U.S. patent application number 11/992359 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-14 for nanofluid production apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Sadatoshi Watanabe.
Application Number | 20100010422 11/992359 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37888639 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100010422 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watanabe; Sadatoshi |
January 14, 2010 |
Nanofluid Production Apparatus and Method
Abstract
The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and a
method for generating a large amount of nanofluid continuously and
stably with a relatively simple, inexpensive and easy-to-use
structure, and for efficiently performing an intra-apparatus
cleaning operation to substantially reduce the nanofluid
manufacturing cost. A nanofluid generating apparatus 1 for
generating nanofluid containing nanobubbles, wherein the
nanobubbles are gas bubbles with diameter less than 1 .mu.m,
comprises a gas-liquid mixing chamber 7, comprising a turbulence
generating mechanism for forcibly mixing supplied gas and liquid by
generating turbulence, and a nano-outlet 20 for discharging the
gas-liquid mixture fluid to outside of the gas-liquid mixing
chamber to generate nanofluid; a gas-liquid supply apparatus 21,
23, . . . for supplying gas and liquid to the gas-liquid mixing
chamber 7; a pressurization pump for applying pressure to the gas
and liquid; and a control unit CR for controlling operations of the
pressurization pump 4 and the gas-liquid supply apparatus. The
control unit CR controls the gas-liquid supply apparatus and the
pressurization pump 4 to switch between a nanofluid generation mode
and a cleaning mode for cleaning the inside of the gas-liquid
mixing chamber 7.
Inventors: |
Watanabe; Sadatoshi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Konomi Takeshita
Eight Penn Center Suite 1300, 1628 John F Kennedy
Philadelphia
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
37888639 |
Appl. No.: |
11/992359 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
September 22, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2006/318846 |
371 Date: |
April 20, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60719937 |
Sep 23, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/24 ;
137/15.01; 261/74; 422/186.07; 99/323.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01F 5/0268 20130101;
B01F 5/0665 20130101; B08B 3/048 20130101; B01F 2003/04858
20130101; B01F 3/0446 20130101; B08B 3/10 20130101; Y10T 137/0402
20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/24 ; 261/74;
422/186.07; 137/15.01; 99/323.1 |
International
Class: |
A61M 37/00 20060101
A61M037/00; B01F 3/04 20060101 B01F003/04; B01J 19/08 20060101
B01J019/08; B08B 9/02 20060101 B08B009/02 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for generating nanofluid containing nanobubbles,
wherein the nanobubbles are gas bubbles with diameter less than 1
.mu.m, comprising: a gas-liquid mixing chamber, having: a
turbulence generating mechanism for forcibly mixing supplied gas
and liquid by generating turbulence, and a nano-outlet for
discharging the gas-liquid mixture fluid to outside of the
gas-liquid mixing chamber to generate nanofluid; a gas-liquid
supply apparatus for supplying gas and liquid into the gas-liquid
mixing chamber through a supply channel in communication with the
gas-liquid mixing chamber; a pressurization means for applying
pressure to the gas and liquid to be supplied to the gas-liquid
mixing chamber; and a control section for controlling operations of
the pressurization means and the gas-liquid supply apparatus,
wherein the control section controls at least one of the gas-liquid
supply apparatus and the pressurization means to switch between a
nanofluid generation mode and a cleaning mode for sterilizing,
disinfecting or cleaning (hereafter, collectively referred to as
"cleaning") the inside of the gas-liquid mixing chamber and
channels in communication with the gas-liquid mixing chamber.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein during the cleaning mode, the
control section controls the pressurization means such that a
pressure in the gas-liquid mixing chamber is lower than the
atmospheric pressure or a pressure applied during the nanofluid
generation mode, and simultaneously controls the gas-liquid supply
apparatus such that the gas-liquid supply apparatus supplies gas
and/or liquid for cleaning into the gas-liquid mixing chamber.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the gas-liquid supply
apparatus comprises a cleaning fluid generating means for
generating gas and/or liquid for cleaning during the cleaning
mode.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cleaning fluid generating
means is an ozonizer for generating ozone.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the control section activates
the ozonizer during the nanofluid generation mode as well to
generate nanofluid containing ozone, and simultaneously controls
the ozonizer such that different amounts of ozone are generated
during the nanofluid generation mode and during the cleaning
mode.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: an ozone filter
for collecting the ozone used for cleaning the inside of the
gas-liquid mixing chamber.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a beverage
generating apparatus, wherein the gas-liquid supply apparatus
supplies gas and liquid which are raw material components of a
beverage into the gas-liquid mixing chamber to generate the
beverage containing nanobubbles.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a therapeutic
fluid generating apparatus, wherein the gas-liquid supply apparatus
supplies gas and liquid for preventing or treating dermatosis into
the gas-liquid mixing chamber to generate therapeutic fluid
containing nanobubbles.
9. A method for generating nanofluid containing nanobubbles,
wherein the nanobubbles are gas bubbles with diameter less than 1
.mu.m, comprising the steps of: with a gas-liquid supply apparatus,
supplying gas and liquid into a gas-liquid mixing chamber
comprising a turbulence generating mechanism and a nano-outlet;
with a pressurization means, pressurizing the gas and liquid to be
supplied to the gas-liquid mixing chamber; with a turbulence
generating mechanism, forcibly mixing the gas and liquid supplied
into the gas-liquid mixing chamber by generating turbulence; with a
nano-outlet, discharging the gas-liquid mixture fluid under
pressure to outside of the gas-liquid mixing chamber to generate
nanofluid; and with the control section, controlling at least one
of the gas-liquid supply apparatus and the pressurization means to
perform sterilizing, disinfecting or cleaning (hereafter,
collectively referred to as "cleaning") the inside of the
gas-liquid mixing chamber and channels in communication with the
gas-liquid mixing chamber.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 based
upon U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/719,937, filed on Sep. 23,
2005 and the International Patent Application No.
PCT/JP2006/301736, filed on Feb. 2, 2006. The entire disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method
for generating nanofluid containing nanobubbles, which are gas
bubbles with diameter less than 1 .mu.m; an apparatus and a method
for generating beverages containing nanofluid; an apparatus and a
method for treating dermatosis using nanofluid; and an apparatus
and a method for assisting the growth of organisms using
nanofluid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In general, submicroscopic gas bubbles with diameter less
than 1 .mu.m (1000 nm) are called "nanobubbles," whereas
microscopic gas bubbles with diameter equal to or greater than 1
.mu.m are called "microbubbles." The nanobubbles and microbubbles
are distinguished from each other. These nanobubbles and
microbubbles have been known for various functionalities,
efficacies and manufacturing methods shown, for example, in the
following patent documents.
[0004] Patent Document 1 describes microscopic gas bubbles
(microbubbles) characterized for having diameter less than about 30
.mu.m upon their generation at normal pressures; gradually
miniaturizing over a predetermined lifespan; and vanishing or
dissolving thereafter.
[0005] The Patent Document 1 also describes examples and their
results of applying the microbubble characteristics such as
gas-liquid solubility, cleaning function or bioactivity enhancement
to improve water quality in closed bodies of water such as a dam
reservoir, enhance the growth of farmed fish and shellfish or
hydroponic vegetables and the like, and sterilization or cleaning
of organisms.
[0006] Patent Document 2 describes a method for generating
nanobubbles with diameter less than 1 .mu.m by decomposing part of
liquid therewithin. Also Patent Document 3 describes a method and
an apparatus for cleaning objects using nanobubble-containing
water.
[0007] Patent Document 4 describes a method for producing
nanobubbles by applying physical stimulation to microbubbles in
liquid to thereby rapidly reduce the bubble size. Furthermore,
Patent Document 5 describes a technology according to oxygen
nanobubble water consisting of an aqueous solution comprising
oxygen-containing gas bubbles (oxygen nanobubbles) with 50-500 nm
diameter, and a method to produce the oxygen nanobubble water.
[0008] Moreover, Patent Document 6 discloses an apparatus for
generating microbubbles by swirling pressurized liquid and gas in a
cylinder to generate pressurized gas-liquid, and discharging the
pressurized gas-liquid from a nozzle with a shape irregularly
flared towards downstream to thereby generate the cavitation
phenomena. Still further, Patent Document 7 discloses a technology
for generating ionic water by creating microbubbles with diameter
50 .mu.m or less.
[0009] As described above, nanobubbles have not only the
microbubble functionalities, but also excellent engineering
functionalities to directly affect organisms in their cellular
level, allowing a broader range of applications, such as
semiconductor wafer cleaning and dermatosis treatment, than that of
microbubbles and nanobubbles are expected to have even higher
functionalities in the future. [0010] Patent Document 1:
JP-A-2002-143885 [0011] Patent Document 2: JP-A-2003-334548 [0012]
Patent Document 3: JP-A-2004-121962 [0013] Patent Document 4:
JP-A-2005-245817 [0014] Patent Document 5: JP-A-2005-246294 [0015]
Patent Document 6: JP-A-2003-126665 [0016] Patent Document 7:
JP-A-2006-43642
[0017] It has been verified that the nanobubbles described above
are generated instantaneously when microbubbles collapse in the
water, and are known for their extremely unstable physical
characteristics. Therefore it is difficult to put nanobubbles to
practical use by stably producing and retaining them for an
extended period of time.
[0018] For this reason, the Patent Document 3 is suggesting to
generate nanobubbles by applying ultrasonic waves to decomposed and
gasified solution. However, ultrasonic generators are expensive,
large-sized and difficult to use and perform matching, prohibiting
their wide use.
[0019] Also the Patent Document 1 discloses a method and an
apparatus for generating microbubbles by force feeding liquid into
a cylindrical space in its circumferential direction to create a
negative pressure region, and having the negative pressure region
absorb external gas. However, this apparatus only generates
microbubbles, and does not stably produce nanobubbles with smaller
diameter. Similarly, applying the technology disclosed in the
Patent Document 6 does not achieve stable and low-cost generation
of nanofluid containing nanoscale bubbles.
[0020] In the meantime, when using nanofluid for processed food
products such as beverages, or medicinal products, it is necessary
to prevent impurity contamination by maintaining a high level of
hygiene. In order to achieve this, the inside of the apparatus
needs to be periodically sterilized, disinfected or cleaned
(hereafter, collectively referred to as "cleaned"). Such cleaning
work is generally carried out by immersing each disassembled part
of the apparatus separately from other parts in a cleaning
solution, or applying the cleaning solution to the parts, during
which work the nanofluid production needs to be deactivated,
resulting in higher manufacturing costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] In order to address the above challenges, the objective of
the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for
generating nanofluid, which apparatus has a relatively simple and
inexpensive structure, is easy to use, and capable of generating a
large amount of nanofluid continuously and stably, and
substantially reducing the manufacturing cost by efficient
cleaning.
[0022] In order to achieve the above object, according to a first
principal aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
apparatus for generating nanofluid containing nanobubbles, wherein
the nanobubbles are gas bubbles with diameter less than 1 .mu.m,
comprising: a gas-liquid mixing chamber, comprising: a turbulence
generating mechanism for forcibly mixing supplied gas and liquid by
generating turbulence; and a nano-outlet for discharging the
gas-liquid mixture fluid to outside of the gas-liquid mixing
chamber to generate nanofluid; a gas-liquid supply apparatus for
supplying gas and liquid into the gas-liquid mixing chamber through
a supply channel in communication with the gas-liquid mixing
chamber; a pressurization means for applying pressure to the gas
and liquid to be supplied to the gas-liquid mixing chamber; and a
control section for controlling operations of the pressurization
means and the gas-liquid supply apparatus, wherein the control
section controls at least one of the gas-liquid supply apparatus
and the pressurization means to switch between a nanofluid
generation mode and a cleaning mode for sterilizing, disinfecting
or cleaning (hereafter, collectively referred to as "cleaning") the
inside of the gas-liquid mixing chamber and channels in
communication with the gas-liquid mixing chamber.
[0023] According to such a structure, nanofluid may be generated
which contains gas-liquid mixture fluid with its large fraction of
gas and liquid miniaturized to a nano-level by supplying gas and
liquid into a gas-liquid mixing chamber provided with a turbulence
generating mechanism such as many internal irregular features,
forcibly mixing the gas and liquid while applying pressure thereto
with a pressurization means such as a pump to generate gas-liquid
mixture fluid with its gas and liquid uniformly mixed, and
discharging the gas-liquid mixture fluid under pressure from a
nano-outlet with a nanoscale channel.
[0024] In addition, the control section is adapted to between the
cleaning mode during which gas and liquid for cleaning are supplied
into the apparatus, and the nanofluid generation mode by activating
or deactivating the pressurization means and gas-liquid supply
means. In this case, during the cleaning mode, the control section
preferably controls the pressurization means such that a pressure
in the gas-liquid mixing chamber is lower than the atmospheric
pressure or a pressure applied during the nanofluid generation
mode, and simultaneously controls the gas-liquid supply apparatus
such that the gas-liquid supply apparatus supplies gas and/or
liquid for cleaning into the gas-liquid mixing chamber.
[0025] In this manner, any internal areas in contact with the
gas-liquid mixture fluid during the nanofluid generation mode may
be thoroughly cleaned, and the nanofluid generation and cleaning
modes may be instantaneously switched to each other, allowing to
minimize the time for preparing for the cleaning and time for
returning to the generation mode to thereby improve overall
manufacturing efficiency. This further enables to reduce a
nanofluid manufacturing cost.
[0026] Also by utilizing the nanofluid generating apparatus
provided with the above structure, there may be provided a beverage
generation apparatus with a simple structure capable of stably
producing a beverage containing nanobubbles. Beverages containing
nanobubbles offer unique sensation and taste by acting on cells in
the human tongue surface (taste buds, or caliculus gustatorius) and
throat internal wall, and retain their quality with nanobubbles
freely floating inside the fluid over several months to reduce the
change in quality over time (e.g., degassing in beer and carbonated
beverages). Freely floating in the beverages for a long period of
time, nanobubbles provide a secondary effect to, for example,
facilitate wine maturation.
[0027] Moreover, by utilizing the nanofluid generating apparatus
provided with the above structure, there may be provided a
therapeutic fluid generating apparatus with a simple structure
capable of stably producing therapeutic fluid (a drug) containing
nanobubbles. Liquid-type drugs containing fine nanobubbles are
capable of entering gaps in, and acting directly on cells and the
like, and are expected to provide efficacy with a small dosage.
Also for patients with various allergic dermatosis including atopic
dermatitis, treatment or cleaning with anti-irritant drugs or
purified water may be provided to reduce loads on patients such as
side effects and facilitate their treatment.
[0028] When an ozonizer is provided as a cleaning fluid generating
means, ozone generated by the ozonizer may clean the inside of the
nanofluid generating apparatus during the cleaning mode, and
ozone-containing nanofluid may be generated during the nanofluid
generation mode. Such nanofluid containing nano-sale ozone may
offer, for example, a superior sterilization effect for an extended
period. On the other hand, an ozone filter is preferably installed
around the nanofluid generating apparatus or in the vicinity of the
nano-outlet to collect ozone present in an excess amount or ozone
used for cleaning due to known direct effects of a large quantity
of ozone on human health, such as causing eye pain, headache and
breathing disorder. In addition, different amounts of ozone are
preferably generated during the nanofluid generation mode and
during the cleaning mode.
[0029] According to a second principal aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a method for generating nanofluid
containing nanobubbles, wherein the nanobubbles are gas bubbles
with diameter less than 1 .mu.m, comprising the steps of: with a
gas-liquid supply apparatus, supplying gas and liquid into a
gas-liquid mixing chamber comprising a turbulence generating
mechanism and a nano-outlet; with a pressurization means,
pressurizing the gas and liquid to be supplied to the gas-liquid
mixing chamber; with a turbulence generating mechanism, forcibly
mixing the gas and liquid supplied into the gas-liquid mixing
chamber by generating turbulence; with a nano-outlet, discharging
the gas-liquid mixture fluid under pressure to outside of the
gas-liquid mixing chamber to generate nanofluid; and with the
control section, controlling at least one of the gas-liquid supply
apparatus and the pressurization means to perform sterilizing,
disinfecting or cleaning (hereafter, collectively referred to as
"cleaning") the inside of the gas-liquid mixing chamber and
channels in communication with the gas-liquid mixing chamber.
[0030] According to such a configuration, nanofluid generation
method may be provided in a preferred manner by utilizing the
nanofluid generating apparatus according to the first principal
aspect described above.
[0031] According to the present invention, a large amount of
nanofluid may be generated continuously and stably with a
relatively simple, inexpensive and easy-to-use structure, providing
an effect to substantially reduce the nanofluid manufacturing cost.
In addition, the nanofluid generating apparatus of the present
invention allows to ensure easy and fast intra-apparatus cleaning,
capable of providing nanofluid even in the applications requiring a
high level of hygiene, and improving the overall efficiency of
nanofluid production including the cleaning process to thereby
reduce the nanofluid manufacturing cost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1(A) is a schematic view of a nanofluid generating
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,
and
[0033] FIG. 1(B) is an enlarged fragmentary view of the nanofluid
generating apparatus; and
[0034] FIG. 2 is a timing diagram showing a control flow of a
control unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below
based on the accompanying drawings.
[0036] FIG. 1(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a nanofluid
generating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present
invention; FIG. 1(B) is a fragmentary sectional view showing an
enlarged key portion M, which is circled in FIG. 1(A); and FIG. 2
is a timing diagram showing a control flow by a control unit.
[0037] The nanofluid generating apparatus 1 is composed of a
generator 2, a holding tank 3, a pressurization pump
(pressurization means) 4, a piping H in communication with the
generator 2 from a water supply source through the pressurization
pump 4 and the holding tank 3, an ozonizer O for generating ozone,
a control unit (control section) CR for switching and controlling a
nanofluid generation mode and an intra-apparatus cleaning mode, a
ozone filter F for collecting ozone, and a cleaning unit WS for
cleaning the inside of the apparatus.
[0038] A water purifying apparatus 23 is provided on the piping H
between the water supply source S and the pressurization pump 4 for
purifying water received from the water supply source S and
supplying the purified water to the pressurization pump 4. The
pressurization pump 4 may withdraw purified water from the water
purifying apparatus 23, pressurize the purified water under 13-15
atm (13-15 times the atmospheric pressure), and send the
pressurized purified water to the holding tank 3.
[0039] A by pass circuit R branches off from the piping H upstream
and downstream of the pressurization pump 4. The by pass circuit R
is provided with an air intake valve (air inlet means) 21, which is
a check valve for introducing the external air into the by pass
circuit R by being opened upon actuation of the pressurization pump
4.
[0040] The ozonizer O is disposed downstream of the pressurization
pump 4. In the nanofluid generation mode, the ozonizer O may
generate an ozone-containing nanofluid by supplying ozone into the
holding tank 3 together with the external air from the air intake
valve 21. Also in the cleaning mode, the ozonizer O generates ozone
for cleaning the inside of the apparatus. Note that this ozonizer O
may be disposed in parallel with the air intake valve 21 for
selectively mixing in the external air and/or ozone.
[0041] In the present embodiment, a cleaning fluid supply apparatus
WA is provided for supplying cleaning fluid to the pressurization
pump 4 in the cleaning mode. The cleaning water from this cleaning
fluid supply apparatus WA and the purified water from the water
purifying apparatus 23 are preferentially supplied using a
three-way valve. The cleaning fluid supply apparatus WA may be
configured to comprise a storage tank for storing the cleaning
fluid which is generated separately, or may be configured to
generate the cleaning fluid by adding cleaning agent component to
the water supplied from a water supply source (not shown).
[0042] A gas-liquid supply apparatus comprises the water purifying
apparatus 23, the cleaning fluid supply apparatus WA, the air
intake valve 21 and the ozonizer O. The control unit CR controls
the gas-liquid supply apparatus, the three-way valve and the
pressurization pump 4 to thereby switch between the nanofluid
generation mode and the intra-apparatus cleaning mode.
[0043] Specifically, in the nanofluid generation mode, when the
control unit CR actuates the pressurization pump 4 and the ozonizer
O, a pressure difference is created in the piping H between the
upstream and downstream of the pressurization pump 4 to allow the
air (external air) introduced from the air intake valve 21,
together with the ozone generated by the ozonizer O, to mix into
the purified water sent under pressure by the pressurization pump
4, and the mixture is supplied into the holding tank 3.
[0044] Whereas in the cleaning mode, the control unit CR actuates
the cleaning fluid supply apparatus WA and the ozonizer O, and
simultaneously switches the three-way valve to a cleaning position
to thereby supply gas-liquid mixture fluid of the cleaning fluid
and the ozone to the holding tank 3. During this cleaning mode, the
ozonizer O is controlled so that more ozone is generated than
during the nanofluid generation mode. Types of the cleaning fluid,
ozone contents, and the like are adjusted according to, for
example, a type of nanofluid generated and a nanofluid generation
capacity.
[0045] If the pressurization capacity of the pressurization pump 4
is 13-15 atm during the nanofluid generation, the air intake amount
from the air intake valve 21 is set to about 1-3 liters per minute.
Also in the cleaning mode, the gas-liquid mixture fluid is
pressurized under 2-5 atm.
[0046] The holding tank 3 would store therein pressurized fluid
(e.g., purified water and cleaning fluid) and gas (e.g., air and
ozone) in a predetermined ratio, and the storage capacity of the
holding tank 3 is changed according to, for example, the type of
nanofluid generated and the nanofluid generation capacity of the
generator 2.
[0047] For example, when generating fluid consisting of the
purified water and the air, the pressurization capacity of the
pressurization pump 4 is set to 13-15 atm, and the nanofluid
generation capacity is set to 40-60 liters per minute, the holding
tank 3 capacity of 12-15 liters is large enough.
[0048] Also, when modifying water stored in a bathtub or a pool
into nanofluid, 1-2 tons of water may be processed per minute by
replacing the water supply source S with the bathtub or the pool,
and storing in the holding tank 3 and also circulating the
nanofluid-containing water generated by the present apparatus.
[0049] The generator 2 is a cylindrical body with its central axis
extending vertically, and is formed of a material with superior
pressure resistance and water resistance such as stainless steel.
Both top and bottom surfaces of the generator 2 are closed to
complete; the top surface is provided with an inlet 5 and the
bottom surface is provided with an outlet 6.
[0050] Provided inside the generator 2 are a first bulkhead plate
a1, a second bulkhead plate a2, and a third bulkhead plate a3 for
axially separating compartments with predetermined intervals. The
internal space from the top surface, on which the inlet 5 is
provided, to the first bulkhead plate a1 is called a partition
space A, and the internal space from the first bulkhead plate a1 to
the second bulkhead plate a2 is called a gas-liquid mixing chamber
7.
[0051] The internal space from the second bulkhead plate a2 to the
third bulkhead plate a3 is called a valve chest B, and the internal
space from the third bulkhead plate a3 to the bottom surface, on
which the outlet 6 is provided is called a discharge space section
C. The above internal spaces A, 7, B and C are configured as
follows.
[0052] An inlet body 3a comprising a supply valve 22 is
projectingly provided at the bottom of the holding tank 3, and the
supply valve 22 and part of the inlet body 3a are inserted into the
inlet 5, which is provided at the top of the generator 2, using an
airtight structure. An open end of the inlet body 3a protrudes into
the partition space A inside the generator 2.
[0053] Provided through the first bulkhead plate a1 are two sets of
communication bores (through-holes), first communication bores 8a
and second communication bores 8b, wherein upper ends of each set
of the communication bores are positioned concentrically on a
circumference of a circle with a unique diameter about the central
axis, wherein bores are spaced apart with predetermined intervals.
The first communication bores 8a are located near the central axis
of the generator 2 and vertically (axially) provided. The second
communication bores 8b are located near the circumference of the
generator 2 and obliquely provided with their lower ends having a
larger diameter than a diameter of the upper ends.
[0054] Accordingly, fluid passing through the first communication
bores 8a near the central axis flows down vertically, and fluid
passing through the second communication bores 8b near the
circumference flows down outward. The partition space A is in
communication with the gas-liquid mixing chamber 7 through the
first communication bores 8a and the second communication bores
8b.
[0055] Inside the gas-liquid mixing chamber 7, a conical member 11,
which is an integral part of the generator 2, is vertically
provided from the center of the lower surface of the first bulkhead
plate a1, wherein the central axes of the conical member 11 and the
generator 2 align with each other. A rod section 11a, the upper
part of this conical member 11, is in a simple rod shape attached
to the lower surface of the first bulkhead plate a1, and a conical
section 11b, the lower part of the conical member 11, is flared
into a segmented conical shape.
[0056] Part of the conical member 11, especially around the surface
of the conical section 11b, is located directly underneath the
first communication bores 8a, which are provided through the first
bulkhead plate a1 near its central axis. Fluid passing the
vertically provided first communication bores 8a flows down
vertically and is received by the flared surface of the conical
section 11b of the conical member 11.
[0057] The conical member 11 is provided with grooves 12 on the
surface of the conical section 11b of the conical member 11. These
grooves 12 are preferably provided in a plurality of elongated
grooves with different depths rather than provided horizontally on
the perimeter of the conical section 11b.
[0058] On the other hand, a plurality of projecting lines 9 and
grooves 10 are axially and alternately provided on the inner
surface of the gas-liquid mixing chamber 7. The projecting lines 9
and the grooves 10 are both provided on the inner surface of the
generator 2 and are stratified. The second communication bores 8b
are respectively angled outward towards their lower openings,
ensuring that fluid passing therethrough flows down outward and is
guided to the projecting lines 9 or the grooves 10.
[0059] The cross-sectional shape of the second bulkhead plate a2 is
tapered downwardly from the inner surface of the generator 2 toward
its central axis, and the lower end of the second bulkhead plate a2
is open and creating a funnel shape. Through this opening Ka, the
gas-liquid mixing chamber 7 and the valve chest B communicate with
each other.
[0060] A projecting line 9 is also provided on the upper surface of
the second bulkhead plate a2, wherein the upper surface is facing
the gas-liquid mixing chamber 7. This projecting line 9 is provided
particularly on the top section of the second bulkhead plate a2,
forming a groove 10 similar to the above-described grooves 10
between the projecting line 9 on the top section of the second
bulkhead plate a2 and the lowest projecting line 9 on the inner
surface of the gas-liquid mixing chamber 7.
[0061] In this manner, a turbulence generating mechanism
(turbulence generating means) Z is constructed with features such
as the projecting lines 9 and the grooves 10 on the inner surface
of the generator 2 and on the second bulkhead plate a2 in the
gas-liquid mixing chamber 7; and the conical section 11b and the
grooves 12 thereon.
[0062] It should be noted that the respective locations and sizes
of the projecting lines 9 and the grooves 10 provided on the inner
surface of the generator 2 and the second bulkhead plate a2
(turbulence generating mechanism Z), the diameter and taper angle
of the conical section 11b of the conical member 11, the depth of
the grooves 12 on the conical section 11b and the like are all
freely configured according to, for example, the type, generation
speed and pressure of generated nanofluid.
[0063] For example, the height of the projecting lines 9 and the
depth of the grooves 10 and 12 may be both set to 5 mm (i.e., up to
10 mm height difference). Similarly, the internal volume of the
gas-liquid mixing chamber 7, the respective numbers and diameters
of the first and second communication bores 8a and 8b on the first
bulkhead plate a1, the cross-sectional diameter of the generator 2
and the like are also freely configured according to, for example,
the type, generation speed and pressure of generated nanofluid.
[0064] Provided on the upper surface of the second bulkhead plate
a2 under its projecting line 9 is a polished surface with platinum
chips attached thereon for ensuring high smoothness, and this
smooth surface constructs a first smooth surface section Ha. Thus,
the upper surface of the second bulkhead plate a2, except where the
projecting line 9 is located, is formed to be an extremely smooth
surface by the first smooth surface section Hb.
[0065] A platinum material was selected for its superior
polishability; in general a stainless steel material used for the
generator 2, and other metal materials are physically limited to
achieve smooth-enough surfaces by polishing in order to configure a
desirable channel width value as discussed below. In contrast,
platinum materials allow for a nearly ultimate surface smoothness
precision for forming the channel in desired sizes.
[0066] The opening Ka is the lower end of the first smooth surface
section Ha and a stop valve body 15 is passed through this opening
Ka. The stop valve body 15 consists of a rod section 15a passed
through the opening Ka of the second bulkhead plate a2 and a
opening Kb provided along the central axis of the third bulkhead
plate a3; a valve section 15b provided integrally with and
continuously to the rod section 15a at the upper end thereof; and a
stopper section 15c provided integrally with and continuously to
the rod section 15a at the lower end thereof.
[0067] The diameter of the rod section 15a of the stop valve body
15 is smaller than both the diameter of the opening Ka of the
second bulkhead plate a2 and the diameter of the opening Kb of the
third bulkhead plate a3. In addition, the dimensions of the stop
valve body 15 are configured such that the valve section 15b is
positioned over the upper surface of the second bulkhead plate a2,
and such that the stopper section 15c is positioned inside the
discharge space section C under the third bulkhead plate a3,
therefore the valve section 15b mounts over the angled upper
surface of the second bulkhead plate a2, bearing the entire weight
of the stop valve body 15.
[0068] Further, the perimeter of the valve section 15b is tapered
with the same angle as the taper angle of the upper surface of the
second bulkhead plate a2, has a predetermined axial length
(thickness), and is in close contact with the first smooth surface
section Hb formed on the second bulkhead plate a2.
[0069] Polished and highly smoothened platinum chips are attached
to the perimeter of the valve section 15b, constructing a second
smooth surface section Ha. As such, the second bulkhead plate a2
and the stop valve body 15 are in close contact with the first and
second smooth surface sections Ha and Hb facing each other.
[0070] In practice, an extremely narrow gap is naturally formed
between the first smooth surface section Ha of the second bulkhead
plate a2 and the second smooth surface section Hb of the stop valve
body 15. As previously mentioned, stainless steel and other metal
materials in general have physical limitations to achieve smooth
surfaces by polishing, creating a gap of several tens of .mu.m in
width between two smoothened surfaces made thereof no matter how
closely they are attached to each other.
[0071] In contrast, when using platinum materials to form two
extremely smoothened surface sections in close contact with each
other, the gap between the surfaces may be minimized to the order
of nanometer. Here, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the gap (hereinafter
referred to as "nano-outlet 20") between the first and second
smooth surface sections Ha and Hb, both made of the platinum
material, may be narrowed down to a nano-scale width of about 0.2
.mu.m (200 nm).
[0072] In the third bulkhead plate a3, a plurality of bores
(through-holes) 16 are provided around the opening Kb, through
which the rod section 15a of the stop valve body 15 passes,
allowing the valve chest B and the discharge space section C to
communicate with each other. The outlet 6, provided at the bottom
of the generator 2, is adapted to connect with a piping in
communication with an external processing apparatus (not
shown).
[0073] When generating nanofluid using the nanofluid generating
apparatus 1 constructed as above, the control unit CR activates the
pressurization pump 4, the ozonizer O and the water purifying
apparatus 23, and simultaneously switches (maintains) the three-way
valve to a nanofluid-generation position, as shown in a timing
diagram of FIG. 2. In this manner, purified water is guided to the
pressurization pump 4; the air from the air intake valve 21 and the
ozone generated by the ozonizer O are guided through the by pass
circuit R and the purified water, air and ozone are pressurized and
supplied to the holding tank 3. The holding tank 3 has a function
to stabilize, for example, the gas-liquid relative ratio and the
pressure applied the gas-liquid mixture fluid collected and stored
in the holding tank 3.
[0074] The pressurized purified water-air mixture fluid, i.e., the
gas-liquid mixture fluid stays in the holding tank 3 until its
volume increases to a predetermined level inside the holding tank
3, which then opens the supply valve 22 provided at the inlet body
3a. The pressurized gas-liquid mixture fluid with the predetermined
relative ratio is supplied through the inlet 5 to the decomposition
space section A, which is formed as the top partition inside the
generator 2.
[0075] Once filling the decomposition space section A, the
pressurized gas-liquid mixture fluid flows down the first
communication bores 8a and the second communication bores 8b to be
guided into the gas-liquid mixing chamber 7. In this manner, the
decomposition space section A may supply and guide uniformly
pressurized gas-liquid mixture fluid into the gas-liquid mixing
chamber 7. Alternatively, the gas-liquid mixture fluid may be
pressurized after being supplied into the gas-liquid mixing chamber
7.
[0076] The gas-liquid mixture fluid passing through the first
communication bores 8a falls down on and bounces off the upper
surface of the conical section 11b or the grooves 12 thereon of the
conical section 11b directly beneath the first communication bores
8a. At this time, the bounce-off angle of gas-liquid mixture fluid
droplets bounding off the conical section 11b, and the bounce-off
angle of the droplets bounding off the grooves 12 are different
from each other.
[0077] Thus, after bouncing off the conical member 11 as described
above, the droplets collide against the lower surface of the first
bulkhead plate a1 at different positions, further rebounding with
different angles. Due to the outward angles of the second
communication bores 8b, the pressurized gas-liquid mixture fluid
passing through the bores 8b falls down outwardly on and bounces
off the projecting lines 9 or the grooves 10, which are axially
provided on the inner surface of the gas-liquid mixing chamber
7.
[0078] The gas-liquid mixture fluid droplets colliding against the
projecting lines 9 or the grooves 10 bounce off with different
angles, further repeating many collisions against the first
bulkhead plate a1, the conical member 11, other projecting lines 9
and grooves 10 and other components of the turbulence generating
mechanism Z, while flowing downward.
[0079] Accordingly, the pressurized gas-liquid mixture fluid guided
into the gas-liquid mixing chamber 7 scatters into random
directions due to the internal shape of the turbulence generating
mechanism Z inside the gas-liquid mixing chamber 7, and maintains
its turbulent state. As the mixture liquid repeatedly collides
against and bounces off the inner surface of the turbulence
generating mechanism Z at different positions, the gas-liquid
mixing and gas bubble miniaturization progress while under
pressure.
[0080] Still pressurized, the gas-liquid mixture fluid in the
turbulent state and forcibly mixed in the gas-liquid mixing chamber
7 is forced to pass through the nano-outlet 20, the gap between the
first smooth surface section Hb on the second bulkhead plate a2 and
the second smooth surface section Ha on the vb15 of the stop valve
body 15.
[0081] After being forced to pass through the nano-outlet 20, the
gas-liquid mixture fluid turns into nanofluid with a high
nanobubble content and is supplied into the valve chest B. The size
of the nanobubble-containing nanofluid droplets is about the same
as the width of the nano-outlet 20, i.e., 0.2 .mu.m (200 nm). More
than 120,000 nanobubbles with 50 nm-90 nm diameter were verified in
1 ml of the nanofluid generated as above by measuring the nanofluid
using a nanoparticle counter, Liquid-Borne Particle Sensor KS-17
(Rion Co., Ltd.). It should be noted that in the process of
nanofluid generation, the fluid (purified water) itself becomes
divided into nano-size clusters, drastically improving its liquid
absorbency.
[0082] The nanofluid guided into the valve chest B subsequently
flows down through the plurality of bores 16 into the discharge
space section C to fill the space. The discharge space section C
collets and stabilizes the nanofluid and supplies it from the
outlet 6 to a predetermined destination. This discharge space
section C has a function to temporarily store the pressurized
nanofluid discharged from the valve chest B, depressurize the
nanofluid to the atmospheric pressure, and slows down the flow to
stabilize the nanofluid. Alternatively, a depressurizing section
and/or a holding tank may be independently provided outside of the
outlet 6. Also, the internal volume and residence time of the
holding tank is designed according to, for example, the usage of
the nanofluid, the pressure applied to the nanofluid and the type
of the gas-liquid.
[0083] As described above, nanofluid containing nanobubbles with
about 0.2 .mu.m (200 nm) diameter may be stably generated from
purified water and air using a simply-structured apparatus which is
easy to use and allows to reduce its manufacturing cost.
[0084] When cleaning the above apparatus after using it to generate
nanofluid for a period of time, the control unit CR switches each
component from the "nanofluid generation mode" to the "cleaning
mode" as shown in FIG. 2. This mode switching may be performed
automatically or regularly depending on, for example, the time or
amount of the nanofluid generation, or may be performed manually by
an operator. Moreover, the inside of the apparatus may be monitored
by a flow sensor or the like so that the apparatus may be
automatically switched to the cleaning mode when, for example, a
reference value is exceeded.
[0085] In such a cleaning mode, the control unit CR first
deactivates the pressurization pump 4, the water purifying
apparatus 23 and the ozonizer O, and waits for the gas-liquid
mixture fluid to be discharged from the apparatus. At this time,
only the pressurization pump 4 may be activated to facilitate the
discharge.
[0086] After standing by for a predetermined time, the control unit
CR activates the pressurization pump 4, the cleaning fluid supply
apparatus WA and the ozonizer O, and switches the three-way valve
to the cleaning position. This initiates the cleaning mode. At this
point, the pressurization pump 4 is set to about 2-5 atm, which is
lower than during the nanofluid generation mode, but higher than
the atmospheric pressure. This ensures efficient removal of fluid
components and the like from the surface of the grooves 10 and
nano-outlet 20, while reducing the load to the entire apparatus
including the pressurization pump 4. Additionally, the ozonizer O
preferably generates more ozone than during the nanofluid
generation mode to thereby enhance the cleaning effect. On the
other hand, the ozone filter F and an ozone sensor (not shown) are
preferably installed, for example, around the outlet 6 in order to
prevent degradation of a workplace environment due to known direct
effects of ozone in large quantity on human health, such as causing
headache and pulmonary edema. Furthermore, during the cleaning
mode, the supply valve 22 at the bottom of the holding tank 3 may
be opened at all times since there is not need to uniformly mix the
gas and liquid.
[0087] After continuing such a cleaning mode for a predetermined
period of time, the control unit CR deactivates the pressurization
pump 4, the cleaning fluid supply apparatus WA and the ozonizer O
to end the cleaning mode. When subsequently starting the nanofluid
generation mode, the control unit CR switches each component to the
nanofluid generation mode as discussed above. Note that the
duration of the cleaning mode is to be adjusted according to, for
example, the usage of the nanofluid, the type of the gas-liquid and
the internal volume of the generator 2.
[0088] As discussed above, the present embodiment allows continuous
and instantaneous switching between the nanofluid generation mode
and the cleaning mode inside the nanofluid generating apparatus 1.
This enables to minimize the time for preparing for the
intra-apparatus cleaning and time for returning to the nanofluid
generation mode to thereby improve overall efficiency of the
nanofluid generation process and reduce the nanofluid manufacturing
cost.
[0089] For example, beverages such as soft drinks and beer,
substances such as liquid-type drugs which are directly ingested or
administered into human bodies, drugs or antiseptic solutions for
treating dermatosis such as atopic dermatitis, or substances such
as lotions and shampoo which directly contact with human bodies are
strictly controlled for maintaining hygiene during their
manufacturing processes and for preventing impurity contamination.
Accordingly, when generating nanofluid used in areas manufacturing
such products, articles or substances, it is essential to maintain
a high level of hygiene by frequently cleaning the inside of the
nanofluid generating apparatus. Application of the nanofluid
generating apparatus 1 of the present embodiment to such areas
allows to maintain the hygiene level and improve generation
efficiency.
[0090] When circulating impurity-containing fluid as in water
quality improvement in closed bodies of water, gradual accumulation
of micro-sized impurities in the nanofluid generating apparatus
cannot be prevented even with various filters provided in the
circulation channels. Even for such an application, the nanofluid
generating apparatus of the present embodiment may be preferably
utilized to dramatically increase the efficiency of the water
quality improvement by allowing continuous switching between the
nanofluid generation mode (water quality improvement mode) and the
intra-apparatus cleaning mode without having to disassemble the
apparatus for its cleaning.
Variation Example
[0091] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited
to the above embodiment and may be embodied with various
modifications made to its components without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, appropriate
combinations of the plurality of components disclosed as in the
above embodiment enables various further inventions.
[0092] For example, the holding tank 3 interposed between the
pressurization pump 4 and the generator 2 may be omitted to supply
the pressurized gas-liquid mixture fluid from the pressurization
pump 4 and the air intake valve 21 directly to the generator 2.
[0093] Alternatively, pressurized liquid and pressurized gas may be
separately supplied into the generator 2 for mixing as well as
achieving the turbulent state therein. In this case, it takes a
relatively long time (several tens of seconds to several minutes)
until the pressure and gas-liquid relative ratio stabilize in the
generator 2 after supplying the pressurized liquid and the
pressurized gas separately into the generator 2, although once its
contents are stabilized, this apparatus may continuously generate
nanofluid as in the embodiment provided with the holding tank
3.
[0094] Although the above-described embodiment comprises the
conical member 11 as an internal structure of the gas-liquid mixing
chamber 7 along its central axis, and the projecting lines 9 and
the grooves 10 axially and alternately provided on the inner
surface of the generator 2, the present invention is not limited to
this configuration and, for example, a plurality of plate bodies
having guiding bores may be disposed with a predetermined interval,
wherein positions of the guided bores may vary on each plate
body.
[0095] The respective guiding bores in adjacent plate bodies do not
align with one another, making these plate bodies so called "baffle
plates" for the fluid to allow its gas-liquid mixing.
Alternatively, mesh bodies with different fineness may be provided
instead of the plate bodies to achieve similar operational
advantage. However, the mesh bodies need to be rigid enough to
resist a pressure applied by the gas-liquid mixture fluid, which is
pressurized before guided into the gas-liquid mixing chamber 7. The
key is to employ a structure which efficiently allows to generate a
turbulent state of the gas-liquid mixture fluid in the gas-liquid
mixing chamber 7.
[0096] Although the nano-outlet 20 in the above-disclosed
embodiment is a nano-scale gap naturally formed between the first
and second smooth surface sections Ha and Hb, which are in close
contact with each other and made of platinum chips, other metal
materials may be used in place of platinum if they allow a
nano-scale outlet width with special polishing technologies or
improved coating technologies.
* * * * *