Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
  • C02F1/34—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage with mechanical oscillations
  • C02F1/36—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage with mechanical oscillations ultrasonic vibrations
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
  • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
  • A61L2/025—Ultrasonics
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2202/00—Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects
  • A61L2202/10—Apparatus features
  • A61L2202/14—Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
  • C02F2209/005—Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
  • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
  • C02F2209/05—Conductivity or salinity

Definitions

• the embodiments described herein relate generally to a process to remove salt and/or bacteria via ultrasound by controlling cavitation, which achieves the removal of salt crystals and aids in the removal of coliforms and bacteria from a fluid by means of imploding gas bubbles.
• liquids including water
• the present invention relates to the technical area of removal of salt from liquids via ultrasound and thus provides a solution to the technical problem of obtaining drinking water.
• a first group involves water transforming states during the course of treatment. In such methods, water is passed through a gaseous phase involving gas compression through multiple thermal effects, including a "multiflash" thermal process. Moreover, in such a method water passes through a solid phase through freezing, wherein hydrates are formed. In the second group, water remains in its liquid state, and salt is removed through electrodialysis and inverse or reverse osmosis.
• Inverse osmosis appears to be the area which has attracted the most attention from an innovation point of view, followed by technologies which use solar energy, multiflash evaporation, ionic interchange, multiple effect evaporation, steam compression and technologies that use zeolite.
• the process of inverse osmosis is time-consuming and uses a lot of energy. The process involves a single operation in which the entire transfer of the mass of water is carried out at ambient temperature, without a need for regeneration. As such, the process requires a high cost for each cubic meter of water used. During this process, the gradient of concentration existing in the space membrane-solution provokes saline ions, which are then rejected.
• the referenced prior art does not disclose or suggest a possibility that the implosion of gas bubbles during cavitation can be controlled, or that a simultaneous implosion can occur in order to increase an amount of energy transmitted to the fluid, thus increasing a potential to destroy bacteria or to decant salt. Moreover, nothing in the prior art is disclosed or suggested regarding maintaining or conserving gas bubbles over a sustained period of time (sustained cavitation) so that the process of separation of the bacteria or salt from the water is carried out in a more efficient manner that includes the purification of water.
• a process to substantially eliminate contaminating matter from a liquid includes generating a modulated oscillation signal using at least one oscillator and a frequency modulator, transmitting the modulated oscillation signal to one energy amplifier of a plurality of energy amplifiers depending on a frequency of the modulated oscillation signal to generate an amplified signal, transmitted the amplified signal to one transducer of a plurality of transducers depending on a frequency of the amplified signal, generating cavitation bubbles of a predetermined size within the liquid based on a signal from the transducer, and imploding the cavitation bubbles to substantially eliminate the contaminating matter from the liquid.
• an ultrasound cavitation system in another aspect, includes a signal generating circuit configured to generate a modulated oscillation signal using at least one oscillator, and a plurality of energy amplifiers that are each configured to generate an amplified signal. Each energy amplifier is configured to receive the modulated oscillation signal depending on a frequency of the modulated oscillation signal.
• the system also includes a plurality of transducers configured to generate cavitation bubbles of a predetermined size within a liquid, wherein each of the transducers is configured to receive the amplified signal depending on a frequency of the amplified signal.
• the plurality of transducers is further configured to implode the cavitation bubbles to substantially eliminate contaminating matter from the liquid.
• Figure 1 is an exemplary graphical depiction of the diameter of resonance relative to the ultrasound frequency.
• Figure 2 is an exemplary graphical depiction of the density of potency relative to ultrasound frequency.
• Figure 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary process for use in removing salt and/or bacteria from a fluid via ultrasound cavitation.
• the invention described herein includes two main steps: the decanting of sediment and coliforms and the removal of salt and bacteria. Each of the steps is described in more detail below.
• the first step decanting of sediment and coliforms, is carried out in a water treatment unit wherein several processes occur: the preparation and injection of chemical products; coagulation; flocculation; sedimentation; filtration; and disinfection.
• the second step removal of salt and bacteria, occurs during the flocculation and coagulation processes of step one.
• the decanting of coliforms is carried out using a dosage of aluminum sulphate and the movement of a liquid.
• the ultrasound procedure is implemented, which, through control of cavitation, enables the salt crystals in the liquid to be decanted and also assists in decanting the coliforms and bacteria from the liquid through the implosion of gas bubbles.
• the embodiments described herein provide a process to remove salt or bacteria via an ultrasound process is provided. The process uses a system wherein a frequency modulator modulates signals from a first oscillator and a second oscillator, a wide band amplifier amplifies the signals and transmits the signals to energy amplifiers depending upon the basis of frequency.
• the energy amplifiers are activated to cause cavitation in a hydrolic mass through transducers that are monitored by a sensor.
• the sensor transmits the signals to an amplifier which activates a third oscillator that cancels out the signal of the first oscillator while the signal from the second oscillator continues in a circuit.
• the signal from a third oscillator simultaneously is processed by a micro-processor programmed to change the frequency of the signal of the first oscillator and to change the signal of the second oscillator so that the energy amplifiers are further activated to produce a new cycle of cavitation in a hydrolic mass.
• Ultrasound cavitation uses mechanical vibrations, which are induced into the surrounding area and are generated, either naturally or artificially, for scientific or industrial purposes. Ultrasound transmissions are not audible to the human ear. Specifically, since the human range of hearing is quite limited, covering approximately 20 Hz to 20 kHz, all vibrations over 20 kHz are considered to be ultrasonic. Ultrasonic transmissions can be found in the human and animal environment on many occasions. For example, ultrasound transmissions are not limited merely for use with the hearing of bats and dolphins, but rather, an action as simple as a rattling of keys produces a portion of noise that is outside the human range of hearing. Moreover, instances such as the loss of fluid under pressure through the pores of a tube, such instances which are almost inaudible, can, in some cases, only be detected by ultrasound detectors.
• the parameters of interest in a vibration transmitted through any material are the local pressure induced to the particles of the material, the relative speed of the vibrations, and the movement of the particles with respect to the position the particles occupy when there are no vibrations induced.
• V s is the speed of formation
• ⁇ is the constant adiabatic of the matter
• Po is the pressure to which it is submitted
• po is the density at rest. It is assumed that the contractions and dilations of the fluid are adiabatic and that the real speed of the particles is sufficiently low to enter into an acoustic lineal state, that is, when Equation 1 takes the usual form of the equation of waves.
• the speed of propagation for longitudinal waves can be determined by the following formula:
• V s i ong is the speed of formation for longitudinal waves
• ⁇ and ⁇ are the Lame quotient, constant for each material
• po is the density
• the speed of formation for transversal waves can be determined by the following formula:
• V s C1S is the speed of formation for transversal waves
• ⁇ is the Lame quotient, constant for each material
• po is the density. It should be noted, however, that the coefficient ⁇ coincides with the module of windshear for an isotrope material and that the module of Young for the material is given by the formula:
• V sp is the speed of propagation
• Y 0 is the module of Young
• po is the density
• the resulting number will be a complex number whose module will provide the relationship of the modules with the pressure of the reflected and incidental waves, and the phase will provide the difference between both waves.
• the square of the module of R provides the relationship of densities of acoustic energy, both reflected and incidental.
• cavitation is a phenomenon of great interest in the industrial application of ultrasound. Cavitation arises in liquids and solids in a state of confusion and is defined as the formation and subsequent violent explosion of bubbles of liquid in gas form that provoke local pressure waves, which are very intense. Cavitation arises when the maximum pressure of the ultrasound wave passes through a fluid having a pressure that is greater than the difference between the hydrostatic pressure and the pressure of the steam of the fluid at the temperature at which cavitation is defined. The prior presence of bubbles favors the start of cavitation. At the same time, the existence of pointed corners on pieces immersed in the liquid makes cavitation start at those points.
• Figure 1 is an exemplary graph of the diameter of resonance relative to the frequency of the ultrasound applied. As shown in Figure 1, the diameter of resonance decreases as the frequency increases. From the curve, it can be seen that if the gas bubbles initially present in the liquid are of a size greater than the resonance, then cavitation will occur at either a very low intensity or not at all. Moreover, this implies that if the gas is not removed from the liquid beforehand, the maximum frequency of ultrasound to be used in order to create cavitation may be severely limited. On the other hand, however, the violence of the bursting of the gas bubbles depends upon the relationship between the maximum diameter that the bubbles achieve upon resonation and their initial diameter.
• the diameter will be small, and the effect of the shock wave produced will be minimal.
• the potency of the ultrasound applied must be greatly increased in order to achieve the effects of high frequencies.
• Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary relationship between the density of potency needed to produce cavitation and the frequency. As shown, as the frequency increases, the greater the density of potency is required. For this reason, in practice, and, above all, in ultrasound washing, it is uncommon to use frequencies above 100 kHz. Rather, normally 20 kHz or below are used so that cavitation is not audible, which would represent a significant nuisance for those conducting the tests.
• One of the principal and substantive objectives of the current invention is to create a process to control cavitation, maintain the population of gas bubbles, and selectively and substantially eliminate contaminating matter in a liquid through the use of ultrasound cavitation.
• a process is needed that contains the following characteristics: ordered implosion, simultaneous implosion, and sustained cavitation.
• the gas bubbles to implode in an ordered manner through an operative control of a sequence.
• simultaneous implosion of the gas bubbles to occur in order to obtain a greater degree of energy being transmitted to the liquid, and therefore obtaining a greater power of destruction of the bacteria and greater power of saline decantation.
• the issues presented by the prior art can be resolved by controlling the cycle of cavitation and maintaining certain conditions whereby the cycle, after commencing, is not terminated, but, rather, continues so that the liquid continues to be populated with gas bubbles during the time that is necessary to obtain the maximum quantity of bubbles possible, thus provoking the implosion of gas bubbles when the gas bubbles reach a particular, desired size.
• the current invention can establish the desired size of the gas bubble by means of modulating the frequency of a transducer, so that the desired gas bubble size induces a frequency of resonance of a certain desired bacteria.
• the ultrasound resonance coupled with the massive implosion of the gas bubbles, produces the rupture of the cellular membrane surrounding the bacteria and subsequently destroys all of the gas bubbles whose size is equal to, or less than, that of the gas bubble produced.
• This allows for the process to have a certain selectivity, which, compared to a random gas bubble implosion, leads to a greater efficiency with regards to the length of time needed to purify a liquid and also a more efficient use of energy.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a system 10 for a process to control ultrasound cavitation, maintain a population of gas bubbles, and selectively and substantially eliminate contaminating matter in a liquid 12 through the use of ultrasound cavitation.
• the control of frequencies of resonance is affected by transducers 14, 16, 18, and 20, which have different frequencies of resonance with a close bandwidth.
• system 10 includes four transducers 14, 16, 18, and 20, although system 10 may include any suitable number of transducers that enable system 10 to function as described herein.
• a first transducer 14 which has a different resonance than the other transducers 16, 18, and 20, generates a first gas bubble 22, the bubble 22 reaches a size which is close to that of its resonance. At that point, the first gas bubble 22 implodes.
• the frequency applied to the liquid 12 will vary and the gas bubbles generally will shrink in size and then begin to grow bigger.
• the frequency changes again, and the cycle is repeated until the liquid 12 is saturated with salt in a manner wherein the salt decants toward the bottom of the liquid 12, and wherein no gas bubbles 22 are present.
• This precipitation is monitored by at least one sensor 24 within the liquid 12.
• the gas bubble implosion is provoked at the desired size in order to obtain a secondary effect wherein the bacteria are eliminated from the liquid.
• sensor 24 situated in the interior of a container 26 containing the liquid 12 monitors information regarding the conductivity of the solution until it detects a certain level of concentration, which is predetermined by a microprocessor 28.
• a logical order is produced wherein the transducers 14, 16, 18, and 20 do not change frequency, but rather the process of cavitation proceeds to a state of massive implosion of the gasified bubbles.
• the process uses massive implosion of the maximum density of gas bubbles possible in certain conditions of cavitation, which are obtained as described above.
• a transducer 14, 16, 18, or 20 By modulating the frequency of a transducer 14, 16, 18, or 20, it is possible to produce a gas bubble 22 of a predetermined size, wherein the frequency of resonance is that of the desired bacteria to be eliminated.
• the actions of the ultrasound and the massive implosion of the gas bubbles breaks the cellular membrane which encloses the bacteria and destroys all of the bacteria whose size are the same as, or less than, that of the gas bubble produced by the transducer 14, 16, 18, or 20.
• the process described herein has the ability to separate any inorganic or organic material contained in a liquid, decant crystals within a liquid, create water that is drinkable, create water that is both chemically and biologically pure, and, as mentioned above, destroy bacteria within a liquid.
• a first oscillator 30 and a second oscillator 32 emit oscillation signals 34 and 36, respectively.
• Signal 36 from second oscillator 32 passes through a differential amplifier 38 prior to being transmitted to a frequency modulator 40.
• Frequency modulator 40 receives signal 34 from first oscillator 30 and an amplified signal 42 from second oscillator 32 and differential amplifier 38, and modulates the two signals 34 and 42.
• First oscillator 30, second oscillator 32, differential amplifier 38, and frequency modulator 40 form a signal generating circuit 44 configured to generate a modulated oscillation signal 46. After modulation, frequency modulator 40 transmits modulated oscillation signal 46 to a wide band amplifier 48, which amplifies signal 46.
• wide band amplifier 48 After wide band amplifier 48 amplifies signal 46, wide band amplifier 48 transmits an amplified signal 50 to an energy amplifier 52, 54, 56, or 58 depending on the frequency of signal 46 received by wide band amplifier 48. Thereafter, energy amplifier 52, 54, 56, or 58 is activated and transmits a signal 60 to a transducer 14, 16, 18, or 20 depending on a frequency of signal 60 received.
• the transducer 14, 16, 18, or 20 causes cavitation in a hydro lie mass or liquid 12 through the use of sensor 24. More specifically, a signal 62 received by sensor 24 registers with sensor 24 and is transmitted to an amplifier 64 which, in turn, activates a third oscillator 66. Third oscillator 66 emits a signal 68 which cancels out signal 34 of first oscillator 30. However, signal 36 from second oscillator 32 continues in circuit 44. Moreover, a signal 70 emitted from third oscillator 66 is simultaneously processed by micro-processor 28 that provokes a change in the frequency of signal 34 of first oscillator 30 and a change in signal 36 of the second oscillator 32.
• System 10 can also include a potency controller 72 which controls the energy sent to the energy amplifiers 52, 54, 56, and/or 58.
• Energy amplifiers 52, 54, 56, and 58 do not include a regulating force of their own, so that the variation in the energy sent to them is possible to modulate the width of the signal sent to the transducer 14, 16, 18, or 20.
• the process allows for a state of cavitation to be maintained wherein a maximum density of bubbles in a gasified fluid for a particular frequency of resonance is produced, thus enabling the maximum density of bubbles to be maintained for a required period of time.
• a particular frequency of resonance is selected to achieve a certain cavitation of the hydrolic mass, separation of a specific component will occur wherein the specific component is suspended or dissolved in a fluid.
• One of the components that can be separated from the liquid, and, subsequently removed from the liquid, is coliform bacteria.
• pure water can be obtained which can also be used as drinking water.
• Exemplary embodiments of a process to remove salt or bacteria via ultrasound are described above in detail.
• the ultrasound process is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of systems and/or steps of the method may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein.
• the method may also be used in combination with other ultrasound systems and methods, and are not limited to practice with only the ultrasound systems and methods as described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other ultrasound applications.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Physical Water Treatments (AREA)
• Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)

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• 2009
  • 2009-11-05 EP EP09829699A patent/EP2370213A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-11-05 WO PCT/US2009/063402 patent/WO2010062789A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-11-05 BR BRPI0922498A patent/BRPI0922498A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation

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