gas discharge member by causing the liquid to flow in a flow channel enclosed by the gas discharge surface of the gas discharge member and the groove of the base member such that a velocity relative to the gas discharge member is not less than 1 msec.