WO2013151914A1

WO2013151914A1 - System for forming mini microbubbles

Info

Publication number: WO2013151914A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/034761
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas St. Lawrence
Original assignee: St Lawrence Thomas
Priority date: 2012-04-02
Filing date: 2013-04-01
Publication date: 2013-10-10

Abstract

A system ( 10) for forming mini microbubbles has a housing (14) with an upper end ( 16) and a lower end (18), a motor (30) positioned in the housing, a shaft (36) connected to the motor, a plate (38) affixed to the shaft and extending radially outwardly therefrom, and an air line (22) connected to the housing ( 14) so as to open in a space within the housing adjacent the lower end thereof between the plate and the motor. The plate (38) is positioned inwardly of the lower end of the housing. The plate has a smooth lower surface. The: motor(30) is a submersible motor.

Description

SYSTEM FOR FORMING MINI MICROBUBBLES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

jOOOlJ The present, invention relates to systems having optional delivery of multiple and mixed- phase media into liquids using partial vacno control. Particularly, the present invention relates to systems that Form mini microbubbles. More particularly, the present invention relates to aeration systems. Additionally, the present invention relates to enhancing the biological treatment of liquids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIO

[0O02J Mixing, by introducing media, such as a gas or a solid or a liquid or a combination thereof, to a liquid is a common practice when treating liquids such as fresh water, salt water and all types of waste water . As an example, aeration by the introduc tion of atmospheric air containing oxygen into water is one o f the most common methods used to biological ly support the aerobic treatment of these liquids. Aerobic treatment of carbonaceous waste requiring an adequate supply of oxygen is much more efficient tha anaerobic treatment of carbonaceous waste.

j0003| The introduction of various combinations of other gases, liquids, and solids into these liquids is often desirable and beneficial. A var iety of biological inoculations and chemical, supplements are often used to affect microbial activity and adjust chemical levels. While chtorination is commonly used In fresh water purification, nutrient additions to wastewater microbial cultures are similarly used to regulate and adjust levels of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous. The chemical oxidation and. reduction of compounds in a liquid such as water to accomplish de-n.iirifi.cation and phosphorous remediation are also common. .Desirable biological, chemical and physical activity results in problematic foaming thai, accumulate on a. liquid surface, interferes with normal apparatus operation, and can present a. nuisance.

{0004J Aerators are used to treat a wide variety of liquids and liquid volumes for a wide variety of applications. Examples of such uses include treating aquariums, septic tanks, ponds, process tanks, municipal treatment plants, lagoons, streams, lakes and oceans.

(0005} The use of mict obubbles fi lled with atmospheric air as their media has been used to provide an effective treatment for beneficial aerobic microbial remediation. The liquid under treatment can have conditions requiring mixing, quiescence, or a combination thereof. When larger bubbles are formed, they rapidly ^'rise .to the surface of a liquid and gain, in volume as the liquid pressure decreases white the bubbles rise. These larger bubbles may be captured ai various depths and reprocessed into

l smaller bubbles. Smaller bubbles remain in liquid for a longer period of time, impart less mixing, and are moved by eddy curresits and the Brownian movement of liquids. A rami microbiibble is smaller than a microbiibble, remains in liquid longer than a ierohubble, and imparts a milky appearance to liquids. Mini inicrohubbies easily flow, rapidly diffuse, and linger within a liquid. Mint mierobubbles also have more surface area than larger bubbles-. Because gas transfer to liquids is a function of the ratio of surface area to volume, the smaller mini microbobbles have a greater transfer potential and are better for aeration. Thus, there is a need for systems that can create mini mierobubbles for the treatment of a liquid.

j 006] Creation of a partial vacuum under water can be achieved with displacement of a- liquid media. Such rn.eas.ures have been used in prior art to produce a mixture of bubbles of various sizes. Managing the dynamic fluid forces that occu during the mixing, or in. particular, during aeration is important in order to produce optimum bubble sk.es.· Methods using a partial vacuum source to collectively select medi from different depths in a liquid at specific poi ts, visibly observe, or hold for sampling, have been. used.. Methods to dispense media positioned above, in or below the liquid surface are also known and used.

[0007 } A quantity of gas, such as air, that is released into water under a partial vacuum creates an unstable bubble, termed, a "vacuum bubble," which rapidly adjusts its volume until its pressure reaches equilibrium. Thus, a system for precisel controlling the size, quality and quantity of gas bubbles by using the partial -vac uum variables of pressure and volume based the Gas La P I V I ~ P2V2 is needed.

[00081 Various patents have issued related to aeration systems. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,194,144, issued, on March 16, 1993 to B lough, discloses an improved aeration device fo septic tanks which allows fi ne bubbles of air to aerate waste material i n the tank so that aerobi c bacteria ma fully perform, their decomposing function. Air enters the upper end of a shaft and exists adjacent, a propeller. The propeller is protected From interfering with its bubble formation action by a guard bushing concentrically positioned in the air tube so that typical non-organic waste adulterants, such is plastic and rubber materials that are often found in septic tanks, are not drawn into the propeller to interfere with its action.

{0009] U.S. Patent No. 5.67(>,S99, issued on October 14, 1997 to Belgln, discloses an apparatus for aerating and mixing liquids and .gases that includes a hollow housing, at least one rotating object, a rotating apparatus for rotating the rotating, object, a. shaft, and at least one adjustably positioned conduit tube. The hollow housing has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a wall that contains at least one port and the second portion has a wall that contains at least one outflow port. The rotating object is located in the second portion and has. a low-pressure side. The rotating apparatus rotates the rotating object, and is located in the first portion. The shaft connects the rotating object to the rotating apparatus. The adjustahly-positioned conduit tube passes through the inflow port and has a first end externally located from the hollow housing. The conduit tube also has a second end located in the low-pressure side so thai, upon rotation of the rotating object, a. substanc can be drawn from the first end to the low-pressure, side.

[0010] U.S. Patent No. 6,245,237, issued on June 1.2, 2001 to B lough et al., discloses an improved method- for aeration of septic tanks and the lik by drawing ^'atmospheric, air into an expansion chamber and, from there, into agitated sludg to provide low-pressure small mierobuhbles which have long hold times in the sludge material.

[00111 U.S. Patent No. 6.254,066, issued, on July 3 2001 to Drewery, discloses an apparatus for aerating liquid in a wastewater treatment tank having a submergible motor with a shaft, extending outwardly therefrom, a supporting roeniber affixed to the ubmergible motor and adapted to maintain the -submergible motor in a position within the liquid in the wastewater treatment tank, a propeller affixed to the shaft of the submergible motor, a housing extending around the propeller and the shaft, and an air tube connected to the housing and adapted to pass air interior of the ho using between the propeller and th motor. The housing has a tubular configuration with a. diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the propeller.. The housing will extending beyond an end of the propeller opposite the shaft. The air tube extends so as to have one end affixed, to the housing and communicate with an interior of the housing at an opposite end opening to an area outside of the liquid, in the wastewater treatment tank.

{0012} U.S. Patent No. 6,461 ,500, issued on October 8, 2002 to Hoage et al., discloses an improved method and apparatus for aera tion of septic tanks and the like. Because of the interrelations hi of the rotating impeller, an air plate, and the horsepower of the. unit in comparison with the volumetric size of the sludge tank, the unit disperse extremely small reduced-pressure mierobubbJes adjacent the area of the impeller. These reduced pressure. tmcrobubbles are thereafter dispersed throughout the wastewater by Brownian. movement without agitating the sludge. As a. result, there, is Substantially increased lateral oxygen ^'transfer to replace the oxygen used by the aerobic- bacteria. The sludge is therefore efficiently digested without the need for huge, expensive and energy- inefficient equ^^^

| 0l3f U.S. Patent No. 7,241 ,516, issued on July 10, 2007 to St. Lawrence, discloses a wet combustion engine that has a wet combustion chamber within a bioreactor system., an integrated computer control system that, proactively and pre-emptiveiy. uses feedback from bio-sensors to monitor, record;, and control applicable components of the bioreactor system, and a wet combustion diffusion separation-membrane chamber located within ajife-support^' chamber of the bi reaetor. In the intake cycle, a suitably prepared fuel mixture is metered into the wet combustion diffusion separatio membrane chamber located within the life-support chambe of the bioreactor. hi the combustion cycle, diffusion and combustion rates axe monitored and timed. In the exhaust cycle, products of combustion, including water and incomplete combustion by-products both, organic and inorganic, axe removed.

[0014} U.S. Patent No. 7,306,722, issued on December 1 1 , 2007 to Boage, discloses an improved apparatus and method to increase la teral oxygen trans fer in waste wa ter which eliminates -rotating impellers and air plates. As a result, less horsepower per unit can be used to achieve smaller entrained air bubbles resulting in increased residence time and enhanced lateral oxygen transfer to replace oxygen consumed by aerobic bacteria during the biodegiadatioii process. It may be used on industrial waste water sources of a!! types which are biodegradable by aerobic bacteria.

|001-5J It is an objec of the present invention to mix at least one media with a liquid.

[0016} It is another object of the present invention to mix medi with a liquid using partial vacuum pressure.

[0017} It is another object of the present invention to produce mini microbubbies that are smaller than microbubbies.

[0018} it is still another object of the present invention to produce optimal mini microbubbies^' for any given media and liquid combination.

{001 } It is another object of the present invention to create long-!astjng mini microbubbies. (0020} It is another object of the present .raven lion to remove odor and solids from waste water.

[0021 J It is anothe object of the present invention to chemically treat liquids, such as water.

[0022} it is still another object of the present inyention to transfer gases, such as dissolved oxygen, in aquacidture.

(0023} It is another object of the present invention to deliver, monitor, and control combinations of media, including gases and liquids and solids, with or without mixing.

[0024} it is another object of the present invention to. use chemical and physical processes that benefit from enhanced dissolution, catalytic combinations, extractions, and remediation.

[0025} it is still a further object of the present invention to provide a system for -forming mini microhubbles which enhances the quieceese of the treated liquids.

[0026} It is still a further objec of the present invention to provide a system for forming mini microhubbles that avoids any possibility of dogging.

j0027|These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached speci fica tion and appended claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY GF THE INVENTIO

[0028} The present invention is a system for forming mini microbubbles comprises a housing having an upper end and a lower end, a drive means positioned in the boosing-, a shaft connected to the dri e means, a plate affixed to the shaft and extending radially outwardly therefrom, and an air line connected to the housing so as to open in a space within the housing adjacent the lower end thereof between the plate and the drive means. The drive means serves to rotate the shaft. The plate is positioned inwardly of the lower end of the hoasmg.

[0029} The bousing has an annular wall at the lower end. The plate lias a outer periphery adjacen t this annular wall.

{0030} The drive means is a_. submersible motor. The housing has a support surface adjacent the lower end. The shaft extends through this support surface. The air line opens to space between the plate and the support, surface.

[0031 j The plate extends in a horizontal plane inwardl of the lower end of the housing. The lower surface of the plate is smooth. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper surface is also smooth. However, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the upper surface can have .ridges formed therein. The plate is in the nature of a disk. This disk has a clamp affixed thereto. The clam serves to secure the disk to the shaft.

[0032} The foregoing Summary of the Invention is intended to describe, in generality, the preterred form of the present, invention, it is understood that_, variations can be made from this preferred form within the concept of the present invention. This section should not be constated, in any way, as limiting of the scope of the present, invention . The present in vention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

10033} FIG URE 1 .shows a side cross-sectional view of the system of the pre sent invention as uti ! ized in water.

[0034} FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the system of the present invention.

[0035} FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection between the plate and the shaft.

{0036^'! FIGURE 4 is a bottom view showing the plate of the present invention.

[0037} FIGU RE 5 is a top view showing the plate of an alterative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

{0038} Referring to. FIG URE I . there is shown the system 1 f⁾ for the forming of mi ni microbubbles. The system 10 is employed in a body of water 12. Typically, this body of water 12 can be a liquid that is being aerohieaiiy treated.

[003.9} The system 10 of the present invention includes a housing 14 having an upper end 16 and a Sower end 18. An electrical line 20 extends to the housing 14. so as to. provide power for the drive means located within the housing 14. An ai line. 22 has one end 24 affixed to the housing 14 generally adjacent the lower end 18 thereof. The air line 22 extends so as to have another end 26 located above the body of water 12 or connected to a source of air.

{0040} When the system 10 is operated, mint microbabbles 2S will be released from the lower end 18 of the housing 14, in the manner described hereinafter.

[0041 } in FIGURE 2, it .can be see that a mo t or 30 is recei ved w i thin an interior 32 of housin g 14. The motor 30 is in the nature of a submersible motor. The electrical line 20 is connected to the motor 30 and extends outwardl of the housing .14. A support surface 34 i s formed across the housing 1 generally adjacent to the lower end 18 thereof The motor 3.0 has a shaft 36 extending downwardly therefrom. Shalt 36 extends through bearings formed in the support surface 34 or otherwise through the support surface 34. A plate 38 Is affixed to the shaft 36 in a position generally adjacent to the lower end 1.8 of the .housing 14. hi particular, the plate 38 extends radially outwardly of the shaft 36. The lower end 1.8 of the housing 14 has an annular all 40 formed therein. The periphery of the plate 38 will be adjacent, to the annular wall 40. The piate 38 extends in a generally horizontal plane and in a recess inwardly of the lower end 18 of the housing 14,

[0042 } The air l ine 22 has the end 24 opening to the space 42 between the upper surface of the plate 38 and the support surfac 34. As such, ait will enter the space 4:2 during the rotation of the plate 38.

[0043] FIGURE 3 shows how the plate 38 is secured to the shaft 36.. hi particular,, a clamp 44 is affixed to the plate 38, Clamp 44 will extend around the .shaft 36. A set screw' .46 can be utilised so as to fix the clamp 44 to the exterior surface of the shaft 36, As such, the plate 8 is securely mo nted on the shaft 36.

[0044} FIGURE 4 Shows a bottom view of the plate 38. It can he seen that the plate 38 is a disk having an entirel smooth lower surface 48. The clamp 44 is positioned centrally of the plate 38.

[0045] FIGURE 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the piate 38 and shows, in particular, a different ^'arrangement of the upper surface 50 of plate 38. In FIGURES 3 and 4, the plate 38 has generally smooth upper surface. However, in FIGURE S, it. can he seen that there are ridges 52 formed on this upper surface 50 of plate 38. Ridges 52 can be in the nature of vanes that extend upwardly in a generally arcuate fashion. It is believed, that it is possible that the use of such ridges 52 enhances the turbulent nature of the air flow passing to the upper surface 50 .from the air line 22,

[0046] In operation, the smooth plate 3 creates a partial vacuum in the area between, the space 42. The. rotation of the plate 3.8 causes, water to spin out and slam against the annular wall 40. This creates the requisite turbulence for the formation of the mini icrohubbles. Since the surfaces of the plate 38 entirely are smooth, there are no possibility of the accumulation of material in holes, vanes, or other areas .formed on the surface of the blades,. As such, the mini mi.crobubbl.es can be produced by the system 10 of the present .invention without interruption, maintenance, or repair. j0047| The system 10 of the present invention is novel because the system 10 can be conveniently adjuste for bubble quality (e.g. predominant size) and quantity (e.g. selective gas volume). ^'First, the distance between the support surface 34 and the plate 3.8 can he adjusted. This distance defines the equalization area where media mixed with the liquid due to the turbulence created by the plate 38. It is a the depth of this area that bubbles form and then are released .into the liquid around the periphery of the plate 38 adjacent to the annular wail 40. This seemingly instantaneous collapse, invaeination of bubbles to a point of pressure equalisation is in direct response to the pressure of the liquid in the equalization area. Invaeination is the process in which a gas is introduced into a liquid and specifically refers to the point where the pressure inside a bubble equals the pressure of the liquid surrounding the bubble. The m dia passing into the equalization area presents a unique opportunity to control ultimate bubble size. The milky appearance of resulting mini mierobubbles Is example of such control. The gas between the annular wail 40 and the periphery of the plate 38 is the primary lateral point of release foriheliquid itTamedwim

Lateral release in this particular area can be useful and desirable for reasons such as added mixing, excluder purging and directional discharging and recovery to and from remote areas.

[0048 } The depth of deployment to of the system 10 below the .surface of the body of water 12 can be adjusted. The position of the housing 14 and the motor 30 can be adjusted vehicle upwardly or vehicle downwardly. It can also be angled in a desired direction. At a given depth,, the medi flo and partial vacuum can be adjusted to reach a desired bubble si¾e. At an time, by inserting a temporary transparent, connection (e.g. clear tubing) a partial pressure can be measured in real time. Using this simple partial pressure observation, and by adjusting die air inflow accordingly, the partial vacuum range can be selected and adjusted until a desired bubble size is generated.

[ft049| The foregoing disclosure and description of the in vention is illustrative, and explanator thereof. Various changes In the details of the illustrated, construction Can be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should be limited only by the following claims and- their legal equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS ] claim::

1. A system for forming mini microbubbles, the system comprising:

a housi ng having an upper end and a lower end;

a drive means positioned in said housing;

a shaft connected to said drive means, said drive means for rotating said shaft; a plate affixed to said shaft and extending radially outwardly therefrom, said plate positioned inwardly of said lower end. of said housing; and

an air line connected to said housing so as to open in a space within said housing adjacent said lower end thereof between said plate and said drive means.

2. The system of Claim 1, said housing having an annular wall at said lower end, said, plate having an outer periphery adjacent said annular wail.

3. The system of Claim 1 , said drive means being a submersible motor, said housing having a support surface adjacent said lower end, said shaft extending through said support surface, said air line opening to space between said plate and said support .surface.

4. The system of Claim 1 , said plate extending in. a horizontal plane inwardly of said lo wer end of said housing.

5. The system of Claim L said plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surface being smooth.

6. The system of Claim 5, said tipper surface being smooth.

7. The system, of Claim 5, said upper surface ha ving ridges formed, therein.

8. The system of Claim I, said plate being disk, said disk having a clamp affixed thereto, said, clam securing said disk to said shaft.

9. A system for fomii.ng mini niierobubbles, the system comprising:

a housing having an upper end and a lo er end;

a motor posi tioned in said housing, said motor having a shaft ex tending do wnwardly therefrom;

a plate affixed to said shaft, said plate having an entirely smooth lower surface; and an air line extending so as to open in a space between said, plate and said motor.

10. ^'The system of Claim 9, said plate positioned in a recess formed inwardly of said lower end of said housing,

1 1. The system of Claim i. II said r cess having aft annular wall, said plate^'havmg;.¾.periphery adjacent said annular wall.

12. The system of Claim 9, said motor ^'being, a. submersible motor, said housing having a support surface adjacent said, lower end, said shaft, extending through said: support: surface, said air line opening to space between said plate and said support surface.

13, The system of Claim 9, said plate extending hi a. horizontal plane inwardly of said lower end of said housing.

14, The system of Claim 9, said plate having a ridges formed on an upper surface thereof

15.. The system of Claim 9, said plate being a disk, said disk having a clamp affixed thereto, said clamp securing said disk to said shaft.

16. A system for forming mini niierohubhies, the system comprising:

a housing ha ving a lower end;

a motor having a shaft extendi ng downwardly therefrom, said shaft extending i said housing toward said, lower end thereof;

a plate affixed to said shaft., said plate positioned in a recess inwardly of said lo wer end of said housing, said plate having a smooth lower surface; and

an. air line extending so as to open io a space above an upper surface of said plate.

17. The system of Claim 16, said motor being a submersible motor, said housing having said motor therein.

18. The system of Claim 17, said housing having a support surface adjacent said Sower end thereof, said slrf

surface, said air line affixed io said housing so as to open to a space between said plate and said support surface,

1 . The system of Claim 16, said plate extending in a generally horizontal plane, sai d recess having an annular wall, said plate having a periphery adjacent to said annular wail.

20. The system of Claim 16, said plate being a disk, said, di sk having a clamp affixed thereto, said clamp securing said disk to said shaft, said dish having an entirely smooth lower surface.