The present disclosure relates to a cavitational mixing device, and more particularly, a device for mixing fluids under controlled formation and collapse of cavitation bubbles in a fluid passing through the device.
In the field of cavitation mixing, various devices using rotors or other rotating members to generate hydrodynamic cavitation are known. Typical of the art are those devices disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,188,090; 5,385,298; 5,957,122; 6,627,784; 6,857,774; 7,318,553; 7,357,566; 7,771,582 and 8,449,172. The devices disclosed in the aforementioned patents are useful for mixing dissimilar fluids.
To more efficiently mix fluids in rotor/stator type devices, the energy released from the cavitation bubbles generated in the bore openings and gap between the rotor and the stator can be enhanced. For this purpose, the cavitation generation flow path in which cavitation bubbles exist can be collapsed under high pressure. Accordingly, there is a need to improve cavitational mixing devices that result in poor efficiency and low energy release within the cavitational field.
In a first aspect, there is a device for cavitational mixing, the device includes a housing having a chamber defined by a cylindrical wall having a longitudinal axis, the chamber further partially defined by a pair of end walls; a stator forming a portion of an end wall, the stator including a circumferential external surface facing the cylindrical wall and a first plurality of stator bore holes oriented perpendicular to the housing longitudinal axis; and a rotor mounted on a shaft, the rotor positioned within the housing chamber, the rotor including a circumferential internal surface facing the circumferential external surface of the stator, the circumferential internal surface of the rotor having a second plurality of rotor bore holes oriented perpendicular to the housing longitudinal axis, wherein the stator and the rotor are positioned such that the first plurality of stator bore holes are substantially in register to the second plurality of rotor bore holes, and when the rotor is rotated relative to the stator each of the second plurality of rotor bore holes passes a stator bore hole of the first plurality of stator bore holes, and wherein each of the bore holes in the second plurality of rotor bore holes and each of the bore holes in the first plurality of stator bore holes has substantially the same diameter.
In an example of aspect 1, the housing further including at least one inlet port for introducing fluid into a space between the circumferential internal surface of the rotor and the circumferential external surface of the stator.
In another example of aspect 1, the inlet port for introducing fluid is positioned in line with the center of the stator.
In another example of aspect 1, the housing further includes at least one outlet port for discharging fluid mixed in the device.
In another example of aspect 1, the rotor bore holes and the stator bore holes have a cylindrical shape.
In another example of aspect 1, the shaft is connected to a motive means to rotate the rotor.
In another example of aspect 1, the ratio of the depth of the stator bore holes to the depth of the rotor bore holes is less than 10:1.
In another example of aspect 1, the ratio of the depth of the stator bore holes to the depth of the rotor bore holes is greater than 1:1.
In another example of aspect 1, the stator includes two or more pluralities of stator bore holes, each plurality of the two or more plurality of stator bore holes includes bore holes arranged in a straight-line series and each stator bore hole of each plurality is equally spaced apart from one another; the rotor includes two or more pluralities of rotor bore holes, each plurality of the two or more pluralities of rotor bore holes includes bore holes arranged in a straight-line series and each rotor bore hole of each plurality is equally spaced apart from one another; the distance between each stator bore hole of each plurality or each rotor bore hole of each plurality is greater than the diameter of the stator bore holes and/or rotor bore holes.
In another example of aspect 1, the stator includes two or more pluralities of stator bore holes, each plurality of stator bore holes includes two or more stator bore holes.
In another example of aspect 1, the rotor includes two or more pluralities of rotor bore holes, each plurality of rotor bore holes includes two or more rotor bore holes.
In another example of aspect 1, the first plurality of stator bore holes has stator bore hole openings on the circumferential external surface of the stator and the second plurality of rotor bore holes has rotor bore hole openings on the circumferential internal surface of the rotor, the stator bore hole openings are spaced apart from the rotor bore hole openings at least 0.1 mm.
In another example of aspect 1, the stator bore holes of the first plurality have a cylindrical shape of constant diameter, the stator bore holes have an opening along the circumferential external surface of the stator and a flat closed end positioned within the stator.
In another example of aspect 1, the rotor bore holes of the second plurality have a cylindrical shape of constant diameter, the rotor bore holes have an opening along the circumferential internal surface of the rotor and a flat closed end positioned within the rotor.
In another example of aspect 1, the chamber has no more than two openings for introducing and discharging fluid through the housing for allowing the fluid to pass over the first plurality of the stator bore holes and the second plurality of the rotor bore holes.
The first aspect may be provided alone or in combination with any one or more of the examples of the first aspect discussed above.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of principles of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain, by way of example, principles and operation of the invention. It is to be understood that various features disclosed in this specification and in the drawings can be used in any and all combinations. By way of non-limiting example the various features may be combined with one another as set forth in the specification as aspects.
Herein, when a range such as 5-25 (or 5 to 25) is given, this means preferably at least 5 and, separately and independently, preferably not more than 25. In an example, such a range defines independently not less than 5, and separately and independently, not less than 25.
A device has been developed for providing an efficient, high-energy way to mix fluids by generating cavitation within the device. The device allows for the controlled formation and collapse of cavitation bubbles in a fluid, for example, in one or more bore holes within the device.
In one embodiment,
The device 100 includes housing 102 that partially defines chamber 101. Housing 102 has an inner cylindrical or circumferential wall surface 102a parallel to and facing towards the longitudinal axis (“axis”) of the device and an adjacent end wall surface 102b facing perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device. Surfaces 102a and 102b are adjacent and connected to or integral with one another. Preferably, housing 102 is an integral component such that surfaces 102a and 102b are made of the same material.
Opposing surface 102b at a distance is stator 105 that, in part, forms the other end wall surface chamber 101. A portion of stator 105 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device, which is also adjacent inner circumferential surface 102a. As shown, stator 105 is mounted as an end wall on housing 102 with section 103 of the stator 105 being in direct contact and connected to housing 102 to secure the stator thereto. The stator 105 has a flat circular portion with an outer diameter portion 103 being in contact with housing 102. The central portion of the circular portion of the stator has a protuberance section (shown in the shape of a ring) that extends inward into housing 102 and the chamber 101. The protuberance section of the stator may be a hollow cylinder having an outer circumferential surface 105b facing towards the inner cylindrical or circumferential wall surface 102a of housing 102 and further includes a central opening defined by an inner circumferential surface 105a for accommodating fluid flowing into the device through the stator 105.
The stator 105 has a plurality of stator bore holes 104, for example a first plurality, in the protuberance section extending into housing 102 and chamber 101. The plurality of bore holes 104 can be positioned in a series such as in a straight line as shown, in which there can be multiple groups of in-line series of bore holes equally spaced about outer circumferential surface 105b of the protuberance section. The stator bore holes 104 each have openings along outer or external circumferential surface 105b of stator 105. The bore holes 104 extend inward into the stator 105 body, shown as the protuberance section in
The stator bore holes 104 can have any shape, for example, cylindrical or circular, and can have a uniform or substantially uniform cross section or diameter. In one example, the stator bore holes can have a diameter in the range of 5 to 60 mm, 10 to 40 mm or 15, 20, 25, 30 or 35 mm. The stator bore holes 104 can have any suitable depth, for example, the holes can have a depth in the range of 4 to 200 mm, 10 to 100 mm or 20, 40, 60 or 80 mm.
The central opening of stator 105 forms an inlet port 112, for example a space defined by the inner circumferential surface 105a of the protuberance of the stator 105, for introducing fluid or a mixture of fluids into chamber 101 of the device 100. The diameter of the inlet port 112 formed by the inner circumferential surface 105a can be in the range of 5 to 300 mm. As shown, inlet port 1112 can optionally be connected to a pipe, flange, fitting or the like to accommodate fluid flow into the device and connect the device to a fluid source (e.g., a supply pipe) for passing fluid into and through the device. Fluid can enter the device by any suitable means, for example, by use of a pump, and can be at pressure in the range of 1 to 2,000, 5 to 1,500, 20 to 1,000, 50 to 800 or 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 or 700 psi. Fluid flows through the inlet port 112 of stator 105 and contacts a central face 108a of rotor 108, the surface of the face arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and continues into space 106 between the circumferential internal surface 108b of rotor 108 and the circumferential external surface 105b of stator 105. The fluid passes over bore hole openings in the stator and rotor, preferably as the rotor rotates at a revolution rate capable of producing cavitation in the fluid, for example, fluid retained in the bore holes (e.g. stator bore holes). The fluid can further pass into and out of individual bore holes in the stator and rotor during operation.
The cavitated fluid forms a cavitation zone within the chamber. The cavitation bubbles in the cavitation zone, for example, in the bore holes (e.g. 104) or space 106 which includes the chamber area between the inner circumferential surface 108b of rotor 108 and the outer circumferential surface 105b of the stator 105, are subsequently collapsed under pressure as the fluid is exposed to pressure generated by the rotation of the rotor or as it continues through chamber 101 and is discharged from the device 100, e.g., 114. The cavitation zone can begin in the bore hole and extend into space 106. Alternatively, the cavitation zone can extend downstream of space 106 as the fluid continues through chamber 101 and exits the device.
The device further includes rotor 108 that is positioned in chamber 101 formed in part by housing 102. Rotor 108 extends into chamber 101 on shaft 109 and rotor 108 forms a portion of an end wall to the chamber in that shaft 109 to which it is attached fills and seals the opening in face 102b of housing 102. Housing 102 fits around shaft 109 and conventional seal features for ensuring a fluid tight seal between shaft 109, housing 102 and chamber 101 can be used as known in the art. The portion of rotor 108 extending into chamber 101 includes a cylindrical body open at one end and closed along rotor face 108a that is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device. The cylindrical body of rotor 108 is positioned in the device 100 such that it has the protuberance section of stator 105 and outer circumferential surface 105b having bore hole 104 openings nested in the open end of the cylindrical body of rotor 108. As shown, the cylindrical body of rotor 108 has a circumferential internal surface 108b facing the circumferential external surface 105b of stator 105, or space 106.
The rotor 108 and shaft 109 can be connected to a motive means for rotating the rotor, for example, a motor. In an example, shaft 109 is connected to a motor for rotating rotor 108 at a desirable rate or rpm. The rotor 108 can be rotated at a rate in the range of 500 to 30,000 rpm, or at least 750, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 or 2,500 rpm.
The circumferential internal surface 108b of rotor 108 can have a plurality of rotor bore holes 107, for example a second plurality. The plurality of bore holes 107 can be positioned in a series such as in a straight line as shown. There can be multiple series of rotor bore holes spaced along and equally away from one another on the inner circumferential surface 108b of rotor 108. The bore holes 107 extend inward from the circumferential internal surface 108b into the body of the rotor 108 as shown. The bore holes 107 terminate and have a closed end, for example a flat end, positioned in the rotor body. That is, the bore holes 107 do not extend through the rotor body such that the external circumferential surface or rotor 108 opposite surface 108b is in fluid connection with the inner circumferential surface 108b by passage through bore holes 107. The openings of bore holes 107 are inward facing towards surface 105b of the stator and the opening of stator bore holes 104.
The rotor bore holes 107 can have any shape, for example, cylindrical or circular, and can have a uniform or substantially uniform cross section or diameter. In one example, the rotor bore holes can have a diameter in the range of 5 to 60 mm, 10 to 40 mm or 15, 20, 25, 30 or 35 mm. The rotor bore holes 107 can have any suitable depth, for example, the holes can have a depth in the range of 2 to 150 mm, 10 to 100 mm or 20, 40, 60 or 80 mm.
In comparing the depth of the stator bore holes 104 to the depth of the rotor bore holes 107, the ratio of depth of the stator bore holes to the rotor bore holes can be in the range 10:1 to 1:1, or less than 10:1, less than 8:1, less than 5:1, less than 4:1, less than 3:1, less than 2:1 or less than 1.5:1. Preferably, the depth of the stator bore holes is greater than the depth of the rotor bore holes. The depth of the bore holes is measured from the surface adjacent the opening of the bore holes (e.g. 105b, 108b) to the point along the closed end of the bore hole furthest away from the opening of the bore hole.
In one or more embodiments, stator bore holes 104 and rotor bore holes 107 are positioned such that a first plurality of holes 104 may be in register with a second plurality of hole 107 at one or more positions in the device as rotor 108 rotates around or relative to stator 105. As rotor 108 rotates relative to stationary stator 105, the second plurality of holes 107 passes over or by the first plurality of holes 104 at pre-determined positions, and at a point in time, are in register with or mirror holes 104.
As shown in
In one or more embodiments, one or more stator bore holes 104 can have the same or substantially the same diameter as one or more rotor bore holes 107, for example, the first plurality of stator bore holes 104 can have the same or substantially the same diameter as the second plurality of rotor bore holes 107. In the case the stator and rotor have additional bore holes or plurality of bore holes, the additional bore holes of each component can have the same or substantially the same diameter. In another embodiment, one or more stator bore holes can have a larger diameter than one or more rotor bore holes, or alternatively, one or more stator bore holes can have a smaller diameter than one or more rotor bore holes.
In one or more embodiments, the rotor 108 can have two or more pluralities of rotor bore holes. Each plurality of rotor bore holes can have bore holes arranged a series or straight line. The plurality of bore holes can be spaced equally apart from one another on surface 108b. The distance between each plurality of rotor bore holes can be in the range of 30 to 250 mm, or at least 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150 or 200 mm. Each plurality can have two or more bore holes, for example, 3, 4 or 5 bore holes. In one example,
The rotor 200 further include surface 208 that faces the protuberance section of the stator, wherein surface 208 on the surface opposite the stator area is connected to shaft 210 for rotating the rotor 200 relative to the stator during operation. Surface 208 or base portion has the raised rotor body in form of a circular disk or annular raised portion as illustrated and having an open section for accommodating a stator. The raised section can be in the shape of a ring having an inner circumference surface 206 and outer circumferential surface 204. The area bound by the inner circumferential surface and surface 208 is shown as an empty cylindrical spaced for accommodating fluid and a stator. As noted above, rotation of rotor 200 body is facilitated by shaft 210. The shaft is arranged to facilitate rotation of rotor 200 around an axis defined by a longitudinal line running along the length of shaft 210 through its center, for example, the center longitudinal line through the device and at the center of the inlet port to the device (not shown in
In one or more embodiments, the stator 105 can have two or more pluralities of stator bore holes. Each plurality of stator bore holes can have bore holes arranged a series or straight line. The plurality of bore holes can be spaced equally apart from one another on surface 105b. The distance between each plurality of stator bore holes can be in the range of 30 to 250 mm, or at least 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150 or 200 mm. Each plurality can have two or more bore holes, for example, 3, 4 or 5 bore holes. In one example,
The devices described herein generally provide for introduction of a fluid into rotating bore holes 107 and stationary bore holes 104 for the formation of cavitation bubbles in the fluid as it passes through the device. A vortex also may be formed in the bore holes, 107, 104. Generally, the bore holes 107 and 104 are configured to alternate between at least two positions, for example, positions that can be described as a “closed position” and an “open position.”
“Closed position” used herein refers to the rotor bore holes 107 not being in line, in register or partially in line or in register with the stator bore holes 104. That is, in a closed position, the stator bore holes 104 face outwardly towards a portion of the inner circumferential surface 108b of the rotor 108, wherein the portion of surface 108b does not include a rotor bore hole 107 or a portion thereof. Similarly, in a closed position, the rotor bore holes 107 face inwardly towards a portion of the outer circumferential surface 105b of the stator 105, wherein the portion of surface 105b does not include a stator bore hole 104 or a portion thereof.
“Open position” used herein refers to the rotor bore holes 107 being in line, in register or partially in line or in register with the stator bore holes 104. That is, in an open position, the stator bore holes 104 face outwardly towards a portion of the inner circumferential surface 108b of the rotor 108, wherein the portion of surface 108b includes a rotor bore hole 107 or a portion thereof. Similarly, in an open position, the rotor bore holes 107 face inwardly towards a portion of the outer circumferential surface 105b of the stator 105, wherein the portion of surface 105b includes a stator bore hole 104 or a portion thereof.
In the “closed position,” the pressure in the rotor bore holes 107 increases and the pressure in the stator bore holes 104 decreases under the action of inertial forces caused by rotation of the components, for example, the rotor 108 relative to the stationary stator 105. Due to this changing pressure condition, the fluid in the rotor bore holes 107 compresses and thereby stores energy in the fluid. Fluid in the stator bore holes 104 decompresses and cavitation bubbles are formed therein and around the bore holes 104 in space 106.
In the “open position,” rotor bore holes 107 are opened and the stored compression energy is released as a hydraulic pressure pulse. This pressure pulse can be several orders of magnitude higher than the static pressure in the fluid within the device. Elevated hydraulic pulse pressure propagates through the stator bore holes 104 positioned opposite the rotor bore holes 107 and collapses the cavitation bubbles therein. Collapse of the cavitation bubbles releases energy into the fluid in the stator bore holes 104. Elevated hydraulic pulse pressures are generally beneficial for greater energy releases from the cavitation bubbles during collapse. The power output, N, from the cavitation bubble collapse can be measured by the following equation:
where R is the maximum radius the bubble has at the beginning of collapse, P0 is hydraulic pulse pressure in surrounding fluid and initiated the bubble during collapse, and ρ is the fluid density.
Although the present disclosure has applications in mixing, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the present disclosure may be utilized as a reactor to enhance and expedite chemical reactions.
It will be understood that this invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings of the present invention as hereinabove set forth, can effect numerous modifications thereto. These modifications are to be construed as being encompassed with the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, variations, substitutions, and equivalents for the features described above may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims to be embraced thereby. A preferred embodiment has been described, herein. It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alteration in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/095,489 filed Dec. 22, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
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