MODULAR CAVITATION GENERATOR AND INTENSITY ADJUSTING METHODS
20250001383 ยท 2025-01-02
Inventors
Cpc classification
B01J19/008
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B01J19/0013
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B01J19/2465
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B01J19/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A modular assembled cavitation generating device and related operating loop are described adapted for intensity adjustment, observation, and temperature control. The device is adapted to receive one or more modules detachably attachable to the device that define surface materials, dimensions, angles, and other parameters of a cavitation channel, such as a venturi cavitation channel, that controls or otherwise adjusts cavitation occurring within the device. The device further includes observation windows for monitoring, and various measurement sensors can be installed to obtain measurements pertaining to various flow fields. Additional methods for controlling and/or intensifying cavitation through setting an optimum temperature range are also described.
Claims
1. A modular cavitation device, comprising: an inlet and an outlet; a cavitation body defining a venturi channel therein positioned between the inlet and the outlet, the cavitation body comprising a top surface, a first side surface, a second side surface opposite that of the first side surface, and a bottom surface, wherein: the top surface comprises a top surface receptacle; the bottom surface comprises a bottom surface receptacle, a first pressure port positioned on a first side of the bottom surface receptacle proximal to the inlet, and a second pressure port positioned on a second side of the bottom surface receptacle opposite that of the first side proximal to the outlet; the first side surface comprises a first side surface receptacle; and the second side surface comprises a second side surface receptacle; a venturi throat insert adapted to detachably attach to the cavitation body by at least partially nesting within the top surface receptacle or the bottom surface receptacle, the venturi throat insert configured to control a flow rate or a height of the venturi channel during cavitation; a transparent observation window positioned in at least one of the first side surface receptacle and the second side surface receptacle that exposes at least a portion of the venturi channel for observation; an upstream pressure gauge positioned at least partially within the first pressure port; and a downstream pressure gauge positioned at least partially within the second pressure port, wherein the upstream pressure gauge and the downstream pressure gauge are configured to determine at least one of pressure within the venturi channel and a flow rate of liquid within the venturi channel.
2. The modular cavitation device according to claim 1, wherein the venturi throat insert, when nested within the cavitation body, defines a cavity venturi section with a contraction section, a throat, and an expansion section.
3. The modular cavitation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the venturi throat insert has an expansion angle that controls a cavitation intensity within the venturi channel.
4. The modular cavitation device according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the venturi throat insert has a top surface having a material with a friction coefficient that controls behavior of a cavitation cloud within the venturi channel.
5. The modular cavitation device according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the venturi throat insert is formed of a transparent material for observation or light entry.
6. The modular cavitation device according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein at least one of the venturi throat insert and the cavitation body are formed through additive manufacturing (AM).
7. The modular cavitation device according to claim 1, wherein: the transparent observation window is positioned in the first side surface receptacle; and the modular cavitation device further comprises a side pressure gauge positioned in the second side surface receptacle.
8. The modular cavitation device according to claim 2, wherein the throat comprises a non-uniform surface having at least one indent therein.
9. A modular cavitation device, comprising: a cavitation body defining a venturi channel therein positioned between an inlet and an outlet, the cavitation body comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; a top surface receptacle nested in the top surface; a bottom surface receptacle nested in the bottom surface; and a venturi throat insert adapted to detachably attach to the cavitation body by at least partially nesting within the top surface or the bottom surface, wherein the venturi throat insert is configured to control a flow rate or a height of the venturi channel during cavitation.
10. The modular cavitation device according to claim 9, wherein: the cavitation body further comprises a first side surface and a second side surface opposite that of the first side surface; and the cavitation body comprises a transparent observation window positioned on at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface that exposes at least a portion of the venturi channel.
11. The modular cavitation device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: the bottom surface comprises a first pressure port and a second pressure port; the first pressure port is positioned on a first side of the bottom surface receptacle closest to the inlet; and the second pressure port is positioned on a second side of the bottom surface receptacle opposite that of the first side closest to the outlet.
12. The modular cavitation device according to claim 11, further comprising: an upstream pressure gauge positioned at least partially within the first pressure port; and a downstream pressure gauge positioned at least partially within the second pressure port, wherein the upstream pressure gauge and the downstream pressure gauge are configured to determine at least one of pressure within the venturi channel and a flow rate of liquid within the venturi channel.
13. The modular cavitation device according to claim 9, wherein the venturi throat insert, when nested within the cavitation body, defines a cavity venturi section with a contraction section, a throat, and an expansion section.
14. The modular cavitation device according to claim 9 or 13, wherein the venturi throat insert has an expansion angle that controls a cavitation intensity within the venturi channel.
15. The modular cavitation device according to claims 9, 13, or 14, wherein the venturi throat insert has a top surface having a material with a friction coefficient that controls behavior of a cavitation cloud within the venturi channel.
16. The modular cavitation device according to claims 9, 13, 14, or 15, wherein the venturi throat insert is formed of a transparent material for observation or light entry.
17. A system, comprising: a modular cavitation device, comprising: a cavitation body defining a venturi channel therein positioned between an inlet and an outlet, the cavitation body comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; a top surface receptacle nested in the top surface; a bottom surface receptacle nested in the bottom surface; and a venturi throat insert adapted to detachably attach to the cavitation body by at least partially nesting within the top surface or the bottom surface, the venturi throat insert configured to control a flow rate or a height of the venturi channel during cavitation; and a temperature-adjustable operating loop fluidly coupled to the modular cavitation device via the inlet and the outlet, comprising: a vacuum pump, a water tank, a water pump, a cooling circuit, a heating system, a flow meter, and a thermocouple.
18. The system according to claim 17, wherein: the cavitation body further comprises a first side surface and a second side surface opposite that of the first side surface; the cavitation body comprises a transparent observation window positioned on at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface that exposes at least a portion of the venturi channel; the bottom surface comprises a first pressure port and a second pressure port; the first pressure port is positioned on a first side of the bottom surface receptacle closest to the inlet; and the second pressure port is positioned on a second side of the bottom surface receptacle opposite that of the first side closest to the outlet.
19. The system according to claim 18, further comprising: an upstream pressure gauge positioned at least partially within the first pressure port; and a downstream pressure gauge positioned at least partially within the second pressure port, wherein the upstream pressure gauge and the downstream pressure gauge are configured to determine at least one of pressure within the venturi channel and a flow rate of liquid within the venturi channel.
20. The modular cavitation device according to claim 17, wherein the venturi throat insert, when nested within the cavitation body, defines a cavity venturi section with a contraction section, a throat, and an expansion section.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The present disclosure relates to a modular cavitation generator, intensity adjusting methods, as well as various methods, systems, and devices associated therewith. Cavitation occurs due to a complex process of formation and collapse of bubbles in a liquid subject to pressure, density, and temperature variations. Generally, cavitation arises from energy and shockwaves released due to collapsing cavities. In hydrodynamic cavitation, for example, due to geometrical contraction in a flow channel, a local velocity is accelerated and cavities or bubbles are formed as a result of sudden pressure drops. These cavities are advected by a flow of liquid until a recovered pressure zone is met, then the cavities collapse. The collapse creates extreme conditions at localized areas with high temperatures or hotspots up to 5000 K, high pressures up to 1000 bar, as well as high oxidation (hydroxyl radicals). These phenomena can be destructive to microorganisms in water, cause molecules to fragment, and enhance chemical reactions and mass transfers in physical treatment processes. Cavitation can be generated via several methods such as hydrodynamic, particle, acoustic, and optic cavitation. Due to the limitation of ultrasound propagation and the high equipment cost of other device technologies, hydrodynamic cavitation is promising.
[0027] As noted above, hydrodynamic cavitation devices can be applied for water treatment and other large-scale industrial applications. However, prior techniques are not able to be efficiently used by adjusting cavitation intensity for various speeds and production environments, among other limitations. As cavitation devices of the related art are fixed in dimensions and shape, they do not have the capability of altering the flow channel size in a continuous treatment process. Moreover, cavitation control generally assumes operation under room temperature conditions without considering thermal effects. The related art, for example, does not offer efficient temperature ranges, such as those for producing a consumable beverage or water treatment, in the shortest amount of time possible.
[0028] Thus, according to various embodiments, an improved hydrodynamic cavitation device and system is described to overcome deficiencies in the related art. In accordance with various examples described herein, a hydrodynamic cavitation device is described that can be created through additive manufacturing (AM), such as three-dimensional printing. The cavitation device has an adjustable cavitation intensity in some embodiments. As such, various examples described herein offer low-complexity manufacturing and optimized costs of energy or maintenance, while enabling real-time monitoring of internal flow conditions. An operating system and methods to obtain an optimized operating temperature for cavitation intensification are also described which may be employed in various industrial settings such as, but not limited to, producing high-quality beverages or performing water treatment. At present, with the cost of energy rising rapidly, it is highly desirable to shorten the working time and lower energy consumption to secure as large a profit margin as possible. Accordingly, various embodiments are described herein for an intensity-adjustable, multi-observation, modular-assembled venturi device with a temperature-adjustable operating loop.
[0029] Turning now to the drawings,
[0030] The modular cavitation device 100 or, more specifically, the cavitation body 101 may include a top surface 102, a bottom surface 104, and side surfaces 106, 108. The cavitation body 101 may further include an inlet 109 and an outlet 110. The inlet 109 and/or the outlet 110 may include tubular members extending or projecting from a central portion of the rectangular-shaped cavitation body 101, for example. The tubular members may have a circular or ovular cross-section, although other cross-section shapes may be employed. The inlet 109 and/or the outlet 110 may include threads, whether female or male threads, or otherwise adapted for forming a threaded connection with a hose, tube, or other liquid provisioning device having a respective male or female threaded connector. While threaded connections are described, it is understood that other types of connections may be employed, such as interference connections, friction connections, clamp connections, snap connections, and the like.
[0031] The cavitation body 101 defines a venturi channel 112 therein, where the venturi channel 112 is positioned between the inlet 109 and the outlet 110, as will be described. As such, the top surface 102 of the cavitation body 101 may include a top surface receptacle 114. Further, the bottom surface 104 of the cavitation body 101 may include a bottom surface receptacle 116, a first pressure port 118a positioned on the first side of the bottom surface receptacle 116 proximal (e.g., closest) to the inlet 109, and a second pressure port 118b positioned on a second side of the bottom surface receptacle 116 opposite that of the first side proximal (e.g., closest) to the outlet 110.
[0032] The first side surface 106 may include a first side surface receptacle 120 and/or the second side surface 108 may include a second side surface receptacle 122. In some implementations, the first side surface receptacle 120 and/or the second side surface receptacle 122 may be angled relative to a normal plane of the cavitation body 101 such that the first end thereof is closer to the top surface 102 of the cavitation body 101 and the second end thereof is closer to the bottom surface 104 of the cavitation body 101.
[0033] Various modules may be detachably attached to and/or nested within the top surface receptacle 114, the bottom surface receptacle 116, the first pressure port 118a, the second pressure port 118b, the first side surface receptacle 120, the second side surface receptacle 122, as well as other areas of the modular cavitation device 100. As such, the modules may each include a portion configured to be positioned in (and/or nest in) a respective port or aperture. For instance, the modules may include projections similarly sized and/or shaped to be positioned in a respective port or aperture of the cavitation body 101.
[0034] A transparent observation window, for example, may be positioned in at least one of the first side surface receptacle 120 and the second side surface receptacle 122 via a projecting portion, where the transparent observation window exposes at least a portion of the venturi channel 112 for observation. In some embodiments, for example, the transparent observation window is positioned in the first side surface receptacle 120 and the modular cavitation device further comprises a side pressure gauge (not shown) positioned in the second side surface receptacle 122.
[0035] Additionally, a venturi throat insert may be adapted to detachably attach to the cavitation body 101 by at least partially nesting within the top surface receptacle 114 or the bottom surface receptacle 116, as will be described. The venturi throat insert may be sized and positioned, and formed of various materials, such that it is configured to control a flow rate or a height of the venturi channel 112 during cavitation.
[0036] In addition to the modules described above, an upstream pressure gauge may be positioned at least partially within the first pressure port 118a and/or a downstream pressure gauge may be positioned at least partially within the second pressure port 118b. The upstream pressure gauge and/or the downstream pressure gauge may be configured to determine at least one pressure within the venturi channel 112 and a flow rate of liquid within the venturi channel 112.
[0037] Generally, with reference to
[0038] Moving along to
[0039] In some embodiments, the modular cavitation device 100 may further include a top observation window 130 and a top window fixing member 132 that secures the top observation window 130 to the cavitation body 101, for instance, via insertion within and connected to the top surface receptacle 114. Similarly, in some embodiments, the modular cavitation device 100 may further include a rear side observation window 134, the rear side window fixing part that secures the top observation window 130 to the cavitation body 101, for instance, via insertion within and connected to the top surface receptacle 114.
[0040] The upstream pressure gauge 124 and/or the downstream pressure gauge 125 may be configured to determine at least one pressure within the venturi channel 112 and a flow rate of liquid within the venturi channel 112. The venturi throat insert 126 may be spliced into a venturi-shaped channel (e.g., venturi channel 112) such that the venturi channel 112 has a contraction section 202, a throat section 204, and an expansion section 206 therein. The contraction section 202, the throat section 204, and the expansion section 206 are further illustrated in
[0041] Referring again to
[0042] Referring now to
[0043] Moving along to
[0044] As shown in
[0045] As shown in
[0046] As shown in
[0047] As shown in
[0048] Referring again to
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[0050] The cavitation effect can be enhanced by various adjustment methods such as increasing the fluid flow rate, decompressing the pressure in the pipeline, sending air from the first pressure port 118a, reducing the friction on the top surface of the venturi throat insert 126, increasing the top angle of the venturi throat insert 126, and so on. On the contrary, the intensity of cavitation can also be reduced with countermeasures as mentioned above. These adjustments, replacement, and maintenance are efficient for the present invention, thanks to the relatively independent components and modular installation design.
[0051] At conditions where the component replacement is restricted, such as during the continuous water treatment process, temperature control may also be applied by the cooling circuit 507 and the heating device 508 to intensify the efficiency of hydrodynamic cavitation. As a result of numerous practical experiments, the temperature range of 55 C. to 60 C. is found to be optimum for the largest cavitation extent and the vigorous global vapor cloud shedding.
[0052] The features, structures, or characteristics described above may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner, and the features discussed in the various embodiments may be interchangeable, if possible. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided in order to fully understand the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the technical solution of the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or other methods, components, materials, and the like may be employed. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the present disclosure.
[0053] Although relative terms such as on, below, upper, and lower are used in the specification to describe the relative relationship of one component to another component, these terms are used in this specification for convenience only, for example, as a direction in an example shown in the drawings. It should be understood that if the device is turned upside down, the upper component described above will become a lower component. When a structure is on another structure, it is possible that the structure is integrally formed on another structure, or that the structure is directly disposed on another structure, or that the structure is indirectly disposed on the other structure through other structures.
[0054] In this specification, the terms such as a, an, the, and said are used to indicate the presence of one or more elements and components. The terms comprise, include, have, contain, and their variants are used to be open-ended, and are meant to include additional elements, components, etc., in addition to the listed elements, components, etc. unless otherwise specified in the appended claims.
[0055] The terms first, second, etc. are used only as labels, rather than a limitation for a number of the objects. It is understood that if multiple components are shown, the components may be referred to as a first component, a second component, and so forth, to the extent applicable.
[0056] The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.