WO2012047106A1

WO2012047106A1 - Hydrophone pump, container and method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2012047106A1
Application number: PCT/NL2011/050683
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Kuipers; Doekle Reinder Yntema; Simon Marinus Bakker
Original assignee: Stichting Wetsus Centre Of Excellence For Sustainable Water Technology
Priority date: 2010-10-07
Filing date: 2011-10-07
Publication date: 2012-04-12
Also published as: EP2624944A1; NL2005474C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hydrophone pump, and container and method therefor. The hydrophone pump comprises: - a housing provided with a reactor chamber; - an inlet for admitting and discharging fluid into and out of the reactor chamber; and - a piezo-element provided drivably on at least one side of the reactor chamber.

Description

HYDROPHONE PUMP, CONTAINER AND METHOD THEREFOR The invention relates to a hydrophone pump. Such a hydrophone pump more particularly relates to mixing, accelerating reaction processes and/or treating fluid.

Known in practice are many processes in which a flow, such as for instance a liquid flow, has to be treated in a water treatment plant. Large installations are usually required here. A problem occurring here is that such a treatment has to be carried out over a large volume. It is difficult here to perform the desired treatment locally. In addition, exerting any control over this treatment is also problematic.

An object of the invention is to obviate the above stated problems and to achieve an effective and efficient treatment, reaction acceleration and/or mixing of a fluid.

This object is achieved with the hydrophone pump according to the invention, the hydrophone pump comprising:

- a housing provided with a reactor chamber;

- an inlet for admitting and discharging fluid into and out of the reactor chamber; and

- a piezo-element provided drivably on at least one side of the reactor chamber.

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

By providing a pump having a housing enclosing a reactor chamber it is possible to draw a part of the fluid from the immediate vicinity of the hydrophone pump into the reactor chamber via an inlet as described above. If desired, a treatment can be performed on the fluid in this reactor chamber .

A fluid suitable for the hydrophone pump according to the invention is preferably an aqueous flow, for instance a waste water or process water flow. Such a flow can also be a flow for purifying, for instance for drinking-water or swimming water.

After the possible treatment or mixing in the reactor chamber the fluid is guided outside again via the inlet, which at that moment acts as outlet. Mixing occurs here in the fluid outside the pump. It is also possible to provide a separate outlet. It is likewise further possible to provide a plurality of inlets and/or outlets per reactor chamber.

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

As described above, a mixing will occur in the vicinity of the hydrophone pump and in the reactor chamber of this pump by alternately drawing in and pressing out the fluid. A mixing effect on the fluid is hereby obtained. Such a mixing effect is particularly relevant in a so-called plug flow of the fluid for nevertheless bringing about some degree of mixing therein. It is further also possible to accelerate determined reactions in the fluid using the applied

conditions, including particularly pressure in the reactor chamber. The fluid is hereby treated in its entirety. In the context of the present invention treatment is otherwise also understood to mean measuring and analysis of the fluid. A treatment can be readily monitored and/or controlled when it is performed in a reactor chamber. The reliability of the overall process is hereby increased. Through use of the piezo-element it is further possible to generate cavitation in the reactor chamber. Waves are preferably produced for this purpose such that cavitation occurs in the fluid for treatment. The ultrasonic sound waves create vacuum bubbles in the fluid. These bubbles implode and this results in a very high pressure and temperature locally. Micro-organisms can be killed as a result. In addition, it is possible for some organic micro-contaminants, such as dioxane, MBTE, phenylbenzene, medicine residues and hormones, to be decomposed or otherwise rendered harmless.

The piezo-element is preferably embodied as a piezo disc forming a side wall of the reactor chamber in the hydrophone pump. An additional advantage of the hydrophone pump according to the present invention is that the above stated function or functions are performed using a minimum number of components. The desired functions can hereby be performed cost-effectively.

The energy required by the piezo-element can be supplied in various ways. One of the possibilities herefor is the use of a fixed power cable provided on the hydrophone pump according to the invention. A voltage is here

preferably supplied for the piezo-element. The voltage can also be realized by for instance a capacitive coupling to an electric field as well as by generating such a desired voltage from the received radio waves using an

electromagnetic field.

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

By providing inductive means a coupling can be realized to a magnetic field for the purpose of realizing a voltage for the piezo-element in this way. A coil is preferably provided with which the desired voltage can be realized. This achieves that no wiring is needed for the hydrophone pump and nearby equipment. This means that the hydrophone pump can move freely in a fluid, such as in an aqueous flow. The placing of the hydrophone pump in the fluid is hereby extremely simple. This is advantageous, among other

purposes, for large-scale applications where it must for instance be possible to provide a plurality of hydrophone pumps according to the invention for movement in a fluid, without limiting the freedom of movement here as a result of for instance a wired connection. In addition, the number of possible applications of the hydrophone pump is hereby greatly increased. Already stated as possible application is a water treatment in which a hydrophone pump can be used to treat the water. An alternative application relates to a medical application, wherein such a hydrophone pump can be introduced into a blood vessel. Using a membrane or sheet provided at the inlet it is possible here to open this sheet at a desired position with the piezo-element so as to realize for instance a specific dosage at the desired location. Alternative applications also relate for instance to swimming water or aquarium water, wherein it is otherwise possible to provide such a hydrophone pump fixedly on for instance the bottom or, conversely, on the underside of the bottom.

The hydrophone pump preferably has a housing with a volume of a maximum of 1 cm³, preferably a maximum of 0.25 cirr and most preferably a maximum of 0.1 cm³. A type of micro-hydrophone pump with micro-reactor is realized by providing a hydrophone pump with such relatively small dimensions. It is hereby possible to provide one such hydrophone pump in narrow passages such as blood vessels. It is also possible to provide a large number of hydrophone pumps according to the invention in a larger basin such as a bath or conduit in order to there realize the desired effect on the fluid.

In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the housing comprises a plastic. Providing a plastic such as PVC or teflon creates a light and inexpensive housing. The weight of the hydrophone pump can also be adapted to the fluid to allow it for instance to float therein. In addition, a possibly adverse effect of the fluid on the housing is prevented through the correct choice of material. It is otherwise also possible to use for instance steel as housing in the case use is made of ultrasonic sound in combination with the hydrophone pump according to the invention.

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

Providing adjustable and preferably controllable amplitude (s) and/or frequenc { /ies) for the piezo-element makes it possible to control the process conditions in the reactor chamber so as to cause for instance cavitation to occur in this chamber. Here the conditions can take into account the specific state of the fluid situated in and close to the pump.

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment

according to the invention the pump further comprises one or more LEDs.

The fluid can be treated by providing one or more LEDs. Use is particularly made here of so-called UV-LEDs to enable UV treatment of the fluid therewith. In the case UV-LEDs are used, treatment is particularly understood here to mean disinfecting of the fluid.

The pump preferably comprises second inductive means for the LED. By providing second inductive means the

necessary power supply for the LEDs can be separately provided with a piezo-element. This power supply is

preferably provided as a coil provided around the outlet, in particular around a lengthened inlet/outlet, wherein the LEDs are preferably placed on the inner wall of this inlet/outlet. Alternative treatment methods make use of for instance an ultrasonic sound source which can be provided in similar manner as alternative to, or optionally in combination with, the UV-LEDs.

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment

according to the present invention the pump comprises one or more sensor means.

By providing one or more sensor means an analysis can be made of the fluid in which the hydrophone pump is arranged. It is possible here to envisage, among other actions, measuring the turbidity, acidity, oxygen and/or conductivity of the fluid. In a possible embodiment

according to the invention the sensor means comprise a LED on one side of the reactor chamber and a photo diode on the opposite side of the reactor chamber, whereby a measurement of the fluid in the reactor chamber is possible. It is further noted that the behaviour of the piezo-element can also be used as sensor. It is hereby possible for instance to determine properties of the fluid at a defined voltage on the basis of the behaviour of the piezo-element.

The sensor means preferably also comprise a data transmitter. Providing a data transmitter realizes that measurement data can be transmitted to a central processing unit. It is for instance also possible, on the basis of the measurements, to modify the amplitude and/or frequencies being used. This results in a control system which takes account online of the specific conditions of the fluid. The data transmitter preferably takes a wireless form using an inductive system or a transmission system. Other data transmitters are otherwise also possible.

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment

according to the present invention the inlet to the reactor chamber is a lengthened inlet.

By extending the inlet, and therefore the preferably combined outlet, the flow resulting from the hydrophone pump according to the invention is influenced in the desired manner. The outflow takes place substantially in a direction perpendicularly of the outflow opening of the pump. The inflow is on the other hand drawn in from all sides of the opening. This further enhances the mixing. A further effect achieved with this lengthened inlet is that it is possible here to provide additional components. It is possible here to envisage the above stated UV-LEDs, optionally in

combination with the thereby provided coil for the

induction .

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment

according to the present invention the housing comprises more than one reactor chamber.

An effective pump is realized by providing more than one reactor chamber. One piezo-element preferably suffices here at the boundary surface between the two reactor chambers. A separate inlet to the reactor chambers is preferably provided here in opposite sides of the segmented pump .

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

The same advantages and effects apply for the container as described for the pump. Such a container is for instance a swimming pool, aquarium, pipe or conduit for process water, and a blood vessel. In a possible embodiment more than one type of hydrophone pump is provided in the

container. It is for instance possible here to envisage a hydrophone pump provided only with a piezo-element as first type and a second type embodied with for instance a UV-LED. Combinations with sound sources on the hydrophone pump are also possible. These different types can be placed in random manner in the container, wherein each type has its own effect on the fluid. It is also possible to provide diverse layers in the container with pumps according to the present invention. Each layer can for instance be provided here with an individual optimum setting targeted at the desired effect, for instance disinfection of a specific micro- organism. It is for instance possible here to envisage the use of different frequencies and/or amplitudes per layer. It is also possible to provide several types as well as several layers in one container, each type separately in its own layer if desired. The effect of the pump elements according to the invention can hereby be adapted to the specific desired functions.

The invention further also relates to a method for mixing, treating and/or accelerating process reactions of a fluid, comprising of providing and driving during use one or more hydrophone pumps as described above.

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

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred

embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- figure 1A shows a view of a pump according to the invention;

- figure IB shows a view of a container in which a number of pumps according to figure 1A are provided; and

- figures 2A and B show alternative embodiments of the pump according to the invention.

A hydrophone pump 2 (figure 1A) comprises a plastic housing 4 in which a reactor space 6 is provided. Fluid can flow in and flow out of reactor space 6 via opening 8 and channel 10. Provided opposite opening 8 is a piezo disc 12 with which the desired volume changes of reactor space 6 are realized.

A container 13 (figure IB) comprises a space 14 in which a liquid 16 is present. Liquid 16 enters container 14 via inlet 18 and leaves it again via outlet 20. A number of pumps 2 are provided in space 14 for interaction with liquid 16.

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

In an alternative embodiment of pump 22 (figure 2Ά) a coil 24 is placed round housing 4. This provides piezo disc 12 with a voltage. In the shown embodiment pump 22 is further provided with a number of LEDs 26 placed on the inner side of channel 10. A second coil 28 is provided on the outer side of channel 10 to thereby enable power supply to LEDs 26. Further provided in the shown embodiment on the inner side of reactor chamber 6 on a first side is a sensor 30 which emits a signal which is received to greater or lesser degree at diode 32 provided on the opposite side of reactor space 6. A measurement of for instance the turbidity can be in this way be performed. The measurement can then be sent to a processing unit using transmitting means 34.

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

Experiment

The operation of hydrophone pump 2 can be elucidated by placing thereof in a container 13 under water to which particles have been added. The particles are clearly transported through the liquid through activation of the piezo disc. The experiment hereby demonstrates that a mixing occurs. Further demonstrated here is that treatment of these particles, for instance the micro-organisms, in the reactor chamber is also a possibility. Use was made in the

experiments of a sinusoidal voltage with an amplitude of 20 Volt. At the frequency used of 340 Hz in the piezo-element the measured current is about 4 mA. Owing to the 90° phase difference between current and voltage the energy

consumption is considerably less than 100 mW, and is estimated at about 20 mW. This demonstrates the

applicability of the pump.

The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged. Particularly combinations of the stated measures are therefore an express possibility.

Claims

1. Hydrophone pump, comprising:

- a housing provided with a reactor chamber;

2. Hydrophone pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with inductive means for driving the piezo-element .

3. Hydrophone pump as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing has a volume of a maximum of 1 cm³, preferably a maximum of 0.25 cm^J and most preferably a maximum of 0.1 cm³.

4. Hydrophone pump as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the housing comprises plastic.

5. Hydrophone pump as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-4, wherein the amplitude and/or frequencies of the piezo-element are adjustable.

6. Hydrophone pump as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-5, further comprising one or more LEDs .

7. Hydrophone pump as claimed in claim 6, further comprising second inductive means for the LED.

8. Hydrophone pump as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-7, further comprising one or more sensor means.

9. Hydrophone pump as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sensor means comprise a data transmitter.

10. Hydrophone pump as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-9, wherein the inlet is lengthened.

11. Hydrophone pump as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-10, wherein the housing comprises more than one reactor chamber.

12. Container provided with at least one hydrophone pump as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-11.

13. Container as claimed in claim 12, wherein hydrophone pumps of more than one type and/or in more than one layer are provided in the container.

14. Method for mixing, treating and/or accelerating process reactions of a fluid, comprising of providing and driving during use one or more hydrophone pumps as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-11.