Submerged Gas Pumping Vortex Flow Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-powered pumping systems face limitations in pumping height, lack turbulent vortex flow, and are susceptible to bacteria growth due to inefficient energy use and particle pumping, leading to stagnation.
Innovation Solution
A gas-powered pumping system that uses a submerged pump with a housing design featuring a release feature with slope curve wings to create a pulsed aerated vortex flow, which is delivered to a container or plant bed and returned, utilizing a self-sustained energy source like solar or wind power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an air powered pumping system is used to move liquid upward, then the system can operate with minimal energy input from an air source, but the pumping height is limited and cannot achieve high vertical distances
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic gas injection cycles to create repeated expansion-contraction movements of the liquid column. Gas is injected at specific intervals to push the liquid upward in pulses, achieving greater vertical transport distances through cumulative periodic action rather than continuous force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the liquid by aerating it with gas bubbles, transforming it into a gas-liquid mixture with different flow characteristics. This parameter change allows the liquid to be pumped to higher elevations while consuming less energy, as the aerated mixture has reduced density and improved flow properties.
2Use of energy by moving object
If an air powered pumping system aerates the liquid, then the liquid can be moved with less energy, but the flow lacks turbulent vortex characteristics needed for effective mixing and treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The release feature incorporates curved slope surfaces that guide the aerated liquid flow in rotational paths. As the gas-liquid mixture exits the housing, the curved geometry induces vortex formation, creating turbulent rotational flow patterns essential for effective mixing and treatment while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the pneumatic energy of injected gas not only to propel the liquid upward but also to generate turbulence. The rapid expansion of gas bubbles within the liquid column creates chaotic flow patterns and vortex structures, providing the desired turbulent characteristics for mixing and treatment applications.
3Device complexity
If the pumping system operates with simple gas injection, then the structure remains simple, but particles in the water are not adequately pumped leading to stagnation and bacteria growth
Solution Approach 1:
The curved slope surfaces in the release feature generate rotational vortex flow that creates strong mixing action. This turbulent rotational movement prevents particle settlement and eliminates stagnant zones where bacteria could proliferate, while the entire system maintains its relatively simple structure without requiring additional mechanical mixing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic injection of gas creates pulsating flow patterns and vibrations within the liquid column. These mechanical vibrations disrupt particle settling and maintain continuous movement of water and suspended particles, preventing stagnation and bacterial growth without complicating the system design.
4Length of moving object
If more energy is provided to increase pumping height and improve flow characteristics, then the system can overcome limitations, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameters of the liquid by aerating it with gas bubbles, transforming it into a gas-liquid mixture with different flow characteristics. This parameter change allows the liquid to be pumped to higher elevations while consuming less energy, as the aerated mixture has reduced density and improved flow properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transition concepts by introducing gas phase bubbles into the liquid phase, creating a two-phase flow system. The gas bubbles provide buoyancy and reduce the effective density of the mixture, enabling higher pumping heights with lower energy input compared to pumping pure liquid.
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 system overcomes pumping height limitations, generates a turbulent vortex flow, and reduces bacteria growth by effectively aerating and agitating liquids while using less energy, enhancing liquid treatment and circulation.
Implementation Method 1
the inner volume of gas expands displacing the liquid surface in a downward direction
Implementation Method 2
the outlet delivers a liquid/gas mixture... the release feature includes a plurality of cuts having a slope curve shape forming a plurality of wings, the plurality of wings regulating the oscillation behavior of the liquid/gas mixture... the outlet delivers an aerated vortex flow
Implementation Method 3
the aerated vortex flow is delivered to the container to aerate the liquid... effectively aerating and agitating liquids
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises steps for (a) providing a liquid in a container; (b) flowing a gas to a volume within the liquid, wherein the volume is at least partially submerged in the liquid; and (c) repeatedly increasing and decreasing the volume, wherein the cycles of increasing and decreasing generates a pulsed aerated flow, wherein at least one of the pulsed aerated flow is released within the container and the pulsed aerated flow is released outside the container.