Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
  • F15D—FLUID DYNAMICS, i.e. METHODS OR MEANS FOR INFLUENCING THE FLOW OF GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F15D1/00—Influencing flow of fluids
  • F15D1/002—Influencing flow of fluids by influencing the boundary layer
  • F15D1/0025—Influencing flow of fluids by influencing the boundary layer using passive means, i.e. without external energy supply
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
  • A01G33/00—Cultivation of seaweed or algae
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
  • E03F—SEWERS; CESSPOOLS
  • E03F11/00—Cesspools

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to a system for improving fluid circulation in a fluid- body and particularly to a system for improving fluid circulation in a fluid-body, wherein the fluid-body is a pond with improved hydrodynamics, minimized dead zones & a system with minimized energy losses.
• a raceway pond is a shallow artificial pond used in growth of microorganisms like algae.
• the Raceway pond can be of two types open ponds and closed ponds.
• the raceway ponds have been used for different types of industrial requirements.
• the raceway pond consists of many rectangular grids connected to and in fluid communication with each other and each rectangular grid consists of one channel in an oval shape to form automotive raceway circuit.
• each rectangular grid of raceway pond consists of a dividing element that turns the flow of fluid by 180° therewithin.
• the raceway pond may consists of a pumping mechanism such as paddle wheel in the rectangular grids to induce the flow movement required for various purposes such as waste water treatment, l microorganism growth such as bacteria, algae, and for mixing of ingredients such as chemical ingredients.
• the velocity of the fluid in the raceway pond is about 10 - 40 cm/s and the depth of the fluid in the raceway pond is about 15-30 cm.
• the bends of the dividing-element forms hairpin like structure or dumbbell like structure. Basically, while the raceway pond is in operation, the fluid flowing takes 180° turn near the bends of each dividing-element and this leads to boundary layer separation at the extremities of the dividing-element leading to the recirculation of fluid and fluid velocity stratification. This, in turn, leads to the formation of dead zones in the immediate vicinity of the bends.
• the dead zones result in an increase in the population of unwanted microorganisms such as grazers that leads to frequent crashing of the raceway pond, which may be caused due to inefficient mixing.
• Liffman et al proposes a number of 3-D bend geometries that deflect the flow to the outer edge of the bend and retain a channel cross-sectional area, thereby minimizing energy losses due to centrifugal forces. Numerical modeling was used to model bend configurations.
• Liffman et al discloses a cultivation pond with symmetrical tear-drop profile on both sides of the dividing-element of each rectangular grid for improving the fluid flow profile.
• the symmetrical tear-drop profile on both the sides of the dividing- element reduces the area available for the growth of microorganisms, thereby increasing the pressure drop and hence such system as disclosed by Liffman et al consumes more power.
• United States Patent Application US20120272574 discloses algae cultivation ponds having a contraction zone, an expansion zone, and vanes within the expansion zone of the cultivation pond. This patent application discloses the cultivation pond having the bend at any one of the extremity of the dividing- element that forms the tear-drop profile at any one side of the extremity of the dividing-element.
• One disadvantage of the conventional system is that it fails to provide a system with minimized dead zones and velocity stratification around the bend regions of the system.
• Another disadvantage of the conventional system is that it does not eliminate local recirculation of the fluid flowing within the system and prohibiting for flow separation.
• Still another disadvantage of the conventional system is that it does not provide a system with minimal energy losses associated with the fluid flow at the bends within the system.
• Yet another disadvantage of the conventional system is that it does not provide a system with minimal power requirement for fluid flow.
• Yet another disadvantage of the conventional system is that it does not provide a system with minimal loss of operational area.
• Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system which eliminates local recirculation of the fluid flowing within the system and prohibiting for flow separation.
• Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system with minimal energy losses associated with the fluid flow at the bends within the system. Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system with minimal power requirement for fluid flow.
• Further object of the present disclosure is to provide a system with minimal loss of operational area.
• Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system with improved hydrodynamic behavior.
• a system for improving fluid circulation in a fluid-body comprising, at least one dividing-element disposed within said fluid-body, wherein, the dividing-elements divides the fluid-body into at least two segments such that the segments are connected to and in fluid communication with each other, characterized in that, at least one of the dividing-element has at least one asymmetrical structure configured on at least one extremity thereof.
• the asymmetrical structure of the system comprising a leading tapered side wall connected to a first operative horizontal surface parallel to the dividing-element, a first curved surface forming an extension of said the operative horizontal surface, a second curved surface forming an extension of the first curved surface and connected to the second operative horizontal surface parallel to the dividing-element, and a trailing tapered side wall is an extension of the second operative horizontal surface and the trailing tapered side walls is connected to the dividing element.
• leading tapered side wall, the first operative horizontal surface, the first curved surface, the second curved surface, the trailing tapered side wall forms a continuous asymmetrical structure of the system.
• leading tapered side wall is inclined at a leading angle " ⁇ " to a longitudinal axis of the dividing-element and the trailing tapered side wall is inclined at a trailing angle " ⁇ " to the longitudinal axis of the dividing-element.
• leading angle " ⁇ " is less than the trailing angle " ⁇ ".
• the inception of the leading tapered side wall is closer to one of the extremities of the dividing element, and the inception of the trailing tapered side wall is distant to one of the extremities of the dividing element, such that the inception points of the leading tapered side wall and the tapered side wall are different or not coincident.
• the dividing-element has a structure that is at least one structure chosen from a group consisting of: a hollow structure, a solid structure, a hollow structure filled with a fluid, a perforated solid structure, a perforated hollow structure, a semi-solid structure and a combination thereof.
• the dividing-element is made up materials chosen from a group consisting of masonry, clay, plastic, wood, metal and fibrous material.
• the asymmetrical structure is secured at one of the extremities of the dividing-element.
• the asymmetrical structure is removably attached at one of the extremities of the dividing-element.
• the asymmetrical structure has a shape chosen from a group consisting of an irregular hairpin and irregular dumbbell.
• the dividing-element and the asymmetrical structures are inflatable and are made of an elastic material.
• the dividing-element and the asymmetrical structures are inflated with one or more fluids and mixtures thereof.
• a pumping mechanism is provided in the fluid body that creates at least one of, clockwise circulation and anticlockwise circulation within segments of the fluid-body.
• the pumping mechanism for circulating the fluid within the fluid-body is at least one like a paddle wheel, a propeller, a linear jet.
• the fluid circulation in at least two segments is from first segment to last segment and from last segment to first segment through intermediate segments.
• the configuration and flow of the fluid in the fluid body is such that it first comes in contact with the leading tapered side wall and then it comes in contact with the trailing tapered side wall forming an asymmetric fluid profile.
• Figure 1 illustrates a schematic top view of the system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
• Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of an asymmetrical structure of Figure 1
• Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of another asymmetrical structure of Figure i ;
• Figure 4 illustrates a schematic top view of segments of the system in series with one another
• Figure 5 illustrates a simulated velocity profile for the system in accordance with the present disclosure
• Figure 6A illustrates a simulated velocity profile for the system with no asymmetrical structures at the extremities of a dividing-element
• Figure 6B illustrates a simulated velocity profile for the system with symmetrical structures at the extremities of a dividing-element
• Figure 6C illustrates a simulated velocity profile for the system in accordance with the present disclosure.
• the system includes at least one dividing-element and at least one asymmetrical structure at the extremities of the dividing-element.
• the structure is asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the dividing-element and disposed on at least one of the extremities of the dividing- element.
• the system with aforementioned configuration will eliminate the local recirculation regions and velocity stratification neat the extremities of the system.
• Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment for improving the fluid circulation in a fluid- body for the growth of micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae.
• the system (100) is used for algae cultivation.
• the system 100 comprising a dividing-element (102), at least one asymmetrical structure (104A and 104B) disposed at the extremities of the dividing-element (102), and a boundary wall (106).
• the boundary wall (106) is curved or rounded at the extremities of the rectangular cylinder such that it forms a continuous rectangular cylinder.
• the dividing-element (102) has a width of about 30 cm.
• the boundary wall (106) is joined to two longitudinal side portions and forms the closure to the dividing-element (102) and asymmetrical structures (104 A and 104B).
• the dividing-element (102) is placed at some distance from the boundary wall (106) and defines a fluid flow channel between each longitudinal side portion and dividing-element (102).
• the asymmetrical structures (104A and 104B) around the longitudinal axis of the dividing-element (102) are located at the extremities of the dividing-element (102).
• the longitudinal length of the boundary wall (106) is "A” and breadth of the boundary is “B", wherein "A” is greater than “B”.
• longitudinal length of "A” is in the range of from 140 meters to 400 meters, and breadth “B” in the range of from 14 meters to 25 meters.
• length of the dividing-element (102) may vary in the range of from 126 meters to 375 meters.
• the system (100) comprises at least one pumping mechanism (120) wherein a pumping mechanism (120) is at least one like a paddle wheel, a propeller, provided in the fluid body that creates at least one of, clockwise circulation and anticlockwise circulation within segments of the fluid-body.
• the circulation of the fluid in the fluid body is induced by the continuous transfer of the momentum from the pumping mechanism (120).
• the circulation of the fluid in the flow channel may be either in, clockwise direction or anticlockwise direction around the dividing- element (102) and at least one of the asymmetrical structures (104 A and 104B).
• Figure 2 illustrates one of the asymmetrical structure (104 A) of the system 100, wherein the asymmetrical structure (104 A) comprising of a leading tapered side wall (108 A) connected to a first operative horizontal surface (112A) parallel to the dividing- element (102), a first curved surface (114A) forming an extension of the first operative horizontal surface (112A), a second curved surface (116A) forming an extension of the first curved surface (114A) and connected to the second operative horizontal surface (118A) parallel to the dividing-element (102), a trailing tapered side wall (11 OA) is an extension of the second operative horizontal surface (118A) and the trailing tapered side wall (110A) is connected to the dividing element (102).
• the asymmetrical structure (104 A) comprising of a leading tapered side wall (108 A) connected to a first operative horizontal surface (112A) parallel to the dividing- element (102), a first curved surface (114A) forming an extension
• leading tapered side wall (108 A) is inclined at a leading angle " ⁇ " to a longitudinal axis of the dividing-element (102) and the trailing tapered side wall (11 OA) is inclined at a trailing angle " ⁇ " to the longitudinal axis of the dividing-element (102) such that the leading angle " ⁇ " is less than the trailing angle " ⁇ ".
• the inception (XI) of one of the leading tapered side wall (108 A) is closer to one of the extremities of the dividing element (102) and the inception (Yl) of one of the trailing tapered side wall (11 OA) is distant to one of the extremities of the dividing element (102) such that the distance of the inception point (Yl) is twice the distance of the inception point (XI) from one of the extremities (El) on the dividing-element (102).
• Figure 3 illustrates the another embodiment of the system (100), according to the another embodiment, the system (100) comprising of at least one of the asymmetrical structure (104B) which comprises of a leading tapered side wall (108B) connected to a first operative horizontal surface (112B) parallel to the dividing-element (102), a first curved surface (114B) forming an extension of the first operative horizontal surface (112B), a second curved surface (116B) forming an extension of the first curved surface (114B) and connected to the second operative horizontal surface (118B) parallel to the dividing-element (102), a trailing tapered side wall (HOB) is an extension of the second operative horizontal surface (118B) and the trailing tapered side wall (1 10B) is connected to the dividing element (102).
• the asymmetrical structure which comprises of a leading tapered side wall (108B) connected to a first operative horizontal surface (112B) parallel to the dividing-element (102), a first curved surface (114B
• leading tapered side wall (108B) is inclined at a leading angle " ⁇ " to a longitudinal axis of the dividing-element (102) and the trailing tapered side wall (HOB) is inclined at a trailing angle " ⁇ " to the longitudinal axis of the dividing-element (102) such that the leading angle " ⁇ " is less than the trailing angle " ⁇ ".
• the inception (X2) of one of the leading tapered side wall (108B) is closer to one of the extremities of the dividing element (102) and the inception (Y2) of one of the trailing tapered side wall (HOB) is distant to one of the extremities of the dividing element (102) such that the distance of the inception point (Y2) is twice the distance of the inception point (X2) from one of the extremities (E2) on the dividing-element (102).
• the asymmetrical structures (104A and 104B) of the system 100 may be securely attached or removably attached to the dividing-element (102).
• the dividing-element (102) and the asymmetrical structures (104 A and 104B) may be made up of any material selected from masonry, clay, plastic, wood, metal, and fibrous material and the asymmetrical structures (104A and 104B) has a shape chosen from a group consisting of an irregular hairpin and irregular dumbbell.
• the dividing-element (102) and the asymmetrical structures (104 A and 104B) are inflatable made of any elastic material and the dividing-element (102) and the asymmetrical structures (104 A and 104B) are inflated with one or more fluids and mixtures thereof.
• the length of the first operative horizontal surfaces (112A and 112B) is in one of the embodiment, the length of the first operative horizontal surfaces (112A and 112B) "ai" can be 0;
• the length of the second operative horizontal surfaces (118A and 118B) is "a 2 ",wherein in one of the embodiment, the length of the second operative horizontal surfaces (118 A and 118B) "a 2 " may be o;
• the arrangement of the asymmetrical structures (104A and 104B) at the extremities of the dividing-element (102) is such that the length of the leading tapered side walls (108 A and 108B) "li" is less than the length of the trailing tapered side walls (1 1 OA and 1 1 OB) "1 2 ", the length of the first operative horizontal surfaces (112A and 112B) "ai” is less than the length of the second operative horizontal surfaces (118A and 118B) "a 2 ",the radius of curvature of the first curved formations (114A and 114B) "R " is less than the radius of curvature of the second curved formations (116A and 116B) is "R ".
• Figure 4 illustrates the system (200) in which at least one dividing-element (202) disposed within the fluid-body, wherein, the dividing-elements (202) divides the fluid-body into at least two segments such that the segments are connected to and in fluid communication with each other.
• the fluid circulation in at least two segments is from first segment to last segment and from last segment to first segment through intermediate segments and configuration and flow of the fluid in the fluid body. Furthermore, the fluid circulation in the fluid body is such that it first comes in contact with at least one of the trailing tapered side wall (218) and then it comes in contact with at least one leading tapered side wall (208) forming an asymmetric fluid profile due to asymmetric structures (204).A plurality of baffles 206 may be provided at each arcuate bend of the system (200).
• the system (100) and (200) with improved flow of fluid ensures the complete elimination of the dead zones and velocity stratification around the dividing- element (102) and (202), thereby enhancing energy efficiency of the system (100) and (200), and reducing the power consumption of the pumping mechanism (120) without compromising on the area for the fluid flow.
• Figure 5 shows the result of the simulated velocity profile of the system (100).
• the system (100) has minimal dead zones around the dividing-element (102).Further, during the operation , it was observed that the system (100) has no velocity stratification around the dividing-element (102).
• the results as per Figure 5, indicates that the change in flow direction occurs smoothly at both the extremities of the dividing-element (102) with no dead zones near and around the dividing-element (102).
• Figure 6A, Figure 6B, Figure 6C illustrates the simulated velocity profile with no structures at the extremities of the dividing-element (100) of the system 100 and with the symmetrical structures (104 A and 104B) at the extremities of the dividing-element (102).
• the system (100) has minimal velocity stratification, minimal pressure drop at the extremities of the dividing- element (102) and minimal energy loss of the fluid.

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• 2014
  • 2014-10-21 MX MX2016005458A patent/MX2016005458A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2014-10-21 WO PCT/IN2014/000671 patent/WO2015075739A2/en not_active Ceased
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• 2016
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