Variable-Outlet Nozzle Assembly for Ozone Water Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water treatment methods using ozone or oxygen face inefficiencies due to pressure drops leading to ozone outgassing before the nozzle outlet, which reduces treatment efficiency and cannot be precisely controlled.

Innovation Solution

A nozzle assembly with variable outlet area controlled by the operating pressure of the process fluid, allowing or preventing flow through nozzle openings based on pressure, eliminating the need for separate valves and enhancing cavitation for radical formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If adjustable valves and feed nozzles are used to control flow rate, then the water treatment process can be regulated, but pressure drops occur leading to ozone outgassing before the nozzle outlet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate regulationVSAvoidozone retention in process fluid
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the valves from the system entirely, extracting the pressure-drop-causing component. Instead of using adjustable valves to control flow rate, the patent employs a fixed nozzle design where flow control is achieved through the nozzle geometry itself, eliminating the source of premature pressure drops and ozone outgassing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter control approach from valve-based pressure control to nozzle-geometry-based flow control. By designing nozzles with specific outlet areas and flow characteristics, the system achieves flow rate regulation without the pressure drops that cause ozone outgassing, fundamentally changing how the process is controlled

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stress or pressure

If valves are positioned upstream of nozzles to control pressure, then pressure can be maintained, but ozone outgassing occurs in the line leading to nozzles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess fluid pressureVSAvoidozone outgassing in supply line
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the upstream valves that cause pressure drops and ozone outgassing in the supply line. By eliminating these valves entirely and using a valveless nozzle design, the system maintains pressure stability throughout the supply line while preventing ozone outgassing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle design is self-regulating, using its own geometry and flow characteristics to control the process fluid delivery without requiring external valves. The nozzle automatically adjusts flow based on pressure differential, eliminating the need for upstream pressure control valves that cause harmful ozone outgassing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If multiple individual nozzles are controlled by upstream valves, then flow rate can be adjusted, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate adjustmentVSAvoidnumber of valves and nozzles
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of multiple individual nozzles and their associated control valves into a single integrated valveless nozzle assembly. This unified design achieves flow rate adjustment through geometric configuration rather than multiple controlled components, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valveless nozzle design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the flow control mechanism and the injection device. By combining these functions into a single component, the system eliminates the need for separate valves and multiple nozzles, reducing complexity while maintaining flow adjustment capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design prevents ozone outgassing and increases treatment efficiency by ensuring consistent pressure and promoting cavitation for enhanced oxidation and impurity removal.

Implementation Method 1

collapsing cavitation bubbles are generated downstream of the nozzle device in the stream of water to be treated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCavitation: Cavitation

Implementation Method 2

The operating pressure and/or the volume flow rate under which the oxygen-enriched process fluid is introduced from the nozzle device into the stream of water to be treated are selected such that collapsing cavitation bubbles are generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrodynamic Cavitation: Hydrodynamic Cavitation

Implementation Method 3

Ozone (O3) reacts directly with organic and inorganic contaminants in water, oxidizing and breaking them down

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 4

As soon as ozone enters the water, it reacts with it. The direct reaction between ozone and water leads to the formation of hydroxyl radicals (OH radicals, OH•). This reaction is described by the following equation: O3 + H2O → O2 + 2OH•

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydroxyl radical formation:

Data Source

PatentEP4682116A1Method and device for water treatment
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 LAIR LIQUIDE SA POUR LETUDE & LEXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
  • EP4682116A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4682116A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4682116A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for water treatment, wherein a stream (6) of water (4) to be treated is provided in a flow section (2) and an oxygen-enriched process fluid (22) is introduced into the stream (6) of water (4) to be treated.