NL2005474C2 - HYDROPHONE PUMP, HOLDER AND METHOD FOR THIS. - Google Patents

Description

HYDROPHONE PUMP, HOLDER AND METHOD FOR THIS

The invention relates to a hydrophonic pump. More in particular, such a hydrophonic pump relates to mixing, accelerating reaction processes and / or treating fluid.

Many processes are known from practice in which a stream, such as, for example, a liquid stream in a water treatment plant, must be treated. 10, often large, installations are required. A problem that occurs here is that such a treatment must be carried out over a large volume. Hereby it is difficult to perform the desired treatment locally. In addition, it is also problematic to be able to exercise some control over this.

An object of the invention is to counteract the above problems and to arrive at an effective and efficient treatment, reaction acceleration and / or mixing of a fluid.

This object is achieved with the hydrophonic pump according to the invention, the hydrophonic pump comprising: - a housing provided with a reactor chamber; - an inlet for admitting and discharging fluid into and out of the reactor chamber; and - a piezo element provided drivably on at least one side of the reactor chamber.

A hydrophonic pump according to the invention is an apparatus that can be placed in a fluid, such as in an aqueous stream. Such a pump according to the invention is particularly suitable for setting the fluid in motion and / or changing it. As soon as a voltage is applied to the piezo element, the volume of the reaction chamber is changed, resulting in an inflow or outflow through the inlet and outlet combined in an advantageous embodiment.

By providing a pump with a housing enclosing a reactor chamber, it is possible to extract a portion of the fluid from the immediate vicinity of the hydrophone pump inside the reactor chamber via an inlet as described above. If desired, a treatment of the fluid can be carried out in this reactor chamber.

A fluid suitable for the hydrophonic pump 10 according to the invention preferably relates to an aqueous stream, for example a waste water or process water stream.

For such a stream it is also possible to envisage a stream to be purified for, for example, drinking water or swimming water.

After the possible treatment or mixing in the reactor chamber, the fluid is led out again via the inlet which currently acts as an outlet. Hereby mixing occurs in the fluid outside the pump. It is also possible to provide a separate outlet. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide several inlets and / or outlets per reactor chamber.

By providing a drivable piezo element which is arranged on at least one side of the reactor chamber, the desired movements of the inlets and outlets of the fluid into and out of the reactor chamber are realized. Such a piezo element makes use of piezoelectric principles in that a crystal is present which generates a movement of the element by means of an applied voltage.

By suctioning and pushing away in alternation of the fluid, as previously described, a mixing will occur in the environment of the hydrophonic pump as well as in the reactor chamber of this pump. A mixing effect 3 of the fluid is hereby obtained. Such a mixing effect is particularly relevant in a so-called plug flow of the fluid in order to achieve some degree of mixing herein. Furthermore, it is also possible, due to the conditions used, including in particular pressure in the reactor chamber, to accelerate certain reactions in the fluid. This treats the fluid as a whole. In the context of the present invention, by the way, treatment is also understood to mean the measurement and analysis of the fluid. By carrying out a treatment in a reactor room, it is easily controllable and / or controllable. This increases the reliability of the total process. By using the piezo element, it is furthermore possible to generate cavitation in the reactor chamber. For this purpose, waves are preferably produced such that cavitation occurs in the fluid to be treated. The ultrasonic sound waves create vacuum bubbles in the fluid. These bubbles implode and this ensures a very high pressure and temperature locally. This allows micro-organisms to be killed. In addition, it is possible that some organic micropollutants, such as dioxane, MBTE, phenylbenzene, drug residues and hormones, are decomposed or otherwise rendered harmless.

The piezo element is preferably designed as a piezo disk forming a side wall of the reactor chamber in the hydrophone pump. An additional advantage of the hydrophonic pump according to the present invention is that the above-mentioned function or functions are achieved with the aid of a minimum number of parts. This makes it possible to achieve the desired functions cost-effectively.

The energy required for the piezo element can be supplied in various ways. One of the possibilities for this is the use of a fixed supply cable that 4 is provided to the hydrophonic pump according to the invention. A voltage is preferably supplied for the piezo element. The voltage can further be realized by, for example, a capacitive coupling with an electric field as well as by generating such a desired voltage from the received radio waves with the aid of an electromagnetic field.

In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the housing is provided with inductive means for driving the piezo element.

By providing inductive means, a coupling with a magnetic field can be realized in order to realize a voltage for the piezo element in this way. A coil is preferably provided with which the desired voltage can be realized. This ensures that no wiring is required for the hydrophonic pump and the environment. This means that the hydrophonic pump can move freely in a fluid, such as in an aqueous stream. The placement of the hydrophonic pump in the fluid is therefore extremely simple. This is advantageous, inter alia, for large-scale applications in which, for example, several hydrophonic pumps according to the invention can be movably provided in a fluid without thereby limiting the freedom of movement as a result of, for example, a wired connection. In addition, the number of possible applications of the hydrophonic pump is thus greatly increased. Already mentioned as a possible application is a water treatment in which a hydrophonic pump can be used to treat the water. An alternative application is a medical application in which such a hydrophonic pump can be introduced into a blood vessel. Hereby it is possible to open it at a desired position with the aid of a diaphragm or membrane which is provided at the inlet with the piezo element in order, for example, to effect a specific dosage at the desired location. Alternative applications furthermore relate, for example, to swimming water or aquarium water, whereby it is otherwise possible to provide such a hydrophonic pump firmly on, for example, the bottom or on the underside of the bottom.

The hydrophonic pump preferably has a housing 10 with a volume of at most 1 cm 3, preferably at most 0.25 cm 3 and most preferably at most 0.1 cm 3. By providing a hydrophonic pump with such relatively small dimensions, a kind of micro-hydrophonic pump with microreactor is realized. This makes it possible to provide one such hydrophonic pump in narrow passages, such as blood vessels. It is also possible to provide a large number of hydrophonic pumps according to the invention in a larger basin such as a bath or pipe, in order to realize the desired effect on the fluid there.

In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the housing comprises a plastic.

Providing a plastic such as PVC or Teflon creates a light and inexpensive housing. Furthermore, the weight of the hydrophonic pump can be adjusted to the fluid in order to cause it to float therein, for example. In addition, a possible adverse effect of the fluid on the housing is counteracted by the correct choice of material. Incidentally, it is also possible to use, for example, steel as a housing in case use is made of ultrasonic sound in combination with the hydrophonic pump according to the invention.

6

In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the invention, the amplitude and / or frequency of the piezo element are adjustable.

By providing an adjustable and preferably controllable amplitude (s) and / or frequency (s) for the piezo element, it is possible to control the process conditions in the reactor chamber in order, for example, to cause cavitation in this chamber. The conditions can be used to respond to the specific state of the fluid 10 that is located in and near the pump.

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the invention, the pump further comprises one or more LEDs.

The fluid can be treated by providing one or more LEDs. In particular, so-called UV LEDs are used in order to thereby treat the fluid with UV. In this context, treatment in the case of the use of UV LEDs is understood to mean in particular the disinfecting of the fluid.

The pump preferably comprises second inductive means for the LED. By providing second inductive means, the required power supply for the LEDs can be separately provided with a piezo element. This power supply is preferably provided as a coil provided around the outlet, in particular around an extended inlet / outlet, the LED preferably being placed on the inner wall of this inlet / outlet.

Alternative treatment methods use, for example, an ultrasonic sound source which can be provided in a similar manner as alternative or optionally in combination with the UV LEDs.

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the pump comprises one or more sensor means.

7

By providing one or more sensor means, an analysis can be made of the fluid in which the hydrophone pump is arranged. Here, one may think, for example, of measuring the turbidity, acidity, oxygen and / or conductivity of the fluid. In a possible embodiment according to the invention, the sensor means comprise an LED on one side of the reactor chamber and a photodiode on the opposite side of the reactor chamber with which a measurement of the fluid in the reactor chamber is possible. It is further noted that the behavior of the piezo element can also be used as a sensor. This makes it possible, for example, to determine properties of the fluid at a defined voltage on the basis of the behavior of the piezo element.

Preferably, the sensor means further comprise a data transmitter. By providing a data transmitter, it is realized that measurement data can be sent to a central processing unit. Furthermore, it is, for example, possible to adjust the amplitude and / or frequencies used on the basis of the measurements. This creates a control system that responds online to the specific conditions of the fluid. The data transmitter is preferably implemented wirelessly with the aid of an inductive system or a transmission system. Other data transmitters 25 are also possible.

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the inlet to the reactor chamber relates to an extended inlet.

By prolonging the inlet, and therefore the preferably combined outlet, the flow due to the hydrophonic pump according to the invention is influenced in a desired manner. The outflow mainly takes place in a direction perpendicular to the outflow opening of the pump.

8

In contrast, the inflow is sucked in from all sides of the opening. This further increases the mixing.

A further effect that is achieved with this extended inlet is that it is possible here to provide additional components. In this context, consideration may be given to the aforementioned UV LEDs, possibly in combination with the induction coil provided for this purpose.

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the housing comprises more than one reactor chamber.

By providing more than one reactor chamber, an effective pump is realized. In this case, one piezo element is preferably sufficient on the interface between the two reactor chambers. A separate inlet to the reactor chambers is herein preferably provided on opposite sides of the segmented pump.

The invention further relates to a holder provided with at least one hydrophonic pump as described above.

The same advantages and effects apply to the container as described for the pump. Such a container relates, for example, to a swimming pool, aquarium, tube or process water pipe, and a blood vessel. In a possible embodiment, more than one type of hydrophonic pump is provided in the holder. In this context, consideration may be given, for example, to the hydrophonic pump provided exclusively with a piezo element as the first type and a second type provided with, for example, a UV LED. Combinations with sound sources on the hydrophone pump are also among the 30 options. These different types can be introduced into the container interchangeably, each type having its own effect on the fluid. It is also possible to provide various layers in the container with 9 pumps according to the present invention. In this case, each layer can for instance be provided with a separate optimum adjustment focused on the desired effect, for example disinfection of a specific microorganism.

For example, the use of different frequencies and / or amplitude per layer can be envisaged. It is also possible to provide both several types and several layers in one holder, if desired, each type separately in its own layer. The operation of the pump elements according to the invention can hereby be adjusted to the specific desired functions.

The invention furthermore also relates to a method for mixing, treating and / or accelerating process reactions with a fluid comprising providing and in use driving one or more hydrophonic pumps as described above.

The same effects and advantages apply to the method as described for the pump and the container.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: figure 1A shows a view of a pump according to the invention; Figure 1B shows a view of a holder in which a number of pumps according to figure IA are provided; and - figures 2A and B alternative embodiments of the pump according to the invention.

A hydrophonic pump 2 (Figure 1A) comprises a plastic housing 4, in which a reactor space 6 is provided. Fluid can flow in and out via opening 8 and channel 10 to reactor space 6. Opposite opening 8 a piezo disk 12 is provided with which the desired volume changes of reactor space 6 are realized.

A container 13 (Figure 1B) comprises a space 14 in which there is a liquid 16. Liquid 16 enters container 14 via inlet 18 and leaves it again via outlet 20. In space 14 a number of pumps 2 are provided for interacting with liquid 16.

A liquid can be treated by providing container 13 with a number of pumps 2. For this purpose liquid 10 is supplied to the environment of the pump or pump 2 is placed in liquid 16 provided in space 14 of container 13. By activating the piezo disk 12 a volume change takes place of the reactor chamber 6 in housing 4 of pump 2 Due to the changing volume of chamber 6, liquid 16 will flow in or out via opening 8. In the reactor chamber, a further mixing takes place in addition to the realized mixing in space 14 of container 13. By realizing cavitation, a disinfection of the liquid becomes in reactor chamber 16.

In an alternative embodiment of pump 22 (Figure 2A), a coil 24 is placed around housing 4.

This provides the piezo disk 12 with a voltage. In the embodiment shown, pump 22 is further provided with a number of LEDs 26 placed on the inside of channel 10.

A second coil 28 is provided on the outside of channel 10 so that the LEDs 26 can be supplied with power therewith. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, a sensor 30 is provided on the inside of reactor chamber 6 on a first side which emits a signal that is received to a greater or lesser extent on the diode 32 provided on the opposite side of reactor space 6. In this way a measurement of, for example, the turbidity can be carried out. Subsequently, the measurement can be sent to a processing unit with the aid of transmitting means 34.

A further alternative embodiment of pump 36 (Figure 2B) consists of a combined element with a first part 38 and a second part 40. First part 38 has a first reactor chamber 42 while second part 40 has a second reactor chamber 44. In the In the embodiment shown, piezo disk 12 forms the boundary between chambers 42, 44. The supply to first chamber 42 takes place via opening 46 in first part 38. The supply and discharge of liquid to second chamber 44 takes place via second opening 48. Experiment

The operation thereof can be explained by introducing hydrophonic pump 2 into a container 13 under water with particles being added. By activating the piezo disk, the particles are clearly transported through the liquid. This shows in the experiment that a mixing occurs. Furthermore, it is shown that treatment of these particles, for example the microorganisms, in the reactor chamber is also possible. In the experiments use was made of a sinusoidal voltage with an amplitude of 20 volts. At the applied frequency of the 340 Hz piezo element, the measured current is around 4 mA. Due to a 90 ° phase difference between current and voltage, energy consumption is considerably less than 100 mW, estimated at around 20 mW. This demonstrates the applicability of the pump.

The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims within the scope of which many modifications are conceivable. In particular, combinations of said measures are expressly possible.

Claims (14)

A hydrofone pump comprising: - a housing provided with a reactor chamber; 5. an inlet for introducing and discharging fluid into and out of the reactor chamber; and - a piezo element provided drivably on at least one side of the reactor chamber. Hydrophonic pump according to claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with inductive means for driving the piezo element. 3. Hydrophonic pump according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing has a volume of at most 1 cm 3, preferably at most 0.25 cm 3, and most preferably at most 0.1 cm 3. 4. Hydrophonic pump according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the housing comprises plastic. The hydrophonic pump according to one or more of claims 1-4, wherein the amplitude and / or frequencies of the piezo element are adjustable. 25 The hydrophonic pump according to one or more of claims 1-5, further comprising one or more LEDs. 7. Hydrophonic pump according to claim 6, further comprising second inductive means for the LED. A hydrophonic pump according to one or more of claims 1-7, further comprising one or more sensor means. The hydrophonic pump of claim 8, wherein the sensor means comprises a data transmitter. The hydrophonic pump according to one or more of claims 1-9, wherein the inlet is extended. 11. Hydrophonic pump according to one or more of claims 1-10, wherein the housing comprises more than one reactor chamber. A container provided with at least one hydrophonic pump according to one or more of claims 1-11. A container according to claim 12, wherein hydrophonic pumps of more than one type and / or in more than one layer are provided in the container. 14. Method for mixing, treating and / or accelerating process reactions of a fluid comprising providing and in use driving one or more hydrophonic pumps according to one or more of claims 1-11.