Method and apparatus for treating fluid mixtures with ultrasonic energy

• US 20030234173A1
• Filed: 06/20/2002
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Halliday Foundation, Inc.
• Original Assignee: The Halliday Foundation, Inc.
• Inventors: Minter, Bruce E.
• Application Number:
  US10/176,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20030234173A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/157.42
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/36 ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/063 Underpressure, vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/023 Reactive oxygen species, singlet oxygen, OH radical

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treating fluid mixtures with ultrasonic energy. In one embodiment, the fluid mixture may include a selected constituent and the method may include directing a flow of the fluid mixture into a treatment apparatus and altering a phase and/or a chemical composition of the selected constituent by exposing the fluid mixture to ultrasonic energy while the fluid mixture flows through the apparatus. In one embodiment, the fluid mixture may be under pressure while being exposed to the ultrasonic energy and the fluid mixture may subsequently be exposed to a vacuum source to remove gas from the fluid mixture. In another aspect of the invention, the ultrasonic energy may have a first frequency and the fluid mixture may be exposed to ultrasonic energy of a second frequency different than the first frequency while in the apparatus. The ultrasonic energy may cavitate a liquid portion of the fluid mixture to generate heat and pressure in the fluid mixture.

Claims

1. A method for treating a fluid mixture with ultrasonic energy including the steps of:

directing a flow of the fluid mixture including a selected constituent into a treatment apparatus; and

transmitting ultrasonic energy into the fluid mixture as the fluid mixture flows through the treatment apparatus to alter a molecular composition of at least one constituent and generate a gas.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

directing the fluid mixture flow into a first channel;

transmitting ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture flow from a first ultrasonic energy generator while the fluid mixture flow passes through the first channel;

directing the fluid mixture flow into a second channel directly from the first channel; and

transmitting ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture flow from a second ultrasonic energy generator while the fluid mixture flow passes through the second channel.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

directing the fluid mixture flow into a first channel;

transmitting ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture flow from a first ultrasonic energy generator at a first frequency while the fluid mixture flow passes through the first channel;

directing the fluid mixture flow into a second channel; and

transmitting ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture flow from a second ultrasonic energy generator at a second frequency different than the first frequency while the fluid mixture flow passes through the second channel.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein directing ultrasonic energy through the flow includes cavitating a liquid portion of the fluid mixture to generate heat, and wherein altering a chemical composition of the selected constituent includes oxidizing the selected constituent to produce an ash and a gas.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein directing ultrasonic energy through the flow includes cavitating a liquid portion of the fluid mixture to generate heat, and wherein the method further includes killing pathogens in the fluid mixture by exposing the pathogens to the heat.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein directing ultrasonic energy through the flow includes cavitating a liquid portion of the fluid mixture.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid mixture flow initially includes suspended solids, and wherein the method further comprises removing at least a portion of the suspended solids before exposing the fluid mixture flow to ultrasonic energy.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

directing the fluid mixture flow into a first channel;

transmitting ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture flow from a first ultrasonic energy generator while the fluid mixture flow passes through the first channel;

redirecting the fluid mixture at least approximately 180 degrees into a second channel; and

transmitting ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture flow from a second ultrasonic energy generator while the fluid mixture flow passes through the second channel.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising directing the fluid mixture flow into a plurality of channels having a length corresponding to a level of suspended solids in the fluid mixture.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising removing at least a portion of the selected constituent from the fluid mixture flow after exposing the selected constituent to the ultrasonic energy and while the fluid mixture flow passes continuously through the apparatus.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic energy includes a first ultrasonic energy having a first frequency, and wherein the method further comprises exposing the selected constituent to a second ultrasonic energy having a second frequency different than the first frequency.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic energy includes a first ultrasonic energy having a first frequency, and wherein the method further comprises exposing the selected constituent to a second ultrasonic energy having a second frequency different than the first frequency after exposing the selected constituent to the first frequency.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising dividing the flow into first and second portions, conveying the first and second portions along separate flow paths and exposing the selected constituent in the first portion of the flow to ultrasonic energy while simultaneously exposing the selected constituent in the second portion of the flow to ultrasonic energy.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising pressurizing the fluid mixture and altering the phase and/or chemical composition of the selected constituent while the fluid mixture flow is pressurized.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein a molecular structure of a component of the fluid mixture flow has a resonant frequency, and wherein the method further comprises selecting a frequency of the ultrasonic energy to be at or above the resonant frequency of the fluid mixture flow.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein a molecular structure of a component of the fluid mixture flow has a resonant frequency, and wherein the method further comprises selecting an ultrasonic energy frequency based upon the molecular structure of a component.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid mixture flow includes water, and wherein the method further includes separating an OH radical from a molecule of the water and combining the OH radical with a molecule of the selected constituent.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein altering a phase of the selected constituent includes changing the phase of the selected constituent from a solid to a gas.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising introducing an oxygen radical into the fluid mixture flow before exposing the selected constituent to the ultrasonic energy.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising introducing ozone into the fluid mixture flow before exposing the selected constituent to ultrasonic energy.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected constituent includes an emulsifier and further wherein altering a phase and/or chemical composition of the selected constituent includes deactivating the emulsifier.

22. A method for removing contaminants from water, comprising:

introducing a flow of a fluid mixture of the water and the contaminants into a treatment apparatus;

introducing ultrasonic energy into the fluid mixture as the fluid mixture flows through the treatment apparatus to alter a molecular composition of at least one of the contaminants and generate a gas; and

applying a vacuum to the fluid mixture to remove at least some of the gas from the fluid mixture as the fluid mixture flows through the treatment apparatus.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the ultrasonic energy is a first ultrasonic energy and wherein the method further comprises introducing a second ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising filtering solid materials from the fluid mixture after applying a vacuum to the fluid mixture.

25. The method of claim 22 further comprising pressurizing the fluid mixture and introducing ultrasonic energy into the fluid mixture while the fluid mixture flows under pressure.

26. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

directing the fluid mixture into a first channel;

transmitting ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture from a first ultrasonic energy generator while the fluid mixture flows through the first channel;

directing the fluid mixture into a second channel; and

transmitting ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture from a second ultrasonic energy generator while the fluid mixture flows through the second channel.

27. The method of claim 22 further comprising directing the fluid mixture into a channel having a length corresponding to a level of suspended solids in the fluid mixture.

28. The method of claim 22 further comprising removing at least a portion of the contaminants from the fluid mixture after exposing the contaminants to the ultrasonic energy and while the fluid mixture flows continuously through the apparatus.

29. The method of claim 22 wherein the ultrasonic energy includes a first ultrasonic energy having a first frequency, and wherein the method further comprises exposing the contaminants to a second ultrasonic energy having a second frequency different than the first frequency.

30. The method of claim 22 wherein the ultrasonic energy includes a first ultrasonic energy having a first frequency, and wherein the method further comprises exposing the contaminants to a second ultrasonic energy having a second frequency different than the first frequency after exposing the contaminants to the first frequency.

31. The method of claim 22 wherein a molecular structure of a contaminant has a resonant frequency, and wherein the method further comprises selecting a frequency of the ultrasonic energy to be at or above the resonant frequency of the contaminant.

32. The method of claim 22 further comprising introducing ozone into the fluid mixture before exposing the contaminants to ultrasonic energy.

33. A method for removing a contaminant from a fluid mixture including the contaminant, the method including the steps of:

introducing a flow of a fluid mixture including water and the contaminant into a fluid waste matter treatment apparatus;

pressurizing the fluid waste matter treatment apparatus;

applying ultrasonic energy into the fluid mixture as the fluid mixture flows through the fluid waste matter treatment apparatus under pressure causing transient cavitation in the fluid mixture disrupting a molecular structure of the contaminant;

producing a gas from chemical interactions between the contaminant and at least one other constituent of the water; and

applying a vacuum to the fluid mixture to remove at least some of the gas from the fluid mixture as the fluid mixture flows through treatment apparatus.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein introducing the ultrasonic energy includes introducing a first ultrasonic energy having a first frequency and introducing a second ultrasonic energy having a second frequency different than the first frequency.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein the contaminants include farm animal fecal waste, and wherein introducing ultrasonic energy includes directing ultrasonic energy having a frequency of 980 kilohertz.

36. A method for treating a selected constituent in a fluid mixture that includes the selected constituent, the method comprising:

introducing the fluid mixture into a treatment apparatus;

directing a first ultrasonic energy including a first frequency into the fluid mixture to alter a phase and/or a chemical composition of the selected constituent; and

directing a second ultrasonic energy at a second frequency into the fluid mixture, the second frequency being different than the first frequency.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the apparatus includes a first ultrasonic emitter directing the first ultrasonic energy into the fluid mixture and a second ultrasonic emitter directing the second ultrasonic energy into the fluid mixture, the second ultrasonic emitter being spaced apart from the first ultrasonic emitter, and wherein the method further comprises:

directing the fluid mixture from the first ultrasonic emitter to the second ultrasonic emitter; and

exposing a portion of the fluid mixture to the second ultrasonic energy after exposing the portion of the fluid mixture to the first ultrasonic energy.

38. The method of claim 36 further comprising exposing a portion of the fluid mixture to the first ultrasonic energy simultaneously with exposing the portion of the fluid mixture to the second ultrasonic energy.

39. The method of claim 36 wherein the first and second ultrasonic energies are directed into the fluid mixture while the fluid mixture flows continuously through the apparatus.

40. The method of claim 36 further comprising removing at least a portion of the selected constituent from the fluid mixture after exposing the selected constituent to the first and second ultrasonic energies and while the fluid mixture flows continuously through the apparatus.

41. The method of claim 36 wherein the selected constituent is a first selected constituent having a first molecular structure and the fluid mixture includes a second selected constituent having a second molecular structure different than the first molecular structure, and wherein the method further comprises altering a phase and/or a chemical composition of the second selected constituent with the second ultrasonic energy.

42. The method of claim 36 further comprising:

directing the fluid mixture into a first channel;

transmitting ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture at the first frequency while the fluid mixture flows through the first channel;

directing the fluid mixture into a second channel; and

transmitting ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture at the second frequency while the fluid mixture flows through the second channel.

43. The method of claim 36 further comprising directing the fluid mixture into a channel having a length corresponding to an amount of solid material suspended in the fluid mixture.

44. The method of claim 36 further comprising pressurizing the fluid mixture and altering the phase and/or a chemical composition of the selected constituent while the fluid mixture is pressurized.

45. A method for heating a selected constituent in a fluid mixture that includes the selected constituent, the method comprising:

introducing the fluid mixture into a treatment apparatus;

pressurizing the fluid mixture within the treatment apparatus; and

altering a phase and/or a chemical composition of the selected constituent by exposing the fluid mixture to ultrasonic energy while the fluid mixture is under pressure.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein the fluid mixture includes a liquid and exposing the fluid mixture to ultrasonic energy includes cavitating a portion of the liquid in the fluid mixture while the fluid mixture is under a pressure of from about 5 psi to about 40 psi.

47. The method of claim 45 wherein introducing the fluid mixture includes providing a first continuous flow of the fluid mixture through an inlet of the apparatus, and wherein the method further includes withdrawing a second continuous flow of the fluid mixture through an outlet of the apparatus and exposing the fluid mixture to the ultrasonic energy while the fluid mixture flows from the inlet to the outlet.

48. The method of claim 45 wherein the ultrasonic energy is a first ultrasonic energy having a first frequency and wherein the method further includes exposing the selected constituent to a second ultrasonic energy having a second frequency different than the first frequency.

49. The method of claim 45 wherein the fluid mixture includes water and wherein the method further comprises:

generating a gas by a chemical interaction between the selected constituent and constituents of water while the fluid mixture is under pressure; and

removing the gas from the fluid mixture by reducing the pressure to which the fluid mixture is subjected.

50. A method for treating a selected constituent in a fluid mixture that includes the selected constituent, the method comprising:

directing a flow of the fluid mixture with the selected constituent into a treatment apparatus; and

altering a phase and/or a chemical composition of the selected constituent by directing ultrasonic energy through the flow of the fluid mixture within the apparatus.

51. A fluid mixture treatment apparatus for treating a selected constituent in a fluid mixture, the apparatus comprising:

a treatment vessel including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet configured to receive a flow of the fluid mixture during operation and the outlet configured to expel the flow of the fluid mixture; and

an ultrasonic energy source operatively coupled to the treatment vessel, the ultrasonic energy source configured to transmit ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture.

52. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the source of ultrasonic energy further comprises a first source configured to emit ultrasonic energy at a first frequency and wherein the apparatus further comprises a second source of ultrasonic energy operatively coupled to the treatment vessel to transmit ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture at a second frequency.

53. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the selected constituent of the fluid mixture is a first selected constituent and the fluid mixture includes a second selected constituent, and further wherein the source of ultrasonic energy is selected to gasify and/or alter a chemical composition of the first selected constituent.

54. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the selected constituent of the fluid mixture is a first selected constituent and the fluid mixture includes a second selected constituent, and further wherein the second source of ultrasonic energy is selected to gasify and/or alter a chemical composition of the second selected constituent.

55. The apparatus of claim 51 further comprising a pressure source in fluid communication with the treatment vessel to pressurize the fluid mixture as the fluid mixture moves from the inlet to the outlet.

56. The apparatus of claim 51 further comprising:

a degassing chamber coupled to the outlet of the treatment vessel;

a vacuum source coupled to the degassing chamber to draw gas from the fluid mixture; and

a valve between the degassing chamber and the treatment vessel to maintain a first pressure in the treatment vessel higher than a second pressure in the degassing chamber.

57. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the source of ultrasonic energy is a first source and wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a degassing chamber coupled to the outlet of the treatment vessel; and

a second source of ultrasonic energy operatively coupled to the degassing chamber to remove gas from the fluid mixture.

58. The apparatus of claim 51 further comprising at least one filter in fluid communication with the outlet of the treatment vessel to separate solid material from the fluid mixture after the fluid mixture exits the treatment vessel.

59. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the source of ultrasonic energy is a first source and wherein the treatment vessel includes a first channel and a second channel coupled to the first channel, the first source being positioned to direct a first ultrasonic energy into the fluid mixture as the fluid mixture passes through the first channel, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a second source of ultrasonic energy positioned to direct a second ultrasonic energy into the fluid mixture as the fluid mixture passes through the second channel.

60. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the source of ultrasonic energy is a first source and wherein the treatment vessel includes a first channel and a second channel hydraulically connected to the first channel, the first source being positioned to direct a first ultrasonic energy at a first frequency into the fluid mixture as the fluid mixture passes through the first channel, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a second source of ultrasonic energy positioned to direct a second ultrasonic energy at a second frequency into the fluid mixture as the fluid mixture passes through the second channel.

61. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the fluid mixture includes an amount of suspended solids and wherein the treatment vessel includes a channel having a first end and a second end, the source of ultrasonic energy is positioned toward the first end, a length of the channel between the first and second ends corresponding to the amount of suspended solids in the fluid mixture during operation.

62. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the treatment vessel includes a first channel, a second channel, and a manifold hydraulically connected to the first and second channels and to the inlet to direct a first portion of the fluid mixture to the first channel and a second portion of the fluid mixture to the second channel.

63. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein a molecular structure of a constituent of the fluid mixture has a resonant frequency and wherein the source of ultrasonic energy is configured to emit energy at and/or above the resonant frequency.

64. The apparatus of claim 51 further comprising an ozone source coupled to the treatment vessel to provide ozone to the fluid mixture during operation.

65. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the ultrasonic energy source operatively coupled to the treatment vessel further comprises an ultrasonic energy source operatively coupled to the treatment vessel configured to transmit ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture at a selected energy level and selected frequency.

66. An apparatus for removing a selected constituent from a fluid mixture, the apparatus comprising:

a treatment vessel having an inlet hydraulically connected to a source of the fluid mixture during operation, a channel configured to contain a flow of the fluid mixture, and an outlet downstream from the channel;

a pressure source in fluid communication with the treatment vessel to pressurize the fluid mixture as the fluid mixture passes through the treatment vessel;

an ultrasonic energy emitter coupled to the treatment vessel to transmit ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture as the fluid mixture flows continuously through the treatment vessel, the source of ultrasonic energy being configured to continuously transmit ultrasonic energy to the fluid mixture at a rate and frequency sufficient to gasify and/or alter a chemical composition of the selected constituent;

a gas release chamber coupled to the outlet of the treatment vessel to receive a continuous flow of the fluid mixture; and

a vacuum source coupled to the gas release chamber to extract gas from the fluid mixture.