Vacuum-Assisted Shear Flow Nanobubble Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nanobubble generators using high pressure and shear forces face inefficiencies in ozone nanobubble production due to reduced stability of ozone at high pressures, leading to low ozone retention and undesired aggregation of nanobubbles.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum-assisted shear flow nanobubble generator system that includes a nanobubble generator with a porous component and a pump to apply negative pressure, facilitating the formation of stable nanobubbles by shearing gas from gas-permeable openings, and a degassing valve to remove larger bubbles and prevent cavitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure and shear forces are used to generate nanobubbles, then nanobubble formation efficiency is improved, but ozone stability deteriorates and ozone retention decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from high pressure to negative pressure (vacuum conditions) to enable efficient nanobubble formation while maintaining ozone stability. The negative pressure environment prevents ozone decomposition that occurs at high pressures, thereby resolving the contradiction between formation efficiency and ozone stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the conventional approach of applying high pressure to generate nanobubbles, the patent inverts the pressure condition by using negative pressure (vacuum). This inversion allows bubble formation through pressure differential while avoiding the harmful high-pressure conditions that degrade ozone stability.
2Productivity
If high shear rates are used to create nanobubbles, then nanobubble production is improved, but nanobubble aggregation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the shear rate parameter by using negative pressure-driven flow instead of high shear rate mixing. This approach produces nanobubbles through pressure differential across a porous membrane, achieving high production rates while minimizing the turbulent mixing that causes nanobubble aggregation and instability.
3Productivity
If high pressure is applied to gas injection, then gas-liquid mixing is improved, but gas stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the pressure approach by using negative pressure instead of high pressure for gas-liquid mixing. Gas is injected through a porous membrane under vacuum conditions, achieving efficient mixing and mass transfer while preventing pressure-induced gas decomposition and maintaining gas stability throughout the process.
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 enhances the efficiency of nanobubble formation by reducing turbulence and increasing stability, allowing for the production of stable ozone nanobubbles with improved retention and reduced aggregation, even with pressure-sensitive gases like ozone.
Implementation Method 1
The pump may apply a negative pressure at the outlet of the nanobubble generator, producing a negative pressure within the nanobubble generator. The negative pressure may cooperate with the fluid flowing across the plurality of gas-permeable openings to shear the injected gas to facilitate nanobubble production.
Implementation Method 2
The negative pressure may cooperate with the fluid flowing across the plurality of gas-permeable openings to shear the injected gas to facilitate nanobubble production.
Implementation Method 3
The porous component may include a chamber to receive the gas from the second inlet and a surface having a plurality of gas-permeable openings to inject the gas into the flowing fluid.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a nanobubble generator that uses a shearing force applied by a fluid received through a fluid inlet and a negative pressure applied to an outlet by a pump to provide a vacuum-assisted shear flow nanobubble generator system. In some implementations, the system may include a nanobubble generator including a porous component including a chamber coupled to receive a gas and including a surface having a plurality of gas-permeable openings. The nanobubble generator may include an inlet and an outlet on opposing sides of the porous component to direct the fluid across the openings. The system may include a pump to apply a negative pressure to the outlet of the nanobubble generator. The negative fluid pressure and the fluid flow across the openings cooperate to form nanobubbles at low injected gas pressures, increasing the efficiency of production of nanobubble solutions with pressure sensitive gasses, such as ozone.