Gas Dissolution Apparatus with Swirl-Flow Bubble Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dissolving gas in liquid are inefficient in forming small gas bubbles, leading to suboptimal dissolution rates and requiring energy-intensive processes.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing an outer and inner structure with gas inlets and liquid inlets to create a swirl flow, capturing gas bubbles from the inner surface of the inner structure to form a liquid-gas mixture with small bubbles, avoiding pressurization and enhancing dissolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods (ejectors or high-pressure nozzles) are used to form small gas bubbles, then gas dissolution is enhanced, but energy consumption increases and process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid flow itself performs the bubble capture function through its own swirl motion, without requiring external energy input for bubble generation. The system uses the kinetic energy already present in the liquid flow to achieve bubble capture and dissolution enhancement
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow regime parameter by creating a swirl flow pattern in the liquid, which fundamentally alters how the liquid interacts with gas bubbles. This parameter change enables efficient bubble capture without the need for high-pressure gas injection or complex ejector mechanisms
2Productivity
If conventional methods (ejectors or high-pressure nozzles) are used to form small gas bubbles, then gas dissolution is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid flow automatically captures bubbles through its own swirl motion, eliminating the need for complex bubble-generating components. The system structure is simplified to primarily consist of the liquid inlet and the swirl flow path
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex mechanisms to generate and inject small gas bubbles into the liquid, the invention inverts the approach by having the liquid flow capture gas bubbles that are already present or forming at the interface. This reverses the conventional sequence of operations and simplifies the required equipment
3Productivity
If high-pressure gas is fed through nozzles to form small bubbles, then dissolution is improved, but the process becomes less economical
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid flow performs the dissolution enhancement function using its own kinetic energy and swirl motion, eliminating the need for expensive high-pressure gas supply systems and complex nozzle assemblies. This significantly reduces both capital expenditure and operational costs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and utilizes only the essential function of bubble capture and dissolution enhancement, removing the need for expensive high-pressure gas injection systems and complex ejector mechanisms while maintaining effective gas dissolution
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 apparatus and method improve gas absorption and dissolution in liquid by producing high concentrations of small bubbles, accelerating the process while reducing energy consumption and costs.
Implementation Method 1
liquid inlets for feeding the liquid into the inner structure to provide a swirl flow and the swirl flow of the liquid is arranged to capture gas bubbles
Implementation Method 2
The gas is arranged to flow through the holes into the inner structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for enhancing dissolution of gas in liquid. The apparatus comprises an outer structure and at least one inner structure inside the outer structure, at least one gas inlet (3, 11, 20) for injecting the gas to a gas space (2, 9, 15, 27) between the outer structure and inner structure, a wall (6, 10, 28) of the inner structure which comprises holes, and the gas is arranged to flow through the holes into the inner structure, at least one liquid inlet (5, 14,16,26) for feeding the liquid into the inner structure to provide a swirl flow and the swirl flow of the liquid is arranged to capture gas bubbles of the gas from an inner surface of the wall in order to form a liquid-gas mixture, and the inner structure is designed such that volume of the space inside the inner structure increases in the direction of the liquid flow, and at least one outlet (1, 8) for discharging the liquid-gas mixture out from the apparatus. Further, the invention relates to the use of the apparatus.