Low-Energy Liquid Degasification Using Pressure-Wave Bubble Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional degasification methods require high amounts of energy, typically through heat and vacuum application, making them less accessible for many industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
Low energy degasification devices and methods utilizing a variable liquid chamber volume, pressure waves, and mechanical separation to remove gas from liquids, reducing energy requirements by more than two orders of magnitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional degasification methods (heat and vacuum) are used, then gas removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pressure waves (mechanical vibration) to the liquid to accelerate gas bubble formation and separation. The pressure waves create cavitation events and enhance the rising velocity of gas bubbles, improving gas removal effectiveness without requiring high-energy heat or vacuum systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the liquid environment by introducing pressure waves and modifying chamber volume dynamically. This creates optimal conditions for gas bubble formation and separation, achieving effective degasification at lower energy levels compared to conventional constant high-energy methods.
2Reliability
If vacuum pumps are used to remove gas, then gas separation is achieved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the liquid's own expansion and the generated pressure waves to accomplish gas separation. The liquid chamber's volume increase creates a self-generated vacuum effect, and pressure waves naturally induce bubble formation and rise, eliminating the need for external vacuum pumps and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the gas separation function from complex vacuum pumping systems and implements it through simpler mechanisms: chamber volume changes and pressure wave generation. This separates the gas removal function from high-energy equipment, achieving the same goal with simpler components.
3Reliability
If chamber volume is increased to create vacuum, then gas removal is enhanced, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic volume changes in the liquid chamber rather than a permanently large chamber. The chamber volume is increased temporarily during the degasification cycle to generate vacuum and pressure waves, then reduced for gas removal, allowing compact overall device size while maintaining effective vacuum generation capability.
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
Achieves efficient gas removal from liquids with significantly lower energy consumption compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
increasing an internal volume of the liquid chamber to generate a vacuum within the liquid chamber
Implementation Method 2
applying one or more pressure waves to the liquid in the liquid chamber to form a plurality of gas bubbles
Implementation Method 3
a movable member of the degasification device may create the conditions that lead to one or more cavitations within the liquid, generating pressure waves in the liquid
Implementation Method 4
decreasing the internal volume of the liquid chamber to force the gas through a vapor outlet of the liquid chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are degasification devices and methods of degasifying a liquid. Methods of degasifying a liquid can include filling a liquid chamber with a liquid; increasing an internal volume of the liquid chamber to generate a vacuum within the liquid chamber; applying one or more pressure waves to the liquid in the liquid chamber to accelerate the formation of a plurality of gas bubbles which rise to the surface of the liquid and release gas within the plurality of gas bubbles into a space above the liquid in the liquid chamber; and decreasing the internal volume of the liquid chamber to force the gas through a vapor outlet of the liquid chamber, wherein a degassed liquid remains in the liquid chamber.