Microbubble Generating Nozzle for Water Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) technologies for water treatment require compressors and saturators, leading to high costs, scalability issues, and nozzle obstructions due to capillary-based air introduction, limiting their application to high-flow industrial plants and varying operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A microbubble generating nozzle that operates without a saturator or compressor, using adjustable air and water inlets, and an air-water contact area to produce microbubbles at 1.5 to 6 bar pressure, eliminating capillary obstructions and enabling scalability across varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capillary-based air introduction is used in conventional nozzles, then microbubbles are generated, but nozzle obstructions occur due to water or particles entrained in the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the capillary structure from the nozzle design entirely. Instead of using capillaries to introduce air, the invention employs a different mechanism where air is introduced through a separate inlet and mixed with water in a chamber, eliminating the obstruction-prone capillary components while maintaining microbubble generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an air chamber as an intermediary component between the air inlet and the water flow. This chamber serves as a mixing zone where air and water interact to form microbubbles without requiring capillaries, thus preventing obstruction while achieving the desired microbubble generation
2Reliability
If compressors and saturators are used in DAF technology, then microbubbles are generated for flotation, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the compressor and saturator components from the traditional DAF system. The invention achieves microbubble generation using only a pump to create pressure differential across the nozzle, eliminating the need for complex compression and saturation equipment while maintaining flotation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle design enables the system to generate microbubbles using the kinetic energy already present in the water flow. The pump-induced pressure differential automatically creates the conditions for microbubble formation without requiring additional energy input from compressors or complex saturation processes
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional nozzles are designed for specific working conditions, then microbubble generation is optimized, but scalability to different conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the nozzle with adjustable parameters including flow rate, pressure, and air-to-water ratio. These dynamic adjustments allow the same nozzle design to adapt to different working conditions and scale to various application requirements while maintaining controlled microbubble generation
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle design incorporates multiple inlets (water inlet, air inlet) and adjustable components that enable it to function effectively across a wide range of operating conditions. This universal design allows the same nozzle to be applied in different water treatment scenarios without requiring condition-specific customizations
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
Reduces installation and maintenance costs, enhances flexibility, and maintains performance across different operating conditions, effectively separating solids and pollutants without compressors or saturators.
Implementation Method 1
The microbubbles are created by cavitation of the air that has previously been dissolved in a water stream treated by the DAF
Implementation Method 2
A microbubble generating nozzle that operates without a saturator or compressor, using adjustable air and water inlets, and an air-water contact area to produce microbubbles at 1.5 to 6 bar pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a microbubble generating nozzle comprising a main body with a first water inlet in the upper portion thereof and a second controlled flow air inlet in a lateral recess of the lateral wall of the main body of the nozzle, as well as a gauge that is coupled to the lower portion of said main body and that forms a separation into which ducts open through which air and water circulate through the inside of the nozzle, the air comes into contact with the water and microbubbles are formed that subsequently are dispersed throughout the inside of a water tank at a water treatment facility.