WO2023076149A1 - Atomiseur destiné à être utilisé dans le traitement de l'eau et son procédé d'utilisation - Google Patents

Atomiseur destiné à être utilisé dans le traitement de l'eau et son procédé d'utilisation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023076149A1
WO2023076149A1 PCT/US2022/047551 US2022047551W WO2023076149A1 WO 2023076149 A1 WO2023076149 A1 WO 2023076149A1 US 2022047551 W US2022047551 W US 2022047551W WO 2023076149 A1 WO2023076149 A1 WO 2023076149A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
flow
mixing zone
component
atomizer
influent
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2022/047551
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kelly Rock
Original Assignee
Micronic Technologies, 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
Application filed by Micronic Technologies, Inc. filed Critical Micronic Technologies, Inc.
Publication of WO2023076149A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023076149A1/fr

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/02—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by heating
    • C02F1/04—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by heating by distillation or evaporation
    • C02F1/10—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by heating by distillation or evaporation by direct contact with a particulate solid or with a fluid, as a heat transfer medium
    • C02F1/12—Spray evaporation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D1/00—Evaporating
    • B01D1/16—Evaporating by spraying
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
    • B05B1/02—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to produce a jet, spray, or other discharge of particular shape or nature, e.g. in single drops, or having an outlet of particular shape
    • B05B1/06—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to produce a jet, spray, or other discharge of particular shape or nature, e.g. in single drops, or having an outlet of particular shape in annular, tubular or hollow conical form
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
    • B05B15/50—Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter
    • B05B15/55—Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter using cleaning fluids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B7/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
    • B05B7/02—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge
    • B05B7/04—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with arrangements for mixing liquids or other fluent materials before discharge
    • B05B7/0416—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with arrangements for mixing liquids or other fluent materials before discharge with arrangements for mixing one gas and one liquid
    • B05B7/0483—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with arrangements for mixing liquids or other fluent materials before discharge with arrangements for mixing one gas and one liquid with gas and liquid jets intersecting in the mixing chamber
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B7/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
    • B05B7/02—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge
    • B05B7/10—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge producing a swirling discharge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D47/00—Separating dispersed particles from gases, air or vapours by liquid as separating agent
    • B01D47/16—Apparatus having rotary means, other than rotatable nozzles, for atomising the cleaning liquid
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/32—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from the food or foodstuff industry, e.g. brewery waste waters
    • C02F2103/327—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from the food or foodstuff industry, e.g. brewery waste waters from processes relating to the production of dairy products
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/005—Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/02—Temperature
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/03—Pressure
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/38—Gas flow rate
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/40—Liquid flow rate
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
    • C02F2303/10—Energy recovery

Definitions

  • Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for removing a solute from a solution. More particularly, the embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for the removal of organisms, minerals, other dissolved solids and/or contaminants from water using an atomizer.
  • the dairy industry for example, produces both chloride containing wastewater, and reverse osmosis retentate, both of which require additional treatment before re-use or disposal.
  • Reuse of the chloride (brine) waste stream requires concentration and removal of contaminants, while the nanofiltration/reverse osmosis retentate is generated during whey processing and can be concentrated for use as animal feed.
  • such processing can result in a reduction in the amount of water required for dairy farms to pump out of the ground and at the same time provide minerals that the cows need.
  • reusing the concentrated wastewater for road deicing (non-food grade) by local authorities can save 15% in rock salt use.
  • Such processing can provide potable water, concentrated dairy solids for use in animal feed, and result in the aforementioned zero liquid discharge into the environment of contaminated water. Any remaining slurry can be dried and encapsulated, and safely landfilled.
  • a water treatment system includes an atomizer that has an influent inlet, configured and arranged to receive a flow of fluid containing contaminants, a gas flow inlet, configured and arranged to receive a flow of gas to be mixed with the fluid in a mixing zone, an airflow controlling component, the airflow controlling component comprising a plurality of vanes, the vanes being disposed between the gas flow inlet and the mixing zone, and configured and arranged to impart a rotational component to a direction of flow of the gas, the airflow controlling component further having a downstream face that is arranged adjacent to and spaced apart from a cooperating upstream face of a second component, the downstream face of the airflow controlling component and the cooperating upstream face of the second component together defining the mixing zone, the second component further defining a channel, in fluid communication with the influent inlet and configured to receive the flow of fluid containing contaminants, and to conduct the flow of fluid containing contaminants to the mixing zone, the channel and mixing zone being configured and such that, in use, radially out
  • a water treatment system includes a blower motor, configured and arranged to blow a mixture of air and feed water influent containing contaminants through the system, a primary evaporator, including an atomizer as described herein configured and arranged to impart rotational velocity and radial velocity to the mixture to atomize it, and a heat exchanger that is configured to receive the mixture from the primary evaporator and to act as both a secondary evaporator, and to receive the mixture from the primary evaporator, and is further configured to act as a primary condenser.
  • a method of operating a water treatment system of the preceding paragraph includes operating the system as described herein.
  • the atomizer includes a mechanism for adjusting a size of the volume of the mixing zone.
  • the mechanism includes movable portions that can be adjusted to alter a distance between substantially parallel walls defining the mixing zone to adjust the volume.
  • the atomizer includes a bulbous projection extending into the outlet, that is configured and arranged to reduce dead zones. That is, the bulbous projection occupies spaces that would otherwise be dead zones, or generally reduces regions of low flow speed.
  • the bulbous projection may be, for example, conical or paraboloid in shape.
  • FIG.l is a schematic diagram of a water processing system in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a water processing system in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway elevation view of an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway isometric view of an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway isometric view of a component of an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway isometric view of another component of an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 8 is an isometric view of another component of an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a vectoring component of an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is an partially cutaway isometric view, from below, of a vectoring component of an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a component of an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 12 is partial cutaway isometric view of an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an atomizer in accordance with an embodiment.
  • FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the atomizer of FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 15 is a detail of the cross-sectional elevation view of the atomizer of FIG. 14.
  • a cycle is driven by a blower motor (shown as 30 in FIG. 1) which pushes air and fluid (which may be in the form of steam in some portions of the circuit) to be processed into evaporators.
  • the fluid to be processed includes material in solution or entrained that is to be removed from the fluid for disposal.
  • the solute may include, for example simple salt (sodium chloride) or the fluid may be industrial wastewater incorporating any variety of solutes that may be considered contaminants.
  • the fluid may include suspended solids, dissolved solids, bacteria, heavy metals, fungi, pharmaceuticals, plastic particles, and nano materials.
  • wastewater may include large loads of organic waste along with saline loads.
  • the blower may be, for example, a centrifugal pump or blower that produces a flow of air (e.g., inlet air) having a flow rate of between 30 cubic feet per minute and 3000 cubic feet per minute and a pressure of between 3 p.s.i. and 40 p.s.i.
  • the blower can produce a pressurized airflow within a plenum or the like having a pressure of approximately 5 p.s.i. at a flow rate of approximately 300 cubic feet per minute.
  • An intercooler can optionally be included to heat up the air on its way to the evaporator. Beneficially, the intercooler, along with waste heat from the power supply may also be used to warm water that is provided to the evaporator.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a water processing system 10.
  • influent water is pumped from the influent tank 64 via influent pump 90 through a secondary condenser 34, which acts as a heat exchanger to warm the influent with heat from the vapor flow passing through the condenser side of the secondary condenser 34.
  • an influent preheater 92 may be arranged downstream of the blower 30.
  • the influent preheater 92 is a heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the air/vapor loop generated in a blower 30 and use that heat to further preheat the influent flow.
  • the influent is passed to the mixing point 66 where it is combined with recirculated concentrate.
  • a recirculated concentrate feed pump 68 provides the flow of recirculated concentrate from the concentrate separator 82.
  • the mixed recirculated concentrate and preheated influent is atomized at the atomizer/primary evaporator 40.
  • the atomizer 40 (which may also be referred to as the “pod”) is a device that is configured to mix liquid influent water with high velocity rotating air to atomize the fluid.
  • the atomizer 40 is shaped such that it imparts an angular velocity and a radial inward velocity to the water droplets and is able to saturate the air. Specifics of the construction of an embodiment of such an atomizer 40 are described below in reference to FIGS. 3-11
  • the output of the atomizer/primary evaporator 40 is predominantly fine aerosols entrained in the airflow and the aerosol particulates.
  • the interface device acts to preserve the aerosols as they pass down the inside of the tubes. The heat moving through the walls of the tubes is heating the air, which lowers the relative humidity, allowing the aerosols to evaporate further.
  • the atomizer 40 is configured to produce a helical flow directed radially inward in the atomizer 40. This flow passes from the atomizer 40 into the evaporator/primary condenser 80 on the evaporator side which is the inside of the tube. This side, as described above, is maintained at a relatively low temperature and pressure. Because the blower motor 30 is on the outlet side of the evaporator 80, it produces vacuum inside the tubes, promoting evaporation in the inner region, while the outside is higher pressure promoting condensation in the outer region.
  • the action of the evaporator 80 produces water vapor, which is generally clean and constitutes the majority of the input water.
  • the remainder of the water remains as a concentrated fluid - with a high concentration of contaminants which will generally be in a droplet form.
  • the liquid concentrate and vapor are passed to the concentrate separator 82.
  • the separator 82 includes two components, a centrifugal type separator component, and a dispersion component, allowing the flows to slow down to permit the air and water to separate and the liquid to gather in a sump, where the concentrate is passed back via the recirculation pump to the mixing point 66.
  • the concentrate is pumped from the concentrate separator 82 to the concentrate tank 70 via the slurry conduit 94, while the vapor and air are returned to the input of the blower 30.
  • the vapor and air first optionally pass through the influent preheater 92 to remove excess heat from the blower motor 30 and then cool water is injected at the water injection point 96 to further cool the vapor and air.
  • the injection water is cooled by a heat exchanger 98 that uses ambient air as a coolant.
  • the injection water, vapor, and air mixture passes through an injection water recovery separator 100 which is a centrifugal separator that separates water from air, and the now hot injection water may be passed through a heat exchanger 60 before being returned to the water injection point 96 via the heat exchanger 98.
  • the other loop of heat exchanger 60 will be discussed further below.
  • the remaining vapor and air mixture passes through the primary condenser portion of the evaporator/primary condenser 80, then from there to the secondary condenser 34.
  • the primary condenser 80 the majority of the vapor is condensed to liquid.
  • a remaining portion is condensed in the secondary condenser 34.
  • the liquid, entrained in the airflow passes through a liquid/vapor separator 102 where the product water is separated from the airflow.
  • the airflow proceeds, via the heat exchanger 60 back to the evaporator to continue through the loop.
  • Product water is pumped by pump 104 from the product tank 16.
  • the heat exchanger 60 uses the airflow through its cool side to cool the injection water that is passing through the warm side of the exchanger 60. Simultaneously, the airflow is heated, lowering its relative humidity due to whatever amount of vapor remains entrained therein.
  • some of the product water may be pumped by injection water pump 105 to supply water for the injection loop where it may be injected at injection point 106.
  • the reinjection serves to align the feed rate with the evaporation rate of the system.
  • 300 gal/day of recirculated concentrate may be used for 90 gal/day of feedwater.
  • the recirculation amount will not increase in the same ratio, but rather may tend to stay at a similar rate of recirculation for a larger rate of feedwater processing.
  • the amount of recirculation can be altered as necessary to maintain the feed rate in view of empirical evaporation rates.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a particular embodiment of the separator 82 and its associated components.
  • a hydrocyclone separator 108 is included after pump 68 to further separate the recirculated material into a slurry which is pumped via the slurry conduit 94 to the concentrate tank 70, and a solids-free liquid that is recirculated to the mixing point 66.
  • FIGS. 3-11 illustrate an atomizer 40 in accordance with embodiments.
  • the atomizer 40 may be manufactured from materials including, for example, anodized aluminum, acrylic, stainless steel, aluminum, thermoset polymers, thermoplastic polymers, and composite materials or ceramics. Parts may be molded, cast, 3D printed, or machined as desired.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of an atomizer 40 while FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway elevation view of the atomizer.
  • the atomizer includes an influent channel 200, through which influent enters the atomizer 40.
  • the influent passes along the channel 200, though the frustoconical space 202, and through a narrower frustoconical region 203 into a region 204 defined between lower and upper flat surfaces, 206, 208, respectively.
  • the influent flows into this region in an inflow direction indicated by arrow 210.
  • air 211 flows through an array of vanes, or vectors, that impart a radially inward component as well as a rotational motion to the airflow, as will be discussed in greater detail below.
  • the air then proceeds along an annular passage 212 formed between the lower and upper flat surfaces 206, 208, in an air inflow direction indicated by arrow 214.
  • the inflow of air and the inflow of influent meet in a mixing zone 216 that is radially outward of the exit of the passage defined by the annular region 203.
  • the lower flat surface 206 includes an annular recess portion (218, best seen in FIG. 7) extending radially outward from a radially inner region and extending radially outward past the annular region 203.
  • an embodiment may provide for adjustability of the volume of the mixing zone. Specifically, by relative movement of the upper and lower flat surfaces 206, 208, the volume of the mixing zone may be increased or decreased, without significant redesign to the overall size and shape of the atomizer 40. Such adjustments may allow, for example, to modify a throughput of the atomizer, to reduce or eliminate dead zones in flow, to control the interaction between the influent flow and the air flow, or other effects that may result from altering the pressure ratios in the mixing zone.
  • a counterflow relationship between the air (flowing with a radially inward component) and the influent (flowing with a radially outward component) is established in the mixing zone as described above. These counterflows intersect, and where the air and the influent flows collide forcefully in the mixing zone, the surface tension of the fluid is rapidly and forcefully overcome by the airflow, and atomization of the influent occurs. The resulting stream of air mixed with atomized influent is then blown out though a frustoconical exit region 220, with a major component in a direction shown by arrow 222.
  • a bulb 224 may be included in the central region that occupies the space that would otherwise contain slower airflows.
  • the bulb 224 may be conical, cylindrical, or, as shown, generally conical with curved sides (for example, a paraboloid).
  • the specific shape and volume of the bulb 224 may be determined empirically, for example by using flow visualization techniques to determine which regions tend to have dead space, or by observing locations where material accumulates.
  • the atomizer 40 from time to time has feed water injected via cleaning inlet 230 into its input flow path to clean any deposited solids.
  • the cleaning feedwater flows into an annular cleaning water passage 232, and through a narrower passage into the region 204 where it flows radially inwardly, passing along through the mixing zone 216 and proceeding out through the exit region 220, along a path similar to that of the atomized influent.
  • the cleaning feedwater can remove deposited material, both by dissolving it, and by way of mechanical action. Cleaning may be on a schedule or an ad hoc basis in various embodiments.
  • an airflow controlling component 900 is located in a central portion of the atomizer 40, such that influent flowing through the passages 202, 203 into the mixing zone 216 meets air flowing through the passage 212 in a controlled and defined manner.
  • the airflow controlling component 900 includes an array of vectors or vanes 902 that are configured to provide a rotational component to the airflow through the atomizer.
  • Each vector 902 is angled relative to the axial direction of the airflow controlling component 900. Relative to the axial direction, this angle may be about 34°, but in general may lie in a range between about 30° and about 40°, or more particularly, in a range between 33° and 36°.
  • each vector includes a portion 904 on the upstream side that is curved or has a different angle from the primary angle of the vector 902. This curved portion 904 creates an inlet region 906 that is generally larger than the channel 908 between respective adjacent vectors.
  • an upper portion of the channel 908 is wider than a central portion thereof.
  • a portion 910 on the downstream side of each vector 902 likewise includes a curve or different angle from the primary angle of the vector 902. This creates an outlet region 912 that is generally larger than the channel 908 between respective adjacent vectors. That is, a lower portion of the channel 908 is wider than a central portion thereof.
  • the vectors may be configured such that only one, or both, of the upper and lower portions of the channel 908 is wider than the central portion. The inventor has determined that, in particular, the use of a wider lower portion improves the throughput in the mixing zone 216.
  • the vectors may further include a rounded portion 914 at the upstream side. This rounding may improve airflow, by reducing sharp corners and providing a more streamlined path.
  • each may include a sawtooth or shouldered portion 916 that can be used to engage corresponding cooperative shoulder structure 918 (see, FIG. 5) in the wall where the airflow controlling component 900 is supported and held, thereby holding it steady in place.
  • the upper housing member 1000 includes corresponding cooperating structure to provide appropriate clearance for airflow therethrough.
  • the atomizer may be constructed from a stack of components, each formed to cooperate with adjacent components to define the necessary passages.
  • it may be useful to include grooves in mating surfaces of the components for holding respective o-rings 240.
  • An array of fasteners can be used to tightly connect the components of the stack. For example, countersunk screws located in holes 242 may be used for this purpose.
  • One example of such a stacked configuration includes a lower component (600, FIG. 6), a middle component (700, FIG. 7), and an upper component (800, FIG. 8).
  • An airflow controlling component (900, FIG. 9) is held radially inward of upward extending inner ringshaped wall 802 of the upper component 800.
  • an upper housing member 1000 has the primary function of surrounding and holding the airflow controlling component
  • a top (1100, FIG. 11) may be included to complete the stack.
  • the structure as shown and described need not necessarily be manufactured from a stacked set of components. Rather, the structural features including the various channels and passages may be manufactured into either a unitary or multipart atomizer. Any particular components as described may be made unitary in any combination. Thus, the middle and upper component may be unitary, or the middle, upper, and airflow controlling components may all together be made as a unitary structure.
  • the lower component 600 includes a frustoconical portion having a central inner surface 602 that defines the exit region 200 of the atomizer.
  • An outer surface 604 of the frustoconical portion when assembled with the adjacent middle component 700, defines the space 202 through which influent flows as shown in FIG. 3.
  • a central inner surface 702 of the middle component 700 includes a shoulder 704 that provides an offset of the central inner surface 702 relative to the outer surface 604 of the lower component 600, cooperating to define the space 202 therebetween.
  • the upper component 800 is configured with respective shoulders and offsets on its lower surface 804 such that it cooperates with the middle component 700 to define the space 232 for use in the cleaning process.
  • the airflow controlling component 900 may include a central projection 920 on a downstream side of the component.
  • This projection 920 may be shaped, for example, to provide a surface against which the mixture of atomized material and air that comes from the mixing zone is directed downwards and out towards the exit region 220.
  • the projection includes a curved surface that is configured to guide flow that is inwardly radially directed such that it proceeds in a downstream direction.
  • FIG. 12 shows an atomizer 40 assembled into a portion of a system for processing water as described above.
  • the atomizer 40 is connected to an interface 1202 that is designed to guide flow from the atomizer to the evaporator/primary condenser 80.
  • the atomizer 40 is connected to the interface 1202 by a flange 1204 that may be fastened, for example, with a plurality of screws (not shown).
  • a plenum 1206 through which air flows to the atomizer 40, and screws 1208 that can be used to adjust the volume of the mixing zone as discussed above.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of an atomizer 1340 that has a different arrangement from the atomizer 40, but that operates on similar principles.
  • FIG. 14 shows a cutaway elevation view of the atomizer 1340 of FIG. 13.
  • air 1411 flows through an array of vanes, or vectors, that impart a radially inward component as well as a rotational motion to the airflow.
  • the air then proceeds along an annular passage 1512 (best seen in FIG. 15) formed between the lower and upper flat surfaces 1506, 1508, in an air inflow direction indicated by arrow 1514.
  • the atomizer 1340 includes an influent channel 1502 through which influent enters the atomizer 1340.
  • the influent passes along the channel 1502, though the frustoconical region 1503 into a mixing zone 1516 that is radially outward of the exit of the passage defined by the frustoconical region 1503 and within the passage 1512.
  • the influent flows into this region in an inflow direction indicated by arrow 1510.
  • the frustoconical region 1503 functions to provide a pathway for the flow of influent to pass at an angle along the inner wall thereof.
  • the influent flows out of the influent channel 1502, along the angled wall, towards the mixing zone in a sheet-like flow that generally has a rotational component in addition to the outward angled flow.
  • the overlapping region between the frustoconical region 1503 and the flat lower surface 1506 defines a pocket in which the mixing occurs (i.e., the mixing zone) and the influent is atomized.
  • the direction of the flow and the mixing volume may be further controlled by injection of air through the inlet 1526 formed in the flat lower surface 1506.
  • the overlap is such that an outer edge 1540 of the frustoconical region 1503 is radially outward of an inner edge 1542 of the flat lower surface 1506.
  • the inlet 1512 is defined by two substantially flat and parallel surfaces, and an embodiment may provide for adjustability of the volume of the inlet which would affect the amount of air entering the mixing zone. Specifically, by relative movement of the lower and upper flat surfaces 1506, 1508, the volume of the inlet may be increased or decreased, without significant redesign to the overall size and shape of the atomizer 1340. Such adjustments may allow, for example, to modify a throughput of the atomizer, to reduce or eliminate dead zones in flow, to control the interaction between the influent flow and the air flow, or other effects that may result from altering the pressure ratios in the mixing zone.
  • a counterflow relationship between the air (flowing with a radially inward component) and the influent (flowing with a radially outward component) is established in the mixing zone as described above. These counterflows intersect, and where the air and the influent flows collide forcefully in the mixing zone, the surface tension of the fluid is rapidly and forcefully overcome by the airflow, and atomization of the influent occurs. The resulting stream of air mixed with atomized influent is then blown out though a frustoconical exit region 1320, with a major component in a direction shown by arrow 1322.
  • a bulb 1324 may be included in the central region that occupies the space that would otherwise contain slower airflows.
  • the bulb 1324 may be conical, cylindrical, or, as shown, generally conical with curved sides (for example, a paraboloid).
  • the specific shape and volume of the bulb 1324 may be determined empirically, for example by using flow visualization techniques to determine which regions tend to have dead space, or by observing locations where material accumulates.
  • the bulb is cylindrical, with a rounded conical distal portion.
  • the atomizer 1340 may include a feedwater injection system wherein from time to time feedwater is injected via cleaning inlet 1530 into its input flow path to clean any deposited solids.
  • the cleaning feedwater flows into an annular cleaning water passage 1532, and through a narrower passage into the region 1504 where it flows radially inwardly, passing along through the mixing zone 1516 and proceeding out through the exit region 1320, along a path similar to that of the atomized influent.
  • the water purification system can include a control system (not shown) to control the flow of air and or water within certain portions of the system.
  • the control system can include a set of components such as pressure sensors and adjustable valves to monitor and/or control the flow rate and pressure of air from the blower.
  • the flow rate, pressure, and/or saturation of the solution entering or exiting the atomizer assembly and/or the evaporator assembly can be controlled. In this manner, the saturation level of the mixture can be monitored and controlled.
  • the term “sensor” can be understood to be a single sensor, an array of sensors having separate functions, and/or a multifunction unitary sensor.
  • the sensors may be monitored and controlled using a controller, which may be, for example, a programmable general purpose computer or a purpose-designed computer.
  • a first sensor monitors temperature, pressure, and flow rate at the evaporator input, while a second sensor monitors temperature and pressure of the evaporator output.
  • Additional sensors are provided to monitor temperature and pressure of the blower input and output, to monitor temperature and pressure of the condenser input and output, and to monitor the temperature of the first heat exchanger liquid input and output.
  • sensors may be provided to monitor temperature of the vapor output of the second heat exchanger and to monitor temperature of the second heat exchanger liquid input and output.
  • water may be injected into the blower output to cool it and resaturate the air before going to the primary condenser/secondary evaporator, though this is not required.
  • the blower itself produces heat, and that heat can be used as part of the energy involved in operating the system by passing the output of the blower through a heat exchanger (intercooler, as noted above).
  • a method of treating water may include using an atomizer in accordance with any of the foregoing embodiments to atomize water in a water treatment system.
  • a water treatment system may include an atomizer in accordance with any of the foregoing embodiment.
  • Embodiments of the atomizer described herein may find use, for example, in systems of the type described in U.S. Pat. App. No. 17/274,006, filed March 5, 2021, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • one or both of the evaporators may be, for example, shell and tube heat exchangers.
  • a shell and tube heat exchanger one fluid flows through the tubes while the other flows on the shell side of the tubes. Heat flows through the tube walls, so the material should be one that is a good conductor of heat.
  • Metals, including copper, copper alloys, stainless steels, aluminum, and nickel alloys may be used, for example.
  • the use of a large number of tubes provides a large surface area for heat transfer.
  • the waste stream may include some amount of liquids. That is, as the term is used in the art, it may encompass near- zero liquid discharge or minimal liquid discharge, and the solids discharged may include some amount of liquid moisture.
  • a ZLD process may include, in embodiments, a filter press or centrifuge process to remove residual moisture from the precipitated solid waste after processing with the system.
  • fluid may be understood to refer to a liquid, a gas, a liquid including solids which may be in solution or entrained, or combinations thereof.
  • atomize and “vaporize” describe the process of reducing a liquid or solution into a series of tiny particles, droplets and/or a fine spray.
  • a device or component configured to atomize a liquid and/or produce and atomized flow of a liquid can be any suitable device or component that reduces and/or "breaks" the liquid into a series of tiny particles and/or a fine spray.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Vaporization, Distillation, Condensation, Sublimation, And Cold Traps (AREA)

Abstract

Un atomiseur destiné à être utilisé dans un système de traitement de l'eau, une entrée pour écoulement gazeux destinée à recevoir un écoulement de fluide contenant des contaminants, un composant régulateur d'écoulement de l'air destiné à recevoir un écoulement de gaz destiné à être mélangé au fluide dans une zone de mélange, comprenant un ensemble d'aubes disposées entre l'entrée de l'écoulement gazeux et la zone de mélange dans le but de conférer une composante de rotation à une direction d'écoulement du gaz. Un canal reçoit l'écoulement du fluide contenant des contaminants et envoie l'écoulement de fluide contenant des contaminants dans la zone de mélange, dans laquelle un fluide s'écoulant radialement vers l'extérieur et contenant des contaminants est mélangé au gaz en écoulement radialement vers l'intérieur pour atomiser le fluide contenant des contaminants, et un orifice de sortie. Une région d'évacuation de la sortie est tronconique.
PCT/US2022/047551 2021-10-29 2022-10-24 Atomiseur destiné à être utilisé dans le traitement de l'eau et son procédé d'utilisation WO2023076149A1 (fr)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4344479A (en) * 1978-07-28 1982-08-17 Fuelsaver Company Process and apparatus utilizing common structure for combustion, gas fixation, or waste heat recovery
WO1997013584A1 (fr) * 1995-10-13 1997-04-17 The Procter & Gamble Company Atomiseur a tourbillonnement haute pression
US6045058A (en) * 1997-07-17 2000-04-04 Abb Research Ltd. Pressure atomizer nozzle
US20140034478A1 (en) * 2012-02-01 2014-02-06 Micronic Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for water purification

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4344479A (en) * 1978-07-28 1982-08-17 Fuelsaver Company Process and apparatus utilizing common structure for combustion, gas fixation, or waste heat recovery
WO1997013584A1 (fr) * 1995-10-13 1997-04-17 The Procter & Gamble Company Atomiseur a tourbillonnement haute pression
US6045058A (en) * 1997-07-17 2000-04-04 Abb Research Ltd. Pressure atomizer nozzle
US20140034478A1 (en) * 2012-02-01 2014-02-06 Micronic Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for water purification

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PAULHIAC DAMIEN; CUENOT BÉNÉDICTE; RIBER ELEONORE; ESCLAPEZ LUCAS; RICHARD STÉPHANE: "Analysis of the spray flame structure in a lab-scale burner using Large Eddy Simulation and Discrete Particle Simulation", COMBUSTION AND FLAME , vol. 212, 30 October 2019 (2019-10-30), AMSTERDAM, NL , pages 25 - 38, XP086016607, ISSN: 0010-2180, DOI: 10.1016/j.combustflame.2019.10.013 *

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