Submersible Nano-Bubble Generator Using Rotatable Permeable Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aeration systems are inefficient for large bodies of water and often impractical due to equipment accessibility issues, necessitating a need for an alternative means to increase oxygen saturation levels.

Innovation Solution

A submersible aeration device using a rotatable permeable member with pores that simulates turbulent flow above the threshold, shearing gas to form nano-bubbles, which are then dispersed in the liquid to enhance oxygenation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If pump or blower systems are used to supply gas to liquid medium, then gas saturation level can be achieved, but the system becomes inefficient for large bodies of water and equipment accessibility becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas saturation levelVSAvoidequipment accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid medium itself serves as the carrier for gas distribution through its natural circulation patterns. The permeable member allows gas to transfer directly into the liquid, eliminating the need for external pumping systems to recirculate large volumes of water for aeration purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the core function of gas transfer from the complex pump-blower-recirculation system and isolates it into a simple permeable member that directly introduces gas into the liquid medium at the desired location, removing unnecessary equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If recirculation pumping is used to dissolve gas into liquid, then oxygen saturation can be increased, but energy efficiency decreases and equipment accessibility becomes an issue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolved oxygenVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid medium's natural movement and the direct gas introduction through the permeable member create an energy-efficient system that dissolves oxygen without requiring external pumping energy to force circulation through aeration equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical pump-blower system with a passive permeable member that allows gas to dissolve into the liquid through natural diffusion and contact, eliminating the need for mechanical energy input to drive the aeration process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If traditional aeration systems are used for large bodies of water, then gas transfer can occur, but the systems become impractical due to equipment accessibility and efficiency issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas transfer efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential gas transfer function from the complex traditional aeration system and implements it through a single permeable member, simplifying the overall system while maintaining or improving gas transfer efficiency in large water bodies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes the natural properties of the liquid medium and direct gas introduction to achieve efficient aeration without requiring complex recirculation infrastructure, making it practical for large bodies of water where traditional systems fail

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 device efficiently generates nano-bubbles, enhancing gas diffusion and dissolution in large volumes of liquid without requiring additional pumping, suitable for various applications including lakes, ponds, and oceans.

Implementation Method 1

When rotated, the axially rotatable permeable member simulates turbulent flow above the turbulent velocity threshold (e.g., 2 m/s or higher) in the liquid such that the liquid shears gas from the outer surface of the rotatable permeable member to form nano-bubbles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent flow: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

the liquid shears gas from the outer surface of the rotatable permeable member to form nano-bubbles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShear force: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 3

The axially rotatable permeable member includes a body having a wall and a plurality of pores through which gas introduced into the axially rotatable permeable member can flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 4

enhancing gas diffusion and dissolution in large volumes of liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP4295943B1A submersible nano-bubble generating device and method
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 MOLEAER INC
  • EP4295943B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4295943B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP4295943B1 patent drawingFigure 1D

AI summary

An apparatus for producing nano-bubbles in a volume of liquid is described. The apparatus includes a motor having a rotatable shaft, an axially rotatable permeable member couplable to a gas inlet, and a rotatable tube support coupled to the rotatable shaft of the motor and having an inner cavity that houses the axially rotatable permeable member. When rotated, the axially rotatable permeable member is rotated so that the surface velocity of the rotatable permeable member simulates axial turbulent flow above the turbulent threshold in the liquid that allows the liquid to shear gas from the outer surface of the axially rotatable permeable member, thereby forming nano-bubbles in the liquid.