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Publication Number
US-7846228-B1
Publication Date
2010-12-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
Extraction devices are disclosed for extracting liquid particulates from a gaseous stream. The extraction devices may have a powered or free spinning rotating extractor that may be mounted in the extraction device's source or extraction duct. During operation, liquid particulates impinging on the rotating extractor form a thin film of extracted liquid that travels due to centrifugal force to the periphery of the extractor's exterior surface where the extracted liquid may be flung to the inner surface of the extraction duct and collected.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an extraction device for extracting entrained liquid particulates from a gaseous stream. The extraction device comprises an extractor, an extraction duct having an inner surface and an extracted liquid outlet, and an extractor mount that mounts the extractor for rotation at least partially within the extraction duct and within the gaseous stream.
During use, the extractor is a free spinning extractor that is powered for rotation by the gaseous stream. As the extractor rotates, at least some of the liquid particulates are extracted from the gaseous stream by the upstream surface of the extractor to form a thin film of extracted liquid on the upstream surface, and centrifugal force urges the extracted liquid to travel to the periphery of the upstream surface and to be flung from the periphery to the inner surface of the extraction duct.
At least some of the extracted liquid on the inner surface of the extraction duct travels to the extracted liquid outlet. The disclosed approach is associated with reducing re-aerosolization by recapturing re-aerosolized pathogens and improving retention time of particulate charge, and example configurations use the gaseous stream and/or extraction flow patterns to increase extraction and influence how extracted liquid is handled for collection.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim identified for the extraction device defines 3 inventive features centered on a rotating free-spinning extractor mounted within an extraction duct to form a thin liquid film, using centrifugal force to fling extracted liquid to an inner duct surface, and draining collected extracted liquid to an extracted liquid outlet. Dependent refinements described in the provided claim set include additional flow-path and geometry features, as well as re-entrainment preventer structures and rotational relationships.
Free-spinning rotating extractor extracting to thin film and flinging by centrifugal force
A free spinning extractor that is powered for rotation by the gaseous stream, where during use the extractor rotates, extracts liquid particulates using the upstream surface to form a thin film of extracted liquid on the upstream surface, and creates a centrifugal force that urges the extracted liquid to travel to a periphery of the upstream surface and to be flung from the periphery to the inner surface of the extraction duct.
Extraction duct with inner surface and extracted liquid outlet for collecting flung liquid
An extraction duct that comprises an inner surface and an extracted liquid outlet, where the gaseous stream passes through the extraction duct such that extracted liquid on the inner surface travels to the extracted liquid outlet.
Extractor mount positioning the extractor at least partially within the extraction duct and within the gaseous stream
An extractor mount that mounts the extractor for rotation at least partially within the extraction duct and within the gaseous stream.
Gaseous vortex and extractor rotation rate relationship to minimize impact
During use, the gaseous vortex and the extractor rotate at rates selected to be at least about equal to minimize impact force of liquid particulates on the upstream surface.
Serpentine flow path to increase extraction at upstream and inner surfaces
The gaseous stream flows in a serpentine flow path around the extractor to increase the rate of extraction at the upstream surface and at the inner surface of the extraction duct.
Relative cross-sectional sizing near source duct outlet to affect flow
A source duct outlet in fluid communication with the extraction duct, where the extraction duct’s cross-sectional size near the source duct outlet is larger than the source duct outlet’s cross-sectional size.
Close-fit vane and extractor side surface to minimize bypass flow between vane edge and inner duct surface
The free spinning extractor’s axially elongated side surface and the axially elongated vane are close-fit with the inner surface of the extraction duct to at least minimize gaseous stream passing between the vane outer edge and the inner surface.
Knife-edge re-entrainment preventer
The re-entrainment preventer is a knife-edge re-entrainment preventer.
Across the provided claims, coverage centers on a rotating free-spinning extractor mounted within an extraction duct to form a thin liquid film on an upstream surface, using centrifugal force to fling extracted liquid to the duct inner surface, and collecting the extracted liquid at an extracted liquid outlet. The dependent refinements further narrow performance by specifying rotational rate relationships, serpentine flow paths, relative cross-sectional sizing near a source duct outlet, close-fit vane/duct geometry, and knife-edge re-entrainment preventer structures.
Stated Advantages
Reduced re-aerosolization by recapturing re-aerosolized pathogens, with an example net loss rate reduction (up to ~3x).
Improved retention time of particulate charge (example ~2.5x).
Water loss reduction in tests, with an example reduction (up to ~7x) using a powered extractor.
Documented Applications
Steam turbines for removal of entrained liquid particulates from a gaseous stream.
Humidifiers for removing entrained liquid particulates.
Wetted-surface air samplers for recapturing re-aerosolized pathogens and entrained liquid particulates.
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