Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J19/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
  • B01J19/008—Processes for carrying out reactions under cavitation conditions
• • 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
  • B01F25/44—Mixers in which the components are pressed through slits
• • 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
  • B01F25/45—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads
• • 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
  • B01F25/45—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads
  • B01F25/452—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads characterised by elements provided with orifices or interstitial spaces
  • B01F25/4521—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads characterised by elements provided with orifices or interstitial spaces the components being pressed through orifices in elements, e.g. flat plates or cylinders, which obstruct the whole diameter of the tube
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J19/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
  • B01J19/08—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor
  • B01J19/10—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor employing sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J19/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
  • B01J19/24—Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
  • B01J19/2415—Tubular reactors
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
  • B01J2219/00049—Controlling or regulating processes
  • B01J2219/00162—Controlling or regulating processes controlling the pressure
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
  • B01J2219/00049—Controlling or regulating processes
  • B01J2219/00164—Controlling or regulating processes controlling the flow
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
  • B01J2219/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
  • B01J2219/08—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor
  • B01J2219/0873—Materials to be treated
  • B01J2219/0877—Liquid

Definitions

• This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for conducting sonochemical reactions and processes in aqueous and non-aqueous liquid based media, particularly for large scale volumes, and more specifically to methods and apparatuses for utilizing hydrodynamic cavitation effects for conducting the sonochemical reactions and processes.
• the aforementioned example method of realizing sonochemical reactions with the aid of hydrodynamic cavitation is not effective.
• one of the problems they uncovered was the ineffective utilization of the energy in the hydrodynamic flow.
• Utilization of non-optimal regimes of hydrodynamic cavitation leads to a decrease in the intensity of sonochemical reactions and increases the degree of heating the medium.
• the proposed method of conducting sonochemical reactions and processes particularly in large scale volumes of liquid-based media, allows the utilization of optimal hydrodynamic cavitation regimes and also reduces the energy consumption for conducting the processes.
• the present invention contemplates a new and improved method and apparatus for conducting sonochemical reactions and processes, particularly in large scale volumes of liquid based media, using the optimal hydrodynamic cavitation regimes and reducing the energy consumption for conducting the processes, which is simple in design, effective in use, and overcomes the foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous overall results.
• a new and improved method and apparatus of conducting sonochemical reactions and processes is provided which may be used in large scale volumes of liquid based media, allows the utilization of optimal hydrodynamic cavitationary regimes, and reduces the energy consumption for conducting sonochemical reactions and processes.
• the method of conducting sonochemical reactions and processes in large scale liquid media volumes includes the steps of passing a hydrodynamic liquid flow at a velocity through a flow through channel internally containing at least one element, thereby producing a local constriction of the hydrodynamic liquid flow.
• the method also further comprises the steps of maintaining the velocity of the hydrodynamic liquid flow when the local constriction of the hydrodynamic liquid flow adds at least 16 m/sec. (52.5 ft/sec), creating a hydrodynamic cavitation cavern downstream of the local constriction of the hydrodynamic liquid flow, thereby generating cavitation bubbles, the cavitation bubbles as shifting with the hydrodynamic liquid flow to an outlet from the flow through channel, the hydrodynamic liquid flow having a static pressure.
• the method further includes the steps of increasing the static pressure of the hydrodynamic liquid flow at the outlet from the flow through channel to at least 0.85 kg/cm 2 (12 psi) with a hydrodynamic restriction being positioned at the outlet or some distance from the flow through channel in a pipeline of the local hydraulic resistance, thereby creating elevated static pressure zone, and initiating the collapse of the cavitation bubbles in the elevated static pressure zone.
• the apparatus for conducting sonochemical reactions and processes in large scale liquid medium volumes includes a flow through channel for passing hydrodynamic liquid flow and internally containing at least one element providing a local constriction of the hydrodynamic liquid flow, a flow through channel having an outlet, a hydrodynamic cavitation cavern within the flow through channel and downstream of the local constriction of the hydrodynamic liquid flow for generating cavitation bubbles, a pipeline operatively connected to the outlet of the flow through channel, and a local hydraulic resistance.
• One advantage of the present invention is to introduce a method for conducting sonochemical reactions and processes using hydrodynamic cavitation, particularly in large scale volumes of liquid-based media which allows for the transition to the industrial scale utilization of sonochemistry.
• Another advantage of the present invention is that the method of conducting sonochemical reactions and processes in large scale volumes of liquid-based media which, in accordance with the invention, is comprised of the passage of hydrodynamic liquid flow through a flow-through channel, containing not less than one section internally, having a local constriction of the liquid flow and maintaining a liquid flow velocity in this constriction of not less than 16 m/sec (52.5 ft/sec).
• the method includes the placement of the local constriction of the liquid flow inside of the flow-through channel or bluff body which forms within the walls of the flow-through channel, or placement of partitions in the flow-through channel, having in its body one or several transit channels.
• Another advantage of the present invention is to accomplish sonochemical reactions in aqueous and non-aqueous liquid-based mediums due to the energy released during collapsing of the cavitation bubbles.
• the bubbles are produced by the hydrodynamic course, without the utilization of ultrasonic oscillations.
• Another advantage of the present invention is that in the present method of forming collapsing cavitation bubbles fields, all the main types of sonochemical reactions are accomplished, but in significantly large volumes of liquid-based mediums.
• a liquid medium flow with a velocity of 1 - 10 m/sec is fed into the flow-through channel.
• the velocity elevates to 16 m/sec and greater.
• This drives the rise of hydrodynamic cavitation caverns in the flow downstream of the local constriction, filled with steam from the evaporating liquid, and also containing gases in this liquid.
• This makes it conducive for a low pressure steam-gas in the cavern space which constitutes, usually, a magnitude or the order of 0.01 - 0.2 kg/cm 2 .
• the primary cavitation cavern is non-stationary, constantly pulsating with some natural frequency and ejects a great volume of cavitation bubbles into the liquid flow.
• the pressure of the steam-gas within the bubbles is substantially equal to the pressure of the primary cavitation cavern.
• the given bubbles appear as secondary cavitation formations.
• the bubbles are transported in the liquid flow to the outlet out of the flow-through channel.
• a zone of elevated static pressure (from 0.85 kg/cm 2 and greater) is created by design due to the placement of a local hydraulic resistance at the outlet from the flow-through channel or immediately after the flow-through channel in the pipeline. Cavitation bubbles enter the elevated static pressure zone which results in an instaneous adiabatic collapsing.
• the collapsing duration of a bubble is approximately 10 "6 - 10 "8 seconds and is dependent on the initial bubble dimension and static pressure of the liquid surrounding it.
• the velocities with which the cavitation bubbles collapse reach a magnitude in the order of 300 - 1000 m/sec.
• an elevated temperature is attained inside the bubble with the velocities, 10 10 - 10" K/sec.
• the cavitation bubble is heated to temperatures of approximately 3,000 - 15,000 °C under pressures of approximately 1,000 - 5,000 kg/cm 2 . Under these physical conditions inside the cavitation bubble various chemical reactions take course between the substances found in the steam-gas state.
• heating also occurs adjacent to the bubble in the liquid sphere having a layer thickness of approximately 0.1 - 0.4 macromolecules.
• the temperature to which this liquid layer is heated constitutes a magnitude in the order of 30 - 40 % of the temperature of the steam-gas phase inside of the bubble.
• the pressure at the boundary of the bubble is equal to the pressure inside the bubble.
• the physical parameters which are reached at the boundary of the cavitation bubble with the liquid phase are completely sufficient for the progress of pyrolysis processes in a liquid phase.
• Each cavitation bubble behaves as an "autonomous system.” By increasing the static pressure at the outlet from the flow-through chamber, it is possible to elevate the temperature within it at the final stage of collapsing.
• the inflow of gaseous components into the cavitation bubbles is accomplished due to an uncontrolled straightened diffusion induced by the pulsations of the bubble in the acoustic field. That is, by using the supply of gas in the liquid flow or directly into the cavitation cavern, it is possible to have a supplementary instrument for controlling sonochemical reactions. Moreover, if the local hydraulic resistance is made to be controllable, for example, using a gate valve or cock, then it is also possible to control sonochemical reactions by altering the static pressure in the cavitation bubbles collapsing zone in a wide range. In some cases, it is possible to elevate the pressure in this zone to 30 kg/cm 2 and greater.
• the local flow constriction has a cross-sectional area less than 0.6 of the cross-sectional area of the flow-through channel. Moreover, with an elevated static pressure at the outlet from the flow-through channel, the sizes of the local flow constriction cross-section area decrease.
• the flow-through channel may have a circular, rectangular, square, polygonal, or any other suitable shape.
• the liquid, passing through the cavitation bubbles collapsing zone is fed from the flow-through channel through the local hydraulic restriction and pipeline.
• the liquid flow is subject to multiple cavitation influences, subjecting the liquid flow to recirculation through the flow-through channel.
• This promotes the loading of reactions of products in the liquid medium.
• the spheres of applications of sonochemical reactions may be expended by feeding into the liquid flow or directly into the cavitation cavern space several gaseous components in the form of their mixtures as well as each gaseous component separately.
• Such a mode also allows the control of sonochemical reactions within the bubbles.
• the hydrodynamic liquid flow directly may be comprised of a mixture of two or more liquid components such as one liquid soluble in one of the components as well as mutually insoluble liquids, for example, in the form of emulsions.
• Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus for the implementation of a claimed method containing a bluff body and an uncontrollable local hydraulic resistance
• Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus for the implementation of a claimed method containing a baffle with a transit channel in the shape of a Venturi tube and a controllable local hydraulic resistance
• Figures 3A - 3F are fragmented views of the longitudinal section of the local flow constriction in the apparatus according to Figure 1 which are formed of bluff bodies of various shapes;
• Figures 4A - 4F are fragmented views of the longitudinal section of the local flow constriction in the apparatus according to Figure 2 which are formed of baffles having one or several channels of various shapes.
• Figure 1 shows a longitudinal view of the apparatus 16, containing flow-through channel 1 having inlet 2, outlet 3 and local constriction 4 of the liquid flow.
• the local hydraulic resistance 5 is positioned at the outlet 3 from the flow-through channel 1 .
• Outlet 3 is connected with pipeline 6.
• Local constriction 4 of flow forms and is positioned inside the flow-through channel 1 along or near the centerline CL of the bluff body 7, which preferably has the shape of a cone.
• Bluff body 7 is positioned on stem 8, which is connected with disk 11 with orifices 9.
• Disk 11 with orifices 9 is mounted in the inlet 2 and retains bluff body 7 inside the flow-through channel 1. In place of disk 11 with orifices 9 it is possible to use a crosshead, post, propeller or any other fixture which produces a minor loss of pressure.
• the local hydraulic resistance 5 is carried out as uncontrollable in the form of a second element of local flow constriction. It has the shape of a disk 12 with orifices 10.
• the number of orifices 10 in disk 12 may be varied.
• the sizes of the orifice(s) 10 in the local hydraulic resistance 5 are selected in such a manner so that the static pressure in the liquid flow before the local hydraulic resistance 5 would reach a static pressure which is typically at least 0.85 kg/cm 2 (12 psi).
• the sizes of the local constriction 4 of the liquid flow are set in such a manner so that the cross-section area of the local constriction 4 would be at most 0.6 of the cross section of flow-through channel 1.
• the hydrodynamic liquid flow moving along the direction, noted by the arrow A through the inlet 2, flows around the bluff body 7. Under this, the liquid flow passes through the local constriction 4 of flow, where the velocity of the liquid flow increases to a minimum velocity dictated by the physical properties of the hydrodynamic liquid. On average, and for most hydrodynamic liquids, the nrinimum velocity is 16 m/sec (52.5 ft/sec) and greater. Beyond the bluff body 7, a hydrodynamic cavitation cavern 20 is formed, which generates cavitation bubbles.
• an elevated static pressure zone 30 is formed from 0.85 kg/cm 2 (12 psi) and greater due to the placement of local hydraulic resistance 5 at outlet 3 from flow-through channel 1.
• chemical reactions proceed such as oxidation, disintegration, synthesis, etc.
• the liquid medium is transported out from the flow-through channel 1 through outlet channel 3 and pipeline 6. After an instantaneous cavitation effect, the liquid medium is able to be subjected to this influence.
• Figure 2 presents an alternative design of the apparatus 116 intended for the accomplishment of the method.
• baffle 107 is positioned inside flow-through channel 101, after outlet 102 which has transit channel 104 in its own body. This is carried out in the shape of a Venturi tube. This transit channel 104 produces a local constriction of the liquid flow.
• the apparatus 116 has a local hydraulic resistance 105 that is controllable.
• a valve 150 is used that is installed at some distance from outlet channel 103 and connected to it is pipeline 106.
• the hydrodynamic liquid flow moving along in the direction as noted by the arrow B, passes through the transit channel 104 at a velocity of at least 16 m/sec (52.5 ft/sec).
• a cavitation cavern 120 is produced, generating intermingling cavitation bubbles. Elevating the static pressure in the flow at outlet 103 from the flow-through channel 101 is accomplished with the aid of valve 150. Using the controllable local hydraulic resistance 105 allows the alteration of the magnitude of the static pressure in the collapsing cavitation bubbles zone 130 and at the same time control the conditions for the progress of chemical reactions.
• bluff body 7 may have various shapes, as shown in the corresponding Figures 3A -3F.
• the transit channel 104 may have various shapes that produce the local constriction of the flow in the baffle 107, as shown in Figures 4A - 4E.
• utilizing such local constriction of flow designs are preferred during processing of smaller liquid volumes, and also for processing of liquid mediums containing sufficiently large hard material particles.
• the shape of the flow-through channel 101 does not essentially exert influence on the effectiveness of the process.
• a flow-through channel 101 that has a circular, rectangular, or polygonal shape.
• the flow-through channel 101 may also have a cross section that has one linear section and a circular or irregularly shaped cross section, such as a semi-circle.
• the liquid is fed into the apparatus 116 with the aid of a pump (not shown).
• the type of pump selected is determined on the basis of the physio-chemical properties of the pumpable medium and the hydrodynamic parameters necessary for the accomplishment of the process. Several practical examples of the accomplishment of the method with the aid of the device are shown in Examples 1 and 2 described below.
• Example 2 Two hundred (200) liters of water containing 12 ppm of phenol and having a temperature of 68 °F was fed through the apparatus 116 within a span of 10 minutes, shown in Figure 2.
• the flow velocity in the transit channel 104 constitutes 16.8 m/sec.
• the area of the transit channel 104 cross-section constitutes 0.62 from the area of flow-through channel 101 cross-section.
• the pressure at the outlet 103 from the flow-through channel 101 was 0.88 kg/cm 2 (12.5 psi).
• the gas chromatograph analysis showed that, as a result, the concentration of phenol was decreased to 5 ppm.
• the method in accordance with the invention, is concluded in the passage of liquid-based mediums in the hydrodynamic flow through a flow-through channel 1 which internally contains at least one element, such as bluff body 7, having a local constriction 4 of the liquid flow and maintaining a liquid flow velocity in this constriction of at least 16 m/sec (52.5 ft/sec).
• a cavitation cavern 20 is produced downstream of the local flow constriction
• the spheres of applications of sonochemical reactions may be expended by feeding into the liquid flow or directly into the cavitation cavern 20 space several gaseous components in the form of their mixtures as well as each gaseous component separately.
• the hydrodynamic liquid flow directly may be comprised of a mixture of two or more liquid components such as one liquid soluble in one of the components as well as mutually insoluble liquids, for example, in the form of emulsions.
• hard material particles such as particles that exhibit the characteristics of a solid or a high viscosity liquid, which appear as either one of the reactants, or performs the function of a catalyst.
• the local hydraulic resistance 5 may be uncontrollable as is the case with straightened diffusion induced by the pulsations of a bubble in an acoustic field. However, the local hydraulic resistance 5 may also be made controllable, for example, using a valve 150, as seen in Figure 2, to control the sonochemical reactions by altering the static pressure in the cavitation bubbles.
• the second local constriction of the hydrodynamic liquid flow produced by the valve 150 preferably has predesigned geometric dimensions to meet the specifications and requirements required to carry out the sonochemical reactions.

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• 1997
  • 1997-05-06 US US08/852,226 patent/US5937906A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1998
  • 1998-05-06 EP EP98920283A patent/EP0983116B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-05-06 JP JP54843598A patent/JP2001524026A/ja active Pending
  • 1998-05-06 WO PCT/US1998/009224 patent/WO1998050146A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1998-05-06 CA CA002296692A patent/CA2296692C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-05-06 AU AU72893/98A patent/AU7289398A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-05-06 DE DE69816077T patent/DE69816077T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
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• 1999
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