Nanobubble Microbubble Ratio Control for Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for cleaning items, such as washing or sterilizing food products, often leave residual detergents or contaminants, which are undesirable in food processing and other contexts, and are inefficient due to limitations in dissolving gases in liquids or injecting bubbles, leading to uneven application and outgassing.

Innovation Solution

Systems and methods that control the ratio of nanobubbles to microbubbles in a solution to provide selective cleaning effects, using a circulation subsystem and gas handling systems to infuse gases into liquids, separate bubble solutions, and apply them to objects with precise control, allowing for extended gas retention and enhanced cleaning capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional washing or sterilizing methods are used, then cleaning effect is achieved, but residual detergents or contaminants remain on the cleaned items

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidresidual contaminants

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the cleaning medium by using bubble solutions with specific bubble size distributions (microbubbles and nanobubbles) instead of conventional detergents. This parameter change allows effective cleaning without leaving harmful chemical residues on the cleaned items

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces chemical cleaning mechanisms (detergents) with physical cleaning mechanisms (bubble-induced cavitation, microstreaming, and mechanical agitation). This substitution eliminates chemical residues while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through physical forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If gases are dissolved in liquids or bubbles are injected for cleaning, then treatment solution is provided, but gas retention is limited and application is uneven

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas concentration in solutionVSAvoidgas retention time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the gas phase into discrete bubbles of specific size ranges (microbubbles and nanobubbles) rather than using dissolved gases or random bubble distributions. This segmentation allows control over bubble behavior and retention time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the size parameter of bubbles to create microbubbles (1-100 micrometers) and nanobubbles (1 nanometer to 1 micrometer), which have different retention characteristics compared to conventional bubbles. This parameter change extends gas retention time in the liquid solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional bubble injection is used, then gas is introduced into liquid, but bubble size and distribution are uncontrolled leading to uneven application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidbubble size control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention precisely controls the size parameter of bubbles by generating specific size distributions (microbubbles: 1-100 micrometers; nanobubbles: 1 nanometer to 1 micrometer). This parameter control ensures uniform application and consistent cleaning performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust bubble generation parameters, ensuring consistent bubble size distribution and uniform application across different treatment areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 controlled ratio of nanobubbles and microbubbles enables effective removal of contaminants, prolonged gas retention in solutions, and enhanced cleaning efficiency, reducing residual contaminants and improving the quality of cleaned items.

Implementation Method 1

infusing one or more gases into a liquid to form a solution including microbubbles and nanobubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBubble formation: Bubble

Implementation Method 2

separating the solution into a first solution including predominately microbubbles and a second solution including predominately nanobubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBubble separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentUS11904366B2Systems and methods of controlling a concentration of microbubbles and nanobubbles of a solution for treatment of a product

Publication Date: 2024.02.20 EN SOLUCIÓN

AI summary

A system may include a circulation subsystem and a circuit coupled to the circulation subsystem. The circuit may provide one or more signals to control the circulation subsystem to circulate a treatment solution including one or more of microbubbles or nanobubbles in a selected ratio. In one aspect, the nanobubbles may include a first gas, and the microbubbles may include a second gas. In another aspect, the treatment solution may include a first percentage of nanobubbles and a second percentage of microbubbles. In another aspect, mechanical agitation can be applied to the solution on an object to assist in cleaning.