Liquid Atomization Nozzle via Mutual Impingement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing atomization methods using gas introduce air into the fluid stream, leading to crystal growth that blocks flow passages and high air consumption, particularly in urea atomization, where air initiates crystal growth and is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
The method involves directing pressurized fluid streams to impinge at a distance from the outlets, creating atomization by controlling the fluid flow through multiple outlets with synchronized kinetic energy, mass flow, and velocity to produce uniform droplets, and the nozzle design ensures effective atomization and mixing within the exhaust system of combustion engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pressurized air is used for atomization of urea, then atomization is achieved, but air consumption increases and crystal growth occurs that blocks flow passages
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the gas medium (air) from the atomization process, replacing it with a liquid-only system where urea solution is atomized through mutual impingement of liquid streams, thereby removing the source of crystal growth and blocking while maintaining atomization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a liquid intermediary (urea solution itself) to perform the atomization function previously achieved by gas, using the liquid streams' kinetic energy and mutual impingement to achieve droplet formation without requiring external gas
2Quantity of substance
If pressurized air is used for atomization of urea, then atomization is achieved, but crystal growth blocks flow passages
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the gas phase from the atomization process, eliminating the conditions that promote crystal growth and flow passage blockage, thereby improving system reliability while maintaining atomization performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state parameters of the atomization medium from gas (air) to liquid (urea solution), altering the fundamental mechanism of atomization from gas-driven to liquid-stream impingement, which prevents crystal formation and blocking
3Manufacturing precision
If fluid streams are directed to impinge at a distance from outlets, then atomization is produced, but precise control of fluid flow is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the fluid flow into multiple separate streams that are directed to impinge at controlled distances from the outlets, with each stream independently controllable through valve means, enabling precise droplet formation while managing system complexity through modular flow control
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs dynamic flow control through valve means that can independently regulate each fluid stream, allowing real-time adjustment of flow rates and impingement conditions to optimize droplet uniformity while adapting to varying operational 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 enhances the mixing of urea with exhaust gases, improving the chemical reaction and minimizing NOx gas discharge by producing smaller droplets, thus controlling the amount of fluid atomized and ensuring even distribution within the exhaust system.
Implementation Method 1
fluid streams discharged from the one or more outlets impinge at a distance from the one or more outlets so as to provide an atomization of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
fluid streams discharged from the one or more outlets impinge at a distance from the one or more outlets
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of atomizing fluids. Some embodiments described herein relate to a nozzle for atomization of one fluid in an exhaust system of a combustion engine or gas turbine, the nozzle comprising an inlet and two or more outlets, arranged so that fluid streams discharged from the two or more outlets impinge at a distance from the two or more outlets so that the fluid streams discharged from at least two of the two or more outlets impinge each other at a specified angle in the range of 70° to 95° so as to provide a spray by atomization of the fluid. The fluid streams may e.g. have a cross section in the order of 0.005 to 0.05 mm2 before impingement.