MX2010005675A

MX2010005675A - Homogeneous diffusion device with dragging means.

Info

Publication number: MX2010005675A
Application number: MX2010005675A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Oscar Mario Guagnelli Hidalgo
Original assignee: Oscar Mario Guagnelli Hidalgo
Priority date: 2010-05-24
Filing date: 2010-05-24
Publication date: 2011-11-24

Abstract

Described is a device for the homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids. The device includes a main external support along with a support bridge useful for suspending jam proof diffusers and dragging means, allowing the arrangement to move with a minimum energy and in a soft manner. Due to the soft movements and low revolutions, the device does not suffer an accelerated ware, the operation thereof being more reliable and achieving improved diffusion results.

Description

HOMOGENEOUS DISTRIBUTION DEVICE WITH RASTRAS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to gas diffusion devices in liquids, and more particularly, is related to a homogeneous diffusion device with dredges for moving solids at the bottom of a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For years, unit operations have been required to mix gaseous compounds with liquids, either for a simple mixture or to react with each other. The most widely used diffusion system ensures that a gas is integrated into a liquid by passing it through small holes forming bubbles, but the elements for diffusion used either plastic, ceramic, fabric or metal in many different ways, are fixed to the ground of a tank in direct form or by means of supports of small section that, nevertheless always cause accumulation of materials near said supports, under diffusers and always end up causing problems of plugging to the diffusers, putrefaction of the materials and / or serious maintenance problems, to the degree that little by little the elements are going out of service, reducing the efficiency of the systems, even in a very short time when there is presence of solids in the liquid.

US Patent No. 4,882,098 discloses a impeller immersed in a tank that provides axial flow and a sprinkler ring that injects bubbles, however, the system of mass transfer by mixing for dispersion of gas in liquids or in liquid suspension presents the disadvantage that it needs to be recirculating the fluid to obtain a diffusion, requiring a high energy consumption, and fails to prevent stagnation of solids at the bottom of the tank and at the gas injection nozzles.

The drawbacks of liquid gas diffusion systems are the need for high power and high speed motors, as in the case of the technology described in US Pat. No. 5,868,091, which describes an aerator supported in a built-in flotation system. with a large number of pieces.

They have come to use nozzles with ceramic membranes or plastic materials in the search to minimize the size of the bubble and in this way can be kept as long as possible the bubbles in the liquid, but this type of material requires a very delicate handling of its supports, and at the same time high-pressure, high-power blowers are used, causing constant movements in the feed lines, breaking joints, detaching the nozzles without achieve avoid plugging by incrustations, by jamming or by development of slats around it, such is the case of US Patent No. US 6,461,500 where a cylindrical housing with holes in its lower portion through which air is passed is described. a liquid where said cylindrical housing is submerged.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP 2007007598 describes an apparatus and method for diffusing gas in water containing calcium with aeration nozzles formed by cylindrical springs, radially attached to a rotation axis, however, solves the problem of avoiding plugging by incrustation such as calcium carbonate or others in the nozzles, or avoiding deposits of solids at the bottom of the container where it is used.

Additionally, there is a problem that the diffusion is becoming more deficient as the holes through which gas exits are covered with solid materials. The compressed air equipment reduces its operating efficiency, and increases relative energy demand by increasing back pressure, as in the case of the technology described in US Patent No. US 7,425,269.

U.S. Patent No. US 7,427,221 discloses a vessel that holds thrusters that propel water from the surface upwards causing air bubbles to be introduced into the surface of the water, the technology of the above patent document being limited to surface air diffusion in water and is built with lots of pieces.

Most of the mentioned systems are limited to aeration or surface mixing, which are sometimes supported on the floor of a container, with the disadvantage that they accumulate solids in the bottom adjacent to the diffusion elements or in dead zones, causing sticking, clogging and even in certain cases that decomposes the accumulated organic material, causing problems of toxicity in the liquid, in the reliability of the operation, in cost of maintenance and continuity resulting in high costs with deficiencies in the results desired, as in the case of US Patent No. US 7,427,354 which describes tanks with air diffuser tubes submerged in sewage.

The dynamic methods currently used for the diffusion of gas in liquids, in open reservoirs, are reduced to the use of impacts or high agitation in practically superficial conditions in liquids, the first one consists of introducing air to the liquid by means of rotors of high angular speed, where the blows of the impellers generate different types and sizes of ephemeral bubbles, which occluded or suspended help to dissolve the gases by mixing with a low efficiency, among other things, because the resulting suspension has a lower relative density than the rest of the liquid in the lower strata, therefore, the gas never reaches the entire system, so that the optimal diffusion conditions are not met.

The mixture by compressed air compressed air, enter the air to the liquid heads and fixed branches. The drawbacks of all these systems are that they require high power and high revolutions engines and have a limited diffusion area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for the diffusion of gases and / or mixtures of liquids with gases for their mixing, solubilization, aeration, degassing, agitation, absorption, adsorption, reaction or any other type of integration, the same for the incorporation of solids or gels, than to suspend, float or disperse solid materials in liquids, solutions or suspensions.

The incorporation of the gases is carried out in the form of bubbles of different diameters, wall thickness at the interface and internal pressure, depending on the diffusion element and / or water and air supply selected in all strata above and throughout the volume of a reservoir or reactor in which it is applied, being able to generate, macro, micro and nanoburbuj as, thanks to a mechanical model presented for pure liquids or mixtures in solutions, emulsions or suspensions, in continuous processes or in batches with or without presence of solids, guaranteeing the removal of sediments through the use of oscillating harrows, without fixed elements to the bottom of the reservoir or reactor.

The device allows the gases and / or solids to be spread homogeneously inside the liquid, without requiring the installation of any fixed system at the bottom of the reservoir or reactor, thus avoiding the accumulation of settleable solids in the bottom and also preventing them from separating violently water gases, breaking the homogenization The device allows to optimize the use of elements for gas supply, such as blowers, by placing them directly on the bridge-support of the liquid or liquid distribution device and the gas or gases to be distributed, to mix or react, reducing falls of pressure, and saving energy, guaranteeing very high efficiency of the processes where they are applied. This device allows a complete integration of products in phases of gases, liquids or solids, so it can be used in different applications, such as: Mixing systems, biological reactors for water treatment, biological reactors in general, optimization of biotechnological processes, chemical reactors of gaseous compounds in liquids with or without suspended and / or settleable solids, termenters, homogenizers, regeneration of sewage and waste water up to total quality in purity for industrial uses, such as power for high-pressure boilers of thermoelectric systems separation by flotation, systems of gasification by occlusion or dilution, coagulation and flocculation systems, degassing or de-aeration systems, thermenators.

The industries where this device is applicable are not limited to: Energy generation, petrochemical, chemistry, water treatment, regeneration of industrial water to maximum quality, potabilization of superficial or deep water, purification of atypical waters, paper, food, fuels, soil remediation, aquaculture, paints and adhesives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a top right side perspective view of the homogenous diffuser device with dredges installed in a circular liquid container, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top side perspective view of the homogenous diffusion device with dredges installed in a circular container, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the elements forming the homogeneous diffusion device with dredges, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The homogenous diffusion of gases in a tank containing liquid that can be open or closed in its upper portion, is carried out with a device for the homogeneous diffusion of gases referred to in Figure 1 with the numeration (10), said device (10) is located in the upper portion of a liquid container (20), said device (10) is formed by elements that are described below. An external support (8) with two portions, a lower portion (12) fixed to the external floor to the liquid container (20) and an upper portion (13), a horizontal bridge (9) with a first end (14) and a second end (15), the first end (14) of the horizontal bridge (9) is fixedly attached and is supported on the upper portion (13) of the external support (8), a vertical main support axis (11) is rotationally joined to the lower portion of the second end (15) of the horizontal bridge (9). The structure forming the external support (8) with the horizontal bridge (9) and the vertical main support axis (11) is independent of the container (20) and the weight of the device is supported by the external support (8) and the vertical axis of main support (11) without exerting load on the container (20), the container does not support the weight of the horizontal bridge (9).

Said vertical main support axis (11) has in its lower portion a submerged annular head (1) which is seen more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, air blowers (16) generate a vertical air flow with downward direction for introduce air or a mixture of air and liquid to the submerged annular head (1), with an air pressure greater than the pressure equivalent to the existing pressure by difference in height between the liquid surface inside the container (20) and the depth where a plurality of Submerged distributors (2), as well as the pressure generated by the blowers is superior to pressure losses due to friction. The air blowers (16) are located directly above the vertical axis of the main support (11) and introduce only air, or a mixture of air-liquid with an air-liquid ratio from 0.05% volume of liquid to 50% volume of liquid, and liquid may be feeding to the blowers (16) through the bridge (9) or recirculating liquid from the container (20).

A plurality of horizontal conductor arms (7) with wheels (5) to rotationally support the plurality of conductor arms (7) with respect to the liquid container (20) that may or may not have a rail, track or channel in the upper portion of the container (20) to help the wheels (5) walk on the upper portion of the container (20). A wheel (5) is sufficient to rotationally drive the diffusion device of the present invention. The conductor arms (7) are attached to the vertical axis of the main support (11) by a first end (18) of each arm (7), the plurality of horizontal conductor arms (7) support in their lower portion a plurality of submerged vertical supports (6) which in turn supports a submerged distributor (2) that is attached to the lower portion of the plurality of vertical supports (6) and, conductively joined at one end to the annular head (1). The wheels (5) rotationally drive the plurality of conductor arms (7) on the edge of the liquid container, at least one wheel (5) receives electric current from the horizontal bridge (9) by means of slip rings located on the vertical axis of support (11) that transmit electricity, or by means of trolleys. Said slip rings prevent the transmission of electrical energy from being cut off or a cable being entangled, when the plurality of conductor arms (7) is in rotational movement. The rotation of the driving arms (7) can be clockwise, in contrast, rotate continuously, discontinuously or oscillatingly.

Generally it is desired to diffuse air in a water mixture with solids that tend to stagnate in the bottom. To avoid stagnation of solids in the bottom, each submerged distributor (2) has in its lower portion a plurality of harrows (4) with alternating movement that drag mud towards the center of the container or towards the perimeter of the circular container, depending on the slope of the bottom of the container (20), where an extraction pit can be located for exit natural and / or sediment ejection for its discarded or recirculated.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the bottom of the circular container has a slope of 5o from the center towards the perimeter or from the perimeter towards the center of the container to facilitate the dragging of sludge.

The distributors (2) can be formed by vertical sheets superimposed or butt with horizontal or microcorrugated folds, which allow bubbles to form in interstices between the joints of vertical sheets as a box with an open bottom. The harrows (4) prevent solid material from being embedded in the distributors (2), which form bubbles of different diameters, wall thickness at the interface and internal pressure.

The distributors (2) with the plurality of harrows (4) can move freely inside the container (20), the distributors (2) have connected in their upper portion a tube closed at the ends (3) to equalize the pressure along the entire diffuser.

By allowing the blowers (16) to stop working, a reverse flow of liquid is generated towards the distributors (2), generating a counterflow effect that allows the removal of solids deposited in said distributors (2), guaranteeing that the distributors (2) do not block, without stopping and emptying the container (20).

One or more of the above elements can be merged to fulfill their established functions, but forming a single element.

The manufacture of the various elements can use or not, one or more of the following materials: Steel machinery, structural steel, special steels, cast steel, stainless steel, cupronickel, titanium, reinforced concrete, special bearings, special mechanical seals, augmentation elements of couple of different types.

The device for the diffusion of gases according to the present invention is used in operations such as mixing, solubilizing, aerating, stirring, reacting, moving solids, and / or forming macro, micro or nano bubbles, in pure liquids or mixtures in solutions, emulsions or suspensions, stagnant or fluid, with or without the presence of solids, incorporates inaccessible diffusers.

The device does not need to be fixed to the bottom for its support and thus prevents the accumulation of decanted materials or that clump or embed around supports, nozzles, pipes, etc.

The bridge (9) is capable of driving pipes for feeding liquid or gaseous fluids that are desired to be incorporated into the container (20), in addition to supporting ducts that conduct electricity that feeds blowers (16) that are also installed in this structure.

The external support (8) has all the facilities to receive the bridge (9) and the services that the device itself requires, such as the assembly, operation and access for the maintenance of the blowers (16) that are installed directly above the container (20).

Also, the external support (8) in conjunction with the horizontal bridge (9) and the vertical axis of the main support (11), allows the device to work at high altitudes, being able to exceed 50 meters, in height and in containers of up to 100 meters in diameter so any container can be used without requiring additional elements, as it does not generate shear forces that could cause damage to the structure composed of the external support (8) in conjunction with the horizontal bridge (9) and the vertical axis of main support (11), in addition to maintain the system of transmission of suspended movement prevents it from getting out of its guide, it can not be dragged by wear, nor does it require emptying the contents of the container (20) to maintaining the homogenous diffusion device with harrows of the present invention.

The homogenous diffusion device with harrows of the present invention does not require to be fixed to the bottom of the container where it is used to be supported, in this way the accumulation of decanted materials or that solid agglutinates or solid are prevented around supports, nozzles, pipes, etc.

The device (10) allows the assembly, operation and access for the maintenance of blowers (16) that are installed directly above the liquid container (20). The device consists of external support (8) together with the support bridge (9), keeps suspended distributors (2) that are non-clogging diffusers and dragging elements (4), allowing the assembly to perform movements with a minimum of energy and in a smooth way. Due to the smooth movements and low revolutions, they do not suffer accelerated wear, their operation is much more reliable and better results in the diffusion of the fluid are achieved.

The present invention can be manufactured and installed in large containers. In the case of a biological reactor, the installation to be made is the one shown in figures 1 to 3, for a container of 45 m in diameter and 11 m in height.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as novelty, and therefore the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS

1. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids, characterized in that it comprises: An external support (8) with two portions, a lower portion (12) fixed to the external floor of a liquid container (20) and an upper portion (13), a horizontal bridge (9) with a first end (14) and a second end (15), the first end (14) of the horizontal bridge (9) is fixedly attached supported on the upper portion (13) of the external support (8), a vertical main support shaft (11) rotationally joined to the lower portion of the second end (15) of the horizontal bridge (9), said vertical main support axis (11) has in its lower portion (12) a submerged annular head ( 1) , blowers (16) located directly above the vertical axis of main support (11) to introduce air to the annular head, a plurality of horizontal conductor arms (7) that are joined to the vertical main support axis by a first end (18), the plurality of horizontal arms (7) support in its lower portion a plurality of submerged vertical supports (6) , a plurality of submerged distributors (2) that are attached to the lower portion of plurality of vertical supports (6) conductively attached to the annular head (1), and wheels (5) to rotationally support the plurality of conductive arms (7) with regarding the liquid container, wherein each submerged distributor (2) has in its lower portion a plurality of harrows (4) with alternating movement that drag mud towards the center of the container or towards the perimeter of the circular container.

2. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that wheels (5) to rotationally support the plurality of driving arms (7) are wheels (5) that rotationally drive the plurality of conducting arms (7) on the edge of the liquid container.

3. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 2, characterized in that said wheels (5) receive electric current from the horizontal bridge (9) by friction rings located on the vertical main support axis (11) that transmit electricity , said slip rings prevent the transmission of electric power from being cut when the plurality of conductor arms (7) is rotating.

4. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotation of the conductor arms (7) can occur in the clockwise direction, in contrast, rotate continuously, discontinuously or oscillatingly.

5. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid container (20) additionally comprises a module for natural exit and / or expulsion of sediments for discarding or recirculation.

6. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom of the container (20) may or may not have a slope from the center towards the perimeter or from the perimeter to the center of the container to facilitate the dragging of sludge, but the movement of the dredges (4), as well as the orientation of the same always manage to concentrate the sludge in a pit of extraction.

7. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that the distributors (2) are formed by superposed sheets with horizontal folds, which allow bubbles to form in interstices between a pair of vertical sheets in a manner of box with an open background.

8. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that said blowers (16) generate a vertical flow of air in a downward direction with a pressure greater than the pressure equivalent to the pressure generated by the difference in height of the liquid content between the surface of the liquid and the depth where the plurality of submerged distributors is located (2).

9. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that said blowers (16) for introducing air to the head (1) introduced to the annular head (1) a mixture of air-liquid with an air-liquid ratio from 0.05% volume of liquid to 50% volume of external liquid or from the same container (20).

10. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 9, characterized in that said blowers (16) receive liquid through the bridge (9).

11. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 9, characterized in that said blowers (16) recirculate liquid from the container (20).

12. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that said device is used in operations such as mixing, solubilizing, aerating, stirring, reacting, moving solids, and / or forming macro, micro or nano bubbles, in pure liquids or mixtures in solutions, emulsions or suspensions, stagnant or fluid, with or without the presence of solids.

13. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that said plurality of submerged distributors (2) are non-clogging diffusers.

14. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight of the device is supported by the external support (8) and the vertical main support axis (11) without exerting load on the container (20). ).

15. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that a wheel (5) is sufficient to rotationally drive said device.

16. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 14, characterized in that the external support (8) in conjunction with the horizontal bridge (9) and the vertical main support axis (11), allows the device to be installed in containers with height of up to 50 meters and 100 meters in diameter.

17. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that the external support (8) allows access for the maintenance of the blowers (16) that are installed directly above the container (20).

18. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that said device is not fixed in the bottom of the container (20) where it is used.

19. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that by allowing the blowers (16) to stop working a reverse current of liquid is generated towards the distributors (2) generating a counter flow effect that allows to remove solids deposited in said distributors (2), guaranteeing that the distributors (2) do not get clogged, without needing to stop and empty the container (20).

20. - A device for homogeneous diffusion of gases in liquids according to claim 1, characterized in that the air blowers (16) require an air pressure slightly greater than the pressure equivalent to the existing pressure due to the difference in height between the surface of the liquid inside the container (20) and the depth where there is a plurality of submerged distributors (2).