US20230347304A1 - Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution - Google Patents
Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20230347304A1 US20230347304A1 US18/216,284 US202318216284A US2023347304A1 US 20230347304 A1 US20230347304 A1 US 20230347304A1 US 202318216284 A US202318216284 A US 202318216284A US 2023347304 A1 US2023347304 A1 US 2023347304A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- gas injection
- gas
- liquid
- flow chamber
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 title abstract description 10
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 title description 34
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 176
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 176
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 160
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 13
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 13
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000010146 3D printing Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000011343 solid material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- -1 medical Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910001018 Cast iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ozone Chemical compound [O-][O+]=O CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000009360 aquaculture Methods 0.000 description 1
- 244000144974 aquaculture Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000014171 carbonated beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002537 cosmetic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005067 remediation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000565 sealant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010008 shearing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
- A23L2/00—Non-alcoholic beverages; Dry compositions or concentrates therefor; Their preparation
- A23L2/52—Adding ingredients
- A23L2/54—Mixing with gases
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
- B01F25/30—Injector mixers
- B01F25/31—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows
- B01F25/313—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows wherein additional components are introduced in the centre of the conduit
- B01F25/3131—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows wherein additional components are introduced in the centre of the conduit with additional mixing means other than injector mixers, e.g. screens, baffles or rotating elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
- B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
- B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
- B01F23/232—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using flow-mixing means for introducing the gases, e.g. baffles
- B01F23/2323—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using flow-mixing means for introducing the gases, e.g. baffles by circulating the flow in guiding constructions or conduits
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
- B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
- B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
- B01F23/237—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media
- B01F23/2373—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media for obtaining fine bubbles, i.e. bubbles with a size below 100 µm
- B01F23/2375—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media for obtaining fine bubbles, i.e. bubbles with a size below 100 µm for obtaining bubbles with a size below 1 µm
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
- B01F25/30—Injector mixers
- B01F25/31—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows
- B01F25/312—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows with Venturi elements; Details thereof
- B01F25/3124—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows with Venturi elements; Details thereof characterised by the place of introduction of the main flow
- B01F25/31241—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows with Venturi elements; Details thereof characterised by the place of introduction of the main flow the main flow being injected in the circumferential area of the venturi, creating an aspiration in the central part of the conduit
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
- B01F25/30—Injector mixers
- B01F25/31—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows
- B01F25/313—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows wherein additional components are introduced in the centre of the conduit
- B01F25/3133—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows wherein additional components are introduced in the centre of the conduit characterised by the specific design of the injector
- B01F25/31331—Perforated, multi-opening, with a plurality of holes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
- B01F25/40—Static mixers
- B01F25/42—Static mixers in which the mixing is affected by moving the components jointly in changing directions, e.g. in tubes provided with baffles or obstructions
- B01F25/43—Mixing tubes, e.g. wherein the material is moved in a radial or partly reversed direction
- B01F25/431—Straight mixing tubes with baffles or obstructions that do not cause substantial pressure drop; Baffles therefor
- B01F25/4314—Straight mixing tubes with baffles or obstructions that do not cause substantial pressure drop; Baffles therefor with helical baffles
- B01F25/43141—Straight mixing tubes with baffles or obstructions that do not cause substantial pressure drop; Baffles therefor with helical baffles composed of consecutive sections of helical formed elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
- B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
- B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
- B01F23/237—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media
- B01F23/2373—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media for obtaining fine bubbles, i.e. bubbles with a size below 100 µm
Definitions
- aspects of the present disclosure relate to liquid and gas systems and methods that generate ultra-fine bubbles and mix them into a highly concentrated aqueous solution.
- Bubbles contained in a liquid are visible to the eyes when the bubble sizes range from 6 to 29 microns. We can see bubbles in carbonated drinks or those coming from the air diffuser in a water tank. Bubbles with the size of a few millimeters in diameter show visible surfacing action in a liquid, and the presence of fine bubbles of dozens of microns in diameter can be confirmed with white turbidity in a liquid, because these bubbles are scattering substances. Bubbles in diameter smaller than the wavelength of light are called ultra-fine bubbles, and they are too small to see. Ultra-fine bubbles have several unique properties including long lifetime in liquid owing to their negatively charged surface, and high gas solubility into the liquid owing to their high internal pressure. These special features of ultra-fine bubbles have attracted attention from many industries such as food, cosmetics, chemical, medical, semi-conductor, soil and water remediation, aquaculture and agriculture.
- a mixing apparatus for generating and mixing gas bubbles, including for example, ultra-fine bubbles, into an aqueous solution includes a structure defining an interior fluid-flow chamber that extends along a longitudinal axis between an input port at a liquid input end and an output port at a liquid output end.
- the structure is characterized by a gas injection portion located upstream from the liquid output end and a mixing vane portion extending in the downstream direction from the gas injection portion.
- the gas injection portion defines a gas injection lumen and a first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber, while the mixing vane portion defines a second region of the interior fluid-flow chamber.
- the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber includes a plurality of side fluid-path lumens that extend in the downstream direction alongside a first part of the gas injection lumen. This first part of the gas injection lumen, together with the side fluid-path lumens, merges with a downstream fluid-path lumen of the first region.
- the various lumens are arranged such that the first part of the gas injection lumen is closer to the longitudinal axis than any of the plurality of side fluid-path lumens.
- FIG. 1 A is perspective illustration of a fully assembled, multi-component ultra-fine bubble generating liquid/gas mixing apparatus having a gas injection component and a helical mixing vane component forming a structure defining an interior fluid-flow chamber extending along a longitudinal axis between a liquid input end and a liquid output end.
- FIGS. 1 B and 1 C are different perspective illustrations of the mixing apparatus of FIG. 1 A disassembled and exploded to show the gas injection component and the helical mixing vane component.
- FIG. 2 includes a side view illustration of the mixing apparatus of FIG. 1 A , and a scaled-up end-view illustration of the mixing apparatus, where the end view is from the perspective of the liquid input end.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-section illustration of the mixing apparatus of FIG. 1 A taken along the x-y plane of FIG. 1 A , with portions of solid material absent to expose internal structures and components of the mixing apparatus.
- FIG. 4 is a planar cross-section illustration of the fully assembled mixing apparatus of FIG. 2 taken along the x-y plane of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-section illustration of the fully assembled mixing apparatus of FIG. 1 A taken along a x-z plane that is offset from the origin x-z plane, with portions of solid material absent to expose internal structures and components of the mixing apparatus.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic plane representation of the interior fluid-flow chamber of the mixing apparatus of FIG. 1 A taken along the x-z plane of FIG. 1 A to show bifurcation of the interior fluid-flow chamber into multiple fluid-flow paths.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic end-view representation of the interior fluid-flow chamber of the mixing apparatus of FIG. 1 A from the perspective of the liquid input end and rotated 90 degrees clockwise.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-section representation of an alternate configuration of a helical mixing vane component having a series of individual helical vane sections.
- FIG. 9 is perspective illustration of a unitary, single-piece mixing apparatus having a gas injection portion and a helical mixing vane portion together defining an interior fluid-flow chamber extending along a longitudinal axis between a liquid input end and a liquid output end.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective cross-section illustration of the mixing apparatus of FIG. 9 taken along the x-y plane and through the center of the mixing apparatus.
- FIG. 11 is a planar cross-section illustration of the mixing apparatus of FIG. 9 taken along an x-y plane and through the center of the mixing apparatus.
- FIG. 12 is a planar cross-section illustration of the interior fluid-flow chamber of the mixing apparatus of FIG. 9 taken along an x-z plane and through the gas injection portion to show bifurcation of the interior fluid-flow chamber into multiple fluid-flow paths.
- ultra-fine bubble generating liquid/gas mixing apparatuses Disclosed herein are different versions or embodiments of ultra-fine bubble generating liquid/gas mixing apparatuses.
- a “multi-component” mixing apparatus components of the apparatus are separately manufactured and coupled together with attaching hardware to form a complete apparatus.
- This version may also include some internal, removable components such as an O-ring gasket and gas inlet structure, e.g., diffuser.
- the multi-component version of the mixing apparatus allows for subsequent disassembly of the apparatus without destroying or damaging the structural integrity of the components.
- the apparatus is a single unitary structure, where “single unitary” means that the mixing apparatus does not have any separate components parts that require assembly, and that the mixing apparatus cannot be taken apart or disassembled without damaging or destroying either of the structural integrity or functional integrity of the mixing apparatus.
- the mixing apparatus is a single piece structure with no separately attached external or internal components.
- a multi-component ultra-fine bubble generating liquid/gas mixing apparatus 100 (herein after referred to as a “mixing apparatus”) includes a gas injection component 104 and a mixing vane component 102 .
- the mixing vane component 102 is a variable-pitch helical mixing vane.
- Each of the gas injection component 104 and the mixing vane component 102 defines a respective region of an interior fluid-flow chamber that extends along a longitudinal axis 142 (also referred to herein as the “x axis”) between a liquid input end 134 and a liquid output end 138 of the mixing apparatus 100 .
- the interior fluid-flow chamber defines multiple fluid-path lumens that guide fluid through the mixing apparatus.
- the longitudinal axis 142 while the example mixing apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1 A- 2 has a linear longitudinal axis, other embodiments of the mixing apparatus may have non-linear longitudinal axes that curve.
- the gas injection component 104 includes: a) the liquid input end through which liquid is input to the mixing apparatus, b) a gas input region 120 through which gas is injected into the mixing apparatus, and c) a downstream end 124 where the gas injection component couples to the mixing vane component 102 .
- the gas input region 120 of the gas injection component 104 includes an inlet portion 112 having an opening 110 that is configured to be coupled with a tubular elbow fitting 106 .
- the tubular elbow fitting 106 defines a gas injection port 108 through which gas is injected into a gas injection lumen within the gas injection component 104 .
- the gas input region 120 also defines multiple fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b that form a first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber of the mixing apparatus 100 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber are characterized by a C-shaped cross-section and accordingly are at times referred to herein as C-shaped lumens.
- the mixing vane component 102 includes: a) an upstream end 144 where the mixing vane component couples with the gas injection component 104 , b) a helical region 146 , and c) the liquid output end 138 through which liquid/gas mixture exist the mixing apparatus 100 .
- the helical region 146 defines multiple fluid-path lumens, each lumen twisting around the longitudinal axis 142 to form a helical fluid-path lumen that guides fluid in the downstream direction toward the liquid output end 138 of the mixing apparatus 100 .
- the helical fluid-path lumens form a second region of the interior fluid-flow chamber of the mixing apparatus 100 .
- the helical fluid-path lumens of the second region of the fluid-flow chamber are equal in number with the C-shaped fluid path lumens of the first region of the fluid-flow chamber.
- the mixing apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1 A- 2 has two C-shaped fluid path lumens, each of which transitions to a corresponding helical fluid-path lumen.
- each of the mixing vane component 102 and a gas injection component 104 may be separately manufactured as a single-piece, unitary component using 3D printing.
- each of the mixing vane component 102 and the gas injection component 104 may be separately manufactured using injection molding techniques. For example, separate molds may be used to form different portions of the mixing vane component 102 and the gas injection component 104 relative to the longitudinal axis 142 of the apparatus. In one implementation, each molded portion may be one half of the mixing vane component 102 and one half of the gas injection component 104 along the longitudinal axis 942 .
- the mixing vane component 102 and a gas injection component 104 are assembled with a gas inlet structure 114 and an O-ring 116 and secured together using various fastening components, e.g., nuts, bolts, washers, and a silicon sealant.
- the gas inlet structure 114 also referred to herein as a muffler or a diffuser
- the O-ring 116 fits within an annular groove 122 (visible in FIG. 1 B ) formed in the downstream end 124 of the gas injection component 104 .
- the O-ring 116 provides a seal between liquid/gas mixture flowing through the interior fluid-flow chamber of the mixing apparatus 100 (which chamber passes through the inside of the O-ring) and any gap 128 that may exist between abutting surfaces 130 , 132 of the mixing vane component 102 and the gas injection component 104 after assembly of the components.
- the mixing apparatus 100 may be encased in a sleeve. This may be accomplished by placing the mixing apparatus 100 in a heat-shrink tube; and then heating the tube to shrink into contact with the outer surface of the apparatus to thereby provide an impenetrable sleeve over the entire apparatus.
- the gas injection component 104 includes an outer wall 224 that surrounds a first geometric structure 202 and a second geometric structure 204 that is downstream from the first geometric structure.
- first geometric structure 202 is in the form of a solid cone and is thus referred to herein as “a conical structure”
- the second geometric structure is in the form of a hollow cylinder and is thus referred to herein as “a hollow cylindrical structure.”
- the conical structure 202 has a tip 220 that faces the liquid input end 134 of the mixing apparatus 100 and a base 222 opposite the tip.
- the conical structure 202 functions to constrict the flow of fluid into the gas injection component 104 just enough to maintain a constant back pressure. This reduces the voids in the water stream that may collect large gas bubbles.
- the base 222 of the conical structure 202 transitions to the hollow cylindrical structure 204 .
- the interior of the hollow cylindrical structure 204 defines a first portion 206 of the gas injection lumen that extends along the length of the cylinder.
- Extending from the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical structure 204 are two wing structures 208 a , 208 b positioned on opposite sides of the cylinder.
- the wing structures 208 a , 208 b extend to and merge with an interior surface 210 (visible in FIG. 2 , view A-A) of the outer wall 224 of the gas injection component 104 .
- the space between the outer surfaces of the conical structure 202 and the hollow cylindrical structure 204 and the interior surface 210 of the outer wall 224 of the gas injection component 104 define the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber.
- the wing structures 208 a , 208 b divide the space between the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical structure 204 and the interior surface 210 of the outer wall 224 to form a pair of separate fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b , which extend along opposite sides of the gas injection component 104 .
- the fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b are generally C-shaped in cross section and extend from the base 222 of the conical structure 202 to the downstream end 124 of the gas injection component 104 .
- the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber defined by the gas injection component 104 may be characterized as a “bifurcated” first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber.
- the space between surfaces that define the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber may also be referred to as a “void”, where the void is defined by the absence of any solid material that forms the gas injection component 104 .
- a first section 602 of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber defined by the gas injection component 104 or a gas injection portion extends between point “a” and point “b,”, and has a first interior radius at point “a” between the tip 220 of the conical structure 202 and the interior surface 210 of the gas injection component at point “a”.
- the interior chamber or void bifurcates into two C-shaped fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b .
- the width at the beginning of the C-shaped fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b is identified as point “b.” This width may be referred to as the radii of the void at point “b,” which corresponds to the interior radius of the gas injection component 104 from the center 608 of the gas injection component to the interior surface 210 of the gas injection component at point “b,” minus the portion of that radius that is filled with solid material.
- a second section 604 of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber extends between point “b” and point “c” as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the widths of the C-shaped fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b taper down in size relative to the width at point “b.”
- the width at the end of the C-shaped fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b is identified as point “c.”
- This width may be referred to as the radii of the void at point “c,” which corresponds to the interior radius of the gas injection component from the center 612 of the component to the interior surface 210 of the gas injection component 104 at point “c,” minus the portion of that radius that is filled with solid material.
- the radii of the void at point “a” is approximately 0.91′′
- the width (or radii of the void) at point “b” is approximately 0.88′′
- the width (or radii of the void) at point “c” is approximately 0.82′′.
- the interior of the hollow cylindrical structure 204 defines a first portion 206 of a gas injection lumen of the gas injection component 104 .
- This first portion 206 of the gas injection lumen extends along the longitudinal axis 142 of the mixing apparatus 100 from an upstream region of the hollow cylindrical structure 204 that is beneath the inlet portion 112 of the gas injection component 104 to a downstream region of the hollow cylindrical structure 204 at or near the downstream end 124 of the gas injection component.
- a gas inlet structure 114 extends from the downstream end of the hollow cylindrical structure.
- the gas inlet structure 114 comprises a threaded base that screws into the first portion 206 of the gas injection lumen and a cap structure (also referred to as a muffler or a diffuser) that couples with the threaded base.
- the hollow interior 214 of the gas inlet structure 114 defines a second portion of the gas injection lumen.
- the cap structure includes a cylindrical sidewall and an end cap, each having a porous structure that permits injected gas to pass through.
- the gas inlet structure 114 may be configured as a simple Pitot type tube with holes passing through its sidewall and end cap. Configured as such the porous cap or Pitot tube allows for the injection of gas in multiple directions relative to the longitudinal axis 142 of the mixing apparatus 100 .
- gas may be injected from the interior of the gas inlet structure 114 into the surrounding interior fluid-flow chamber in a direction radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis 142 and/or downstream, in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
- a separate gas inlet structure 114 is not present. Instead, the gas inlet structure 114 is formed as part of the downstream region of the hollow cylindrical structure 204 .
- the downstream region of the hollow cylindrical structure 204 may comprise a reduced diameter portion that extends beyond the downstream end 124 of the gas injection component, which portion is formed to include a number of pores through which injected gas may pass in multiple directions relative to the longitudinal axis 142 of the mixing apparatus 100 , as described above.
- a gas inlet structure 114 is not included and gas is injected through the downstream end of the hollow cylindrical structure in the direction of the longitudinal axis and into the surrounding interior fluid-flow chamber.
- This configuration avoids detrimental issues, e.g., clogging and corroding, that may arise with the gas inlet structure. Eliminating the gas inlet structure also allows for the mixing apparatus to be 3D printed in one piece, thereby substantially reducing manufacturing costs.
- the gas injection lumen of the gas injection component 104 includes a third portion 216 that extends between the base of the inlet portion 112 to the first portion 206 of the gas injection lumen. Extending in this manner, the third portion 216 passes through the outer wall 224 of the gas injection component 104 , through a wing structure 208 a , and through the wall of the cylinder structure 204 before it merges with the first portion 206 of the gas injection lumen.
- the first, second and third portions 206 , 214 , 216 of the gas injection lumen may have any of a number of cross-section shapes. In one configuration, the first portion 206 and second portion 214 are cylindrical, while the third portion 216 is rectangular.
- a liquid stream input through the liquid input end 134 of the gas injection component 104 is initially displaced and separated by the conical structure 202 , with a first portion of the liquid being directed toward and into a first fluid-path lumen 212 a to form a first liquid stream 402 a , and a second portion of the liquid being directed toward and into a second fluid-path lumen 212 b to form a second liquid stream 402 b .
- the conical structure 202 and cylinder structure 204 thus function together to divide or expand a single stream of liquid into multiple liquid streams, e.g., two streams, as it passes through the gas injection component 104 , and prior to the liquid reaching the mixing vane component 102 .
- the gas injection component 104 may also be referred to as a “jet stream expander.” Expansion of a single liquid stream into multiple liquid streams maximizes the amount of contact between injected gas and the liquid flowing through the gas injection component 104 . Expansion into multiple liquid streams also allows the mixing vane component 102 to further compress and shear injected gas into ultra-fine bubbles of sub-micron size.
- a method of mixing gas and liquid may include passing liquid through a venturi to create a low-pressure zone, thereby exposing a supply of gas to the low-pressure zone adjacent the venturi. This may allow low pressure suction to extract gas from the gas supply and expose the gas to more liquid before entering the mixing vane component 102 .
- the change in diameter and the widths of the C-shaped fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b of the interior fluid-flow chamber along the length of the second section 604 of the gas injection component 104 defines a funnel or venturi.
- the venturi formed by the interior fluid-flow chamber in the area of the C-shaped fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b provides a gradual reduction in the cross-section area of the fluid-path lumens along the length of the lumens and focuses each of the first liquid stream 402 a and the second liquid stream 402 b liquid stream along their respective fluid-path lumen 212 a , 212 b .
- the reduction in cross-section area of the C-shaped fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b increases the velocity of the liquid passing through the gas injection component 104 and creates a low pressure or suction area adjacent to the end of the C-shaped fluid-path lumens.
- each liquid stream transitions into a respective helical fluid-path lumen 212 a , 212 b in the mixing vane component 102 .
- the liquid streams 402 a , 402 b surround the portion of the gas inlet structure 114 that extends into the mixing vane component 102 .
- Gas being injected into the gas injection component 104 through the gas injection port 108 passes through the gas inlet structure 114 and mixes with the surrounding liquid streams 402 a , 402 b to form an ultra-fine bubble liquid/gas mixture. At this point the liquid streams 402 a , 402 b are now liquid/gas mixture streams.
- the gas inlet structure 114 through which gas exits may be configured to allow for the injection of gas in multiple directions relative to the longitudinal axis 142 of the mixing apparatus 100 , including radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis and downstream, in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Configured in this manner, the mixing apparatus 100 injects gas from a location close to the longitudinal axis 142 , into fluid that surrounds the location, as the fluid flows past the location. In other words, the mixing apparatus is configured to inject gas into liquid from the inside out. This is distinct from other mixing apparatuses that are configured to inject gas into liquid from the outside in, for example, through an annular structure surrounding a fluid-flow path, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,490.
- the upstream end 144 of the mixing vane component 102 where each of the liquid streams 402 a , 402 b transitions from a C-shaped fluid-path lumen to a helical fluid-path lumen begins as an almost straight blade 610 to reduce back pressure and prevent fluid flow loss.
- the pitch of the helical fluid-path lumens of the mixing vane component 102 may increase from almost straight to several revolutions per inch over the length of the mixing vane component.
- the helical fluid-path lumens of the mixing vane component 102 gradually constricts the flow of the liquid/gas mixture and shears and compresses the gas into the liquid.
- the increased rate of revolutions of the helical fluid-path lumens accelerates the flow of the liquid/gas mixture and further mixes the liquid and gas to create a solution with abundant ultra-fine bubbles.
- the mixture is expanded slightly. This is done by attaching an exit tube (not shown) to the liquid output end 138 .
- the exit tube may have an internal diameter that is slightly larger than the internal diameter at the liquid output end 138 of the mixing vane component 102 .
- the enlarged internal diameter provided by the exit tube creates a vacuum effect that pulls the liquid/gas mixture forward through the liquid output end 138 and allows the spin of the liquid to stabilize before final discharge from the exit tube. This vacuum effect reduces back pressure on the liquid/gas mixture stream and flow loss associated with back pressure.
- an exit tube (not shown) is coupled to the mixing vane component 102 at the liquid output end 138 .
- the exit tube is of a length sufficient to allow velocity and rotation of the liquid/gas mixture to slow to normal flow conditions before it discharges into to a tank, reservoir, or surface body of water. The normal flow condition prevents high speed collisions and forces that will dislodge the trapped ultra-fine gas bubbles.
- the mixing vane component 102 may include a series of individual helical vane sections, of equal or different length, separated by a distance of “d” that is void of any helical structure.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a series of individual helical vane sections 802 , 804 , where a first helical vane section 802 has a length greater than a second helical vane 804 .
- a series of helical vane sections may enable higher gas saturation with more gas injected in real time, while the increased pressure increases the gas transferred to the liquid.
- the separation distance “d” between adjacent helical vane sections 802 , 804 that is void of any helical structure may be anywhere between a small fraction, e.g., one-sixteenth, of the inner diameter 808 of the adjacent mixing vane components 802 , 804 to a multiple of the inner diameter. It has been found, however, that a separation distance 806 ranging from between one half of the inner diameter 808 to equal to the inner diameter is more effective in increasing the level of gas saturation.
- the mixing apparatus 100 includes a structure defining an interior fluid-flow chamber extending along a longitudinal axis 142 between a liquid input end 134 and a liquid output end 138 .
- the structure is characterized by a gas injection portion and a mixing vane portion.
- the gas injection portion is located downstream from the liquid input end 134 and upstream from the liquid output end 138 .
- the gas injection portion defines a first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber and a gas injection lumen formed by first, second, and third portions 206 , 214 , 216 .
- the gas injection lumen 206 , 214 , 216 is surrounded by the interior fluid-flow chamber and extends along a length of the gas injection portion.
- the gas injection lumen 206 , 214 , 216 is configured to inject gas from the interior of the gas injection lumen into the surrounding interior fluid-flow chamber.
- the mixing vane portion extends in the downstream direction from the gas injection portion and defines a second region of the interior fluid-flow chamber.
- the structure may be formed of separately manufactured components that are assembled.
- the gas injection portion may be in the form of a gas injection component 104 and the mixing vane portion may be in the form of a mixing vane component 102 .
- the structure may be manufactured as a single component, portions of which respectively define a gas injection portion and a mixing vane portion.
- the gas injection portion includes an outer wall 224 and a geometric structure 202 , e.g., a cone, surrounded by the outer wall.
- the geometric structure has a tip 220 facing the liquid input end 134 and a base 222 facing the liquid output end 138 .
- the gas injection portion also includes a hollow cylindrical structure 204 , e.g., a cylinder, that is also surrounded by the outer wall 224 .
- the hollow cylindrical structure 204 extends in the downstream direction from the base 222 of the geometric structure and has a hollow interior that defines a first portion 206 of the gas injection lumen.
- the outer wall 224 has an interior surface 210 and each of the geometric structure 202 and the hollow cylindrical structure 204 has an outer surface spaced apart from the interior surface 210 .
- the space between the interior surface 210 and the outer surfaces of the geometric structure 202 and the hollow cylindrical structure 204 defines the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber.
- the space between the interior surface and the outer surfaces changes in dimension along the length of the gas injection portion. The change in dimension creates a venturi that creates a low-pressure zone for liquid that may allow low pressure suction to extract gas from the gas injection lumen 206 , 214 , 216 and expose the gas to more liquid before entering the mixing vane component 102 .
- the hollow cylindrical structure 204 has a gas inlet structure 114 that extends from a downstream region of the hollow cylindrical structure.
- the gas inlet structure 114 has a hollow interior that defines a second portion 214 of the gas injection lumen. At least part of the second portion 214 of the gas injection lumen is configured to inject gas into the surrounding interior fluid-flow chamber in at least one of a plurality of directions relative to the longitudinal axis 142 .
- the gas inlet structure 114 may inject gas radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis 142 and/or downstream, in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
- the gas inlet structure 114 includes a hollow cap structure having at least one of a porous cylindrical sidewall and a porous end cap through which gas may be injected into the surrounding interior fluid-flow chamber.
- the gas inlet structure is a reduced diameter portion of the downstream region of the hollow cylindrical structure 204 that is formed to include a number of pores through which gas may injected into the surrounding interior fluid-flow chamber.
- the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber defined by the gas injection portion may include a plurality of separate fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b .
- the plurality of separate fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b are partially defined by a pair of wing structures 208 a , 208 b that extend between the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical structure 204 and the interior surface 210 of the outer wall 224 .
- One of the wing structures 208 a , 208 b may define a third portion 216 of the gas injection lumen.
- the gas injection portion may include an inlet portion 112 having a base, and the third portion 216 of the gas injection lumen may extend from the base of the inlet portion 112 through one of the pair of wing structures 208 a , 208 b and into the first portion 206 of the gas injection lumen defined by the hollow cylindrical structure 204 .
- the plurality of separate fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber are non-helical lumens.
- the gas injection portion may define a pair of fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b having a C-shaped cross section that extend linearly along part of the gas injection portion.
- each of the separate non-helical fluid-path lumens 212 a , 212 b transition to a helical lumen of the second region of the interior fluid-flow chamber defined by the mixing vane portion.
- the mixing vane portion may include one helical vane region 802 or a plurality of helical vane regions 802 , 804 arranged adjacently along the length of the mixing vane portion. In configurations having multiple helical vane regions, adjacent helical vane regions are separated by a separation distance 806 that defines an annular space between the adjacent helical vane regions.
- a mixing apparatus 900 may be configured as a unitary, single-piece structure having no separate components parts, e.g., like the gas inlet structure, O-ring, nuts, and bolts of the mixing apparatus configuration in FIG. 1 A- 1 C .
- the unitary, single-piece mixing apparatus 900 includes a gas injection portion 904 and a mixing vane portion 902 .
- the mixing vane portion 902 is a helical mixing vane.
- Each of the gas injection portion 904 and the mixing vane portion 902 defines a respective region of an interior fluid-flow chamber that extends along a longitudinal axis 942 (also referred to herein as the “x axis”) between an input port 1052 at a liquid input end 934 of the mixing apparatus 900 and an output port 1054 at a liquid output end 938 of the mixing apparatus 900 .
- the interior fluid-flow chamber defines multiple fluid-path lumens that guide fluid through the mixing apparatus.
- the longitudinal axis 942 while the example mixing apparatus 900 of FIGS. 9 - 12 has a linear longitudinal axis, other embodiments of the mixing apparatus may have non-linear longitudinal axes that curve.
- the gas injection portion 904 includes: a) a liquid input end 934 that includes the input port 1052 through which liquid is input to the mixing apparatus, b) a gas input portion 920 through which gas is injected into the mixing apparatus, and c) a downstream end 924 where the gas injection portion transitions to the mixing vane portion 902 .
- the gas input portion 920 includes an inlet portion 912 having an opening 910 that is configured to be coupled with a tubular elbow fitting (not shown).
- the tubular elbow fitting defines a gas injection port through which gas is injected into a gas injection lumen within the gas injection portion 904 .
- the gas injection portion 904 defines a first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber that includes multiple fluid-path lumens.
- the interior of the liquid input end 934 defines an upstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1056 having a diameter that tapers down to the diameter of the gas input portion 920 .
- the upstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1056 extends into the gas input portion 920 where it bifurcates into separate fluid-path lumens, referred to herein as side fluid-path lumens.
- these side fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b are characterized by a C-shaped cross-section and accordingly are at times referred to herein as C-shaped lumens.
- the C-shaped lumens 922 a , 922 b merge into and are in fluid communication with a downstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1038 defined by the interior of the downstream end 924 of the gas injection portion 904 .
- the mixing vane portion 902 includes: a) an upstream end 944 where the mixing vane portion merges with the gas injection portion 904 , b) a helical region 946 , and c) the liquid output end 938 that includes the output port 1054 through which liquid/gas mixture exits the mixing apparatus 900 . As shown in FIG.
- the helical region 946 defines multiple fluid-path lumens 1010 a , 1010 b , 1030 a , 1030 b , each lumen twisting around the longitudinal axis 942 to form a helical fluid-path lumen that guides fluid in the downstream direction toward the liquid output end 938 of the mixing apparatus 900 .
- the helical fluid-path lumens 1010 a , 1010 b , 1030 a , 1030 b form a second region of the interior fluid-flow chamber of the mixing apparatus 900 .
- the helical fluid-path lumens 1010 a , 1010 b , 1030 a , 1030 b , of the second region of the fluid-flow chamber are equal in number with the C-shaped fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b of the first region of the fluid-flow chamber.
- the mixing apparatus 900 of FIGS. 9 - 12 has two C-shaped side fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b , two corresponding first helical fluid-path lumens 1010 a , 1010 b , and two corresponding second helical fluid-path lumens 1030 a , 1030 b.
- the unitary, single-piece mixing apparatus 900 of FIGS. 9 - 12 may be manufactured in its entirety as a single 3D printed object.
- different portions of the unitary, single-piece mixing apparatus 900 may be separately manufactured using injection molding techniques and then bonded together to form a unitary, single-piece mixing apparatus 900 .
- separate molds may be used to form different portions of the mixing apparatus 900 relative to the longitudinal axis 942 of the apparatus.
- each molded portion may be one half of the mixing apparatus 900 along the longitudinal axis 942 .
- the mixing apparatus is considered a single unitary structure, where “single unitary” means that the mixing apparatus does not have any separate components parts and that the mixing apparatus cannot be taken apart or disassembled without damaging or destroying either of the structural integrity or functional integrity of the mixing apparatus.
- the mixing apparatus 900 is a single piece of plastic with no separately attached external or internal components.
- the mixing apparatus 900 may be encased in a sleeve. This may be accomplished by placing the mixing apparatus 900 in a heat-shrink tube; and then heating the tube to shrink into contact with the outer surface of the apparatus to thereby provide an impenetrable sleeve over the entire apparatus.
- the gas injection portion 904 includes an outer wall 1024 that surrounds a first geometric structure 1002 and a second geometric structure 1004 that extends in the downstream direction from the first geometric structure.
- the first geometric structure 1002 may be a solid cone having a solid surface that does not allow for the ingress of fluid.
- the second geometric structure 1004 may be a cylinder having a solid exterior surface that does not allow for the ingress of fluid.
- the second geometric structure 1004 is not entirely solid and includes a lumen that extends between an upstream end 1036 and a downstream opening 1034 . The lumen at the interior of the second geometric structure 1004 defines a first part 1006 of the gas injection lumen.
- the first geometric structure 1002 hereinafter referred to as the conical structure 1002 , has a tip 1020 that faces the liquid input port 1052 of the mixing apparatus 900 and a base 1022 opposite the tip.
- the base 1022 of the conical structure 1002 transitions to the second geometric structure 1004 , hereinafter referred to as the cylindrical structure 1004 .
- the conical structure 1002 functions to constrict the flow of fluid into and through the gas injection portion 904 just enough to maintain a constant back pressure. This reduces the voids in the water stream that may collect large gas bubbles.
- the space between the outer surfaces of the conical structure 1002 and the interior surface of the outer wall 1024 of the gas injection portion 904 define an upstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1056 of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber.
- first and second wing structures 1008 a , 1008 b integral with and extending from the outer surface of the cylindrical structure 1004 are first and second wing structures 1008 a , 1008 b positioned on opposite sides of the cylinder.
- the first and second wing structures 1008 a , 1008 b extend to and merge or integrate with an interior surface of the outer wall 1024 of the gas injection portion 904 .
- “Integral” and “integrate with” in this context mean that the material forming the wing structures 1008 a , 1008 b is contiguous at one end with the material forming the cylindrical structure 1004 , and at the opposite end with the material forming the outer wall 1024 .
- the wing structures 1008 a , 1008 b are not separate parts that are adhered or bonded to the cylindrical structure 1004 and the outer wall 1024 .
- the first and second wing structures 1008 a , 1008 b divide the space between the outer surface of the cylindrical structure 1004 and the interior surface of the outer wall 1024 to define a pair of side fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b of the first region of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber.
- These side fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b extend along opposite sides of the gas injection portion 904 .
- the fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b are generally C-shaped in cross section and extend from the base 1022 of the conical structure 1002 to the end of the cylindrical structure 1004 .
- the area of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber defined by the gas injection portion 904 may be characterized as a “bifurcated” area of the interior fluid-flow chamber.
- the side fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b merge into and are in fluid communication with a downstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1038 that is defined by a space bounded by the interior surface of the outer wall 1024 .
- the various spaces between surfaces that define the various areas of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber may also be referred to as “voids”, where a void is defined by the absence of any solid material that forms the gas injection portion 904 .
- the interior of the cylindrical structure 1004 defines a first part 1006 of a gas injection lumen of the gas injection portion 904 .
- This first part 1006 of the gas injection lumen is in the form of a 90-degree elbow having a downstream opening 1034 at the end of the cylindrical structure 1004 and an upstream end 1036 that is beneath the inlet portion 912 of the gas injection portion 904 .
- the gas injection lumen merges into and is in fluid communication with the downstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1038 through the downstream opening 1034 .
- the gas injection lumen does not include any structure that would impede the flow of gas into the downstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1038 .
- the gas injection lumen of the gas injection portion 904 includes a second part 1016 that extends from the upstream end 1036 the first part 1006 through the inlet portion 912 .
- the second part 1016 of the gas injection lumen is arranged transverse to the first part 1006 and in one configuration, has an axis that extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first part. Extending in this manner, the second part 1016 of the gas injection lumen passes through a thickness of the outer wall 1024 of the gas injection portion 904 , through the first wing structure 1008 a , and through the wall of the cylinder structure 1004 before it merges with and comes into fluid communication with the first part 1006 of the gas injection lumen.
- the first and second parts 1006 , 1016 of the gas injection lumen may have any of a number of cross-section shapes. In one configuration, the cross-section shape of each of the first part 1006 and the second part 1016 is cylindrical.
- a liquid stream input through the liquid input end 934 of the gas injection portion 904 is initially displaced and separated by the conical structure 1002 , with a first portion of the liquid being directed toward and into a first fluid-path lumen 922 a to form a first liquid stream 932 a , and a second portion of the liquid being directed toward and into a second fluid-path lumen 922 b to form a second liquid stream 932 b .
- the conical structure 1002 and cylinder structure 1004 thus function together to divide or expand a single stream of liquid into multiple liquid streams, e.g., two streams, as it passes through the gas injection portion 904 , and prior to the liquid reaching the mixing vane portion 902 .
- the gas injection portion 904 may also be referred to as a “jet stream expander.” Expansion of a single liquid stream into multiple liquid streams maximizes the amount of contact between injected gas and the liquid flowing through the gas injection portion 904 . Expansion into multiple liquid streams also allows the mixing vane portion 902 to further compress and shear injected gas into ultra-fine bubbles of sub-micron size.
- the downstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1038 has a length along the longitudinal axis 942 that defines a distance between the end of the C-shaped side fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b and the beginning of the helical fluid-path lumens 1010 a , 1010 b .
- the liquid side fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b are located in front of, i.e., downstream from, the downstream opening 1034 of the gas injection lumen.
- Gas being injected into the gas injection portion 904 through the gas injection opening 910 passes through the downstream opening 1034 into the downstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1038 and mixes with the liquid present in the downstream tubular fluid-path lumen to form an ultra-fine bubble liquid/gas mixture.
- the upstream pressure within the mixing apparatus 900 causes the liquid/gas mixture to bifurcate into a pair of liquid/gas mixture streams 1012 a , 1012 b , each of which transitions into a respective helical fluid-path lumen 1010 a , 1010 b in the mixing vane portion 902 .
- the arrangement of the first part 1006 of the gas injection lumen relative to the C-shaped fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b and the downstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1038 enables the injection of gas through the downstream opening 1034 into the downstream tubular fluid-path lumen in a same direction, e.g., downstream and aligned with or parallel to the longitudinal axis 942 , as the fluid flow through the C-shaped fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b into the downstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1038 .
- the mixing apparatus 900 injects gas from a location close to the center, longitudinal axis 942 of the mixing apparatus and thus distant from the inner wall of the mixing apparatus.
- the upstream end 944 of the mixing vane portion 902 where the liquid/gas fluid divides and enters the helical fluid-path lumens 1010 a , 1010 b , begins as an almost straight blade to reduce back pressure and prevent fluid flow loss.
- the pitch of the helical fluid-path lumens 1010 a , 1010 b of the mixing vane portion 902 may be consistent or uniform along the length of the mixing vane portion.
- the pitch of the helical fluid-path lumens 1010 a , 1010 b of the mixing vane portion 902 may increase from almost straight to several revolutions per inch over the length of the mixing vane portion.
- the helical fluid-path lumens 1010 a , 1010 b of the mixing vane portion 902 constricts the flow of the liquid/gas mixture and shears and compresses the gas into the liquid.
- the increased rate of revolutions of the helical fluid-path lumens accelerates the flow of the liquid/gas mixture and further mixes the liquid and gas to create a solution with abundant ultra-fine bubbles.
- the mixing vane portion 902 includes a series of individual helical vane sections 1040 , 1042 of equal or different length, separated by a distance of “d” that is void of any helical structure.
- each helical vane section 1040 , 1042 defines a same number of helical fluid-path lumens 1010 a , 101 b , 1030 a , 1030 b .
- the distance “d” defines a gap in the mixing vane structure.
- a series of helical vane sections 1040 , 1042 separated by a gap enables periodic merging and settling of liquid/gas mixture streams 1012 a , 1012 b and re-dividing thereof into separate liquid/gas steams.
- the gap allows the spin of the liquid/gas mixture streams 1012 a , 1012 b resulting from a helical vane section 1040 to settle somewhat before the merged streams re-divide and accelerate into the next helical vane section 1042 . This settling followed by acceleration increases shearing and the generation of more ultra-fine bubbles.
- the separation distance “d” between adjacent helical vane sections 1040 , 1042 that is void of any helical structure may be anywhere between a small fraction, e.g., one-sixteenth, of the inner diameter 1044 of the mixing vane portion 902 to a multiple of the inner diameter. It has been found, however, that a separation distance “d” ranging from between one half of the inner diameter 1044 to equal to the inner diameter is more effective in increasing the level of gas saturation.
- a first helical vane section 1040 and a second helical vane 1042 are of equal length. In other configurations, the helical vane section may be of different length. In other configurations, more than two helical vane sections may be present.
- the direction of the twisting of the lumens within the helical vane sections about and along the length of the longitudinal axis may be counterclockwise or clockwise depending on the geographical region in which the mixing apparatus 900 will be used.
- versions of the mixing apparatus 900 to be used in the northern hemisphere will include helical vane sections that twist in the clockwise direction, while those to be used in the southern hemisphere will include helical vane sections that twist in the counterclockwise direction. This results in a higher concentration of ultra-fine bubbles because there is less turbulence when the water flows in its natural direction. When water flows counter to the earth's rotational effects the water “rolls” over itself as it flows. This creates a lot of “collision” inside the mixing apparatus.
- This collision reduces flow, increases pressure, and causes the turbulence that releases O2 molecules from the water.
- water flows in its natural direction it avoids this collision, resulting in calmer water flow that increases velocity which increases the volume of the flow.
- This calm flow is actually higher than the standard flow tables you can get in a given pipe size.
- the higher flow velocity creates a slight vacuum at the injection point where the cross-sectional area is reduced just prior to the gas injection point.
- a smaller pump using less energy can replace the larger pump needed to produce the same flow in a counter rotational example.
- the mixture is expanded slightly. This is done by attaching an exit tube (not shown) to the liquid output end 938 .
- the exit tube may have an internal diameter that is slightly larger than the internal diameter at the liquid output end 938 of the mixing vane portion 902 .
- the enlarged internal diameter provided by the exit tube creates a vacuum effect that pulls the liquid/gas mixture forward through the liquid output end 938 and allows the spin of the liquid to stabilize before final discharge from the exit tube. This vacuum effect reduces back pressure on the liquid/gas mixture stream and flow loss associated with back pressure.
- an exit tube (not shown) is coupled to the mixing vane portion 902 at the liquid output end 938 .
- the exit tube is of a length sufficient to allow velocity and rotation of the liquid/gas mixture to slow to normal flow conditions before it discharges into to a tank, reservoir, or surface body of water. The normal flow condition prevents high speed collisions and forces that will dislodge the trapped ultra-fine gas bubbles.
- the mixing apparatus 100 may be 3D printed in its entirety as a unitary, single-piece object by 3D printing, instead of separately 3D printing a mixing vane component 102 and a gas injection component 104 and assembling them.
- there is no O-ring 116 and manufacture of the gas inlet structure 114 is integrated with the 3D printing process.
- the gas inlet structure 114 may be formed as an internal structure of a gas injection portion of the mixing apparatus 100 .
- the gas inlet structure 114 may not be included.
- the mixing apparatus 100 may be manufactured using injection molding techniques. For example, separate molds may be used to form different portions of the mixing apparatus 100 relative to the longitudinal axis 142 of the apparatus. In one implementation, each molded portion corresponds to one half of the mixing apparatus 100 along the longitudinal axis 142 . Once molded, the two halves may be bonded together to form a single assembly of the mixing apparatus 100 .
- the mixing apparatus 900 for generating and mixing gas bubbles, including for example, ultra-fine bubbles, into an aqueous solution.
- the mixing apparatus 900 includes a structure defining an interior fluid-flow chamber that extends along a longitudinal axis 942 between an input port 1052 at a liquid input end 934 and an output port 1054 at a liquid output end 938 .
- the structure is characterized by a gas injection portion 904 located upstream from the liquid output end 938 and a mixing vane portion 902 extending in the downstream direction from the gas injection portion.
- the gas injection portion 904 defines a gas injection lumen having a first part 1006 and a second part 1016 .
- the gas injection portion 904 also defined a first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber, while the mixing vane portion 902 defines a second region of the interior fluid-flow chamber.
- the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber includes a plurality of side fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b that extend in the downstream direction alongside the first part 1006 of the gas injection lumen. This first part 1006 of the gas injection lumen, together with the side fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b , merges with a downstream fluid-path lumen 1038 of the first region.
- the various lumens 922 a , 922 b , 1006 are arranged such that the first part 1006 of the gas injection lumen is closer to the longitudinal axis 942 than any of the plurality of side fluid-path lumens 922 a , 922 b.
- the mixing apparatuses 100 , 900 may be manufactured using 3D printing technology.
- each of the mixing vane component 102 and the gas injection component 104 may be separately manufactured as a unitary, single-piece object using 3D printing, and then assembled to form a mixing apparatus 100 .
- the entirety of the mixing apparatus 100 , 900 may be manufactured as a single object.
- the mixing apparatus 100 , 900 may be 3D printed using a plastic or a metallic material.
- the components may be 3D printed, for example, in nylon or a polycarbonate material, e.g., PVC, and/or other compatible filament with high tensile strength to withstand the force of water flowing at high speeds.
- the selected 3D print material should also be compatible with the chosen gas to be injected.
- polycarbonate is rated for ozone, while nylon is not.
- the components may be 3D printed, for example, in stainless steel.
- the mixing apparatuses 100 , 900 may be manufactured using techniques other than 3D printing.
- the mixing apparatuses 100 , 900 may be manufactured using a number of injection molds to form separate portions of the assembly, which portions are then joined together to form a mixing apparatus 100 , 900 .
- the portions may be formed of plastic and bonded together, or metal, e.g., coarse cast iron or aluminum, and welded together.
- the mixing apparatuses 100 , 900 may be manufactured in 1 ⁇ 2′′, 3 ⁇ 4′′ and 11 ⁇ 2′′ sizes for use in varying systems, where the size corresponds to the interior diameter of the apparatus at the liquid input end and the liquid output end. Larger liquid flows may be accommodated by an array of liquid/gas mixing apparatuses enclosed in a larger pipe. In this configuration, a portion of a large liquid flow is divided into separate portions, each of which passes through a liquid/gas mixing apparatus. Testing of a 1 ⁇ 2′′ size ultra-fine bubble generating liquid/gas mixing apparatus configured as disclosed herein, has generated ultra-fine bubbles having a size ⁇ 100 nanometers and concentration of 265,000,000 bubbles per ml, as measured using a NanoSight NS300 particle analyzer.
Abstract
A mixing apparatus for generating and mixing gas bubbles into an aqueous solution includes a structure defining an interior fluid-flow chamber that extends along a longitudinal axis between an input port at a liquid input end and an output port at a liquid output end. The structure includes a gas injection portion located upstream from the liquid output end and a mixing vane portion extending in the downstream direction from the gas injection portion. The gas injection portion defines a gas injection lumen and a first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber, while the mixing vane portion defines a second region of the interior fluid-flow chamber. The first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber includes a plurality of side fluid-path lumens that extend alongside a first part of the gas injection lumen. This first part of the gas injection lumen and the side fluid-path lumens merge with a downstream fluid-path lumen of the first region.
Description
- This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/194,162, entitled “Apparatus in the Form of a Unitary, Single-Piece Structure Configured to Generate and Mix Ultra-Fine Gas Bubbles Into a High Gas Concentration Aqueous Solution,” filed on Mar. 5, 2021, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/768,609, entitled “Apparatus in the Form of a Unitary, Single-Piece Structure Configured to Generate and Mix Ultra-Fine Gas Bubbles Into a High Gas Concentration Aqueous Solution,” filed on May 29, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,953,375, which is a U.S. national phase application of and claims priority to International Application No. PCT/US2019/034749, entitled “Apparatus in the Form of a Unitary, Single-Piece Structure Configured to Generate and Mix Ultra-Fine Gas Bubbles Into a High Gas Concentration Aqueous Solution,” filed on May 30, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/679,702, entitled “Apparatus in the Form of a Unitary, Single-Piece Structure Configured to Generate and Mix Ultra-Fine Gas Bubbles into a High Gas Concentration Aqueous Solution,” filed on Jun. 1, 2018, each of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- Aspects of the present disclosure relate to liquid and gas systems and methods that generate ultra-fine bubbles and mix them into a highly concentrated aqueous solution.
- Bubbles contained in a liquid are visible to the eyes when the bubble sizes range from 6 to 29 microns. We can see bubbles in carbonated drinks or those coming from the air diffuser in a water tank. Bubbles with the size of a few millimeters in diameter show visible surfacing action in a liquid, and the presence of fine bubbles of dozens of microns in diameter can be confirmed with white turbidity in a liquid, because these bubbles are scattering substances. Bubbles in diameter smaller than the wavelength of light are called ultra-fine bubbles, and they are too small to see. Ultra-fine bubbles have several unique properties including long lifetime in liquid owing to their negatively charged surface, and high gas solubility into the liquid owing to their high internal pressure. These special features of ultra-fine bubbles have attracted attention from many industries such as food, cosmetics, chemical, medical, semi-conductor, soil and water remediation, aquaculture and agriculture.
- A mixing apparatus for generating and mixing gas bubbles, including for example, ultra-fine bubbles, into an aqueous solution includes a structure defining an interior fluid-flow chamber that extends along a longitudinal axis between an input port at a liquid input end and an output port at a liquid output end. The structure is characterized by a gas injection portion located upstream from the liquid output end and a mixing vane portion extending in the downstream direction from the gas injection portion. The gas injection portion defines a gas injection lumen and a first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber, while the mixing vane portion defines a second region of the interior fluid-flow chamber. The first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber includes a plurality of side fluid-path lumens that extend in the downstream direction alongside a first part of the gas injection lumen. This first part of the gas injection lumen, together with the side fluid-path lumens, merges with a downstream fluid-path lumen of the first region. The various lumens are arranged such that the first part of the gas injection lumen is closer to the longitudinal axis than any of the plurality of side fluid-path lumens.
-
FIG. 1A is perspective illustration of a fully assembled, multi-component ultra-fine bubble generating liquid/gas mixing apparatus having a gas injection component and a helical mixing vane component forming a structure defining an interior fluid-flow chamber extending along a longitudinal axis between a liquid input end and a liquid output end. -
FIGS. 1B and 1C are different perspective illustrations of the mixing apparatus ofFIG. 1A disassembled and exploded to show the gas injection component and the helical mixing vane component. -
FIG. 2 includes a side view illustration of the mixing apparatus ofFIG. 1A , and a scaled-up end-view illustration of the mixing apparatus, where the end view is from the perspective of the liquid input end. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-section illustration of the mixing apparatus ofFIG. 1A taken along the x-y plane ofFIG. 1A , with portions of solid material absent to expose internal structures and components of the mixing apparatus. -
FIG. 4 is a planar cross-section illustration of the fully assembled mixing apparatus ofFIG. 2 taken along the x-y plane ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-section illustration of the fully assembled mixing apparatus ofFIG. 1A taken along a x-z plane that is offset from the origin x-z plane, with portions of solid material absent to expose internal structures and components of the mixing apparatus. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic plane representation of the interior fluid-flow chamber of the mixing apparatus ofFIG. 1A taken along the x-z plane ofFIG. 1A to show bifurcation of the interior fluid-flow chamber into multiple fluid-flow paths. -
FIG. 7 is a schematic end-view representation of the interior fluid-flow chamber of the mixing apparatus ofFIG. 1A from the perspective of the liquid input end and rotated 90 degrees clockwise. -
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-section representation of an alternate configuration of a helical mixing vane component having a series of individual helical vane sections. -
FIG. 9 is perspective illustration of a unitary, single-piece mixing apparatus having a gas injection portion and a helical mixing vane portion together defining an interior fluid-flow chamber extending along a longitudinal axis between a liquid input end and a liquid output end. -
FIG. 10 is a perspective cross-section illustration of the mixing apparatus ofFIG. 9 taken along the x-y plane and through the center of the mixing apparatus. -
FIG. 11 is a planar cross-section illustration of the mixing apparatus ofFIG. 9 taken along an x-y plane and through the center of the mixing apparatus. -
FIG. 12 is a planar cross-section illustration of the interior fluid-flow chamber of the mixing apparatus ofFIG. 9 taken along an x-z plane and through the gas injection portion to show bifurcation of the interior fluid-flow chamber into multiple fluid-flow paths. - The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details.
- Disclosed herein are different versions or embodiments of ultra-fine bubble generating liquid/gas mixing apparatuses. In one version, referred to as a “multi-component” mixing apparatus,” components of the apparatus are separately manufactured and coupled together with attaching hardware to form a complete apparatus. This version may also include some internal, removable components such as an O-ring gasket and gas inlet structure, e.g., diffuser. The multi-component version of the mixing apparatus allows for subsequent disassembly of the apparatus without destroying or damaging the structural integrity of the components. In another version, referred to as a “unitary, single-piece mixing apparatus,” the apparatus is a single unitary structure, where “single unitary” means that the mixing apparatus does not have any separate components parts that require assembly, and that the mixing apparatus cannot be taken apart or disassembled without damaging or destroying either of the structural integrity or functional integrity of the mixing apparatus. In other words, the mixing apparatus is a single piece structure with no separately attached external or internal components.
- Multi-Component Mixing Apparatus
- With reference to
FIGS. 1A-2 , a multi-component ultra-fine bubble generating liquid/gas mixing apparatus 100 (herein after referred to as a “mixing apparatus”) includes agas injection component 104 and amixing vane component 102. In one configuration, the mixingvane component 102 is a variable-pitch helical mixing vane. Each of thegas injection component 104 and themixing vane component 102 defines a respective region of an interior fluid-flow chamber that extends along a longitudinal axis 142 (also referred to herein as the “x axis”) between aliquid input end 134 and aliquid output end 138 of themixing apparatus 100. The interior fluid-flow chamber defines multiple fluid-path lumens that guide fluid through the mixing apparatus. Regarding thelongitudinal axis 142, while theexample mixing apparatus 100 ofFIGS. 1A-2 has a linear longitudinal axis, other embodiments of the mixing apparatus may have non-linear longitudinal axes that curve. - Moving from left to right in
FIGS. 1A-2 , or in the downstream direction from theliquid input end 134 of themixing apparatus 100 to theliquid output end 138, thegas injection component 104 includes: a) the liquid input end through which liquid is input to the mixing apparatus, b) agas input region 120 through which gas is injected into the mixing apparatus, and c) adownstream end 124 where the gas injection component couples to the mixingvane component 102. - The
gas input region 120 of thegas injection component 104 includes aninlet portion 112 having anopening 110 that is configured to be coupled with atubular elbow fitting 106. The tubular elbow fitting 106 defines agas injection port 108 through which gas is injected into a gas injection lumen within thegas injection component 104. Thegas input region 120 also defines multiple fluid-path lumens mixing apparatus 100. As shown inFIG. 2 , the fluid-path lumens - Continuing in the downstream direction, the mixing
vane component 102 includes: a) anupstream end 144 where the mixing vane component couples with thegas injection component 104, b) ahelical region 146, and c) theliquid output end 138 through which liquid/gas mixture exist themixing apparatus 100. Thehelical region 146 defines multiple fluid-path lumens, each lumen twisting around thelongitudinal axis 142 to form a helical fluid-path lumen that guides fluid in the downstream direction toward theliquid output end 138 of themixing apparatus 100. The helical fluid-path lumens form a second region of the interior fluid-flow chamber of themixing apparatus 100. The helical fluid-path lumens of the second region of the fluid-flow chamber are equal in number with the C-shaped fluid path lumens of the first region of the fluid-flow chamber. For example, the mixingapparatus 100 ofFIGS. 1A-2 has two C-shaped fluid path lumens, each of which transitions to a corresponding helical fluid-path lumen. - In one configuration, each of the mixing
vane component 102 and agas injection component 104 may be separately manufactured as a single-piece, unitary component using 3D printing. In another configuration, each of the mixingvane component 102 and thegas injection component 104 may be separately manufactured using injection molding techniques. For example, separate molds may be used to form different portions of the mixingvane component 102 and thegas injection component 104 relative to thelongitudinal axis 142 of the apparatus. In one implementation, each molded portion may be one half of the mixingvane component 102 and one half of thegas injection component 104 along thelongitudinal axis 942. - Once the mixing
vane component 102 and agas injection component 104 are manufactured, they are assembled with agas inlet structure 114 and an O-ring 116 and secured together using various fastening components, e.g., nuts, bolts, washers, and a silicon sealant. The gas inlet structure 114 (also referred to herein as a muffler or a diffuser) provides a gas injection interface between gas received through theinlet portion 112 of thegas injection component 104 and the interior fluid-flow chamber of themixing apparatus 100. The O-ring 116 fits within an annular groove 122 (visible inFIG. 1B ) formed in thedownstream end 124 of thegas injection component 104. The O-ring 116 provides a seal between liquid/gas mixture flowing through the interior fluid-flow chamber of the mixing apparatus 100 (which chamber passes through the inside of the O-ring) and anygap 128 that may exist between abuttingsurfaces vane component 102 and thegas injection component 104 after assembly of the components. - After manufacture or manufacture and assembly, the mixing
apparatus 100 may be encased in a sleeve. This may be accomplished by placing themixing apparatus 100 in a heat-shrink tube; and then heating the tube to shrink into contact with the outer surface of the apparatus to thereby provide an impenetrable sleeve over the entire apparatus. - With reference to
FIGS. 2-5 , in one configuration thegas injection component 104 includes anouter wall 224 that surrounds a firstgeometric structure 202 and a secondgeometric structure 204 that is downstream from the first geometric structure. In one configuration the firstgeometric structure 202 is in the form of a solid cone and is thus referred to herein as “a conical structure,” and the second geometric structure is in the form of a hollow cylinder and is thus referred to herein as “a hollow cylindrical structure.” Theconical structure 202 has atip 220 that faces theliquid input end 134 of themixing apparatus 100 and a base 222 opposite the tip. Theconical structure 202 functions to constrict the flow of fluid into thegas injection component 104 just enough to maintain a constant back pressure. This reduces the voids in the water stream that may collect large gas bubbles. - The
base 222 of theconical structure 202 transitions to the hollowcylindrical structure 204. The interior of the hollowcylindrical structure 204 defines afirst portion 206 of the gas injection lumen that extends along the length of the cylinder. Extending from the outer surface of the hollowcylindrical structure 204 are twowing structures wing structures FIG. 2 , view A-A) of theouter wall 224 of thegas injection component 104. - The space between the outer surfaces of the
conical structure 202 and the hollowcylindrical structure 204 and theinterior surface 210 of theouter wall 224 of thegas injection component 104 define the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber. With reference toFIG. 2 , view A-A, thewing structures cylindrical structure 204 and theinterior surface 210 of theouter wall 224 to form a pair of separate fluid-path lumens gas injection component 104. At this first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber, the fluid-path lumens base 222 of theconical structure 202 to thedownstream end 124 of thegas injection component 104. In this configuration, the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber defined by thegas injection component 104 may be characterized as a “bifurcated” first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber. The space between surfaces that define the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber may also be referred to as a “void”, where the void is defined by the absence of any solid material that forms thegas injection component 104. - With reference to
FIGS. 6 and 7 , afirst section 602 of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber defined by thegas injection component 104 or a gas injection portion extends between point “a” and point “b,”, and has a first interior radius at point “a” between thetip 220 of theconical structure 202 and theinterior surface 210 of the gas injection component at point “a”. At thebase 222 of theconical structure 202 the interior chamber or void bifurcates into two C-shaped fluid-path lumens path lumens gas injection component 104 from thecenter 608 of the gas injection component to theinterior surface 210 of the gas injection component at point “b,” minus the portion of that radius that is filled with solid material. - A
second section 604 of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber extends between point “b” and point “c” as shown inFIG. 6 . Along the length of thesecond section 604, the widths of the C-shaped fluid-path lumens path lumens center 612 of the component to theinterior surface 210 of thegas injection component 104 at point “c,” minus the portion of that radius that is filled with solid material. In one example configuration, the radii of the void at point “a” is approximately 0.91″, the width (or radii of the void) at point “b” is approximately 0.88″, and the width (or radii of the void) at point “c” is approximately 0.82″. - With reference to
FIGS. 3-5 , as previously mentioned, the interior of the hollowcylindrical structure 204 defines afirst portion 206 of a gas injection lumen of thegas injection component 104. Thisfirst portion 206 of the gas injection lumen extends along thelongitudinal axis 142 of themixing apparatus 100 from an upstream region of the hollowcylindrical structure 204 that is beneath theinlet portion 112 of thegas injection component 104 to a downstream region of the hollowcylindrical structure 204 at or near thedownstream end 124 of the gas injection component. Agas inlet structure 114 extends from the downstream end of the hollow cylindrical structure. - In one configuration, the
gas inlet structure 114 comprises a threaded base that screws into thefirst portion 206 of the gas injection lumen and a cap structure (also referred to as a muffler or a diffuser) that couples with the threaded base. Thehollow interior 214 of thegas inlet structure 114 defines a second portion of the gas injection lumen. The cap structure includes a cylindrical sidewall and an end cap, each having a porous structure that permits injected gas to pass through. Alternatively, thegas inlet structure 114 may be configured as a simple Pitot type tube with holes passing through its sidewall and end cap. Configured as such the porous cap or Pitot tube allows for the injection of gas in multiple directions relative to thelongitudinal axis 142 of themixing apparatus 100. For example, with reference toFIG. 3 , gas may be injected from the interior of thegas inlet structure 114 into the surrounding interior fluid-flow chamber in a direction radially outward relative to thelongitudinal axis 142 and/or downstream, in the direction of the longitudinal axis. - In another configuration, where the
mixing apparatus 100 is manufactured as a single unitary structure, a separategas inlet structure 114 is not present. Instead, thegas inlet structure 114 is formed as part of the downstream region of the hollowcylindrical structure 204. For example, the downstream region of the hollowcylindrical structure 204 may comprise a reduced diameter portion that extends beyond thedownstream end 124 of the gas injection component, which portion is formed to include a number of pores through which injected gas may pass in multiple directions relative to thelongitudinal axis 142 of themixing apparatus 100, as described above. - In yet another configuration, to allow for unimpeded injection of gas, a
gas inlet structure 114 is not included and gas is injected through the downstream end of the hollow cylindrical structure in the direction of the longitudinal axis and into the surrounding interior fluid-flow chamber. This configuration, an example of which is described further below with reference toFIGS. 9-11 , avoids detrimental issues, e.g., clogging and corroding, that may arise with the gas inlet structure. Eliminating the gas inlet structure also allows for the mixing apparatus to be 3D printed in one piece, thereby substantially reducing manufacturing costs. - The gas injection lumen of the
gas injection component 104 includes athird portion 216 that extends between the base of theinlet portion 112 to thefirst portion 206 of the gas injection lumen. Extending in this manner, thethird portion 216 passes through theouter wall 224 of thegas injection component 104, through awing structure 208 a, and through the wall of thecylinder structure 204 before it merges with thefirst portion 206 of the gas injection lumen. The first, second andthird portions first portion 206 andsecond portion 214 are cylindrical, while thethird portion 216 is rectangular. - In operation, as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6 , a liquid stream input through theliquid input end 134 of thegas injection component 104 is initially displaced and separated by theconical structure 202, with a first portion of the liquid being directed toward and into a first fluid-path lumen 212 a to form a firstliquid stream 402 a, and a second portion of the liquid being directed toward and into a second fluid-path lumen 212 b to form a secondliquid stream 402 b. Theconical structure 202 andcylinder structure 204 thus function together to divide or expand a single stream of liquid into multiple liquid streams, e.g., two streams, as it passes through thegas injection component 104, and prior to the liquid reaching the mixingvane component 102. Because of this function, thegas injection component 104 may also be referred to as a “jet stream expander.” Expansion of a single liquid stream into multiple liquid streams maximizes the amount of contact between injected gas and the liquid flowing through thegas injection component 104. Expansion into multiple liquid streams also allows the mixingvane component 102 to further compress and shear injected gas into ultra-fine bubbles of sub-micron size. - A method of mixing gas and liquid may include passing liquid through a venturi to create a low-pressure zone, thereby exposing a supply of gas to the low-pressure zone adjacent the venturi. This may allow low pressure suction to extract gas from the gas supply and expose the gas to more liquid before entering the mixing
vane component 102. With reference toFIG. 6 , the change in diameter and the widths of the C-shaped fluid-path lumens second section 604 of thegas injection component 104 defines a funnel or venturi. The venturi formed by the interior fluid-flow chamber in the area of the C-shaped fluid-path lumens liquid stream 402 a and the secondliquid stream 402 b liquid stream along their respective fluid-path lumen path lumens gas injection component 104 and creates a low pressure or suction area adjacent to the end of the C-shaped fluid-path lumens. - With reference to
FIG. 5 , as the first and secondliquid streams path lumens downstream end 124 of thegas injection component 104, each liquid stream transitions into a respective helical fluid-path lumen vane component 102. At this point, the liquid streams 402 a, 402 b surround the portion of thegas inlet structure 114 that extends into the mixingvane component 102. Gas being injected into thegas injection component 104 through thegas injection port 108 passes through thegas inlet structure 114 and mixes with the surroundingliquid streams liquid streams - As described above, the
gas inlet structure 114 through which gas exits may be configured to allow for the injection of gas in multiple directions relative to thelongitudinal axis 142 of themixing apparatus 100, including radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis and downstream, in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Configured in this manner, the mixingapparatus 100 injects gas from a location close to thelongitudinal axis 142, into fluid that surrounds the location, as the fluid flows past the location. In other words, the mixing apparatus is configured to inject gas into liquid from the inside out. This is distinct from other mixing apparatuses that are configured to inject gas into liquid from the outside in, for example, through an annular structure surrounding a fluid-flow path, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,490. - With reference to
FIG. 6 , theupstream end 144 of the mixingvane component 102 where each of theliquid streams straight blade 610 to reduce back pressure and prevent fluid flow loss. The pitch of the helical fluid-path lumens of the mixingvane component 102 may increase from almost straight to several revolutions per inch over the length of the mixing vane component. The helical fluid-path lumens of the mixingvane component 102 gradually constricts the flow of the liquid/gas mixture and shears and compresses the gas into the liquid. The increased rate of revolutions of the helical fluid-path lumens accelerates the flow of the liquid/gas mixture and further mixes the liquid and gas to create a solution with abundant ultra-fine bubbles. - As the compressed liquid/gas mixture exits through the
liquid output end 138 of themixing apparatus 100, the mixture is expanded slightly. This is done by attaching an exit tube (not shown) to theliquid output end 138. The exit tube may have an internal diameter that is slightly larger than the internal diameter at theliquid output end 138 of the mixingvane component 102. The enlarged internal diameter provided by the exit tube creates a vacuum effect that pulls the liquid/gas mixture forward through theliquid output end 138 and allows the spin of the liquid to stabilize before final discharge from the exit tube. This vacuum effect reduces back pressure on the liquid/gas mixture stream and flow loss associated with back pressure. As the compressed liquid/gas mixture passes through theliquid output end 138, the previously compressed gas bubbles in the liquid/gas mixture expand and explode creating even smaller bubbles of sub-micron size. In one configuration, an exit tube (not shown) is coupled to the mixingvane component 102 at theliquid output end 138. The exit tube is of a length sufficient to allow velocity and rotation of the liquid/gas mixture to slow to normal flow conditions before it discharges into to a tank, reservoir, or surface body of water. The normal flow condition prevents high speed collisions and forces that will dislodge the trapped ultra-fine gas bubbles. - In one configuration, the mixing
vane component 102 may include a series of individual helical vane sections, of equal or different length, separated by a distance of “d” that is void of any helical structure.FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a series of individualhelical vane sections helical vane section 802 has a length greater than a secondhelical vane 804. A series of helical vane sections may enable higher gas saturation with more gas injected in real time, while the increased pressure increases the gas transferred to the liquid. The separation distance “d” between adjacenthelical vane sections inner diameter 808 of the adjacentmixing vane components separation distance 806 ranging from between one half of theinner diameter 808 to equal to the inner diameter is more effective in increasing the level of gas saturation. - With reference to
FIGS. 1A-8 , thus disclosed herein is amixing apparatus 100 for generating and mixing gas bubbles into an aqueous solution. The mixingapparatus 100 includes a structure defining an interior fluid-flow chamber extending along alongitudinal axis 142 between aliquid input end 134 and aliquid output end 138. The structure is characterized by a gas injection portion and a mixing vane portion. The gas injection portion is located downstream from theliquid input end 134 and upstream from theliquid output end 138. The gas injection portion defines a first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber and a gas injection lumen formed by first, second, andthird portions gas injection lumen gas injection lumen - The structure may be formed of separately manufactured components that are assembled. For example, the gas injection portion may be in the form of a
gas injection component 104 and the mixing vane portion may be in the form of a mixingvane component 102. Alternatively, the structure may be manufactured as a single component, portions of which respectively define a gas injection portion and a mixing vane portion. - The gas injection portion includes an
outer wall 224 and ageometric structure 202, e.g., a cone, surrounded by the outer wall. The geometric structure has atip 220 facing theliquid input end 134 and a base 222 facing theliquid output end 138. The gas injection portion also includes a hollowcylindrical structure 204, e.g., a cylinder, that is also surrounded by theouter wall 224. The hollowcylindrical structure 204 extends in the downstream direction from thebase 222 of the geometric structure and has a hollow interior that defines afirst portion 206 of the gas injection lumen. Theouter wall 224 has aninterior surface 210 and each of thegeometric structure 202 and the hollowcylindrical structure 204 has an outer surface spaced apart from theinterior surface 210. The space between theinterior surface 210 and the outer surfaces of thegeometric structure 202 and the hollowcylindrical structure 204 defines the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber. The space between the interior surface and the outer surfaces changes in dimension along the length of the gas injection portion. The change in dimension creates a venturi that creates a low-pressure zone for liquid that may allow low pressure suction to extract gas from thegas injection lumen vane component 102. - The hollow
cylindrical structure 204 has agas inlet structure 114 that extends from a downstream region of the hollow cylindrical structure. Thegas inlet structure 114 has a hollow interior that defines asecond portion 214 of the gas injection lumen. At least part of thesecond portion 214 of the gas injection lumen is configured to inject gas into the surrounding interior fluid-flow chamber in at least one of a plurality of directions relative to thelongitudinal axis 142. For example, thegas inlet structure 114 may inject gas radially outward relative to thelongitudinal axis 142 and/or downstream, in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In one configuration, thegas inlet structure 114 includes a hollow cap structure having at least one of a porous cylindrical sidewall and a porous end cap through which gas may be injected into the surrounding interior fluid-flow chamber. In another configuration, the gas inlet structure is a reduced diameter portion of the downstream region of the hollowcylindrical structure 204 that is formed to include a number of pores through which gas may injected into the surrounding interior fluid-flow chamber. - The first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber defined by the gas injection portion may include a plurality of separate fluid-
path lumens path lumens wing structures cylindrical structure 204 and theinterior surface 210 of theouter wall 224. One of thewing structures third portion 216 of the gas injection lumen. For example, the gas injection portion may include aninlet portion 112 having a base, and thethird portion 216 of the gas injection lumen may extend from the base of theinlet portion 112 through one of the pair ofwing structures first portion 206 of the gas injection lumen defined by the hollowcylindrical structure 204. - The plurality of separate fluid-
path lumens path lumens path lumens helical vane region 802 or a plurality ofhelical vane regions separation distance 806 that defines an annular space between the adjacent helical vane regions. - Unitary, Single-Piece Configuration
- With reference to
FIGS. 9-12 , amixing apparatus 900 may be configured as a unitary, single-piece structure having no separate components parts, e.g., like the gas inlet structure, O-ring, nuts, and bolts of the mixing apparatus configuration inFIG. 1A-1C . The unitary, single-piece mixing apparatus 900 includes agas injection portion 904 and a mixingvane portion 902. In one configuration, the mixingvane portion 902 is a helical mixing vane. Each of thegas injection portion 904 and the mixingvane portion 902 defines a respective region of an interior fluid-flow chamber that extends along a longitudinal axis 942 (also referred to herein as the “x axis”) between aninput port 1052 at aliquid input end 934 of themixing apparatus 900 and anoutput port 1054 at aliquid output end 938 of themixing apparatus 900. The interior fluid-flow chamber defines multiple fluid-path lumens that guide fluid through the mixing apparatus. Regarding thelongitudinal axis 942, while theexample mixing apparatus 900 ofFIGS. 9-12 has a linear longitudinal axis, other embodiments of the mixing apparatus may have non-linear longitudinal axes that curve. - Moving from left to right in
FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 , or in the downstream direction from theinput port 1052 to theoutput port 1054, thegas injection portion 904 includes: a) aliquid input end 934 that includes theinput port 1052 through which liquid is input to the mixing apparatus, b) agas input portion 920 through which gas is injected into the mixing apparatus, and c) adownstream end 924 where the gas injection portion transitions to the mixingvane portion 902. Thegas input portion 920 includes aninlet portion 912 having anopening 910 that is configured to be coupled with a tubular elbow fitting (not shown). The tubular elbow fitting defines a gas injection port through which gas is injected into a gas injection lumen within thegas injection portion 904. - The
gas injection portion 904 defines a first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber that includes multiple fluid-path lumens. With reference toFIG. 11 , the interior of theliquid input end 934 defines an upstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1056 having a diameter that tapers down to the diameter of thegas input portion 920. The upstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1056 extends into thegas input portion 920 where it bifurcates into separate fluid-path lumens, referred to herein as side fluid-path lumens. With reference toFIG. 12 , these side fluid-path lumens lumens path lumen 1038 defined by the interior of thedownstream end 924 of thegas injection portion 904. - Referring to
FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 and continuing in the downstream direction, the mixingvane portion 902 includes: a) anupstream end 944 where the mixing vane portion merges with thegas injection portion 904, b) ahelical region 946, and c) theliquid output end 938 that includes theoutput port 1054 through which liquid/gas mixture exits themixing apparatus 900. As shown inFIG. 10 , thehelical region 946 defines multiple fluid-path lumens longitudinal axis 942 to form a helical fluid-path lumen that guides fluid in the downstream direction toward theliquid output end 938 of themixing apparatus 900. The helical fluid-path lumens mixing apparatus 900. The helical fluid-path lumens path lumens apparatus 900 ofFIGS. 9-12 has two C-shaped side fluid-path lumens path lumens path lumens - In one configuration, the unitary, single-
piece mixing apparatus 900 ofFIGS. 9-12 may be manufactured in its entirety as a single 3D printed object. In another configuration, different portions of the unitary, single-piece mixing apparatus 900 may be separately manufactured using injection molding techniques and then bonded together to form a unitary, single-piece mixing apparatus 900. For example, separate molds may be used to form different portions of themixing apparatus 900 relative to thelongitudinal axis 942 of the apparatus. In one implementation, each molded portion may be one half of themixing apparatus 900 along thelongitudinal axis 942. Regardless of how the unitary, single-piece mixing apparatus 900 is manufactured, the mixing apparatus is considered a single unitary structure, where “single unitary” means that the mixing apparatus does not have any separate components parts and that the mixing apparatus cannot be taken apart or disassembled without damaging or destroying either of the structural integrity or functional integrity of the mixing apparatus. In other words, the mixingapparatus 900 is a single piece of plastic with no separately attached external or internal components. - In any of the foregoing manufacturing configurations, after manufacture or manufacture and assembly, the mixing
apparatus 900 may be encased in a sleeve. This may be accomplished by placing themixing apparatus 900 in a heat-shrink tube; and then heating the tube to shrink into contact with the outer surface of the apparatus to thereby provide an impenetrable sleeve over the entire apparatus. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 10 and 11 , in one configuration thegas injection portion 904 includes anouter wall 1024 that surrounds a firstgeometric structure 1002 and a secondgeometric structure 1004 that extends in the downstream direction from the first geometric structure. The firstgeometric structure 1002 may be a solid cone having a solid surface that does not allow for the ingress of fluid. The secondgeometric structure 1004 may be a cylinder having a solid exterior surface that does not allow for the ingress of fluid. The secondgeometric structure 1004 is not entirely solid and includes a lumen that extends between anupstream end 1036 and adownstream opening 1034. The lumen at the interior of the secondgeometric structure 1004 defines afirst part 1006 of the gas injection lumen. - The first
geometric structure 1002, hereinafter referred to as theconical structure 1002, has atip 1020 that faces theliquid input port 1052 of themixing apparatus 900 and abase 1022 opposite the tip. Thebase 1022 of theconical structure 1002 transitions to the secondgeometric structure 1004, hereinafter referred to as thecylindrical structure 1004. Theconical structure 1002 functions to constrict the flow of fluid into and through thegas injection portion 904 just enough to maintain a constant back pressure. This reduces the voids in the water stream that may collect large gas bubbles. The space between the outer surfaces of theconical structure 1002 and the interior surface of theouter wall 1024 of thegas injection portion 904 define an upstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1056 of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber. - With reference to
FIGS. 10 and 12 , integral with and extending from the outer surface of thecylindrical structure 1004 are first andsecond wing structures second wing structures outer wall 1024 of thegas injection portion 904. “Integral” and “integrate with” in this context mean that the material forming thewing structures cylindrical structure 1004, and at the opposite end with the material forming theouter wall 1024. In other words, thewing structures cylindrical structure 1004 and theouter wall 1024. - With reference to
FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 , the first andsecond wing structures cylindrical structure 1004 and the interior surface of theouter wall 1024 to define a pair of side fluid-path lumens path lumens gas injection portion 904. In this area of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber, the fluid-path lumens base 1022 of theconical structure 1002 to the end of thecylindrical structure 1004. The area of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber defined by thegas injection portion 904 may be characterized as a “bifurcated” area of the interior fluid-flow chamber. The side fluid-path lumens path lumen 1038 that is defined by a space bounded by the interior surface of theouter wall 1024. The various spaces between surfaces that define the various areas of the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber may also be referred to as “voids”, where a void is defined by the absence of any solid material that forms thegas injection portion 904. - As previously mentioned, the interior of the
cylindrical structure 1004 defines afirst part 1006 of a gas injection lumen of thegas injection portion 904. Thisfirst part 1006 of the gas injection lumen is in the form of a 90-degree elbow having adownstream opening 1034 at the end of thecylindrical structure 1004 and anupstream end 1036 that is beneath theinlet portion 912 of thegas injection portion 904. The gas injection lumen merges into and is in fluid communication with the downstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1038 through thedownstream opening 1034. The gas injection lumen does not include any structure that would impede the flow of gas into the downstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1038. For example, unlike the mixing apparatus ofFIGS. 1A-1C , there is no gas diffuser at thedownstream opening 1034. - The gas injection lumen of the
gas injection portion 904 includes asecond part 1016 that extends from theupstream end 1036 thefirst part 1006 through theinlet portion 912. Thesecond part 1016 of the gas injection lumen is arranged transverse to thefirst part 1006 and in one configuration, has an axis that extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first part. Extending in this manner, thesecond part 1016 of the gas injection lumen passes through a thickness of theouter wall 1024 of thegas injection portion 904, through thefirst wing structure 1008 a, and through the wall of thecylinder structure 1004 before it merges with and comes into fluid communication with thefirst part 1006 of the gas injection lumen. The first andsecond parts first part 1006 and thesecond part 1016 is cylindrical. - In operation, a liquid stream input through the
liquid input end 934 of thegas injection portion 904 is initially displaced and separated by theconical structure 1002, with a first portion of the liquid being directed toward and into a first fluid-path lumen 922 a to form a firstliquid stream 932 a, and a second portion of the liquid being directed toward and into a second fluid-path lumen 922 b to form a secondliquid stream 932 b. Theconical structure 1002 andcylinder structure 1004 thus function together to divide or expand a single stream of liquid into multiple liquid streams, e.g., two streams, as it passes through thegas injection portion 904, and prior to the liquid reaching the mixingvane portion 902. Because of this function, thegas injection portion 904 may also be referred to as a “jet stream expander.” Expansion of a single liquid stream into multiple liquid streams maximizes the amount of contact between injected gas and the liquid flowing through thegas injection portion 904. Expansion into multiple liquid streams also allows the mixingvane portion 902 to further compress and shear injected gas into ultra-fine bubbles of sub-micron size. - As the first and second
liquid streams path lumens path lumen 1038 where they merge. The downstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1038 has a length along thelongitudinal axis 942 that defines a distance between the end of the C-shaped side fluid-path lumens path lumens path lumen 1038, the liquid side fluid-path lumens downstream opening 1034 of the gas injection lumen. Gas being injected into thegas injection portion 904 through the gas injection opening 910 passes through thedownstream opening 1034 into the downstream tubular fluid-path lumen 1038 and mixes with the liquid present in the downstream tubular fluid-path lumen to form an ultra-fine bubble liquid/gas mixture. The upstream pressure within themixing apparatus 900 causes the liquid/gas mixture to bifurcate into a pair of liquid/gas mixture streams path lumen vane portion 902. - The arrangement of the
first part 1006 of the gas injection lumen relative to the C-shaped fluid-path lumens path lumen 1038 enables the injection of gas through thedownstream opening 1034 into the downstream tubular fluid-path lumen in a same direction, e.g., downstream and aligned with or parallel to thelongitudinal axis 942, as the fluid flow through the C-shaped fluid-path lumens path lumen 1038. Configured in this manner, the mixingapparatus 900 injects gas from a location close to the center,longitudinal axis 942 of the mixing apparatus and thus distant from the inner wall of the mixing apparatus. This is distinct from other mixing apparatuses that are configured to inject gas into liquid at a location at to the inner wall, for example, through an annular structure adjacent an inner wall and surrounding a fluid-flow path, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,490. - With reference to
FIG. 11 , theupstream end 944 of the mixingvane portion 902, where the liquid/gas fluid divides and enters the helical fluid-path lumens path lumens vane portion 902 may be consistent or uniform along the length of the mixing vane portion. Alternatively, the pitch of the helical fluid-path lumens vane portion 902 may increase from almost straight to several revolutions per inch over the length of the mixing vane portion. The helical fluid-path lumens vane portion 902 constricts the flow of the liquid/gas mixture and shears and compresses the gas into the liquid. In the case of a helical vane having an increasing pitch, the increased rate of revolutions of the helical fluid-path lumens accelerates the flow of the liquid/gas mixture and further mixes the liquid and gas to create a solution with abundant ultra-fine bubbles. - Continuing with
FIG. 11 , the mixingvane portion 902 includes a series of individualhelical vane sections FIG. 10 , eachhelical vane section path lumens helical vane sections gas mixture streams gas mixture streams helical vane section 1040 to settle somewhat before the merged streams re-divide and accelerate into the nexthelical vane section 1042. This settling followed by acceleration increases shearing and the generation of more ultra-fine bubbles. - The separation distance “d” between adjacent
helical vane sections inner diameter 1044 of the mixingvane portion 902 to a multiple of the inner diameter. It has been found, however, that a separation distance “d” ranging from between one half of theinner diameter 1044 to equal to the inner diameter is more effective in increasing the level of gas saturation. In the configuration shown inFIG. 10 , a firsthelical vane section 1040 and a secondhelical vane 1042 are of equal length. In other configurations, the helical vane section may be of different length. In other configurations, more than two helical vane sections may be present. - The direction of the twisting of the lumens within the helical vane sections about and along the length of the longitudinal axis may be counterclockwise or clockwise depending on the geographical region in which the
mixing apparatus 900 will be used. For example, versions of themixing apparatus 900 to be used in the northern hemisphere will include helical vane sections that twist in the clockwise direction, while those to be used in the southern hemisphere will include helical vane sections that twist in the counterclockwise direction. This results in a higher concentration of ultra-fine bubbles because there is less turbulence when the water flows in its natural direction. When water flows counter to the earth's rotational effects the water “rolls” over itself as it flows. This creates a lot of “collision” inside the mixing apparatus. This collision reduces flow, increases pressure, and causes the turbulence that releases O2 molecules from the water. When water flows in its natural direction it avoids this collision, resulting in calmer water flow that increases velocity which increases the volume of the flow. This calm flow is actually higher than the standard flow tables you can get in a given pipe size. The higher flow velocity creates a slight vacuum at the injection point where the cross-sectional area is reduced just prior to the gas injection point. Also, a smaller pump using less energy can replace the larger pump needed to produce the same flow in a counter rotational example. - As the compressed liquid/gas mixture exits through the
liquid output end 938 of themixing apparatus 900, the mixture is expanded slightly. This is done by attaching an exit tube (not shown) to theliquid output end 938. The exit tube may have an internal diameter that is slightly larger than the internal diameter at theliquid output end 938 of the mixingvane portion 902. The enlarged internal diameter provided by the exit tube creates a vacuum effect that pulls the liquid/gas mixture forward through theliquid output end 938 and allows the spin of the liquid to stabilize before final discharge from the exit tube. This vacuum effect reduces back pressure on the liquid/gas mixture stream and flow loss associated with back pressure. As the compressed liquid/gas mixture passes through theliquid output end 938, the previously compressed gas bubbles in the liquid/gas mixture expand and explode creating even smaller bubbles of sub-micron size. In one configuration, an exit tube (not shown) is coupled to the mixingvane portion 902 at theliquid output end 938. The exit tube is of a length sufficient to allow velocity and rotation of the liquid/gas mixture to slow to normal flow conditions before it discharges into to a tank, reservoir, or surface body of water. The normal flow condition prevents high speed collisions and forces that will dislodge the trapped ultra-fine gas bubbles. - Another embodiment of a unitary, single-piece mixing apparatus may be modeled after the multi-component mixing apparatus described above with reference to
FIGS. 1A-8 . To this end, the mixingapparatus 100 may be 3D printed in its entirety as a unitary, single-piece object by 3D printing, instead of separately 3D printing a mixingvane component 102 and agas injection component 104 and assembling them. In this embodiment, there is no O-ring 116 and manufacture of thegas inlet structure 114 is integrated with the 3D printing process. For example, thegas inlet structure 114 may be formed as an internal structure of a gas injection portion of themixing apparatus 100. Alternatively, thegas inlet structure 114 may not be included. - In other configuration, the mixing
apparatus 100 may be manufactured using injection molding techniques. For example, separate molds may be used to form different portions of themixing apparatus 100 relative to thelongitudinal axis 142 of the apparatus. In one implementation, each molded portion corresponds to one half of themixing apparatus 100 along thelongitudinal axis 142. Once molded, the two halves may be bonded together to form a single assembly of themixing apparatus 100. - Thus, disclosed herein is a
mixing apparatus 900 for generating and mixing gas bubbles, including for example, ultra-fine bubbles, into an aqueous solution. The mixingapparatus 900 includes a structure defining an interior fluid-flow chamber that extends along alongitudinal axis 942 between aninput port 1052 at aliquid input end 934 and anoutput port 1054 at aliquid output end 938. The structure is characterized by agas injection portion 904 located upstream from theliquid output end 938 and a mixingvane portion 902 extending in the downstream direction from the gas injection portion. Thegas injection portion 904 defines a gas injection lumen having afirst part 1006 and asecond part 1016. Thegas injection portion 904 also defined a first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber, while the mixingvane portion 902 defines a second region of the interior fluid-flow chamber. The first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber includes a plurality of side fluid-path lumens first part 1006 of the gas injection lumen. Thisfirst part 1006 of the gas injection lumen, together with the side fluid-path lumens path lumen 1038 of the first region. Thevarious lumens first part 1006 of the gas injection lumen is closer to thelongitudinal axis 942 than any of the plurality of side fluid-path lumens - Manufacturing and Materials
- The mixing
apparatuses vane component 102 and thegas injection component 104 may be separately manufactured as a unitary, single-piece object using 3D printing, and then assembled to form amixing apparatus 100. For the unitary, single-piece versions, the entirety of themixing apparatus - In either version, the mixing
apparatus - The mixing
apparatuses apparatuses mixing apparatus - The mixing
apparatuses - The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but instead are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claim language. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims.
Claims (15)
1. An apparatus having an interior fluid-flow chamber extending along a longitudinal axis between a liquid input end and a liquid output end, the apparatus comprising:
a gas injection portion comprising:
the liquid input end of the apparatus,
a gas injection port,
at least one fluid-flow interference structure in the interior fluid-flow chamber that extends along the longitudinal axis from the liquid input end and terminates prior to the gas injection port, and
a downstream end;
a gas inlet structure in fluid communication with the gas injection port and arranged to extend into the interior fluid-flow chamber, wherein the gas inlet structure is configured to inject gas from the gas injection port into the interior fluid-flow chamber; and
a mixing vane portion comprising:
an upstream end,
the liquid output end, and
at least one fluid-flow interference structure in the interior fluid-flow chamber that extends along the longitudinal axis from the upstream end and terminates at the liquid output end.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gas inlet structure comprises a porous cylindrical sidewall.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the gas inlet structure further comprises a porous end cap.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gas inlet structure is removable coupled with the gas injection portion.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid-flow interference structure of the mixing vane portion comprises a helical vane.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid-flow interference structure of the mixing vane portion comprises a plurality of helical vane regions arranged adjacently along a length of the mixing vane portion.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gas injection portion and the mixing vane portion are formed as a single unitary structure.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gas injection portion and the mixing vane portion are formed as separate structures, and the upstream end of the mixing vane portion and the downstream end of the gas injection portion are configured to couple to decouple from each other.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid-flow interference structure of the gas injection portion comprises a geometric structure surrounded by an outer wall.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the geometric structure comprises a tip facing the liquid input end.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gas injection portion is a unitary, single-piece structure configured to mechanically couple with the mixing vane portion.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mixing vane portion is a unitary, single-piece structure configured to mechanically couple with the gas injection portion.
13. An apparatus comprising:
a unitary, single-piece structure defining an interior fluid-flow chamber extending along a longitudinal axis between an input port at a liquid input end and an output port at a liquid output end, wherein the unitary, single-piece structure is characterized by:
a gas injection portion located upstream from the liquid output end, the gas injection portion comprising a first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber, a gas injection port configured to couple with a gas supply coupling, and at least one fluid-flow interference structure in the first region of the interior fluid-flow chamber, wherein the at least one fluid-flow interference structure extends along the longitudinal axis beginning at or near the liquid input end and ending prior to the gas injection port; and
a mixing vane portion extending from the gas injection portion and comprising a second region of the interior fluid-flow chamber.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the second region of the interior fluid-flow chamber comprises a plurality of first helical fluid-path lumens extending along a length of the mixing vane portion.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the second region of the interior fluid-flow chamber comprises a plurality of second helical fluid-path lumens corresponding in number to the plurality of first helical fluid-path lumens and being downstream from the plurality of first helical fluid-path lumens, wherein the plurality of first helical fluid-path lumens and the plurality of second helical fluid-path lumens are separated by a space.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US18/216,284 US20230347304A1 (en) | 2018-06-01 | 2023-06-29 | Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201862679702P | 2018-06-01 | 2018-06-01 | |
PCT/US2019/034749 WO2019232273A1 (en) | 2018-06-01 | 2019-05-30 | Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
US202016768609A | 2020-05-29 | 2020-05-29 | |
US17/194,162 US11712669B2 (en) | 2018-06-01 | 2021-03-05 | Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
US18/216,284 US20230347304A1 (en) | 2018-06-01 | 2023-06-29 | Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/194,162 Continuation US11712669B2 (en) | 2018-06-01 | 2021-03-05 | Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20230347304A1 true US20230347304A1 (en) | 2023-11-02 |
Family
ID=68698419
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/768,609 Active US10953375B2 (en) | 2018-06-01 | 2019-05-30 | Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
US17/194,162 Active 2039-10-31 US11712669B2 (en) | 2018-06-01 | 2021-03-05 | Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
US18/216,284 Pending US20230347304A1 (en) | 2018-06-01 | 2023-06-29 | Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/768,609 Active US10953375B2 (en) | 2018-06-01 | 2019-05-30 | Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
US17/194,162 Active 2039-10-31 US11712669B2 (en) | 2018-06-01 | 2021-03-05 | Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US10953375B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3801853A4 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2019278900A1 (en) |
CA (2) | CA3086300C (en) |
CL (1) | CL2020003126A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019232273A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3609346B1 (en) * | 2017-04-12 | 2023-08-02 | Gaia USA Inc. | Apparatus and method for generating and mixing ultrafine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
CA3086300C (en) * | 2018-06-01 | 2021-07-13 | Gaia Usa, Inc. | Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
AU2021244299A1 (en) * | 2020-03-24 | 2022-10-27 | Moleaer, Inc | Nano-bubble generating apparatus and method |
US11344852B1 (en) | 2021-06-15 | 2022-05-31 | Enrichment Systems Llc | Hydroponic system and method for enriching a liquid with gas-bubbles |
US20230112608A1 (en) | 2021-10-13 | 2023-04-13 | Disruptive Oil And Gas Technologies Corp | Nanobubble dispersions generated in electrochemically activated solutions |
CN117046339B (en) * | 2023-10-13 | 2023-12-15 | 山西和运能源服务有限公司 | Intelligent mixing and utilizing device for high-low negative pressure gas of coal mine |
Family Cites Families (87)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2601018A (en) | 1950-05-03 | 1952-06-17 | Staley Mfg Co A E | Blending of viscous liquids |
US3256802A (en) | 1962-03-14 | 1966-06-21 | Shasta Beverage Division Of Co | Continuous carbonation system |
US3545731A (en) * | 1966-11-08 | 1970-12-08 | Gen Dynamics Corp | Apparatus for producing bubbles of very small,microscopic size |
US3452966A (en) | 1967-08-24 | 1969-07-01 | Polcon Corp | Liquid treatment apparatus and method |
GB1254179A (en) | 1969-02-05 | 1971-11-17 | Polcon Corp | Liquid treatment apparatus and method |
US3664638A (en) | 1970-02-24 | 1972-05-23 | Kenics Corp | Mixing device |
US3761066A (en) * | 1971-09-08 | 1973-09-25 | C Wheeler | Inline water carbonator |
FR2165244A5 (en) * | 1971-12-23 | 1973-08-03 | Gringras Michel | |
US3852384A (en) | 1972-07-21 | 1974-12-03 | Environmental Technology | Liquid treatment apparatus |
US3953002A (en) | 1973-09-21 | 1976-04-27 | England Jr Herbert C | Motionless mixing device |
US4016097A (en) | 1975-10-22 | 1977-04-05 | Anglian Water Authority | Process and apparatus for forming silicate products |
US4127332A (en) | 1976-11-19 | 1978-11-28 | Daedalean Associates, Inc. | Homogenizing method and apparatus |
US4202635A (en) | 1977-12-02 | 1980-05-13 | Hendrickson Carl E | Portable device for mixing two materials |
US4491551A (en) | 1981-12-02 | 1985-01-01 | Johnson Dennis E J | Method and device for in-line mass dispersion transfer of a gas flow into a liquid flow |
US4466741A (en) | 1982-01-16 | 1984-08-21 | Hisao Kojima | Mixing element and motionless mixer |
US4408893A (en) | 1982-04-28 | 1983-10-11 | Luwa A.G. | Motionless mixing device |
WO1985004432A1 (en) * | 1984-04-03 | 1985-10-10 | Feldmühle Aktiengesellschaft | Aeration installation |
US4674888A (en) | 1984-05-06 | 1987-06-23 | Komax Systems, Inc. | Gaseous injector for mixing apparatus |
CA1259304A (en) | 1985-09-06 | 1989-09-12 | Hans C. Rasmusen | Motionless mixer for gas/liquid mixing |
DE3640315A1 (en) | 1986-11-26 | 1988-06-09 | Gutehoffnungshuette Man | DEVICE FOR VENTILATING LIQUIDS, IN PARTICULAR FOR A FLOTATION |
US4767026A (en) | 1987-01-16 | 1988-08-30 | Keller Wilhelm A | Dispensing and mixing apparatus |
US4753535A (en) | 1987-03-16 | 1988-06-28 | Komax Systems, Inc. | Motionless mixer |
CN87201156U (en) | 1987-03-28 | 1987-12-26 | 中国石油化工总公司上海石油化工总厂 | Static mixer with removable mixing elements |
US4761077A (en) | 1987-09-28 | 1988-08-02 | Barrett, Haentjens & Co. | Mixing apparatus |
FR2622470B1 (en) | 1987-11-03 | 1991-05-10 | Elf France | GAS DISPERSION DEVICE WITHIN A LIQUID PHASE AND APPLICATION OF THIS DEVICE TO CARRYING OUT TREATMENTS INCLUDING THE TRANSFER OF A GAS PHASE INTO A LIQUID PHASE |
US4872833A (en) | 1988-05-16 | 1989-10-10 | A. O. Smith Corporation | Gas burner construction |
US4911836A (en) | 1988-08-08 | 1990-03-27 | Haggerty T G | Submerged aeration system |
US5091118A (en) | 1990-10-09 | 1992-02-25 | Burgher Peter H | Device for dissolving gasses into liquids |
WO1995012452A2 (en) | 1993-11-01 | 1995-05-11 | Erik Hoel | Gas injection method and apparatus |
DE59407962D1 (en) | 1994-01-19 | 1999-04-22 | Wilhelm A Keller | mixer |
US5814222A (en) | 1995-03-31 | 1998-09-29 | Life International Products, Inc. | Oxygen enriched liquids, method and apparatus for making, and applications thereof |
US5842600A (en) | 1996-07-11 | 1998-12-01 | Standex International Corporation | Tankless beverage water carbonation process and apparatus |
AUPO129096A0 (en) | 1996-07-26 | 1996-08-22 | Boc Gases Australia Limited | Oxygen dissolver for pipelines or pipe outlets |
US6004025A (en) | 1997-05-16 | 1999-12-21 | Life Technologies, Inc. | Automated liquid manufacturing system |
US6623635B2 (en) | 1999-10-15 | 2003-09-23 | Ronald L. Barnes | Assembly for purifying water |
US5904851A (en) | 1998-01-19 | 1999-05-18 | Life International Products, Inc. | Oxygenating apparatus, method for oxygenating liquid therewith, and applications thereof |
US6142457A (en) * | 1998-01-30 | 2000-11-07 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Atomizing feed nozzle |
US6039884A (en) | 1998-03-04 | 2000-03-21 | Alab, Llc | Reversible flow circuit for batch liquid purifier |
GB2350069B (en) | 1999-02-05 | 2003-04-09 | Chiang-Ming Wang | Fluid mixing device |
US6279611B2 (en) | 1999-05-10 | 2001-08-28 | Hideto Uematsu | Apparatus for generating microbubbles while mixing an additive fluid with a mainstream liquid |
USRE40407E1 (en) | 1999-05-24 | 2008-07-01 | Vortex Flow, Inc. | Method and apparatus for mixing fluids |
FR2804045B1 (en) | 2000-01-25 | 2002-03-29 | Air Liquide | DEVICE FOR MIXING A SECONDARY GAS IN A MAIN GAS |
US7905653B2 (en) | 2001-07-31 | 2011-03-15 | Mega Fluid Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for blending process materials |
CN100374189C (en) | 2000-07-31 | 2008-03-12 | 迅捷公司 | Method and apparatus for blending process materials |
US6467949B1 (en) | 2000-08-02 | 2002-10-22 | Chemineer, Inc. | Static mixer element and method for mixing two fluids |
US6322055B1 (en) | 2000-10-02 | 2001-11-27 | Eco-Oxygen Technologies, Llc | Gas dissolving apparatus and method |
DK200100645A (en) | 2001-04-24 | 2002-10-25 | Bak Joergen | Water turns |
US6668556B2 (en) | 2002-04-18 | 2003-12-30 | Eco Oxygen Technologies, Llc. | Gas transfer energy recovery and effervescence prevention apparatus and method |
US6997192B2 (en) | 2002-12-13 | 2006-02-14 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Control of dissolved gas levels in deionized water |
US7306719B2 (en) | 2002-12-31 | 2007-12-11 | Psi-Ets, A North Dakota Partnership | Water circulation systems for ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water |
GB0323918D0 (en) | 2003-10-11 | 2003-11-12 | Kvaerner Process Systems As | Fluid phase distribution adjuster |
CN1859967A (en) | 2003-10-29 | 2006-11-08 | 风神有限公司 | Air diffusing device |
US7320749B2 (en) | 2004-02-09 | 2008-01-22 | Eco-Oxygen Technologies, Llc | Method and apparatus for control of a gas or chemical |
US7566397B2 (en) | 2004-02-09 | 2009-07-28 | Eco Oxygen Technologies, Llc | Superoxygenation of raw wastewater for odor/corrosion control |
WO2005090243A1 (en) | 2004-03-22 | 2005-09-29 | C & R Co. | Pressurized biological wastewater purification process |
GB0416256D0 (en) | 2004-07-20 | 2004-08-25 | Avecia Ltd | Manufacturing process |
US20060120214A1 (en) | 2004-11-08 | 2006-06-08 | Red Valve Company, Inc. | Mixing device |
GB0603834D0 (en) | 2006-02-27 | 2006-04-05 | Westport Peninsula Ltd | Liquid aerator |
JP2008168262A (en) | 2007-01-15 | 2008-07-24 | Anemosu:Kk | Gas-liquid contact device |
US8371114B2 (en) | 2007-03-12 | 2013-02-12 | Bosch Corporation | Exhaust gas purification apparatus for internal combustion engine |
WO2008139417A2 (en) | 2007-05-14 | 2008-11-20 | L'air Liquide-Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude | Systems and methods for mixing fluids |
US7814745B2 (en) | 2007-07-17 | 2010-10-19 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Approach for delivering a liquid reductant into an exhaust flow of a fuel burning engine |
US8205541B2 (en) | 2007-08-06 | 2012-06-26 | Janet Barberio | Wine pouring regulator and aerator therein |
US8272777B2 (en) | 2008-04-21 | 2012-09-25 | Heinrich Gillet Gmbh (Tenneco) | Method for mixing an exhaust gas flow |
US20090308472A1 (en) | 2008-06-15 | 2009-12-17 | Jayden David Harman | Swirl Inducer |
JP5885376B2 (en) | 2008-07-30 | 2016-03-15 | 株式会社西研デバイズ | Ultra-fine bubble generator |
US8286951B2 (en) | 2008-07-31 | 2012-10-16 | Dart Frederick J | Well water aeration system |
US20100031825A1 (en) | 2008-08-05 | 2010-02-11 | Kemp David M | Blending System |
DE202009002115U1 (en) | 2009-02-13 | 2010-07-15 | Vemag Maschinenbau Gmbh | Mixing device for food masses such as sausage meat and filling machine |
US8177197B1 (en) | 2009-04-29 | 2012-05-15 | Natura Water, Inc. | Continuous carbonation apparatus and method |
GB2471280B (en) | 2009-06-22 | 2011-08-31 | Hydroventuri Ltd | Apparatus and method for introducing a gas into a liquid |
US8567767B2 (en) * | 2010-05-03 | 2013-10-29 | Apiqe Inc | Apparatuses, systems and methods for efficient solubilization of carbon dioxide in water using high energy impact |
US8342486B2 (en) | 2010-08-09 | 2013-01-01 | Robert S Smith | Durable steam injector device |
DE102010039700A1 (en) | 2010-08-24 | 2012-03-01 | Bayer Technology Services Gmbh | Apparatus and method for gas dispersion |
EP2670572B1 (en) | 2011-01-31 | 2022-09-21 | Global Filtration Systems, A DBA of Gulf Filtration Systems Inc. | Apparatus for making three-dimensional objects from multiple solidifiable materials |
GB201117064D0 (en) | 2011-10-04 | 2011-11-16 | Univ Brunel | A modular flow reactor |
SG2013047410A (en) | 2013-06-19 | 2015-01-29 | Lai Huat Goi | An apparatus for generating nanobubbles |
CA2934000A1 (en) | 2013-12-20 | 2015-06-25 | Gaia Usa, Inc. | Apparatus and method for liquids and gases |
TWM487134U (en) | 2014-06-06 | 2014-10-01 | Ching-Ho Lai | Micro-bubble generating device |
US10232326B2 (en) | 2014-11-19 | 2019-03-19 | Simchem Inc. | Adhesive-air infuser device and method of using the same |
EP3302810A4 (en) * | 2015-06-01 | 2018-12-19 | Cetamax Ventures Ltd. | Systems and methods for processing fluids |
CN205032089U (en) | 2015-07-15 | 2016-02-17 | 北京宏强富瑞技术有限公司 | Superfine small bubble generating device |
US10785996B2 (en) | 2015-08-25 | 2020-09-29 | Cornelius, Inc. | Apparatuses, systems, and methods for inline injection of gases into liquids |
JP7088850B2 (en) | 2016-03-11 | 2022-06-21 | モリアー インコーポレイテッド | Compositions containing nanobubbles in liquid carriers |
SE540218C2 (en) | 2016-04-08 | 2018-05-02 | Sandvik Intellectual Property | A static mixing module and a steam heater |
EP3609346B1 (en) * | 2017-04-12 | 2023-08-02 | Gaia USA Inc. | Apparatus and method for generating and mixing ultrafine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
CA3086300C (en) * | 2018-06-01 | 2021-07-13 | Gaia Usa, Inc. | Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution |
-
2019
- 2019-05-30 CA CA3086300A patent/CA3086300C/en active Active
- 2019-05-30 US US16/768,609 patent/US10953375B2/en active Active
- 2019-05-30 WO PCT/US2019/034749 patent/WO2019232273A1/en unknown
- 2019-05-30 EP EP19810286.5A patent/EP3801853A4/en active Pending
- 2019-05-30 AU AU2019278900A patent/AU2019278900A1/en active Pending
- 2019-05-30 CA CA3120242A patent/CA3120242A1/en active Pending
-
2020
- 2020-12-01 CL CL2020003126A patent/CL2020003126A1/en unknown
-
2021
- 2021-03-05 US US17/194,162 patent/US11712669B2/en active Active
-
2023
- 2023-06-29 US US18/216,284 patent/US20230347304A1/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20210187449A1 (en) | 2021-06-24 |
CA3086300A1 (en) | 2019-12-05 |
AU2019278900A1 (en) | 2020-12-10 |
WO2019232273A1 (en) | 2019-12-05 |
CL2020003126A1 (en) | 2021-06-18 |
CA3120242A1 (en) | 2019-12-05 |
EP3801853A1 (en) | 2021-04-14 |
EP3801853A4 (en) | 2022-03-16 |
US11712669B2 (en) | 2023-08-01 |
US10953375B2 (en) | 2021-03-23 |
CA3086300C (en) | 2021-07-13 |
US20210046435A1 (en) | 2021-02-18 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US11712669B2 (en) | Apparatus in the form of a unitary, single-piece structure configured to generate and mix ultra-fine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution | |
US11206853B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for generating and mixing ultrafine gas bubbles into a high gas concentration aqueous solution | |
US4556523A (en) | Microbubble injector | |
US6422735B1 (en) | Hydraulic jet flash mixer with open injection port in the flow deflector | |
JP2011121002A (en) | Nano bubble generator | |
US3664768A (en) | Fluid transformer | |
JP2008086868A (en) | Microbubble generator | |
EP0555498A1 (en) | A two-phase supersonic flow system | |
EP2555860A1 (en) | Directed multiport eductor and method of use | |
US5183335A (en) | Hydraulic jet flash mixer with flow deflector | |
US7779864B2 (en) | Infusion/mass transfer of treatment substances into substantial liquid flows | |
JP5143942B2 (en) | Refinement mixing equipment | |
WO2011121631A1 (en) | Gas-liquid supply device | |
US20220305447A1 (en) | Apparatus for dissolving gas into a liquid and method for producing the same | |
RU2503488C2 (en) | Method and device for aeration of fluids | |
CN211864584U (en) | Micro-power gas-liquid or liquid-liquid mixed nano-scale fluid generator | |
US20060065987A1 (en) | Two-stage injector-mixer | |
CN111151150A (en) | Micro-power gas-liquid or liquid-liquid mixed nano-scale fluid generator | |
RU2324078C2 (en) | Gas-liquid ejector | |
CN212250639U (en) | Injection pump for oil-water separation | |
RU2435839C1 (en) | Device for production of mixture of at least two fluids | |
AU2011235896B2 (en) | Directed multiport eductor and method of use | |
AU2022253543A1 (en) | A mixing device and a method for mixing a first substance and a second substance to form a mixed substance |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GAIA USA, INC., ARIZONA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BLEVINS, TIM;DEV, MAYUR;APPLEWHITE, JASON;SIGNING DATES FROM 20200527 TO 20200529;REEL/FRAME:064118/0026 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |