Apparatus and methods for moving a working fluid by contact with a transport fluid
US7111975B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/87595
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fluid mover (1) includes a passage (3) of substantially constant cross section into which supersonic steam is injected through an annular nozzle (16) as a transport fluid to contact a working fluid, e.g. a liquid, to be treated, the passage further including a mixing chamber (3A) downstream of the steam injection where the mixture is accelerated upon the creation of a low pressure zone occasioned by the condensation of the steam, a dispersed droplet regime and a shock wave being generated downstream of the nozzle (16). A pseudo-convergent/divergent section is created and provides a flexible boundary in the absence of physical constraints to yield an improved performance by combining shear dispersion and/or disassociation with the effects of the shock wave. The fluid mover (1) may be used in a wide variety of applications for pumping, heating, mixing, disintegrating, classifying and separating among others.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.