Mist generating apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for generating a mist, comprising:
- a) an elongate hollow body; and
b) an elongate member located within the body such that a first transport fluid passage and a nozzle are defined between the body and the elongate member, the first transport fluid passage having a convergent-divergent internal geometry and being in fluid communication with the nozzle, wherein the elongate member includes a working fluid passage and one or more communicating openings extending radially outwardly from the working fluid passage, the openings allowing fluid communication between the working fluid passage and the first transport fluid passage;
wherein the nozzle is annular;
wherein a first end of the elongate member has a cone-shaped projection that tapers in a direction of flow of transport fluid flow through the first transport fluid passage and is downstream of the one or more communicating openings;
wherein the working fluid passage comprises a passage along a longitudinal axis of the elongate member;
wherein the passage comprises a blind cavity in the elongate member; and
wherein the one or more communication openings being in the divergent internal geometry of the first transport fluid passage to allow fluid communication between the working fluid passage and the first transport fluid passage within the divergent internal geometry of the first transport fluid passage; and
wherein the body has an internal wall having an upstream convergent portion and a downstream divergent portion, the convergent and divergent portions at least in part forming the convergent-divergent internal geometry of the first transport fluid passage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparati for generating a mist are disclosed. One apparatus is disclosed, which has an elongate hollow body (12) and an elongate member (14) located within the body (12). A transport fluid passage (16) and a nozzle (32) are defined between the body (12) and the elongate member (14). The transport fluid passage (16) has a throat portion of reduced cross-sectional area and is in fluid communication with the nozzle (32). The elongate member (14) includes a working fluid passage (26) and one or more communicating openings, such as for example, bores, annuli, and combinations thereof, (30) extending radially outward from the working fluid passage (26). The openings (30) permit a working fluid (e.g. water) to be passed into the transport fluid passage (16), whereupon the working fluid is subjected to shear forces by a high velocity transport fluid (e.g. steam). The shearing of the working fluid results in the generation of a mist formed from droplets of substantially uniform size. Methods of generating a mist using such apparati are also disclosed. Also provided are mists for fire suppression produced using an apparatus disclosed herein, as well as fire suppression systems that include any of the apparati disclosed herein. Further provided are devices, methods, and mists for various other applications including turbine cooling and decontamination.
156 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for generating a mist, comprising:
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a) an elongate hollow body; and b) an elongate member located within the body such that a first transport fluid passage and a nozzle are defined between the body and the elongate member, the first transport fluid passage having a convergent-divergent internal geometry and being in fluid communication with the nozzle, wherein the elongate member includes a working fluid passage and one or more communicating openings extending radially outwardly from the working fluid passage, the openings allowing fluid communication between the working fluid passage and the first transport fluid passage; wherein the nozzle is annular; wherein a first end of the elongate member has a cone-shaped projection that tapers in a direction of flow of transport fluid flow through the first transport fluid passage and is downstream of the one or more communicating openings; wherein the working fluid passage comprises a passage along a longitudinal axis of the elongate member;
wherein the passage comprises a blind cavity in the elongate member; andwherein the one or more communication openings being in the divergent internal geometry of the first transport fluid passage to allow fluid communication between the working fluid passage and the first transport fluid passage within the divergent internal geometry of the first transport fluid passage; and wherein the body has an internal wall having an upstream convergent portion and a downstream divergent portion, the convergent and divergent portions at least in part forming the convergent-divergent internal geometry of the first transport fluid passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of generating a mist with an apparatus for generating mist, the apparatus having:
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(a) an elongate hollow body; and (b) an elongate member located within the body such that a first transport fluid passage and a nozzle are defined between the body and the elongate member, the first transport fluid passage having a convergent-divergent internal geometry and being in fluid communication with the nozzle, wherein the elongate member includes a working fluid passage and one or more communicating openings extending radially outwardly from the working fluid passage, the openings being in the divergent internal geometry of the first transport fluid passage and allowing fluid communication between the working fluid passage and the first transport fluid passage, and wherein the body has an internal wall having an upstream convergent portion and a downstream divergent portion, the convergent and divergent portions at least in part forming the convergent-divergent internal geometry of the first transport fluid passage, the method comprising the steps of; a) supplying a working fluid through a working fluid passage; b) supplying a first transport fluid through a first transport fluid passage; c) forcing the working fluid from a blind cavity of the working fluid passage into the divergent internal geometry of the first transport fluid passage via one or more communicating openings extending radially outward from the working fluid passage; d) accelerating the first transport fluid upstream of the communicating openings so as to provide a high velocity transport fluid flow; and e) applying the high velocity transport fluid flow to the working fluid exiting the communicating bores, thereby imparting a shear force on the working fluid and atomizing the working fluid to produce a dispersed droplet flow regime. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for generating a mist, comprising:
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a) an elongate hollow body; and b) an elongate member located within the body such that a first transport fluid passage and a nozzle are defined between the body and the elongate member, the first transport fluid passage having a convergent-divergent internal geometry and being in fluid communication with the nozzle, wherein the elongate member includes a working fluid passage and one or more communicating openings extending radially outwardly from the working fluid passage, the openings allowing fluid communication between the working fluid passage and the first transport fluid passage; wherein a first end of the elongate member has a cone-shaped projection that tapers in a direction of flow of transport fluid flow through the first transport fluid passage and is downstream of the one or more communicating openings; wherein the working fluid passage comprises a passage along a longitudinal axis of the elongate member;
wherein the passage comprises a blind cavity in the elongate member;wherein the one or more communication openings being in the divergent internal geometry of the first transport fluid passage to allow fluid communication between the working fluid passage and the first transport fluid passage within the divergent internal geometry of the first transport fluid passage; and wherein the body has an internal wall having an upstream convergent portion and a downstream divergent portion, the convergent and divergent portions at least in part forming the convergent-divergent internal geometry of the first transport fluid passage. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification