Microbubble Oxygenation via Pressure-Adjusted Flexible Diffusers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water oxygenation systems are costly and inefficient, particularly in targeting low oxygen levels in specific areas of bodies of water, and contribute to eutrophication due to excess nitrogen and organic compounds.
Innovation Solution
A microbubble releasing arrangement submerged in water, comprising flexible diffusers and a rigid manifold connected to an oxygen source, with a pressure sensor to adjust oxygen pressure and facilitate microbubble formation, allowing oxygen transfer and surface reach to remove excess gases and organic compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oxygen is added to water bodies using conventional systems, then oxygenation is achieved, but the systems are costly and stationary, preventing targeted delivery to areas where oxygen is most needed
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygenation system is divided into multiple portable microbubble diffusers that can be independently deployed to specific locations, rather than using a single large stationary system. Each diffuser contains perforations for releasing microbubbles and can be positioned where oxygen is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A rigid manifold acts as an intermediary component that distributes oxygen from a central source to multiple flexible diffusers. This allows the system to maintain a stationary oxygen source while enabling mobile delivery through the distributed diffusers.
2Quantity of substance
If air is used for oxygenation, then oxygen is added to water, but nitrogen is also added which contributes to eutrophication
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the beneficial component (oxygen) from the atmosphere by using pure oxygen as the gas source, rather than using air which contains nitrogen. This selective extraction prevents nitrogen addition to water bodies while maintaining effective oxygenation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pure oxygen (a strong oxidant) instead of air for oxygenation. This provides more concentrated oxygen transfer to the water while avoiding the introduction of nitrogen and other gases that would contribute to eutrophication.
3Productivity
If microbubble size is reduced to increase surface area for oxygen transfer, then oxygenation efficiency improves, but bubbles may not reach the surface and are completely dissolved
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pressure parameter of the oxygen gas supplied to the diffusers. By adjusting the oxygen pressure to be within 0.5-2 bar above ambient pressure, the microbubble size and rise characteristics are optimized to balance surface area for transfer with sufficient rise distance to reach the water surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts oxygen pressure based on ambient conditions and depth. The pressure sensor provides real-time feedback that allows the system to adapt the oxygen pressure, thereby controlling microbubble characteristics to optimize both oxygen transfer and surface reach.
4Productivity
If oxygen pressure is increased to enhance microbubble formation, then oxygen transfer improves, but oxygen loss to atmosphere increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a pressure sensor that provides feedback on ambient pressure conditions. This feedback allows the control system to adjust the oxygen pressure to the minimum necessary level (0.5-2 bar above ambient) to achieve effective microbubble formation, preventing excessive pressure that would cause oxygen loss to the atmosphere.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes the oxygen pressure parameter to achieve the threshold needed for microbubble formation without exceeding it. By maintaining pressure within the specific range of 0.5-2 bar above ambient, the system achieves sufficient microbubble formation for oxygen transfer while minimizing oxygen wastage to the atmosphere.
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
Enhances oxygen transfer and reduces nitrogen and organic compound levels in water by adjusting microbubble size and pressure, effectively addressing low oxygen areas and eutrophication while minimizing oxygen loss to the atmosphere.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor fastened to the manifold and arranged for sensing an ambient pressure outside of the manifold
Implementation Method 2
improved transfer of the oxygen molecules from the gas phase in the bubble to the liquid phase of the ambient body of water
Implementation Method 3
the size of the microbubbles can be adjusted to be large enough that they reach the surface of the body of water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a microbubble releasing arrangement (20) for releasing microbubbles of oxygen in a body of water in which the microbubble releasing arrangement is submerged. The microbubble releasing arrangement comprises a plurality of microbubble diffusers (22), each diffuser formed of a flexible tubing having perforations for releasing microbubbles therefrom. The arrangement also comprises a rigid manifold (1) connected to each of the diffusers (22) and arranged for distributing oxygen gas thereto. The arrangement also comprises a gas tube (21) for connecting the manifold to an oxygen source for providing the oxygen gas to the manifold. The arrangement also comprises a pressure sensor (7) fastened to the manifold and arranged for sensing an ambient pressure outside of the manifold.