Nozzle-Based Gas Exchange in Fluid Mixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas exchange technologies for liquids require separate devices for gas separation and dispersion, leading to high costs, space requirements, and maintenance needs, as well as membrane clogging and wear issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with a nozzle featuring a conical ring gap that creates a rotating fluid beam, allowing for simultaneous separation of a first gas and dispersion of a second gas within a single volume, using a separator and gas supply integrated with the nozzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If membrane processes are used for gas exchange, then gas separation and dispersion can be achieved, but the membranes become clogged or worn out after a certain period of time and require replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes membranes entirely from the gas exchange system, replacing them with a nozzle-based liquid stream approach. The liquid medium is ejected through a nozzle to create a dispersed liquid stream that enables gas exchange without contact with membrane surfaces, thereby eliminating clogging and wear issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical membrane-based separation system with a fluid dynamic system using nozzle ejection and liquid stream dispersion. This substitution eliminates the mechanical wear and clogging problems inherent in membrane systems by using purely fluid-based gas exchange mechanisms.
2Reliability
If separate devices are used for gas separation and dispersion, then each function can be optimized, but the equipment becomes complex and requires considerable space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines gas separation and gas dispersion functions into a single integrated nozzle system. The nozzle simultaneously performs liquid ejection for gas separation and creates the liquid stream structure for gas dispersion, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle system is designed to perform multiple functions: it ejects the liquid medium, creates the dispersed liquid stream, enables gas separation, and facilitates gas dispersion. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate devices, simplifying the overall equipment structure.
3Productivity
If high gas flow rates are used, then gas exchange efficiency increases, but a large exchange surface area is required entailing large space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional membrane surface exchange to a three-dimensional dispersed liquid stream approach. By ejecting liquid through a nozzle to create a volumetric spray or stream, the gas exchange occurs throughout the volume of the liquid stream rather than being constrained to a flat surface, effectively increasing exchange capacity without proportionally increasing footprint area.
4Productivity
If membranes are subjected to high pressure differential during operation, then gas exchange efficiency improves, but the pore structure experiences rapid wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes membranes from the system entirely, replacing them with a nozzle-based liquid ejection system. This eliminates the pore structure that would otherwise be subjected to pressure differentials and wear, while maintaining gas exchange functionality through the dispersed liquid stream mechanism.
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
Enables continuous gas exchange with low maintenance and adaptable to various liquid media, reducing energy consumption and avoiding the need for filters, membranes, or moving parts, while maintaining the integrity of the fluid mixture.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid mixture is forced into a rotational motion, the angular velocity of which increases dramatically towards the nozzle opening
Implementation Method 2
a separator arranged in the volume and a gas supply opening into the volume for a second gas to be dispersed into the fluid mixture simultaneously with the separation of the first gas
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device for continuous gas exchange in a stream of a fluid mixture is equipped with a nozzle (2, 26) for supplying a fluid mixture comprising at least one liquid and at least one gas contained therein into a liquid volume (11), a separator (3, 33), and a gas supply (4, 37). The nozzle (2, 26) has a conical annular gap (7, 27) arranged between a conical inner surface of a nozzle jacket (5, 30) and a guide cone (7, 28), opening at its tip into the liquid volume (11) via a nozzle opening (10, 31), and a fluid supply (6, 29) opening tangentially into the conical annular gap (8, 27). The separator (3, 33) has a separation section (18, 34) arranged in the liquid volume (11) and flow-connected to an outlet (20) with an inlet opening (19) arranged concentrically to the nozzle opening (10, 31) and axially spaced from it.The gas supply (4, 37) opens radially on the outside of the separation section (18, 34) of the separator (3, 33) into the liquid volume (11).