WO2006060119A2 - Procedure de degazage pour une chambre de cavitation - Google Patents

Procedure de degazage pour une chambre de cavitation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006060119A2
WO2006060119A2 PCT/US2005/040246 US2005040246W WO2006060119A2 WO 2006060119 A2 WO2006060119 A2 WO 2006060119A2 US 2005040246 W US2005040246 W US 2005040246W WO 2006060119 A2 WO2006060119 A2 WO 2006060119A2
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cavitation
fluid
chamber
reservoir
cavitation fluid
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Application number
PCT/US2005/040246
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English (en)
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WO2006060119A3 (fr
Inventor
Ross Alan Tessien
Dario Felipe Gaitan
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Impulse Devices, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/002,476 external-priority patent/US7387660B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/002,448 external-priority patent/US7381241B2/en
Application filed by Impulse Devices, Inc. filed Critical Impulse Devices, Inc.
Publication of WO2006060119A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006060119A2/fr
Publication of WO2006060119A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006060119A3/fr

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
    • B01D19/0073—Degasification of liquids by a method not covered by groups B01D19/0005 - B01D19/0042
    • B01D19/0094—Degasification of liquids by a method not covered by groups B01D19/0005 - B01D19/0042 by using a vortex, cavitation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to sonoluminescence and, more particularly, to a degassing procedure for use with a sonoluminescence cavitation chamber.
  • Sonoluminescence is a well-known phenomena discovered in the 1930's in which light is generated when a liquid is cavitated. Although a variety of techniques for cavitating the liquid are known (e.g., spark discharge, laser pulse, flowing the liquid through a Venturi tube), one of the most common techniques is through the application of high intensity sound waves.
  • the cavitation process consists of three stages; bubble formation, growth and subsequent collapse.
  • the bubble or bubbles cavitated during this process absorb the applied energy, for example sound energy, and then release the energy in the form of light emission during an extremely brief period of time.
  • the intensity of the generated light depends on a variety of factors including the physical properties of the liquid (e.g., density, surface tension, vapor pressure, chemical structure, temperature, hydrostatic pressure, etc.) and the applied energy (e.g., sound wave amplitude, sound wave frequency, etc.).
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,333,796 discloses a cavitation chamber comprised of a refractory metal such as tungsten, titanium, molybdenum, rhenium or some alloy thereof.
  • Acoustic energy is supplied to the liquid (e.g., lithium or an alloy thereof) within the chamber by six metal acoustic horns coupled to transducers. The tips of the horns project into the chamber while the rearward portion of each horn is coupled to a heat exchanger system, the heat exchanger system withdrawing heat generated by the reactions within the chamber and conducted out of the chamber via the metal horns.
  • the inventors note that by removing heat in this manner, the liquid remains within the chamber, thus avoiding the need to pump the chamber liquid.
  • An external processing system with a combination pump and mixer for removing deuterium and tritium gases released from the cavitation zone and trapped within the chamber or tritium gases trapped within the Li-blanket surrounding the chamber and then reintroducing the previously trapped deuterium and tritium into the cavitation zone. Additional deuterium may also be introduced into the mixer.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,563,341 a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent No. 4,333,796, discloses a slightly modified, cylindrical cavitation chamber.
  • the chamber is surrounded by an external heating coil which allows the liquid within the chamber to be maintained at the desired operating temperature.
  • the system is degassed prior to operation by applying a vacuum through a duct running through the cover of the chamber.
  • graphite dissolved in the host liquid metal, is converted to diamond.
  • the diamond-rich host material is removed via an outlet duct adjacent to the bottom of the chamber and graphite-rich host material is removed via an outlet duct adjacent to the upper end of the chamber. Additional host material and graphite are added by lowering rods comprised of the host material and graphite, respectively, into the heated chamber.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,659,173 discloses a sonoluminescence system that uses a transparent spherical flask fabricated from Pyrex®, Kontes®, quartz or other suitable glass and ranging in size from 10 milliliters to 5 liters.
  • the inventors disclose that preferably the liquid within the flask is degassed and the flask is sealed prior to operation.
  • the cavitation chamber is surrounded by a temperature control system, thus allowing the liquid within the chamber to be cooled to a temperature of 1° C.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,858,104 discloses a shock wave chamber partially filled with a liquid. The remaining portion of the chamber is filled with gas which can be pressurized by a connected pressure source. Acoustic transducers mounted in the sidewalls of the chamber are used to position an object within the chamber. Another transducer mounted in the chamber wall delivers a compressional acoustic shock wave into the liquid. A flexible membrane separating the liquid from the gas reflects the compressional shock wave as a dilation wave focused on the location of the object about which a bubble is formed.
  • the present invention provides a method for degassing cavitation fluid using a closed-loop cavitation fluid circulatory system which couples the cavitation chamber to the fluid reservoir.
  • the procedure is comprised of multiple stages, the number of stages utilized dependent upon the desired level of degassing.
  • the cavitation fluid contained within the reservoir is degassed using an attached vacuum system.
  • the reservoir can either be filled directly, or filled by pumping the fluid contained within the closed-loop circulatory system into the reservoir.
  • the second stage of degassing is performed. In this stage the cavitation fluid is pumped through the circulatory system and into the cavitation chamber. Once the chamber is filled, pumping of the cavitation fluid through the chamber is discontinued. Next the fluid within the cavitation chamber is cavitated, thereby releasing gases dissolved within the cavitation fluid.
  • the circulatory system is used to pump the accumulated gas out of the chamber. Gradually the gas pumped out of the chamber enters the reservoir where it can be removed, as desired, using the attached vacuum system.
  • the cavitation fluid is continuously circulated through the cavitation chamber, reservoir and the circulatory system while the fluid within the chamber is cavitated.
  • a vacuum system coupled to the fluid reservoir periodically degasses the fluid contained therein.
  • the second stage of degassing is performed. In this stage, pumping of the cavitation fluid through the chamber is discontinued. Due to the cavitation of the fluid within the chamber, gases dissolved within the cavitation fluid are released. After a sufficient amount of time has passed, or after a sufficient amount of gas has accumulated within the chamber, the circulatory system is used to pump the accumulated gas out of the chamber. Gradually the gas pumped out of the chamber enters the reservoir where it can be removed, as desired, using the attached vacuum system.
  • the cavitation fluid may be sufficiently degassed for many purposes.
  • either approach utilizes a third stage of degassing.
  • this stage of degassing cavities are formed within the cavitation fluid within the chamber using any of a variety of means such as neutron bombardment, laser vaporization, localized heating, etc. Once formed, the cavities are cavitated, thereby releasing dissolved gases within the fluid.
  • the circulatory system is use ⁇ to pump me accumulated gas out of the chamber. Gradually the gas pumped out of the chamber enters the reservoir where it can be removed, as desired, using the attached vacuum system.
  • FIG. 1 is an illustration of the primary elements of one embodiment of a cavitation system in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an illustration of a spherical cavitation chamber with six mounted acoustic transducers ;
  • FIG. 3 is an illustration of the primary elements of a preferred embodiment of a cavitation system in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an illustration of the cavitation system shown in Fig. 3, with the cavitation fluid circulating through the circulatory system
  • Fig. 5 is an illustration of the cavitation system shown in Fig. 3, with the cavitation fluid being drained from the cavitation chamber into the reservoir;
  • Fig. 6 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of a cavitation fluid circulatory system
  • Fig. 7 is an illustration of the cavitation system shown in Fig. 6, with the cavitation fluid circulating through the circulatory system;
  • Fig. 8 is an illustration of the cavitation system shown in Fig. 6, with the cavitation fluid being drained from the cavitation chamber into the reservoir;
  • FIG. 9 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of a cavitation fluid circulatory system
  • Fig. 10 is an illustration of the cavitation system shown in Fig. 9, with the cavitation fluid circulating through the circulatory system;
  • Fig. 11 is an illustration of the cavitation system shown in Fig. 9, with the cavitation fluid being drained from the cavitation chamber into the reservoir;
  • Fig. 12 is an illustration of a cavitation system similar to that shown in Fig. 3, with the addition of a pressurized fuel source;
  • Fig. 13 is an illustration of a bubble trap
  • Fig. 14 is an illustration of a heat exchanger in which the heat exchange fluid is in direct contact with a conduit carrying the cavitation fluid
  • Fig. 15 is an illustration of another embodiment of a heat exchanger in which the heat exchange fluid is pumped through a conduit maintained in close proximity to a portion of the conduit carrying the cavitation fluid;
  • Fig. 16 illustrates the preferred degassing procedure
  • Fig. 17 illustrates an alternate preferred degassing procedure
  • Fig. 18 illustrates a preferred degassing procedure based on the procedure shown in Fig. 16;
  • Fig. 19 illustrates a preferred degassing procedure based on the procedure shown in Fig. 17; and Fig. 20 is a graph of measured sonoluminescence data taken with a stainless steel sphere utilizing acetone at a temperature of -27.5° C.
  • FIG. 1 is an illustration of the primary elements of a preferred embodiment of a cavitation system in accordance with the invention.
  • the principal component of system 100 is the sonoluminescence cavitation chamber 101, hereafter referred to as simply a cavitation chamber.
  • cavitation chamber 101 is spherical, although it will be appreciated that the invention is not so limited and that cavitation chambers of other configurations (e.g., cylindrical, conical, cubical, rectangular, etc.) can also be used with the present invention.
  • One method of fabricating chamber 101 is described in detail in co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 10/925,070, filed August 23 , 2004, entitled Method of Fabricating a Spherical Cavitation Chamber, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein for any and all purposes.
  • Illustrated chamber 101 has an outer spherical surface 103 defining the outer diameter of the chamber and an inner spherical surface 105 defining the inner diameter of the chamber.
  • Chamber 101 can be fabricated from any of a variety of metals although there are some constraints placed on the chamber material.
  • the material is preferably machinable, thus simplifying the fabrication process.
  • the chamber material should have a relatively high melting temperature. Additionally, depending upon the process used to assemble individual chamber pieces together (e.g., brazing), a high melting temperature is preferred as it aids the assembly process.
  • the chamber material should be corrosion resistant, thus allowing the chamber to be used repeatedly and with a variety of liquids.
  • the material should be hard enough to allow a good surface finish to be obtained.
  • the chamber is fabricated from 17-4 precipitation hardened stainless steel. witn respecx io uic umiensions of the chamber, both inner and outer diameters, the selected sizes depend upon the intended use of the chamber. For example, smaller chambers are typically preferable for situations in which it is desirable to limit the amount of cavitating medium, for example due to cost or due to limited available energy to drive the cavitation process. On the other hand large chambers, on the order of 8-10 inches or greater, typically simplify experimental set-up and event observation. Thick chamber walls are preferable if the chamber is to be operated at high static pressures.
  • typical wall thicknesses include 0.25 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.75 inches, 1.5 inches, 2.375 inches, 3.5 inches and 4 inches.
  • Typical outside diameters are in the range of 2-10 inches although larger chambers can be used if sufficient cavitation driving energy is available.
  • the cavitating medium is comprised of a host material and a fuel material.
  • the host material is selected from lithium, aluminum, tin, mercury, cadmium, sodium, potassium, gallium, gadolinium indium, lead, bismuth, or an alloy thereof.
  • the fuel material is selected from deuterium, tritium, lithium, or a combination thereof.
  • the host and fuel materials can be molecularly combined into a single material, e.g., deuterated acetone, heavy water (D 2 O) and deuterated ethylene glycol.
  • the fuel material is preferably uranium or thorium.
  • the heavy isotope is selected from gadolinium, cadmium, europium, boron, samarium, dysprosium, iridium, mercury, or a mixture thereof while the light isotope is selected from the group consisting of deuterium, tritium, lithium, or a mixture thereof.
  • the heavy isotope has a large thermal neutron capture cross-section, and even more preferably with a thermal neutron capture cross-section of greater than 10 barns.
  • acoustic drivers i.e., transducers
  • acoustic drivers 107 are coupled to the exterior surface 103 of chamber 101.
  • six acoustic transducers are mounted to the exterior surface of the cavitation chamber, four mounted to the lower hemisphere and two mounted to the upper hemisphere as illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • Acoustic drivers can be fabricated and mounted, for example, in accordance with co- pending U.S.
  • the operating frequency of the drivers depends upon a variety of factors such as the sound speed of the liquid within the chamber, the shape/geometry of the chamber, the sound field geometry of the drivers, etc. In at least one embodiment, the operating frequency is within the range of 1 kHz to 10 MHz.
  • the selected frequency can be the resonant frequency of the chamber, an integer multiple of the resonant frequency, a non-integer multiple of the resonant frequency, or periodically altered during operation, preferably by less than ⁇ 10%.
  • a closed-loop cavitation fluid circulatory system as described in detail below relative to Fig. 1 and Figs. 3-12, provides a means of circulating cavitation fluid throughout the system (e.g., into a cavitation fluid reservoir, into cavitation chamber 101, continuously through cavitation chamber 101, etc.) without exposing the cavitation fluid contained within the system to the ambient atmosphere, other than for unintended exposure due to minor gas leaks within the circulatory system.
  • a pair of conduits 109 and 111 preferably located at the bottom and the top portions, respectively, of chamber 101, and more preferably located at the lowermost portion and the uppermost portions of chamber 101, couple chamber 101 to the circulatory system and allow the chamber to be filled, drained, degassed, replenished during operation (e.g., fuel replenishment), and/or cleaned/degassed during operation (e.g., removal of generated gases or other by-products).
  • Conduit 111 is coupled to a reservoir 113 by conduit 115.
  • reservoir 113 is large enough to hold sufficient cavitation fluid to fill chamber 101 and the fluid circulation system.
  • Reservoir 113 is coupled to at least one fluid pump 117 via conduit 119.
  • Pump 117 is coupled to chamber conduit 109 via conduit 121.
  • reservoir 113 serves the dual purpose of reservoir and degassing chamber. Degassing the cavitation fluid is critical in order for the collapsing bubbles within cavitation chamber 101 to achieve the desired high velocities, and thus high temperatures, during operation. Accordingly reservoir 113 is coupled to a vacuum pump 123 via a three-way valve 125, valve 125 allowing chamber 113 to be coupled to pump 123 (e.g., for degassing purposes) or open to the atmosphere via conduit 127.
  • the entire system can be degassed. Once degassed, the degassing process can be continued while continually pumping the cavitation fluid through the system and operating the cavitation chamber.
  • gases generated as a by-product of reactions taking place within chamber 101 e.g., helium and/or hydrogen that are by-products of many fusion, fission, spallation and neutron stripping reactions.
  • the degassing procedure can be performed periodically during chamber operation.
  • chamber 101 can be decoupled from the system with a pair of valves 129 and 131 as shown and the degassing procedure discontinued.
  • valves 129 and 131 provide a means of isolating cavitation chamber 101 from the circulation system.
  • Chamber isolation can be useful not only during system maintenance, but also during chamber operation.
  • the chamber can be isolated prior to operation thus allowing any heating of the cavitation fluid during operation to cause differential expansion of the fluid as compared to the chamber walls, resulting in an increase in pressure within the chamber and stronger cavitation reactions.
  • Cavitation fluid heating during operation may be due to the cavitation process itself, and/or reactions within the chamber, and/or heat conduction from the drivers.
  • Fig. 3 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention similar to that shown in Fig. 1.
  • the cavitation fluid circulatory system includes means for both filling and draining chamber 101.
  • reservoir 113 In order for the circulatory system to operate as desired, reservoir 113 must be large enough to hold sufficient cavitation fluid to fill chamber 101 and the fluid circulation system.
  • this embodiment includes a conduit 301 coupled to conduit 119 prior to pump 117 and coupled to the output of pump 117 at a three-way valve 303. Additionally this embodiment includes a conduit 305 coupled to conduit 121 before valve 129 and coupled to the input of pump 117 at a three-way valve 307.
  • System 100 provides a straightforward means of either circulating the cavitation fluid, for example during chamber operation, or draining the chamber.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate these two modes of operation, respectively.
  • One of the primary benefits of this system is that it allows the chamber to be drained without actually draining the circulatory system, thus minimizing fluid loss, exposure to the atmosphere, and possibly contamination, of the cavitation fluid.
  • valves 303 and 307 are set to allow cavitation fluid to be pumped down, and out, of reservoir 113 (direction 401), through pump 117, up through cavitation chamber 101 (direction 403) and back into the reservoir 113 (direction 405).
  • FIG. 4 only the portions of the circulation system in which cavitation fluid is actively circulating are highlighted in Fig. 4 even though circulatory conduits 301 and 305 would actually be filled during use (although the fluid within conduits 301 and 305 would not be circulating). If it is undesirable to allow conduits 301 and 305 to be filled during this mode of operation, valves (not shown) can be located at the junctions of these conduits and the primary circulatory conduits (i.e., locations 407 and 409).
  • FIG. 5 three-way valves 303 and 307 are switched to reverse the flow of cavitation fluid through the circulatory system.
  • chamber 101 is still in the process of being pumped out, as evidenced by some cavitation fluid still remaining in the bottom of the chamber 101.
  • the fluid leaves chamber 101, it flows through conduit 305 (direction 501), through pump 117, through conduit 301 (direction 503) and then up into reservoir 113 (direction 505).
  • valves 303 and 307 By simply switching two valves (i.e., valves 303 and 307), or four valves if the system also includes valves at locations 407 and 409, the system can alternate between a system that circulates the cavitation fluid through chamber 101 and a system that drains the cavitation fluid from chamber 101, placing the fluid back into reservoir 113.
  • valves 303 and 307 i.e., valves 303 and 307
  • valves 303 and 307 i.e., valves 303 and 307
  • the system can alternate between a system that circulates the cavitation fluid through chamber 101 and a system that drains the cavitation fluid from chamber 101, placing the fluid back into reservoir 113.
  • alternate conduit configurations can be used that also provide a means of draining the cavitation fluid out of the chamber without actually draining the circulatory system. Two such alternate embodiments are illustrated in Figs. 6-8 and Figs. 9-11, respectively.
  • Fig. 6 is an illustration of an alternate cavitation fluid circulatory/drainage system 600.
  • valve 133 When circulation of the cavitation fluid is desired as illustrated in Fig. 7, for example prior to or during cavitation chamber operation, valve 133 is opened to allow fluid to pass through reservoir 113 and down in direction 701.
  • Valve 703 is configured in this mode of operation to allow the cavitation fluid to flow into pump 117.
  • Pump 117 pumps the cavitation fluid in direction 705.
  • Valves 707 and 709 are configured in this mode to pass the cavitation fluid through chamber 101 and back to reservoir 113 along direction 711. To use the system to drain chamber 101 as illustrated in Fig.
  • valve 133 is closed and three-way valves 703, 707, 709 and 801 are switched so that the flow of cavitation fluid is along a path 803.
  • a valve 805 can open the chamber to the atmosphere, thereby accelerating chamber drainage. Unfortunately opening valve 805 also exposes the cavitation fluid to the air which will then dissolve into the fluid.
  • Fig. 9 is an illustration of an alternate cavitation fluid circulatory/drainage system 900 which includes a second pump 901.
  • valve 133 is opened to allow tlui ⁇ to pass tnrougn reservoir 113 and down in direction 1001.
  • the cavitation fluid is pumped by pump 117 in a direction 1003.
  • Valve 707 is configured in this mode of operation to allow the cavitation fluid to flow up and through chamber 101 (direction 1005) and t>ack into reservoir 113 (direction 1007).
  • Fig. 9 is an illustration of an alternate cavitation fluid circulatory/drainage system 900 which includes a second pump 901.
  • valve 133 is closed and three-way valves 707 and 801 are switched so that the cavitation fluid flows out of chamber 101 along path 1101 to pump 901. Pump 901 pumps the fluid along path 1103 back to reservoir 113.
  • a valve 805 can be opened to accelerate chamber drainage.
  • the first step is to fill the system with cavitation fluid.
  • the cavitation fluid can be added directly to reservoir 113 through conduit 127. Alternately a separate fill tube (not shown) can be added to reservoir 113.
  • a fill tube 135 can be coupled to the circulatory system via a valve 137, preferably at a location immediately prior to pump 117.
  • the fill tube(s) can be used to replenish the fuel or other reactants contained within the cavitation fluid during operation.
  • Any of the disclosed circulatory systems can also utilize an additional chamber 1201 for either adding more cavitation fluid or replenishing the fuel or other reactants (illustrated in Fig. 12).
  • pumps 117 and 1203 are positive displacement pumps and the material 1205 to be added (e.g., fuel) is preferably pressurized prior to entering chamber 1201 in order to accelerate the materials absorption into the cavitation fluid.
  • the circulatory system of the invention allows the cavitation fluid to be removed from cavitation chamber 101 without draining the circulatory system, thus minimizing potential cavitation fluid waste and/or potential cavitation fluid contamination by air or other contaminants.
  • the system includes one or more drainage ports.
  • a drainage port 139 is attached to the lowermost chamber conduit, thus providing one means of draining chamber 101.
  • a drainage port 141 can be coupled to the circulatory system, for example directly below reservoir 113 as shown.
  • drain port 139 is preferred as pump 117 can then be used to pump the fluid out of the system.
  • the cavitation fluid would first be pumped into reservoir 113 as described above relative to Fig. 5. Once the chamber has been drained, the circulatory system would be drained by switching valves 303 and 307 (as shown in Fig. 4) plus three-way valve 129, thus pumping the fluid out of reservoir 113 and out drain 139. Although not preferred, the system can also be pumped out by draining the chamber as shown in Fig. 5, but with valve 133 open to drain 141. In order to minimize all undesired gas within the cavitation fluid, preferably a bubble trap 143 immediately follows the outlet of pump 117 as shown in the illustrated embodiments, thus helping to eliminate any bubbles generated by the pump itself. Fig.
  • FIG. 13 provides an exploded view of one embodiment of bubble trap 143.
  • the outlet 1301 of pump 117 enters the top of a trap container 1303.
  • outlet 1301 can enter container 1303 at other locations, the inventors have found that by entering the top of container 1303, bubbles are more likely to be removed by trap 143 and less likely to continue on through the circulatory system.
  • the cavitation fluid passes through container 1303, exiting through outlet 1305. Trapped bubbles float to the top portion 1307 of container 1303 where they are periodically removed via valve 1309 and conduit 1311, conduit 1311 being coupled to reservoir 113 and thus indirectly coupled to vacuum pump 123.
  • top surface 1313 of container 1303 is conically-shaped with conduit 1311 coupled to the uppermost portion of surface 1313, the shape of surface 1313 helping to guide the bubbles to conduit 1311, thereby minimizing the risk of bubbles being trapped within container 1303 where they could dissolve back into the liquid.
  • the circulatory system includes a filter 145 which removes contaminants from the cavitation fluid, thus preventing the contaminants from potentially disrupting the cavitation process.
  • the contaminants may be native to the cavitation fluid.
  • the contaminants to be removed may be a product of the cavitation process itself, for example resulting from the flow of the cavitation fluid through the heat exchange system or from the effects of the cavitation process on the internal surfaces of the cavitation chamber.
  • the contaminants may be a by-product of a reaction taking place within the cavitation chamber. It will be appreciated that the exact nature of filter 145 depends upon the type of cavitation fluid as well as the type of contamination, i.e., impurity, to be removed from the cavitation fluid. As filters are well know, further description is not provided herein.
  • a heat exchange system 147 is coupled to a conduit of the circulatory system, thus allowing the temperature of the cavitation fluid to be controlled.
  • the cavitation fluid can either be continually pumped through heat exchange system 147, i.e., during chamber operation, or used to alter the temperature of the fluid prior to chamber operation.
  • heat exchange system 147 can be used to cool the cavitation fluid below ambient temperature, to cool the cavitation fluid by removing excess heat from the cavitation chamber, or to heat the cavitation fluid to a desired temperature.
  • heat exchange system 147 is u£ed to cool the Cavitation fluid below ambient temperature, thus lowering the vapor pressure of the fluid and allowing higher velocities to be achieved by the collapsing bubbles within the chamber. As a result, the cavitating bubbles generate higher temperatures at collapse stagnation.
  • heat exchange system 147 is typically located after pump 117 and as close to cavitation chamber 101 as reasonable, thus minimizing the introduction of heat into the cooled cavitation medium from pump 117, the surroundings, etc., it will be appreciated that the location of system 147 relative to pump 117 depends on the ambient temperature, the temperature to which the cavitation fluid is to be maintained, and the preferred operating temperature of the pump.
  • heat exchange system 147 cools the cavitation fluid by withdrawing excess heat generated within the chamber.
  • the excess heat can be a product of the cavitation process itself as the cavitating bubbles generate heat within the fluid, for example due to viscous effects.
  • the excess heat can also be the product of reactions taking place within the chamber which are promoted by the cavitation process. Such reactions include both chemical reactions and nuclear reactions.
  • the excess heat can also be the result of heat conducted into the cavitation medium from drivers 107 as these drivers may be driven at very high levels (e.g., hundreds of watts of input power).
  • heat exchange system 147 is preferably located before pump 117 rather than after pump 117 as shown in the illustrations. Such a mounting location is preferred as it cools the cavitation fluid before introducing it into pump 117, thus minimizing the pump operating temperature for such applications. It will be appreciated that whether heat exchange system 147 is located before or after pump 117 depends upon the temperatures of the cavitation fluid before and after heat exchange system 147, the ambient temperature and the preferred operating temperatures of pump 117 and the cavitation fluid.
  • heat exchange system 147 is used to heat the cavitation fluid to the desired operational temperature. Such heating is useful, for example, to promote specific reactions (e.g., chemical reactions) within the cavitation fluid or to maintain the cavitating medium in the fluid phase (i.e., heating to above the melting temperature of the medium).
  • heat exchange system 147 is positioned relative to pump 117 as shown, thus allowing pump 117 to pump a relatively cool fluid. As previously noted, the location of heat exchange system 147 relative to pump 117 depends upon the temperatures of the cavitation fluid before and after heat exchange system 147, ambient temperature and the preferred operating temperatures of pump 117 and the cavitation fluid.
  • heat exchange system 147 Meat excnangers me well known by those of skill in the art, and therefore detailed descriptions of possible means of implementing heat exchange system 147 are not provided herein.
  • heat is conducted into or out of a circulatory conduit by placing a portion of the conduit in thermal contact, direct or indirect, with (i) a heated fluid, (ii) a cooled fluid, (iii) a thermoelectric cooler, (iv) a heat sink, (v) a refrigeration system or (v) a heating system.
  • Heat exchange system 147 can also use a combination of heaters/coolers to provide complete temperature regulation of the cavitation fluid.
  • heat exchange system 147 uses a temperature regulated fluid, either heated or cooled, the fluid can either be in direct contact with the circulatory conduit 1401 as illustrated in Fig. 14, or contained within a separate conduit 1501 as illustrated in Fig. 15.
  • the heat exchange fluid is pumped with a pump 1403 through a conduit 1405 to an appropriate heater or cooler 1407.
  • the location of the heater or cooler relative to pump 1403 typically depends on whether heat is being added (e.g., use of a heater) or withdrawn (e.g., use of a cooler) as pump 1403 generally operates best if the temperature of the heat exchange fluid is relatively cool.
  • the cooler is located before the intake of pump 1403 as shown in Figs. 14 and 15.
  • a heater is being used to heat the heat exchange fluid prior to passing through heat exchange system 147, typically the heater is located between the output of pump 1403 and heat exchange system 147 (not shown). It will be appreciated that the location of the heater or cooler depends on the temperatures of the fluid, both before and after being thermally conditioned, and it will also be appreciated that the general rules noted above may not be followed, depending upon the preferred operating conditions of pump 1501 and the specific temperatures involved. Any of a variety of well known techniques can be used in the heater/cooler 1407 (e.g., gas heaters, refrigeration units, etc.).
  • thermally powered systems such as heaters, thermoelectric generators and steam turbines (not shown), thus producing electricity that can be used for a variety of applications, including reduction of the electrical demands of the cavitation system itself.
  • thermally powered systems are sufficiently efficient to eliminate the need for cooler 1407. If desired, however, cooler 1407 can be used to further lower the temperature of the heat exchange fluid.
  • preferably preparation of the cavitation fluid for chamber operation utilizes a degassing procedure as described relative to Fig. 16, or Fig. 17, or Fig. 18, or Fig. 19.
  • the first step in the degassing method illustrated in Fig. 16 is to fill reservoir 113 with cavitation fluid (step 1601). If the fluid is already within the circulatory system, the fluid is pumped back into reservoir 113 as previously described. The fluid within reservoir 113 is then degassed using vacuum pump 123 (step 1603). The amount of time required during this step depends on the volume of cavitation chamber 101, the volume of cavitation fluid to be degassed and the capabilities of the vacuum system.
  • vacuum pump 123 evacuates reservoir 113 until the pressure within the reservoir is close to the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid (e.g., to a pressure of within 2 psi of the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid, alternately to a pressure of within 0.2 psi of the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid, alternately to a pressure of within 0.02 psi of the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid, etc.).
  • step 1603 is performed for at least 1 hour, preferably for at least 2 hours, more preferably for at least 4 hours, and still more preferably until the reservoir pressure is close to the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid as previously noted.
  • step 1607 pump 117 circulates the cavitation fluid through the circulatory system and into cavitation chamber 101 (step 1607), for example as previously described relative to Figs. 4, 7 and 10.
  • evacuation of reservoir 113 using vacuum pump 123 is temporarily discontinued (step 1605).
  • pumping of the cavitation fluid through the cavitation chamber is discontinued (step 1609).
  • valve 129 is closed (step 1611).
  • the fluid within the cavitation chamber is cavitated for a period of time (step 1613), typically for at least 5 minutes and preferably for more than 30 minutes. During step 1613 the cavitation process tears vacuum cavities within the cavitation fluid.
  • the bubbles pumped out of the chamber enter reservoir 113, the speed by which they enter reservoir 113 dependent upon the amount of fluid pumped out of the cavitation chamber during step 1617, the volume of the conduit between the chamber and the reservoir, and the number oi times these steps have been performed.
  • the gas removed from the fluid within the chamber and passed into reservoir 113 is removed, as desired, using vacuum pump 123 (step 1619).
  • step 1619 is only performed after there has been a noticeable increase in pressure within reservoir 113, preferably an increase of at least 2 psi over the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid, alternately an increase of at least 0.2 psi over the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid, or alternately an increase of at least 0.02 psi over the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid.
  • the cavitation process may or may not be discontinued.
  • steps 1609, 1611, 1613, 1615, 1617 and 1619, or alternately steps 1609, 1613, 1617 and 1619 are repeated until the amount of dissolved gas within the cavitation fluid inside the cavitation chamber is so low that the fluid will no longer cavitate at the same cavitation driver power.
  • steps 1609, 1611, 1613, 1615, 1617 and 1619 are repeated until the amount of dissolved gas within the cavitation fluid inside the cavitation chamber is so low that the fluid will no longer cavitate at the same cavitation driver power.
  • steps are performed for at least 12 hours, preferably for at least 24 hours, more preferably for at least 36 hours, and still more preferably for at least 48 hours.
  • Fig. 17 illustrates the preferred degassing procedure which is a slight modification of the degassing procedure shown in Fig. 16.
  • cavitation fluid In this embodiment and during the initial stage of degassing, after reservoir 113 is filled with cavitation fluid (step 1701) the fluid is continuously circulated through cavitation chamber 101 and the circulatory system (step 1703). Next cavitation is initiated in chamber 101 (step 1705) while the cavitation fluid continues to be pumped through the chamber and the circulatory system. In order to remove the gas from the chamber and circulatory system, reservoir 113 is intermittently evacuated using vacuum pump 123 (step 1707). It will be appreciated that the frequency and duration of evacuation step 1707 depends on the amount of gas in the system as well as the size of the chamber, the amount of cavitation fluid, the capabilities of the vacuum pump, etc.
  • evacuation step 1707 is performed for longer periods of time and more frequently during the initial stages of degassing when the system contains more gas, and then less frequently and for shorter periods of time as the system becomes degassed. Rather than relying strictly on a schedule to determine when and for how long to evacuate reservoir 113, the inventors have found that the pressure within reservoir 113 can be monitored.
  • evacuation of reservoir 113 continues until the pressure is reduced to a predetermined level, for example to a pressure close to the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid (e.g., to a pressure of within 2 psi of the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid, alternately to a pressure of within 0.2 psi of the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid, alternately to a pressure of within 0.02 psi of the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid, etc.), at which point the evacuation process can be discontinued until either the pressure within the reservoir again increases to a preset level (e.g., preferably an increase of at least 2 psi over the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid, alternately an increase of at least 0.2 psi over the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid, or alternately an increase of at least 0.02 psi over the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid, etc.) or until it is determined that the system is sufficiently degassed to allow either the desired cavitation procedures or the
  • this stage of the procedure i.e., steps 1705 and 1707
  • this stage of the procedure is performed for at least 12 hours although greater periods of time (i.e., greater than 24 hours, greater than 48 hours, etc.) may be required depending upon the fluid, system size and vacuum constraints.
  • the inventors have found that the above procedure can be further improved by performing a second stage of degassing.
  • the second stage of degassing is initiated either after a preset time period (e.g., preferably after 6 hours, more preferably after 12 hours) or after the pressure within reservoir 113 remains at the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid for at least 10 minutes, and preferably for at least 30 minutes, and more preferably for at least 1 hour, after the evacuation process is discontinued.
  • pumping of the cavitation fluid through the cavitation chamber is temporarily discontinued (step 1709).
  • valve 129 is closed (step 1711).
  • valve 129 is opened (step 1713) if it was previously closed, and sufficient cavitation fluid is pumped through the system to cause the bubbles at the top of the chamber to pass out of the chamber and into conduit 115 (step 1715).
  • the bubbles pumped out of the chamber enter reservoir 113, the speed at which they enter reservoir 113 dependent upon the amount of fluid pumped out of the cavitation chamber during step 1715, the volume of the conduit between the chamber and the reservoir, and the number of times these steps have been performed.
  • the gas removed from the fluid within the chamber and passed into reservoir 113 is removed, as desired, using vacuum pump 123 (step 1717).
  • step 1717 is only performed after there has been a noticeable increase in pressure within reservoir 113, preferably an increase of at least 2 psi over the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid, alternately an increase of at least 0.2 psi over the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid, or alternately an increase of at least 0.02 psi over the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid.
  • the cavitation process continues throughout the process.
  • steps 1709, 1711, 1713, 1715 and 1717, or alternately steps 1709, 1715 and 1717 are repeated until the amount of dissolved gas within the cavitation fluid is so low that the fluid within the cavitation chamber will no longer cavitate at the same cavitation driver power.
  • these steps are performed for at least 12 hours, preferably for at least jj ⁇ nours, more preieraoiy ior at least 36 hours, and still more preferably for at least 48 hours.
  • Fig. 18 corresponds to Fig. 16 with the addition of further degassing steps 1801-1804.
  • Fig. 19 corresponds to Fig. 17 with the addition of further degassing steps 1901-1904.
  • the first step (i.e., step 1801 or step 1901) in the further degassing procedures is to form cavities within the cavitation fluid contained in the cavitation chamber.
  • cavities can be formed using any of a variety of means, including neutron bombardment, focusing a laser beam into the cavitation fluid to vaporize small amounts of fluid, by locally heating small regions with a hot wire, or by other means.
  • the cavitation drivers cause the cavitation of the newly formed cavities (i.e., step 1802 or step 1902).
  • gas dissolved within the fluid is removed and bubbles are formed within the chamber.
  • Pump 117 is used to pump a sufficient amount of cavitation fluid through the system to cause the bubbles at the top of the chamber to pass out of the chamber and into conduit 115 (i.e., step 1803 or step 1903).
  • valve 129 must be opened, if previously closed. As the process is repeated, the bubbles gradually pass through conduit 115 and into reservoir 113 where the gas can be removed, when desired, through use of vacuum pump 123 (i.e., step 1804 or step 1904).
  • This stage of degassing can continue for either a preset time period (e.g., greater than 6 hours and preferably greater than 12 hours), or until the amount of dissolved gas being removed is negligible as evidenced by the pressure within reservoir 113 remaining stable at the vapor pressure of the cavitation fluid for a preset time period (e.g., greater than 10 minutes, or greater than 30 minutes, or greater than 1 hour, etc.).
  • Fig. 20 is a graph that illustrates the sonoluminescence effect with a stainless steel sphere with an outer diameter of 9.5 inches and an inner diameter of 8 inches.
  • Six acoustic drivers were mounted as illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • the cavitation fluid was acetone cooled to a temperature of -27.5° C.
  • the driving frequency was 23.52 kHz
  • the driving amplitude was 59 V RMS
  • the driving power was 8.8 watts.
  • Two acoustic cycles are shown in Fig. 20. It will be appreciated that the data shown in Fig. 20 is only provided for illustration, and that the invention is not limited to this specific configuration.
  • a magneto- hydrodynamic generator can be coupled to the system. Accordingly, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Degasification And Air Bubble Elimination (AREA)
  • Physical Water Treatments (AREA)

Abstract

Procédé de dégazage d'un fluide de cavitation à l'aide d'un système de circulation de fluide de cavitation en boucle fermée. Ladite procédure comporte plusieurs étapes. Selon une approche, le fluide de cavitation contenu dans le réservoir à fluide est d'abord dégazé, puis pompé dans la chambre de cavitation et amené en cavitation. Le système de circulation fournit un moyen de pompage des gaz hors de la chambre et le système d'aspiration fournit un moyen permettant d'éliminer périodiquement les gaz du système. Dans une deuxième approche, le fluide de cavitation est initialement mis en circulation à travers la chambre de cavitation, le réservoir et le système de circulation tandis que le fluide présent dans la chambre est amené en cavitation. Pendant la deuxième étape, le pompage du fluide de cavitation à travers la chambre est interrompu. Avec ces deux approches, une troisième étape de dégazage peut être employée, lors de laquelle des cavités sont formées dans le fluide de cavitation présent dans la chambre, lesdites cavités étant amenées en cavitation. Les gaz dissous libérés sont ensuite évacués.
PCT/US2005/040246 2004-12-01 2005-11-02 Procedure de degazage pour une chambre de cavitation WO2006060119A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/002,476 US7387660B2 (en) 1999-11-24 2004-12-01 Degassing procedure for a cavitation chamber
US11/002,448 2004-12-01
US11/002,476 2004-12-01
US11/002,448 US7381241B2 (en) 1999-11-24 2004-12-01 Degassing procedure for a cavitation chamber

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WO2006060119A2 true WO2006060119A2 (fr) 2006-06-08
WO2006060119A3 WO2006060119A3 (fr) 2009-04-09

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2376221A (en) * 1942-04-08 1945-05-15 Hartford Empire Co Method of and apparatus for degassing liquids
US5659173A (en) * 1994-02-23 1997-08-19 The Regents Of The University Of California Converting acoustic energy into useful other energy forms
WO2001039200A2 (fr) * 1999-11-24 2001-05-31 Impulse Devices, Inc. Reacteur nucleaire a cavitation a base de liquide, comportant un systeme de traitement externe du liquide du reacteur

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2376221A (en) * 1942-04-08 1945-05-15 Hartford Empire Co Method of and apparatus for degassing liquids
US5659173A (en) * 1994-02-23 1997-08-19 The Regents Of The University Of California Converting acoustic energy into useful other energy forms
WO2001039200A2 (fr) * 1999-11-24 2001-05-31 Impulse Devices, Inc. Reacteur nucleaire a cavitation a base de liquide, comportant un systeme de traitement externe du liquide du reacteur

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