Generating a heated fluid using an electromagnetic radiation-absorbing complex

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for heating fluids often require temperatures above the boiling point of the fluid, leading to vaporization, and lack efficient systems for heating fluids in residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a vessel with an electromagnetic radiation-absorbing complex, such as copper nanoparticles or nanoshells, that concentrates and absorbs EM radiation to generate heat for heating fluids without exceeding the boiling point, including copper nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles, nanoshells, nanorods, carbon moieties, encapsulated nanoshells, and branched nanostructures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional heating methods are used to heat fluids, then the fluid can be heated to desired temperatures, but the temperature may exceed the boiling point causing vaporization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid temperatureVSAvoidvaporization

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the heating mechanism from conventional thermal conduction to electromagnetic radiation absorption by nanoparticles. The nanoparticles absorb EM radiation and convert it to heat, allowing precise temperature control below the boiling point through parameter optimization of nanoparticle concentration, size, and radiation intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical/thermal heating systems with an electromagnetic field-based heating system. Instead of using external heat sources that transfer heat through conduction or convection, the system uses EM radiation that is directly absorbed by nanoparticles suspended in the fluid, enabling more precise temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by the complex to generate heat, then energy capture efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy capture efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes nanoparticle parameters (size, shape, material composition, concentration) to maximize EM radiation absorption efficiency. By tuning these parameters, the system achieves high energy capture efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure without requiring complex additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Effectively heats fluids to desired temperatures without vaporization, achieving high energy capture efficiency and steam generation rates, with the complex absorbing EM radiation across a broad spectrum to enhance boiling rates and nucleation sites.

Implementation Method 1

a concentrator configured to concentrate electromagnetic (EM) radiation received from an EM radiation source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation concentration: Focusing

Implementation Method 2

a complex configured to absorb EM radiation to generate heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

apply the EM radiation to the complex, and transform, using the heat generated by the complex, the cool fluid to the heated fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 4

transform, using the heat generated by the complex, the cool fluid to the heated fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 5

the temperature at which the fluid is heated must be below the boiling point for such fluid. Otherwise, the fluid will transform into a vapor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBoiling: Boiling

Data Source

PatentUS9863662B2Generating a heated fluid using an electromagnetic radiation-absorbing complex

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 WILLIAM MARCH RICE UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A vessel including a concentrator configured to concentrate electromagnetic (EM) radiation received from an EM radiation source and a complex configured to absorb EM radiation to generate heat. The vessel is configured to receive a cool fluid from the cool fluid source, concentrate the EM radiation using the concentrator, apply the EM radiation to the complex, and transform, using the heat generated by the complex, the cool fluid to the heated fluid. The complex is at least one of consisting of copper nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles, nanoshells, nanorods, carbon moieties, encapsulated nanoshells, encapsulated nanoparticles, and branched nanostructures. Further, the EM radiation is at least one of EM radiation in an ultraviolet region of an electromagnetic spectrum, in a visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and in an infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.