Liquid Purification Atomizer with Rotational Vane Separator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current purification systems for separating inorganic salts, trace metals, and dissolved gases from liquids are resource-intensive and require frequent maintenance, as they often rely on high external thermal energy or fragile semipermeable membranes.

Innovation Solution

A liquid purification system comprising an atomizer and a separator that mixes a solution with an inlet gas to produce an atomized mixture, utilizing rotational velocity components to enhance separation, thereby minimizing external thermal energy usage and reducing maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If distillation is used to separate mixtures, then purification effectiveness is improved, but external thermal energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurification effectivenessVSAvoidexternal thermal energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition (evaporation) of water from liquid to vapor state to separate purified water from contaminants. The atomized solution is exposed to heat, causing water to evaporate and leave behind non-volatile impurities, achieving purification through phase change rather than conventional distillation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a stream of inert gas to atomize the solution and carry the vaporized water through the system. The gas flow facilitates both the atomization process and the transport of vapor, reducing the need for external thermal energy while maintaining effective separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Use of energy by moving object

If reverse osmosis is used to separate mixtures, then external thermal energy consumption is reduced, but maintenance frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal thermal energy consumptionVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses disposable or easily replaceable components such as the atomizer and flow paths that do not require frequent maintenance. The system avoids using fragile semipermeable membranes by employing a thermal-evaporation-based separation method with simple flow components that can withstand operational conditions without degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressure-driven reverse osmosis system with a thermal-evaporation-based system. Instead of using high pressure to force water through membranes, the system uses heat to evaporate water and inert gas flow to carry the vapor, eliminating the need for pressure vessels and fragile membranes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system effectively separates solvent vapor and solute from the solution with reduced energy consumption and minimal maintenance, producing a product liquid substantially free of impurities.

Implementation Method 1

the vane of the first flow member redirects a portion of at least one of a tangential velocity component or a circumferential velocity component of the flow as the solution and the inlet gas flow within the first flow path to produce a rotational velocity component within the flow when the flow is conveyed to the mixing volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational velocity component: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

a vaporized portion of a solvent from the solution and a second outlet flow including a liquid portion of the solvent from the solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10507402B2System for liquid purification

Publication Date: 2019.12.17 THE MICRONIC RESIDUAL TRUST

AI summary

An apparatus includes an atomizer with a first flow member defining a first flow path and a second flow member defining a second flow path such that a solution and an inlet gas can flow in the first and second flow path to a mixing volume defined by the first flow member. A vane of the second flow member redirects a portion of at least one of a tangential velocity component or a circumferential velocity component of the flow to produce a rotational velocity component therein. The solution and the inlet gas mix within the mixing volume to produce a mixture. A separator is fluidically coupled to the second flow member to receive the mixture. The separator produces a first flow including a vaporized portion of a solvent from the solution and a second flow including a liquid portion of the solvent and a solute from the solution.