Flow-Shaping Conduit for Uniform UV Reactor Hydrodynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow conduits, such as UV photoreactors, suffer from non-uniform fluid velocity distribution and fluence rate distribution, leading to uneven residence time and UV dose distribution, which can be exacerbated by flow-restraining elements and mixers that block radiation.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow conduit with a flow-shaping element featuring curved channel portions and a bore portion that imparts angular momentum, creating counter-rotating vortices to achieve uniform velocity distribution and fluence rate distribution, allowing for even UV dose delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If flow-restraining elements and mixers are deployed in the reaction chamber to control fluid velocity distribution, then fluid residence time uniformity is improved, but radiation transmission is blocked and fluence rate uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flow control function from the reaction chamber by positioning the flow-shaping element upstream, before the radiation field. This removes the conflicting element (flow control structure) from the radiation zone, allowing uniform fluence rate while maintaining residence time control through the upstream flow-shaping element
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-shaping element performs flow uniformization action preliminarily, before the fluid enters the reaction chamber. By establishing uniform velocity distribution upstream, the need for in-chamber flow control elements is eliminated, preserving radiation transmission while achieving residence time uniformity
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional straight channels are used in the conduit, then manufacturing is simple, but fluid velocity distribution remains non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies curved channel portions with specific radii of curvature to reshape the velocity profile. The curved geometry redistributes fluid flow to achieve uniform velocity distribution across the channel cross-section, while the curvature parameters are optimized to balance flow uniformity with manufacturing feasibility
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 flow-shaping element ensures uniform residence time and fluence rate distribution, resulting in consistent UV dose delivery and improved reactor efficiency by mixing fluids through regions of both high and low radiant flux.
Implementation Method 1
the flow-shaping element comprising a flow-shaping channel shaped to provide a first curved channel portion that is curved about a longitudinal axis in a first angular direction. The first curved channel may be shaped to impart angular momentum about the longitudinal axis in the first angular direction on fluid flow through the first curved channel portion.
Implementation Method 2
creating counter-rotating vortices to achieve uniform velocity distribution and fluence rate distribution
Implementation Method 3
allowing for even UV dose delivery... by mixing fluids through regions of both high and low radiant flux
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow conduit comprises a flow-shaping element shaped to control the velocity distribution of fluid flowing therethrough. A conduit body is shaped to define a longitudinally oriented interior flow region. The flow-shaping element comprises a flow-shaping channel shaped to provide a first curved channel portion curved about a longitudinal axis in a first angular direction to impart angular momentum about the longitudinal axis in the first angular direction on fluid flow therethrough. The flow-shaping channel may be shaped to provide a second curved channel portion that is curved about the longitudinal axis in a second angular direction (opposed to the first angular direction) to impart angular momentum about the longitudinal axis in the second angular direction on fluid flow therethrough. The flow-shaping channel may be shaped to provide one or more slits that communicate fluid between the first and second curved channel portions and a central bore portion.