U.S. patent application number 15/574417 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-24 for liquid movement and/or collection apparatus and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is University of Durham. Invention is credited to Jas Pal Badyal, Matthew Harris, Rowan M. Von Spreckelsen.
Application Number | 20180142449 15/574417 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53506118 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180142449 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Badyal; Jas Pal ; et
al. |
May 24, 2018 |
LIQUID MOVEMENT AND/OR COLLECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD
Abstract
The invention relates to the provision of apparatus which
includes a panel, and the panel itself for the at least partial
collection and/or movement of liquid across a surface thereof
typically the surface on which the liquid impacts, said panel
formed by a series of members which are respectfully located and
formed so as to define a plurality of slots and/or apertures in the
said panel whilst the same are provided in a form to ensure that a
significant proportion of the liquid passes along the surface on
which the same impacts to be collected and/or dispensed from the
panel rather than passing through the said slots and/or
apertures.
Inventors: |
Badyal; Jas Pal; (Durham,
GB) ; Von Spreckelsen; Rowan M.; (Durham, GB)
; Harris; Matthew; (Durham, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
University of Durham |
Durham |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
53506118 |
Appl. No.: |
15/574417 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
May 20, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2016/051452 |
371 Date: |
November 15, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02A 20/108 20180101;
F24F 13/22 20130101; E03B 3/02 20130101; F24F 2013/228
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03B 3/02 20060101
E03B003/02; F24F 13/22 20060101 F24F013/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 21, 2015 |
GB |
1508712.5 |
Claims
1: Apparatus for the at least partial collection and/or movement of
liquid, said apparatus including at least one panel formed by a
series of members which are respectively located and formed so as
to define a plurality of slots and/or apertures in the said
panel.
2: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the said members are
formed as an integral, unitary, panel.
3: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the panel includes a
first group of members which are spaced apart and arranged
substantially in parallel and a second group of members which are
spaced apart and arranged substantially in parallel and at an angle
offset to the members of the first group.
4: Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein a third group of members
are provided which are spaced apart and arranged substantially
parallel at an angle offset to the members of the first group and
at an angle substantially equal to but opposing that of the members
of the second group.
5: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the members are provided
so as to form a mesh with a repeating pattern across the panel
which is formed.
6: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the said members are
arranged so as to form a series of substantially diamond,
parallelogram or polygon shaped apertures across the panel.
7: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the panel parameters
which are controlled for the said panel include any, or any
combination, of the size of the aperture defined by the respective
members, the shape of the aperture, the angle of offset of the
respective members, the arrangement of the mesh pattern with
respect to the direction or directions from which the liquid will
impact on the panel in use, the arrangements of the mesh pattern
with respect to the direction or directions from which the liquid
will collect and/or the tilt angle of the panel.
8: Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the panel is formed with
a substantially uniform mesh pattern.
9: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the panel is provided
with, or is part of, a support structure.
10: Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the position of the
structure in use is determined and controlled such that the
incident liquid stream which contacts with the structure will
contact with the panel within a predetermined angle range in order
to allow the water movement and/or collection performance of the
panel to be achieved within a predetermined efficiency range.
11: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the flow of liquid
across the contact surface of the panel rather than through the
apertures is achieved by providing the panel in a position such
that said surface is at an angle which is greater than 10 degrees
from horizontal.
12: Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the panel is tilted by
20.degree. or more from the horizontal (.PHI.=70.degree.).
13: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the surface wettability
of the panel is controlled in order to control an increase in the
value of .PHI. at which the panel will start to allow liquid to
pass through the apertures in the panel.
14: Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the orientation of the
panel with respect to the incident water flow is controlled in
order to define the efficiency of water collection and/or
movement.
15: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the panel has formations
provided thereon which encourage the flow of liquid thereacross to
one or more predefined locations.
16: Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the said formations act
as means to encourage the drainage of the liquid from the panel
into liquid collection means and thereby minimise uncontrolled flow
of liquid from the panel.
17: Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the panel is formed
with a plurality of substantially V or U shaped channels at least
adjacent the edge of the panel from which the liquid leaves the
same so as to encourage the liquid to flow along said channels as
it leaves the said surface of the panel.
18: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the panel which is
formed is substantially planer.
19: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a
panel formed as a breathable mesh structure which is used for the
diversion of the liquid which impacts the surface of the same.
20: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least the surface of
the panel on which the liquid impacts, is subjected to one or more
surface treatments.
21: Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the treatment is plasma
treatment.
22: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least the surface of
the panel on which the liquid impacts is provided so as to act as a
switching surface by being oleophobic, oleophilic, hydrophobic
and/or hydrophilic and having a breathable mesh structure for
liquid diversion.
23: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the panel acts as a
filtration means to allow separation of solids from a liquid which
impact onto the surface of the panel or to allow the separation of
different liquids which impact onto the panel.
24: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least some of the
members are surface formed so as to be puckered.
25: Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least two of said
panels are provided substantially in parallel and spaced apart by a
predetermined distance.
26: Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the said panels are
provided with mesh patterns of different configurations.
27: Apparatus which includes at least one panel having a surface
located so as to be impacted by a liquid and to allow the majority
of the liquid to be moved along the surface and be collected
wherein the said at least one panel is formed as a mesh by a series
of members defining apertures there between.
28: A panel, said panel having first and second opposing surfaces,
said panel formed by a series of members which are respectfully
located and formed so as to define a plurality of slots and/or
apertures in the said panel and said panel is selectively oriented
with respect to the incident flow of a liquid such that the
majority of the liquid which is impacted onto one of the said
surfaces of the said panels flows across the surface rather than
through the said slots and/or apertures.
29: A panel according to claim 28 wherein the panel is formed by a
first group of members which are spaced apart and arranged
substantially in parallel and a second group of members which are
spaced apart and arranged substantially in parallel and at an angle
offset to the members of the first group.
30: Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein a third group of
members are provided which are spaced apart and arranged
substantially parallel at an angle offset to the members of the
first group and at an angle substantially equal to but opposing
that of the members of the second group.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to the provision of apparatus
which can be used to collect and/or move liquid, particularly,
although not exclusively, water, which may pass onto a surface of
the same naturally as a result of rainfall or other precipitation
or from moisture which is present in the environment in the form of
fog or mist, or from streams, rivers and the like, or the liquid
may be directed onto the apparatus as a result of the deliberate
control of the flow of the liquid.
[0002] It is estimated that some one in ten people across the world
do not have access to clean drinking water and there is a great
majority of these people located in poorer countries. There is a
clear need to provide affordable, eco-sustainable apparatus and
methods for water movement and/or collection and particularly,
although not necessarily exclusively, to be able to provide the
apparatus and a method in a form which can be implemented in poorer
countries of the world.
[0003] In addition, there is a need in all countries to provide
shelter from rain and conventionally this is achieved by providing
fully enclosed buildings and structures with selectively openable
windows and doors. In many, hotter countries, there is also a need
for the building and structures to be provided at a temperature
which is comfortable to live and work in and the conventional
solution, where possible is for air conditioning units to be
installed and/or relatively sophisticated ventilation systems to be
installed. However, these make the buildings significantly more
expensive and are a drain on resources which means that the
availability of the same is restricted, use of the same can be part
time only and/or the provision of the same may not be financially
feasible at all for many of the population.
[0004] The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide
apparatus and a method whereby the collection and/or movement of
water can be achieved whilst at the same time allowing the
apparatus to be provided of a form which allows the passage of air
therethrough.
[0005] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided
apparatus for the at least partial collection and/or movement of
liquid, said apparatus including at least one panel formed by a
series of members which are respectively located and formed so as
to define a plurality of slots and/or apertures in the said
panel.
[0006] In one embodiment the said members are formed as part of an
integral, unitary, panel.
[0007] In one embodiment the panel includes a first group of
members which are spaced apart and arranged substantially in
parallel and a second group of members which are spaced apart and
arranged substantially in parallel and at an angle which is offset
to the members of the first group.
[0008] In one embodiment a third group of members are provided
which are spaced apart and arranged substantially in parallel and
at an angle which is offset to the members of the first group and
at an angle which is substantially equal to, but opposing that, of
the members of the second group.
[0009] Typically the said members are provided so as to form a mesh
with a repeating pattern across the panel which is formed.
[0010] In one embodiment the said members are arranged so as to
form a series of substantially diamond, parallelogram and/or
polygon shaped apertures across the panel.
[0011] In one embodiment the parameters which are controlled for
the said panel include any, or any combination of, the size of the
apertures defined by the respective members, the shape of the
apertures, the angle of offset of the respective members, the
arrangement of the mesh pattern with respect to the direction or
directions from which the liquid will impact on the panel in use,
the arrangements of the mesh pattern with respect to the direction
or directions from which the liquid will collect and/or the tilt
angle of the panel.
[0012] In one embodiment the panel is formed with a substantially
uniform mesh pattern.
[0013] In one embodiment the panel is provided with, or as part of,
a support structure of the apparatus.
[0014] Typically the position of the structure in use is determined
and controlled such that the incident liquid stream will contact
with a surface of the panel within a predetermined angle range in
order to allow the water movement and/or collection performance of
the panel to be achieved within a predetermined efficiency
range.
[0015] Typically the panel is provided such that the surface on
which the liquid impacts encourages the flow of liquid across the
surface members rather than through the apertures. Typically the
encouragement is achieved by providing the said surface (most
typically by locating the panel) at an angle which is greater than
10 degrees from horizontal.
[0016] In one embodiment tilting the panel by 20.degree. from the
horizontal (.PHI.=70.degree.) is sufficient to yield +99.6% water
collection efficiencies.
[0017] In one embodiment the surface wettability of the panel
surface is controlled in order to control an increase in the value
of .PHI. at which the panel will start to allow the liquid to pass
through the apertures in the panel rather than be guided across the
surface on which the liquid impacts by the members. Surface
wettability is accepted in the art as being controllable by varying
the surface energy of a surface and/or the surface roughness.
[0018] In one embodiment the orientation of the panel with respect
to the incident water flow is controlled in order to define the
efficiency of water collection and/or movement. In one embodiment,
when the rotation angle, .beta.=0.degree. or 135.degree., water
flows along the members of the panel under the influence of
gravity. However, as .beta. approaches 70.degree., the water is
forced to flow over the apertures of the mesh leading to water
dripping through the apertures.
[0019] In one embodiment the internal angle of the apertures,
.theta., is controlled.
[0020] In one embodiment the panel formed is substantially
planar.
[0021] In one embodiment there is provided a panel formed as a
breathable mesh structure which is used for the diversion of the
liquid which impacts a surface of the same.
[0022] Typically the panel is provided at an inclined angle to
vertical.
[0023] In one embodiment the panel, or at least the surface of the
panel on which the liquid impacts, is subjected to one or more
surface treatments to provide a particular function or performance
characteristic.
[0024] In one embodiment the treatment is plasma treatment.
[0025] In one embodiment the panel, or at least the surface of the
panel on which the liquid impacts, is provided so as to act as a
switching surface by being oleophobic, oleophilic, hydrophobic
and/or hydrophilic and having a breathable mesh structure for
liquid diversion.
[0026] Typically the panel mesh pattern is scalable depending on
the particular use to which the same is to be put.
[0027] In one embodiment the said panel is provided to be usable as
a filtration means to allow separation of solids from the liquid
and/or to allow the separation of different liquids, for example
oil and water, by selecting the tilt angle of the one or more
panels.
[0028] In one embodiment at least the surface of the panel impacted
by the liquid is provided as a hydrophilic-oleophobic surface.
[0029] In one embodiment at least some of the members are surface
formed such as to be puckered so as to influence and control the
particular flow of the liquid which has impacted thereon.
[0030] In one embodiment the said panel is provided as part of a
building structure.
[0031] In one embodiment the panel is formed as a weave in a
material such as in textiles in order to provide waterproof,
breathable fabrics.
[0032] In one embodiment an assembly is formed comprising at least
two of said panels.
[0033] In one embodiment the panels are located substantially in
parallel.
[0034] In one embodiment the said panels are spaced apart by a
predetermined distance.
[0035] In one embodiment the panels are provided with mesh patterns
of different configurations.
[0036] In one embodiment the panels are respectively positioned so
as to be offset such that the apertures in the respective panels do
not directly underlie each other.
[0037] Typically the multi layered assembly leads to a significant
improvement in attenuation of water loss (less than 1% drip through
for pore size of x=y=3 mm). Further enhancement in water collection
efficiency is attained by controlling the separation distance
between the two panels.
[0038] In one embodiment the panel or panel assemblies are used
alone or as part of apparatus for any, or any combination, of
fog/condensation harvesting, rain water collection (for example on
sailing boats), filtration, portable rain protection articles,
(such as umbrellas, tents or the like), aviation, chemicals
processing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, personal products, food
manufacturing, antifouling, antimicrobial, anti-icing, drag
reduction, lubrication, automotives and/or breathable architecture
structures such as (agriculture, transport, photovoltaics,
residential buildings and offices).
[0039] For the latter, typically two (or more) panels are used to
form the wall or roof which is effectively waterproof, breathable
and light transparent and therefore can dramatically reduce the
need for air conditioning and ventilation systems to be provided
within the buildings formed and hence reduce the energy consumption
which is required.
[0040] In one embodiment the assembly is used as part of a roof for
a building.
[0041] In one embodiment the spacing between the panels is
adjustable. For example, when the assembly is provided as part of
the roof, the space between the panels may be increased when the
outside temperature drops to allow cool air to circulate throughout
the building, whilst offering protection against rainfall. In
hotter temperatures the space between the panels can be reduced to
create a less permeable panel in order to assist in retaining the
cool air inside the building.
[0042] In a further aspect of the invention there is provided
apparatus which includes at least one panel having a surface
located so as to be impacted by a liquid and to allow a majority of
the liquid to be moved along the surface and/or collected wherein
the said at least one panel is formed as a mesh by a series of
members defining apertures therebetween.
[0043] In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a
panel, said panel having first and second opposing surfaces, said
panel formed by a series of members which are respectfully located
and formed so as to define a plurality of slots and/or apertures in
the said panel and said panel is selectively oriented with respect
to the incident flow of a liquid such that the majority of the
liquid which is impacted onto one of the said surfaces of the said
panels flows across the surface rather than through the said slots
and/or apertures.
[0044] In one embodiment the panel is formed by a first group of
members which are spaced apart and arranged substantially in
parallel and a second group of members which are spaced apart and
arranged substantially in parallel and at an angle offset to the
members of the first group.
[0045] In one embodiment a third group of members are provided
which are spaced apart and arranged substantially parallel at an
angle offset to the members of the first group and at an angle
substantially equal to but opposing that of the members of the
second group.
[0046] Specific embodiments of the invention are now provided with
reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein
[0047] FIGS. 1a and b illustrate a panel formed in accordance with
one embodiment of the invention;
[0048] FIG. 1c illustrates an assembly formed using a plurality of
the panels shown in FIG. 1a;
[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates a further example of a panel formed in
accordance with the invention in one embodiment;
[0050] FIGS. 3a-e illustrate test results obtained from using a
panel in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0051] FIGS. 4a-c illustrate results obtained from using a
multilayer assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates a definition of the rotation within the
plane of the panel; and
[0053] FIGS. 6a and b illustrate the manner in which the shape of
the panel edge and/or at least one surface of the same to allow the
collection and/or dispensation of liquid to be determined.
[0054] Referring firstly to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a panel in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0055] The panel 2 comprises a series of members 4 which are
arranged so as to define a plurality of apertures 6 in FIG. 1a and
slots 8 in FIG. 2. The members are arranged in two groups as shown
in more detail in FIG. 1b, with a first group 4' arranged in a
first substantially parallel orientation and a second group 4''
arranged in a second substantially parallel orientation which is
angularly offset to the members of the first group 4'. This angular
orientation defines the shape of the apertures 6 therebetween. The
members and apertures or slots therefore provide a panel which is
provided in the form of a mesh.
[0056] FIG. 1c illustrates the manner in which a series of panels 2
can be provided together to form a multilayer assembly in which, in
this case there are provided two panels 2, 2'; which are spaced
apart by a distance X and are provided to lie substantially
parallel.
[0057] The panels 2, 2' can be of the same or differing mesh
configurations and as shown in FIG. 2 can be offset by a distance
Y.
[0058] Typically, in whichever format the panel or panels are
provided as part of apparatus which includes a support structure so
as to allow the panels to be retained in the appropriate position
and angular orientation for use with respect to other elements
and/or the environment in which the same are to be used.
[0059] Tests of the panel of FIGS. 1a and c were performed in
accordance with the FIGS. 3a-e. FIG. 3a illustrates apparatus used
for the measurement of water stream collection efficiency from a
water stream 10 which impacts a surface 12 of a panel 2 in
accordance with the invention The liquid run off 14 is collected in
trough A and the liquid which passes through the panel was
collected in trough B.
[0060] The water stream collection efficiency is indicated in FIG.
3b as a function of the values of x and y (aperture size), defined
in the inset, where the angle of the members 4', 4'' of the panel 2
(.theta.) is 45.degree., x=y and the tilt angle of the panel
(.PHI.)=50.degree..
[0061] The liquid stream collection efficiency of the panel 2 as a
function of the angle of tilt of the panel (.PHI.) with an aperture
size: x=y=4 mm and (.theta.)=45.degree. is shown in FIG. 3c with
different liquid being used in the form of water (surface tension
of 72.8 mN m.sup.-1), propan-2-ol (surface tension of 21.3 mN
m.sup.-1) and decane (surface tension of 23.8 mN m.sup.-1). The
error seen on the value for water on the mesh at 80.degree. is due
to the transition region between the water running completely along
the surface 12 of the panel 2 and passing completely through the
apertures in the panel at this angle.
[0062] FIG. 3d illustrates the water stream collection efficiency
of the tilted panel 2 as a function of rotation, .beta. with an
aperture size: x=y=4 mm, (.theta.)=45.degree. and
(.PHI.)=60.degree.) and which arrangement is shown in FIG. 5. FIG.
3e illustrates the water stream collection efficiency of the panel
as a function of the internal aperture angle (.theta.) with an
aperture size: x=y=4 mm, .PHI.=70.degree. and .beta.=0.degree.,
such that when .theta.=90.degree. the aperture shape is square.
Error bars in all cases are .+-.1 standard deviations and, if
absent, are smaller than symbol size.
[0063] Turning now to FIGS. 1c and 4, in certain cases it is of
advantage to provide a multilayer assembly as shown in FIG. 1c
which shows schematically the offset configuration of a double
panel assembly in which the panels are offset by the distance Y
such that the junctions of members 4' 4'' in one panel are
positioned to overlie the centre of the apertures of the other
panel.
[0064] Testing of the multilayer assembly was performed and, in
FIG. 4a there is shown the water sprinkler collection efficiencies
of single and double layer panels as a function of the aperture
pore size x=y, .theta.=45.degree., .PHI.=70.degree.,
.beta.=0.degree. and with a spacing X between the panels of 3 mm.
FIG. 4b illustrates the water sprinkler collection efficiency of
the double layer panel assembly as a function of the separation
distance, d, between the panels 2, 2' with an aperture size: x=y=4
mm, .theta.=45.degree., .beta.=0.degree. and .PHI.=70.degree.).
[0065] FIG. 4c illustrates the water sprinkler collection
efficiency of the double layer panel assembly as a function of the
percentage of visible light transparency through the panels as the
pore size is increased (pore size: x=y, .theta.=45.degree.,
.beta.=0.degree., .PHI.=70.degree. and the separation distance
between the layers is 3 mm). The large error seen on the value for
water on the mesh at 53% light transparency is due to the
transition region between the water running completely off the mesh
and passing completely through the mesh, at this angle. Error bars
in all cases are .+-.1 standard deviation and, if absent, are
smaller than symbol size.
[0066] In one embodiment plasma treatments can be carried out on
the panel and when performed, in this embodiment, were performed in
a cylindrical glass reactor (5 cm diameter, 470 cm.sup.3 volume)
enclosed within a Faraday cage. This was connected to a two stage
rotary pump via a liquid nitrogen cold trap. An inductor-capacitor
(L-C) impedance matching unit was used to minimise the standing
wave ratio (SWR) for the power transmitted from a 13.56 MHz radio
frequency generator (ENI Power Systems, model ACG-3) to a copper
coil (4.7 mm diameter, 10 turns, spanning 8 cm) externally wound
around the glass reactor. Prior to each plasma treatment, the
chamber was scrubbed with detergent, rinsed in propan-2-ol (99.5%,
Fischer Scientific Ltd.), and further cleaned using a 50 W air
plasma for 30 min.
[0067] For plasma treatment, the monomer/gas was admitted into the
system via a needle valve, and the electrical discharge ignited.
Upon completion of plasma treatment, the gas feed was turned off,
and the chamber vented to atmosphere. Suitable plasma treatments
include using tetramethylsilane (TMS) (99.9%, Alfa Aesar), and
1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorooctyl acrylate (PFAC-6) (95%, Fluorochem
Ltd.), in the conditions shown below:
TABLE-US-00001 Gas/Monomer Power/W Pressure/mbar Duration/s Air 20
0.2 60 TMS 3 0.2 180 PFAC-6 50 (peak) 0.2 Pulsed
[0068] The TMS was first purified by freeze pump thaw for 3 cycles,
while PFAC-6 was deposited using a pulsed treatment with an overall
duration of 10 minutes, with the pulse duty cycle time on as 20
.mu.s and the time off as 20 ms.
[0069] Static Water Contact Angle Measurement was performed at
20.degree. C. with a video contact angle system (VCA 2500 XE, AST
Products) using a 1.0 .mu.L droplet of high purity water (BS 3978
grade 1). Static contact angle measurement was taken after 3 s and
there was no visible change in the droplet shape during this
period.
[0070] The water collection measurement of the water stream was
achieved in a first embodiment using a liquid stream generated from
a 25.00 ml burette (average flow rate=814.+-.5 .mu.l s.sup.-1,
diameter of burette outlet=0.5 mm) with the sample mounted at an
angle, .PHI., to the vertical, with a clamp. The stream is directed
to hit the surface of the sample and has an impact cross-section of
1.96 mm.sup.2. The volume of the liquid stream that passed through
the sample was measured from the volume of liquid collected in
trough B, FIG. 3a. The volume of water collected from trough A,
coupled with that from trough B, enabled measurement of the liquid
residue left on the sample and the collection troughs. These
measurements were then used to determine the percentage of the
liquid that passed through the sample. Each data point was repeated
10 times. Trough A was a crystallisation dish with a diameter of
140 mm, while trough B was a 100 ml beaker (4.7 cm diameter).
[0071] The water collection measurement of the water was achieved
in a second embodiment using a water sprinkler in which the volume
of water, from the sprinkler, through the sample was measured from
the volume of water collected in trough B, FIG. 3a. Rain impact
onto the sample was emulated using a 60 ml syringe attached to a
sprinkler head (flow rate=3.7.+-.0.3 ml s.sup.-1). The sprinkler
head has 7 holes (of 1 mm diameter) over an area of 9.62 cm.sup.2
which results in a water spray cross-section of 9.62 cm.sup.2
across the surface of the sample. The volume of water collected
from trough A, coupled with that from trough B, enabled measurement
of the liquid residue left on the sample and the collection
troughs. These measurements were then used to determine the
percentage of the liquid that passed through the sample. Each data
point was repeated 10 times. Trough A was a crystallisation dish of
dimensions: 26 cm by 26 cm by 6 cm, while trough B was a 250 ml
beaker (6.9 cm diameter). For the double layer panel sample, the
panels were offset so that junctions of one panel were positioned
over the centre of the pores of the other panel.
[0072] The panel or panel assembly can be adapted to suit
particular usage requirements. For example, for solar applications,
in which the panel assembly would be used as at least part of a
roof, the visible light transparency through the double layer
panels of 40% correlates to less than 10% of the water sprinkled
(simulated rain) dripping through (aperture size of x=y=7 mm), FIG.
4c. An alternative approach for maximising light transparency would
be to provide a panel or panels similar to that shown in FIG. 2 in
which the number of members is reduced.
[0073] Other variations could include the puckering of the members
on a macroscale. FIG. 5 illustrates the manner in which the panel
can be oriented with respect to the position and direction of
impact of the liquid onto the surface of the same.
[0074] FIG. 6a illustrates in plan the edge 20 of a portion of the
panel 2 and this is the edge from which liquid which has passed
across the surface 12 of the panel 2 leaves the panel surface 12.
It will be seen that the edge 20 is serrated such that the liquid
is directed to leave the edge at specific locations 24 thereby
regulating the collection of the same.
[0075] FIG. 6b illustrates an elevation of the edge 20 of a portion
of the panel 2 and shows, as illustrated by the arrow, the
direction in which liquid impacts onto the surface 12 of the panel
2. The panel 2 in this embodiment is corrugated, once again to
encourage the collection of the liquid along specific channels and
the dispensation of the same from specific locations 24, and which
leaves the edge 20 of the panel 2 in the direction of arrows 22 for
collection or drainage. This corrugation of the panel may be
provided in conjunction with the serrated edge of FIG. 6a or can be
provided separately.
[0076] When the panel or panel assembly is used as part of a
building wall or roof the same can be used to replace the
conventional low-energy consumption methods for keeping large
buildings ventilated which include the use of externally ventilated
double walls (also known as double-skin curtain walls) in which the
air within the cavity between the two walls (which are often made
of glass) acts as a thermal insulator around the air conditioned
interior rooms and is vented to the outside. The use of the panel
assembly in accordance with the invention instead would reduce the
costs further by negating the need to pump the air within the
cavity to external vents.
[0077] This type of double wall panel is also used in waterproofing
exterior walls, which is more commonly known as a panel cladding
system. The use of the panel assembly in accordance with the
invention could be used in the exterior wall to reduce damp seeping
through exterior walls.
[0078] In a yet further use and in order to reduce pollution the
panel or panel assembly can be used in the wet scrubbing of exhaust
flue gases for chemical plants and power stations. Current methods
involve pumping the gas through a fine spray of water to try to
remove soot from the gas through its contact with the water
droplets or by using a fine spray of a base to neutralise an acidic
gas. In accordance with the invention this can be improved by
pumping the gas through the multilayer assembly with a flow of
water passing over them which creates a substantially continuous
film that bridges across the apertures and therefore increases the
percentage of gas that comes into contact with the water and
thereby increases the cleaning effect.
[0079] The invention therefore provides apparatus which includes a
panel, and the panel itself, for the at least partial collection
and/or movement of liquid across a surface thereof, typically the
surface on which the liquid impacts, said panel formed by a series
of members which are respectfully located and formed so as to
define a plurality of slots and/or apertures in the said panel
whilst the same are provided in a form to ensure that a significant
proportion of the liquid passes along the surface on which the same
impacts to be collected and/or dispensed from the panel rather than
passing through the said slots and/or apertures.
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