Pressurized Water Nozzle for Microbubble Flotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current liquid effluent treatment processes face challenges in achieving efficient and rapid flotation due to the limitations in microbubble size, where small bubbles reduce buoyancy and large bubbles risk floc rupture, with no existing nozzle effectively producing microbubbles of optimal size (100-200 micrometers) for increased processing speed.

Innovation Solution

A pressurized water injection nozzle with a cylindrical inlet chamber, expansion chamber, and frustoconical diffusion chamber, featuring rotating flow and a sting for even distribution, slots for rotation, and fins for energy dissipation, which optimizes microbubble formation between 100-200 micrometers, enhancing attachment to flocs and preventing turbulence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If small microbubbles are used to increase processing speed, then the number of attachable bubbles per floc increases, but the buoyancy of agglomerates decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidbuoyancy of agglomerates
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter of microbubble size to an optimal range (100-200 micrometers) rather than using the smallest possible bubbles. This parameter optimization allows achieving both sufficient buoyancy for rapid rise and adequate number of bubbles per floc for effective attachment, resolving the contradiction between processing speed and buoyancy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If large microbubbles are used to increase buoyancy, then the buoyancy of agglomerates increases, but the risk of floc rupture increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuoyancy of agglomeratesVSAvoidfloc integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the microbubble size parameter to the range of 100-200 micrometers, which is large enough to provide sufficient buoyancy for rapid flotation but not so large as to cause floc rupture. This parameter optimization simultaneously achieves high buoyancy and maintains floc integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If high effluent velocity is achieved to increase processing speed, then the treatment capacity increases, but the risk of microbubble entrainment and floc breakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment capacityVSAvoidmicrobubble retention and floc stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the microbubble size parameter to an optimal range that balances buoyancy and stability. This allows the system to operate at higher effluent velocities for increased treatment capacity while maintaining microbubble retention and preventing floc breakage through appropriate bubble size selection

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

The nozzle design increases the production of microbubbles within the optimal size range, improving flotation efficiency and processing speed while preventing floc breakage and microbubble entrainment, allowing for effective treatment at higher effluent velocities.

Implementation Method 1

pressurized water containing a dissolved gas such as air is injected via nozzles 1 at the base of the flotation zone 2... Under the effect of the expansion of the gas dissolved in this water, gas microbubbles form in the effluent to be treated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

Under the effect of the expansion of the gas dissolved in this water, gas microbubbles form in the effluent to be treated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNucleation: Nucleation

Implementation Method 3

These microbubbles, on rising to the surface of the effluent to be treated, cling to the particles in suspension, which are essentially in the form of flocs, and carry them with them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP3237336B1Injection nozzle for pressurised water containing dissolved gas
Publication Date: 2022.02.02 VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT SAS
  • EP3237336B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3237336B1 patent drawingFigure 4~8
  • EP3237336B1 patent drawingFigure 9~11

AI summary

The present invention relates to a nozzle for injecting pressurized water containing a dissolved gas, said nozzle comprising: - a cylindrical inlet chamber (20) for said water; - a cylindrical expansion chamber (30) comprising an inlet (301), communicating with said inlet chamber (20) via an orifice (401), and an outlet; - a diffusion chamber (60) of truncated conical cross section communicating with the outlet of said expansion chamber (30) and increasing in width from said expansion chamber; said nozzle comprising means for rotating the flow of water flowing at the outlet of said expansion chamber (30). This injection nozzle makes it possible to maximize the production of microbubbles that are neither too small nor too large and to thus increase the proportion of microbubbles produced, the diameter of which is between 100 and 200 micrometers, which consequently makes it possible to achieve a rapid and effective flotation.