CN121925304A - Fluid handling systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid treatment system, particularly a hydrocarbon fuel treatment system, is provided. The system includes one or more cavitation treatment stages, each of the one or more cavitation treatment stages configured to generate a mixture of a first fluid and a second fluid and to produce a vapor-filled cavity embedded in the mixture, and one or more resonance frequency treatment stages, each of the one or more resonance frequency treatment stages configured to increase an amount of gas content in the vapor-filled cavity by introducing resonance into the mixture. Further, a system for providing treated fluid to an engine device and a fluid treatment method are provided.

Description

Fluid treatment system

Technical Field

The present application relates to fluid treatment systems and methods, particularly hydrocarbon fuel and water treatment systems and methods, wherein the treatment increases the amount of gas content in the fluid mixture, particularly emulsified hydrocarbon fuel.

Background

Internal combustion engine-based power units are major contributors to carbon emissions that accelerate global warming, thereby affecting the environment and air quality, as they burn hydrocarbon fuels, which can lead to emissions such as Particulate Matter (PM), hydrocarbons (HC), carbon dioxide (CO ₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and Nitrogen Oxides (NOX).

Replacement of hydrocarbon fuels or even burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine with a substitute of biofuel, synthetic fuel, etc. each has drawbacks such as limited availability, high cost, difficult storage or handling, and eventually expensive and complex modifications to the internal combustion engine itself are generally required.

Thus, despite the continued search for sustainable and green power plants and alternative fuels, technically mature internal combustion engines operating with hydrocarbon fuels would remain irreplaceable in many applications, one of which is a marine two-stroke internal combustion engine.

In order to achieve short-term or medium-term reductions in carbon gas emissions in existing internal combustion engines, it is critical to improve the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels in the internal combustion engine.

The advent of water emulsified hydrocarbon fuels is expected to significantly improve the combustion process of hydrocarbon fuels in conventional internal combustion engines. The water-emulsified hydrocarbon fuel is an emulsion of liquid hydrocarbon fuel and water (H ₂ O). An emulsion represents a dispersion, i.e. a heterogeneous mixture of two substances which are hardly soluble in each other. In water emulsified hydrocarbon fuels, the hydrocarbon fuel represents the continuous phase of the dispersion, and the dispersed phase of water is distributed in the continuous phase. Based on temperature and pressure conditions, the water-emulsified hydrocarbon fuel may exhibit an emulsion of liquid water content distributed within the liquid fuel or a foam of water vapor distributed within the liquid hydrocarbon fuel.

Today, emulsified fuel is used by direct water injection into the cylinders of an internal combustion engine. This reduces combustion temperatures and NOX emissions, but not only requires modification of the engine itself, but also can adversely affect system stability, as the addition of water can lead to corrosion and other problems.

These disadvantages are usually solved by adding additives to keep the emulsion stable. However, these additives again increase the environmental impact of combustion, as they produce combustion products when combusted.

Thus, there is a need in the art to improve the treatment of water-emulsified hydrocarbon fuels.

Disclosure of Invention

The fluid treatment system, and in particular the hydrocarbon fuel treatment system, according to the present invention meets this need. A fluid treatment system according to the present invention includes one or more cavitation treatment stages and one or more resonance frequency treatment stages. The one or more cavitation treatment stages and the one or more resonance frequency treatment stages may be different components of a system that may be connected in series, or in some embodiments of the invention the cavitation treatment and the resonance frequency treatment may be staggered, i.e. performed by one component of a system combining cavitation treatment stages and resonance frequency treatment stages.

The cavitation treatment stage according to the present invention is configured to generate a mixture of a first fluid and a second fluid and further to generate a vapor-filled cavity embedded in the mixture. The first fluid may be a hydrocarbon fuel and the second fluid may be a different type of hydrocarbon fuel, water, alcohol, or another liquid. Additionally, the first fluid and/or the second fluid may be a non-homogenous fluid comprising additives (e.g., oil, alcohol, or synthetic fuel).

According to the invention, a cavity filled with vapor is created by cavitation embedded in the mixture. Cavitation is the physical process of creating a vapor-filled cavity in a liquid when the static pressure of the liquid drops below the vapor pressure of the liquid, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In other words, at a location where the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid drops below the vapor pressure of the liquid, at least a portion of the molecules of the liquid will transition from the liquid phase to the vapor phase, thereby creating a vapor-filled cavity (or bubble). Since these pressure variations are non-uniform, the pressure will only drop below the vapor pressure of the liquid in a small area within the liquid, with the vapor-filled cavity embedded in the liquid.

Preferably, the pressure change in the liquid may be introduced by at least one rotating element. Examples of suitable rotating elements are propellers or geometrical elements with holes, recesses or protrusions. Such geometric elements include discs, plates, cylinders, spheres, hemispheres, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. Furthermore, a combination of a rotating element and a static element (so-called stator) may be used. The direction of rotation of the rotating element need not be uniform. In some embodiments, the rotating elements may rotate in the same direction, while in other embodiments, the rotating elements may rotate in different or opposite directions (so-called reversing elements). In some preferred embodiments, the cavitation treatment stage may comprise at least two counter-rotating elements, while in other preferred embodiments, the cavitation treatment stage may comprise a combination of at least a rotating element and at least one stator element.

In case two or more rotating elements are used, the rotating elements may be arranged in a stacked arrangement, which means that they have a common axis of rotation. However, in other examples, the rotating elements may not have a common axis of rotation, but may be arranged in a parallel arrangement such that their axes of rotation are parallel to each other. In other examples, the axes of rotation of the two or more rotating elements may not be arranged in any particular order, but may be arranged arbitrarily.

During operation, the cavitation treatment stage receives a first liquid (e.g., hydrocarbon fuel) and a second fluid (e.g., a different type of hydrocarbon fuel, water, alcohol, or another liquid). The term fluid as used herein shall also cover fluids and any additives as long as the corresponding aggregation state is fluid. The first fluid and the second fluid are mixed as they pass through the cavitation treatment stage. Preferably, the mixing occurs through one or more rotating elements as the first fluid and the second fluid flow around or through the rotating elements. As the one or more rotating elements rotate, they mix the first fluid and the second fluid, and preferably simultaneously create a vapor-filled cavity embedded in the mixture by causing cavitation. In this way, a mixture of a first fluid (e.g., hydrocarbon fuel) and a second fluid (e.g., a different type of hydrocarbon fuel, water, alcohol, or other liquid) is created, wherein a vapor-filled cavity is created in and embedded in the mixture. The vapor-filled cavity contains vapor of a fluid, such as vapor made from water. In some preferred embodiments, a mixture of hydrocarbon fuel (as the first fluid) and water (as the second fluid) is produced, wherein a vapor-filled cavity is created in and embedded in the hydrocarbon fuel, thereby producing an emulsified hydrocarbon fuel.

When two or more rotating elements are used, the first fluid and the second fluid may pass through the two or more rotating elements in sequence (e.g., as in the case when the two or more rotating elements are stacked), or a portion of the first fluid and the second fluid may pass through a first one of the two or more rotating elements while another portion of the first fluid and the second fluid may pass through another one of the two or more rotating elements (e.g., as in the case when the two or more rotating elements are arranged in parallel). In the latter case, two or more rotating elements may be arranged in one large space through which the first fluid and the second fluid will flow, or may be arranged in two or more flow channels.

One or more resonant frequency treatment stages for a fluid treatment system are configured to increase the amount of gas content in the vapor-filled cavity by introducing resonance into the mixture.

As mentioned herein in one or more cavitation treatment stages, a vapor-filled cavity is created in a mixture of a first fluid and a second fluid. In one or more resonant frequency treatment phases, the gas content within the vapor-filled cavity is increased by applying a resonant frequency. In some applications, the resonance frequency resonates with the energy of a bond of a fluid molecule (e.g., a hydrogen-oxygen bond of a water molecule), while in other applications, the resonance frequency refers to the natural frequency of the device forming the resonance frequency treatment stage, meaning that the device acts as a resonator. In some preferred embodiments, the geometry or arrangement of the resonant frequency treatment stage and thus the resonant frequency of the resonant frequency treatment stage may be related to the resonant frequency of the hydrogen-oxygen bonds of the water molecules.

When the resonance frequency treatment stage is operating, the resonance frequency is introduced into the mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid, in particular into the cavity filled with vapour, and energy is introduced. This energy breaks down and converts vapor/liquid molecules within the vapor-filled cavity into gaseous form. For example, when water is used as the second fluid, the resonant frequency causes the H ₂ O molecules to dissolve into hydrogen molecules (H ₂) and oxygen molecules (O ₂).

Thus, according to the present invention, a first fluid (preferably a hydrocarbon fuel) is mixed with a second fluid (e.g., a different type of hydrocarbon fuel, water, alcohol, or other liquid) to create a vapor-filled cavity in the mixture and to increase the gas content in the vapor-filled cavity. In other words, in some preferred embodiments, the hydrocarbon fuel is treated such that it contains embedded cavities of gas content (preferably hydrogen and oxygen) to produce an emulsified fuel. When such a treated hydrocarbon fuel mixture is fed to an internal combustion engine, combustion is improved because gaseous components (e.g., gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen) enhance the combustion process.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for a fluid treatment system are described.

In an embodiment of the system according to the invention the cavitation treatment stage and the resonance frequency treatment stage may be connected in sequence in such a way that the first fluid and the second fluid are received in the cavitation treatment stage, treated by mixing and creating a vapour-filled cavity embedded in the mixture, the treated mixture being provided to the resonance frequency treatment stage. The resonant frequency treated mixture with increased gas content in the vapor filled cavity may then be provided to an engine.

However, in other embodiments, at least two cavitation treatment stages may be connected in series, and at least one resonant frequency treatment stage may be located intermediate relative to at least two cavitation treatment stages connected in series. This arrangement provides a two-stage cavitation process with a resonant frequency process located between the two-stage cavitation processes. This may particularly improve the mixing of the hydrocarbon fuel and the fluid and the increase in the gas content in the vapor-filled cavity.

Additionally or alternatively to any of these embodiments, a tap may be added downstream of the treatment stage, wherein the tap may split the fluid flow into two lines, wherein a first line is used to provide treated fluid to the engine and the other line is connected upstream of any treatment stage, thereby forming a loop or recirculation line. In this way, a portion of the treated fluid may be provided to the engine while another portion of the treated fluid is separated and recycled back to the treatment stage for further treatment, which may even further improve treatment efficiency. Depending on the mode of operation of the engine, the treated fluid required for combustion may be more or less, and the circuit or recirculation line may temporarily store any excess treated fluid by re-supply.

In some preferred embodiments, one or more of the resonant frequency processing stages may comprise one assembly of two or more tubes of non-magnetic material having circular cross-sections and different diameters and arranged concentrically. The tubes thereby define a plurality of intermediate spaces which form a flow path for the mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid. Further, the inner tube and the outer tube of the assembly of two or more tubes may be configured to be connected to a current generator. In this way, a pulsating current (e.g., pulsating direct current) may be applied to the tube, the pulsating current resonating.

In some preferred embodiments, the means for generating an electrical current may be included in the system. For example, each of the one or more resonant frequency processing stages may include a current generator connected to respective inner and outer tubes of the assembly of two or more tubes and configured to provide a fluctuating current or respective discs of the module. Or the system may comprise a common current generator connected to respective inner and outer tubes of the assembly of two or more tubes of each of the two or more resonant frequency processing stages and configured to provide a fluctuating current.

The fluctuating current may be a pulsed current with two phase-shifted waves of slightly different frequencies in order to induce resonance, or may comprise two different phase currents with different modulations and different frequencies. The pulsating current may form a charge on the tube in the range of 0.5V to 100kV and the current strength may be in the range of 0.01A to 1 kA. The duty cycle and pause period of the current generator may have a ratio ranging from 0.05% to 99.05%. The pulsating current may be pulsating in accordance with a sinusoidal, triangular or square shape or the like.

In another preferred embodiment, the one or more resonant frequency processing stages may comprise one or more modules, each module comprising two plates and an insulator disposed between the two plates and configured to isolate the two plates from each other. Furthermore, during operation, one of the plates may have a positive charge and the other plate may have a negative charge. The charge may be generated by a current (e.g., a direct current) provided by a current generator. Preferably, the current is a pulsating current as described above. Each plate may include an opening that allows the mixture to flow through the respective plate.

Preferably, the plates may be arranged in such a way that their openings do not overlap, which means that the flow of the mixture will pass through the space between two plates until it reaches the opening in the other plate. Further, when two or more modules are used, the modules may be stacked. Thus, the modules may be stacked in such a way that the openings of adjacent plates of adjacent modules do not overlap, such that the mixture flows through the space between adjacent modules until it reaches the corresponding opening in the next module. Further, when two or more modules are stacked, the modules may be stacked with adjacent plates having opposite charges-e.g., a first module having positively and negatively charged plates as described above. When the second module is placed adjacent to the first module, the plate of the second module having negative charge is placed next to the plate of the first module having positive charge, or the plate of the second module having positive charge is placed next to the plate of the first module having negative charge. Thus, as the mixture flows through the plates of a single module and through the spaces between adjacent modules, the mixture is surrounded by negatively charged plates on one side and positively charged plates on the other side. When modules are stacked, additional insulation may be placed between the stacked modules.

In some preferred embodiments, at least one of the one or more cavitation treatment stages comprises two plates spaced apart from each other, wherein each plate comprises a first plurality of openings for flowing a mixture through the respective plate, and a plurality of permanent magnets disposed in receptacles within the respective plate. Further, at least one of the one or more cavitation treatment stages may comprise a rotating disk positioned between the two plates, wherein the rotating disk comprises a second plurality of openings for flowing the mixture through the rotating disk. Furthermore, at least one of the one or more resonant frequency treatment stages may comprise two stator discs placed between two plates of the at least one cavitation treatment stage and on either side of a rotating disc of the cavitation treatment stage, wherein each stator disc may comprise a third plurality of openings for the mixture to flow through the stator disc. The stator disc may be configured to be connected to a current generator configured to generate a fluctuating current as described above. Thus, a fluctuating positive charge may be formed on one of the two stator disks and a fluctuating negative charge on the other stator disk.

In this way, the rotating disk of at least one cavitation treatment stage causes mixing of a first fluid (e.g., hydrocarbon fuel) and a second fluid (e.g., another type of hydrocarbon fuel, water, alcohol, or other liquid) and creates a vapor-filled cavity within the mixture. This is further enhanced by two spaced apart plates containing a first plurality of openings and magnets, wherein the magnets enhance the orientation of the molecules within the vapor-filled cavity. The two stator disks of at least one resonant frequency treatment stage are charged during operation and provide resonant frequency treatment. Since the magnet affects the orientation of the molecules, the molecules are more easily decomposed by the resonant frequency treatment stage. In addition, the third plurality of openings enhances the cavitation process.

For this embodiment, it can be said that the resonant frequency treatment phase and cavitation treatment phase are staggered, thereby combining the mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid and the generation of the vapor-filled with increasing the gas content in the vapor-filled cavity. By combining the two processes, they are also enhanced because the components interact and provide additional openings to enhance the cavitation process, and also provide enhanced resonance treatment by using magnetic fields.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of such systems comprising two plates, a rotating disc and two stator plates may also be stacked or connected in a loop. In the case of a circuit, the tap may be located downstream of one of these systems and may split into two lines, one for providing treated fluid to the engine and one for recycling a portion of the treated fluid back to the system or systems. In some embodiments of the stacking of such systems, the stacked systems may share a common board in order to reduce the overall complexity of the stacked system. Further, in some embodiments, there may be only two plates with a first plurality of openings and a receiving portion filled with permanent magnets, and a plurality of stator discs (three or more) with at least one rotating element placed between two adjacent stator discs may be provided.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the preferred embodiments described above are not exclusive. Rather, the embodiments may be combined. For example, where the system uses multiple resonant frequency treatment phases, each resonant frequency treatment phase may have any of the configurations described above. Similarly, where the system uses multiple cavitation treatment stages, each cavitation treatment stage may have any of the configurations described above.

The above-mentioned need is also addressed by a system for providing treated fluid to an engine arrangement according to the present invention. According to the invention, the system for providing treated fluid to an engine arrangement comprises a preparation line for a first fluid, such as hydrocarbon fuel, a preparation line for a second fluid, such as a different type of hydrocarbon fuel, water, alcohol or other liquid, and a fluid treatment system according to the above description. The fluid treatment system is located downstream of the preparation line for the first fluid and the preparation line for the second fluid. Furthermore, at least one of the preparation line for the first fluid and the preparation line for the second fluid comprises at least one first Halbach (Halbach) array.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, halbach arrays comprise a specific arrangement of permanent magnets, which results in an increase in magnetic flux on one side of the arrangement and a substantial decrease in magnetic flux on the opposite side of the arrangement.

According to the invention, the halbach array preferably comprises a cylindrical body. Within the cylindrical body, a stack of rings is placed, wherein each ring includes magnets arranged in an annular fashion along the ring. Preferably, adjacent magnets have opposite orientations, meaning that a first magnet has a north pole facing radially towards the center of the ring and a south pole facing radially towards the outside of the ring, and an adjacent second magnet has a south pole facing radially towards the center of the ring and a north pole facing radially towards the outside of the ring, and so on. With this arrangement, the magnetic flux inside the ring increases. Or the opposite orientation of adjacent magnets may be achieved by a first magnet having a north pole facing in a downstream flow direction and a south pole facing in an upstream flow direction relative to the flow of fluid through the halbach array, and an adjacent second magnet having a south pole facing in a downstream flow direction and a north pole facing in an upstream flow direction, and so on.

In addition, the halbach array includes a spiral structure disposed within the rings of the stack. The spiral structure is preferably made of a magnetic material, such as stainless steel. The helical structure is configured to rotate within the rings of the stack.

During operation of the halbach array, a flowing medium (e.g., hydrocarbon fuel, fluid (e.g., water), or a mixture of both) will advance through the rotational motion of the helical structure. The flowing medium is affected by the magnetic field lines due to the increased magnetic flux within the stack ring. When a halbach array is provided in a preparation line for one of the fluids, it affects the fluid in such a way that fluid molecules (in particular water molecules) become softer when flowing through the magnetic field on the flux-increasing side. In the case of hydrocarbon fuel flowing through the halbach array, the halbach array affects the hydrocarbon fuel in such a way that some of the chemical bonds of the hydrocarbon chains are weakened, which results in the hydrocarbon chains breaking down into smaller hydrocarbon segments. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, burning smaller hydrocarbon chains will result in a reduced amount of exhaust gas, which is why the halbach array may help reduce carbon gas emissions from internal combustion engines.

In another preferred embodiment, the system for providing treated hydrocarbon fuel to an engine assembly may include a second halbach array downstream of the fluid treatment system. The second halbach array may have substantially the same structure as the first halbach array described above and may have the function of the first halbach array described above.

More preferably, one first halbach array may be provided in the preparation line of the first fluid and the fluid preparation line of the second fluid, respectively, and a second halbach array may be provided downstream of the fluid treatment system.

Further, the system for providing the treatment fluid to the engine arrangement may comprise a control unit. The control unit may be configured to determine the temperature and/or pressure at various locations within the system, for example, the preparation line for the first fluid, the preparation line for the second fluid, any halbach array (if any), any location within the fluid system, or a location downstream of the fluid treatment system. The control unit may be configured to control valves located throughout the system that provide the treatment fluid to the engine apparatus and may be configured to control pumps that establish and maintain the flow of the first fluid and the second fluid through the system.

Preferably, the control unit may be configured to operate the valve and the pump in a manner that keeps the ratio of the first fluid and the second fluid constant. In general, the ratio may include any range of 5% to 95% of the first fluid (e.g., hydrocarbon fuel) combined with a corresponding percentage of the second fluid (e.g., water, H ₂ O), including specific ratios of (i) 10%: 90%, (ii) 20%: 80%, (iii) 25%: 75%, (iv) 30%: 70%, or (v) 50%: 50% (in any of these ratios, the first fluid may correspond to the first or second position of the ratio). In a preferred example, a ratio of H2O: fuel=20%: 80% may be provided. As described above, the first fluid and/or the second fluid may be a non-homogenous fluid comprising an additive (e.g., oil, alcohol, or synthetic fuel). For example, (i), this means that in the first fluid: second fluid = 80%: 20%, the ratio may include 80% of the first fluid (e.g., hydrocarbon fuel and additives) and 20% of the second fluid (e.g., water and additives).

Although the control unit may be formed by a plurality of control units, a single control unit for synchronously controlling the pump and the valve is preferable.

The above-mentioned need may also be addressed by the method according to the invention. The method may be performed by any of the fluid treatment systems disclosed above. The method includes generating a mixture of a first fluid and a second fluid and creating a vapor-filled cavity embedded in the mixture, and increasing an amount of gas content in the vapor-filled cavity by introducing resonance into the mixture. The method may use the apparatus of the fluid treatment system as described above. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the generation of the mixture and the generation of the vapor-filled cavity may be performed by one or more rotating elements.

Further, increasing the amount of gas content in the vapor-filled cavity may include directing the mixture through an assembly of two or more tubes of non-magnetic material having circular cross-sections and different diameters and arranged concentrically, thereby defining a plurality of intermediate spaces that form a flow path for the mixture and applying a fluctuating current to inner and outer tubes of the assembly of two or more tubes.

Alternatively, increasing the amount of gas content in the vapor-filled cavity may additionally or alternatively include directing the mixture through one or more modules, each module including two plates and one insulator disposed between the plates and configured to isolate the plates from each other, wherein one plate has a positive charge and the other plate has a negative charge, and wherein each plate includes holes that enable the mixture to flow through the respective plate.

Drawings

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of the system. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various embodiments may be employed and the described embodiments are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

In the drawings, like reference numerals generally refer to like parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

In the following description, various embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a fluid treatment system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rotating element configured for use in a cavitation treatment stage in accordance with the present invention;

fig. 3 shows elements of a resonant frequency processing stage according to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a fluid treatment method according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a fluid treatment system according to two embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a fluid treatment system according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates another fluid treatment system according to the present invention, which is based on the principles of the system of FIG. 6;

Fig. 8 illustrates a treatment fluid treatment system according to the present invention, wherein the system includes one or more halbach arrays.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific details and embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.

The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs.

Fig. 1 shows a fluid treatment system according to the present invention. The system 100 includes a first fluid supply 108, a second fluid supply 110, a pump 106, a fuel processor 104, and a connection to the engine 102.

The first fluid supply 108 and the second fluid supply 110 are connected downstream to the pump 106. The pump 106 is configured to receive a first fluid from a first fluid supply 108 and a second fluid from a second fluid supply 110 and provide the first fluid and the second fluid to the fuel processor 104. Although a single pump 106 is depicted in fig. 1, one skilled in the art will appreciate that each of the first fluid supply 108 and the second fluid supply 110 may be connected to the fuel processor 104 by separate pumps. As noted at the outset of the present application, the first fluid may be a hydrocarbon fuel and the second fluid may be a different type of hydrocarbon fuel, water, an alcohol, or other liquid. Additionally, the first fluid and/or the second fluid may be a non-homogenous fluid comprising an additive (e.g., oil, alcohol, or synthetic fuel).

The fuel processor 104 is configured to process a fluid. The fuel processor may generally include one or more cavitation treatment stages and one or more resonant frequency treatment stages. Each of the one or more cavitation treatment stages may be configured to generate a mixture of a first fluid and a second fluid and create a vapor-filled cavity embedded in the mixture. Furthermore, each of the one or more resonant frequency treatment stages may generally be configured to increase the amount of gas content in the vapor-filled cavity by introducing resonance into the mixture.

The system 100 depicted in fig. 1 may represent a general design of a fluid treatment system of the present invention. Preferred embodiments and implementations are described in more detail with reference to the following drawings.

Fig. 2 shows a rotating element configured to be employed in a cavitation treatment stage in accordance with the present invention. The cavitation treatment stage according to the present invention may be configured to generate a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid and to create a vapor-filled cavity embedded in the mixture. The cavitation treatment stage may mix the fluid and create a vapor-filled cavity by using one or more rotating elements that cause cavitation, i.e., a physical process when the static pressure of the liquid drops below the vapor pressure of the liquid to create a vapor-filled cavity in the liquid.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a rotary element 200 according to the invention. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure may also cover other rotating elements, including known devices, such as propellers.

The rotary element 200 generally has a disk-shaped body and a plurality of openings 210. The first fluid and the second fluid may flow through the opening 210. As the rotary element 200 rotates, the openings 210 cause pressure changes and cavitation.

In addition to the plurality of openings 210, the rotating element may include another plurality of openings or recesses 220. These other plurality of openings or recesses 220 may be filled with permanent magnets 250. The magnet may enhance the orientation of molecules within the vapor-filled cavity. Since the magnet affects the orientation of the molecules, the molecules can be more easily decomposed by a resonance frequency treatment stage located downstream of the cavitation treatment stage.

Fig. 3 shows the elements of the resonant frequency processing stage according to the invention. The resonant frequency processing stage according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise a stack of plates 300a, 300b, wherein each plate comprises an opening 304, and wherein the plates are separated from each other by an insulator. The openings 304 of the stacked plates may form one or more flow paths between the plates 300a, 300 b. Further, the plates 300a, 300b are configured to be charged when a pulsating current is applied to the plates 300a, 300 b. In this way, adjacent plates 300a, 300b may be oppositely charged. The pulsating current is pulsed to introduce resonance into molecules of the vapor-filled cavities of the fluid mixture to break down the molecules and break down chemical bonds of the liquid portion of the vapor, thereby increasing the gas content within the vapor-filled cavities embedded in the first and second fluid mixtures.

As can be seen in fig. 3 (a), 3 (b), each plate 300a, 300b may include a plurality of mounting holes that may connect the plurality of plates 300a, 300b by rods 306, thereby forming a set of stacked plates as shown in the exploded view of fig. 3 (b). The stack plates 300a, 300b may additionally include one or more cover plates 308 at the top and/or bottom of the stack, and may be disposed in a housing (not shown).

Fig. 4 shows a flow chart of a fluid treatment method according to the invention. Method 400 may be performed by any of the fluid treatment systems disclosed herein. The method 400 includes generating 402 a mixture of a first fluid and a second fluid and creating 404 vapor-filled cavities embedded in the mixture, and increasing 406 an amount of gas content in the vapor-filled cavities by introducing resonance into the mixture.

In some embodiments, generating 402 the mixture and generating 404 the vapor-filled cavity may be performed by one or more rotating elements as disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, increasing 406 the amount of gas content in the vapor-filled cavity may include directing the mixture through an assembly of two or more tubes of non-magnetic material having circular cross-sections and different diameters and arranged concentrically, thereby defining a plurality of intermediate spaces that form a flow path for the mixture, and applying a fluctuating current to the inner tube and the outer tube of the assembly of two or more tubes. Alternatively, increasing 406 the amount of gas content in the vapor-filled cavity may additionally or alternatively include directing the mixture through one or more modules, each module including two plates and an insulator disposed between the two plates and configured to isolate the two plates from each other, wherein one plate is positively charged and the other plate is negatively charged, and wherein each plate includes one aperture that enables the mixture to flow through the respective plate.

Fig. 5 illustrates a fluid treatment system according to two embodiments of the invention. Both embodiments are based on the general system 100 shown in fig. 1 and include a first fluid supply 508, a second fluid supply 510, a pump 506, fuel processors 504a, 504b, and a connection to the engine 502. In addition, a circuit or recirculation line 505 is shown in phantom. Such a loop or recirculation line 505 may be added to the system 500 and may increase the efficiency of the process or may provide temporary storage of the processed fluid. The flow of treated fluid through the circuit or recirculation line 505 may be controlled via a valve (not shown) that may be controlled by a controller (not shown). The control may be based on current or anticipated demand for fluid (e.g., hydrocarbon fuel) in the engine.

In a first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 (a), the fuel processor 504a includes two cavitation treatment stages 514, 516 connected in series and one resonant frequency treatment stage 512a located between the two cavitation treatment stages 514, 516. The cavitation treatment stages 514, 516 may include one or more rotating elements. For example, cavitation treatment stages 514, 516 may include one or more rotating disks 200 as shown in FIG. 2. In a particularly preferred embodiment example, cavitation treatment stages 514, 516 may each comprise a stack of rotating disks 200. The disks 200 of the stacked rotating disks may rotate in the same direction or may be counter-rotating disks. In addition, the rotating disk may rotate at different rotational frequencies. The cavitation process may be improved by utilizing changes in the rotational direction and rotational frequency of adjacent disks in the stacked rotating disks, and mixing may be enhanced by increasing turbulence in fluid flow in cavitation treatment stages 514, 516.

The resonant frequency processing stage 512a may comprise an assembly of two or more tubes of non-magnetic material having circular cross-sections and different diameters and arranged concentrically. The tubes thereby define a plurality of intermediate spaces that create a flow path for the mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid. Further, the inner tube and the outer tube of the assembly of two or more tubes may be configured to be connected to a current generator. In this way, a pulsating current (e.g., pulsating direct current) may be applied to the tube, the pulsating current forming a resonance.

The system 500b shown in fig. 5 (b) may be similar to the system 500a of fig. 5 (a) except for the resonant frequency processing stage 512b of the fuel processor 504 b. The resonant frequency treatment stage 512b may include a plurality of stacked plates including openings for forming flow paths through the plurality of stacked plates, wherein the plates are configured to be charged by an applied pulsating current (e.g., direct current), such as described with reference to fig. 3.

Fig. 6 illustrates a fluid treatment system according to another embodiment of the invention. The system 600 shown in the block diagram of fig. 6 (a) is based on the general system 100 shown in fig. 1 and includes a first fluid supply 608, a second fluid supply 609, a pump 606, a fuel processor 604, and a connection to an engine 602. In addition, the circuit or recirculation line 605 is shown in dashed lines similar to the circuit or recirculation line 505 of the systems 500a, 500b depicted in fig. 5 (a), (b).

The fuel processor 604 of the system 600 combines a cavitation treatment stage and a resonant frequency treatment stage, as shown in fig. 6 (b).

The fuel processor 604 of fig. 6 (b) includes two plates 610a, 610b spaced apart from each other, wherein each plate 610a, 610b includes a first plurality of openings 655 (see fig. 6 (d)) for flowing a mixture through the respective plate 610a, 610b, and a plurality of permanent magnets 660 (see fig. 6 (b), (c)), the plurality of permanent magnets 660 being disposed in receptacles 650 (see fig. 6 (b) to (d)) within the respective plate 610a, 610 b. In addition, the fuel processor 604 includes a rotating disk 630 positioned between the two plates 610a, 610b, wherein the rotating disk 630 includes a second plurality of openings 635 (see fig. 6 (e)) for enabling the mixture to flow through the rotating disk 630. The rotating disk may be connected to a drive shaft 640, and the drive shaft 640 may be connected to a motor (see "M" in fig. 7). In addition, the fuel processor 604 includes two stator disks 620a, 620b that are placed between the two plates 610a, 610b and on either side of the rotating disk 630. Each stator disk 620a, 620b includes a third plurality of openings 625 (see fig. 6 (e)) for allowing the mixture to flow through the stator disks 620a, 620b. The stator discs 620a, 620b may be configured to be connected to a current generator configured to generate a fluctuating current, as described above. Thus, a fluctuating negative charge may be formed on one of the two stator disks 620a and a fluctuating positive charge on the other stator disk 620b.

In this way, the rotating disk 630 causes mixing of a first fluid (e.g., hydrocarbon fuel) and a second fluid (e.g., another type of hydrocarbon fuel, water, alcohol, or other liquid) and creates a vapor-filled cavity within the mixture. This is further enhanced by the spaced apart two plates 610a, 610b comprising a first plurality of openings 655 and magnets 660, wherein the magnets 660 enhance the orientation of molecules within the vapor-filled cavity. The two stator disks 620a, 620b are charged during operation and provide resonance frequency treatment. Since the magnet 660 affects the orientation of the molecules, the molecules are more easily decomposed by the resonance frequency treatment stage. In addition, the third plurality of openings 625 of the stator disk enhances the cavitation process because even if the stator disks 620a, 620b are not rotating, the mixed fluid is in motion and will experience additional turbulence through the third plurality of openings 625. As can be seen in fig. 6 (e), the rotating disk 630 may include an additional opening in which the drive shaft 640 may be placed, where the drive shaft 640 may be connected to the rotating disk, and the stator disk 620a may also include an additional opening 622 for receiving the drive shaft 640, but where the drive shaft 640 also passes through the opening 622 without being connected to the stator disk 620a (as described above, the stator disks 620a, 620b do not rotate). The stator disc 620b may have the same or similar configuration as the stator disc 620b depicted in fig. 6 (e).

For this embodiment, it can be said that the resonant frequency treatment phase and cavitation treatment phase are staggered to combine the mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid with the generation of the vapor-filled cavity while increasing the gas content in the vapor-filled cavity. By combining the two processes they are also enhanced, as the components interact and provide additional openings to enhance the cavitation process, and also provide enhanced resonance treatment by using magnetic fields.

Fig. 6 (b) shows a cross-sectional view of a fuel processor 604 according to the present invention, while fig. 6 (c) through (e) show various components of the fuel processor 604, where (c) and (d) show perspective views, including cross-sections for illustration, (e) show a top view and additional cross-sectional views shown in phantom.

Fig. 7 shows another fluid treatment system according to the invention, which is based on the principle of the system according to fig. 6. Fig. 7 shows an example of an embodiment 700 of a fuel processor based on fuel processor 604, but including a stack of components similar to fuel processor 604 shown in fig. 6 (b). Such a stack 700 may increase the efficiency of fuel processing by repeatedly performing cavitation and resonant frequency processing in an interleaved manner. The system 700 may include an inlet 710 and an outlet 720 configured to receive and release fluid from the system 700, respectively. In addition, a motor M is depicted, which is connected to a drive shaft 640.

Fig. 8 shows a fluid treatment system according to the invention, wherein the system comprises one or more halbach arrays. The system 800 shown in the block diagram of fig. 8 (a) is based on the general system 100 shown in fig. 1 and includes a first fluid supply 808, a second fluid supply 810, a pump 806, a fuel processor 804, and a connection to an engine 802. In addition, the circuit or recirculation line 805 is shown in dashed lines similar to the circuit or recirculation line 505 of the systems 500a, 500b depicted in fig. 5 (a), (b).

The fuel processor 804 may have any configuration of the fluid treatment system according to the invention described herein, in particular any of the fuel processors described with reference to fig. 1-7.

Further, the first halbach array 850a is located between the pump 806 and the first fluid supply 808. Further, another first halbach array 850b is located between the pump 806 and the source of the second fluid supply 810. Although not shown in the figures, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure also contemplates alternatives to the system 800 in which only one of the first halbach arrays 850a, 850b is present, or in which the second halbach array is placed between the fuel processor 804 and the connection to the engine 802 or within the circuit or recirculation line 805.

The halbach array comprises a specific arrangement of permanent magnets, which results in an increase of magnetic flux on one side of the arrangement and a substantial decrease of magnetic flux on the opposite side of the arrangement. Fig. 8 (b) shows an example of one embodiment of a halbach array 850 in an exploded view. The halbach array 850 may be used as the first halbach array 850a, 850b or the second halbach array according to the system 800 shown in fig. 8 (a).

Halbach array 850 includes a cylindrical body (not shown). Within the cylindrical body, a stack of rings 870 is placed, wherein each ring 870 includes magnets 890 arranged in an annular fashion along the ring. Preferably, adjacent magnets have opposite orientations. In addition, halbach array 850 includes a helical structure 880 disposed within stacked rings 870. The spiral structures 880 are preferably made of a magnetic material, such as stainless steel. The helical structure 880 is configured to rotate within the stacked rings 870. An inner cylinder 860 may be placed within the stacked ring 870 to provide a sealed volume within the stacked ring 870 such that fluid passing through the halbach array 850 does not leak.

The rotational motion of the helical structure 880 may be used to advance fluid through the halbach array 850. The fluid is affected by the magnetic field lines due to the increased magnetic flux within the loops of the stack. When the halbach array 850 is disposed in a preparation line of one of the fluids 808, 810, it affects the fluid such that fluid molecules (particularly water molecules) become more softened when flowing through the magnetic field on the flux-increasing side. In the event that hydrocarbon fuel flows through halbach array 850, halbach array 850 affects the hydrocarbon fuel in such a way that certain chemical bonds of the hydrocarbon chains are weakened, which results in the hydrocarbon chains breaking down into smaller portions of hydrocarbon chains. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, burning smaller hydrocarbon chains will result in a reduced amount of exhaust gas, which is why the halbach array may help reduce carbon gas emissions from internal combustion engines.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the halbach array 850 shown in fig. 8 (b) represents only one example of a halbach array, and that other halbach array configurations may be used without departing from the invention.

What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. The described embodiments are not to be considered limiting and they may be combined in any way or for the purpose of adapting the invention.

Claims (15)

1. A fluid treatment system includes one or more cavitation treatment stages (514, 516), each of the one or more cavitation treatment stages (514, 516) configured to generate a mixture of a first fluid and a second fluid, wherein at least one of the first fluid or the second fluid is a hydrocarbon fuel, and to generate a vapor-filled cavity embedded in the mixture, and one or more resonance frequency treatment stages (512 a, 512 b), each of the one or more resonance frequency treatment stages (512 a, 512 b) configured to increase an amount of gas content in the vapor-filled cavity by introducing resonance into the mixture.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more cavitation treatment stages (514, 516) comprise at least two cavitation treatment stages (514, 516) connected in series, and wherein at least one of the one or more resonance frequency treatment stages (512 a, 512 b) is located intermediate the at least two cavitation treatment stages (514, 516).

3. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the one or more cavitation treatment stages (514, 516) comprises one or more rotating elements (200, 630), the one or more rotating elements (200, 630) configured to mix the first fluid and the second fluid and to generate a vapor-filled cavity embedded in the mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid by rotation.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the one or more rotating elements (200, 630) comprise at least one of one or more propellers or one or more geometric objects, wherein at least one of the geometric objects comprises a plurality of holes, and wherein the one or more geometric objects comprise one or more discs, one or more plates, one or more cylinders, one or more spheres, one or more hemispheres, or any combination thereof.

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the one or more resonant frequency treatment phases (512 a, 512 b) comprises an assembly of two or more tubes of non-magnetic material, the two or more tubes having a circular cross section and different diameters and being arranged concentrically, thereby defining a plurality of intermediate spaces forming a flow path for the mixture, wherein one inner tube and one outer tube of the assembly of two or more tubes are configured to be connected to a current generator, the current generator being configured to apply a fluctuating current.

6. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the one or more resonant frequency treatment phases (512 a, 512 b) comprises one or more modules, each module comprising two plates (300 a,300 b) and one insulator placed between the two plates (300 a,300 b) and configured to isolate the two plates (300 a,300 b) from each other, wherein each plate (300 a,300 b) comprises one opening enabling the mixture to flow through the respective plate (300 a,300 b).

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the two plates (300 a, 300 b) of each module are configured to be connected to a current generator configured to generate a fluctuating current, thereby forming a fluctuating positive charge on one of the two plates (300 a, 300 b) of each module and a fluctuating negative charge on the other of the two plates (300 a, 300 b) of each module.

8. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the one or more cavitation treatment stages (514, 516) comprises two plates (610 a, 610 b) spaced apart from each other, wherein each plate (610 a, 610 b) comprises a first plurality of openings (655) for flowing the mixture through the respective plate (610 a, 610 b) and a plurality of permanent magnets (660), and one rotating disc (630), the plurality of permanent magnets (660) being placed in a receiving portion (650) within the respective plate (610 a, 610 b), and the rotating disc (630) being located between the two plates (610 a, 610 b), wherein the rotating disc (630) comprises a second plurality of openings (635) for flowing the mixture through the rotating disc (630), and wherein at least one of the one or more resonance frequency treatment stages (512 a, 512 b) comprises at least one of the stator (620 a, 620 b), and the two of the stator discs (620 a, 620 b) are placed between the two plates (620 a, 620 b), and wherein the two cavitation treatment stages (620 a, 620 b) are placed between the two of the two plates (620 a, 620 b) and the discs (620 a, 620 b) are treated, the third plurality of openings (625) is for flowing the mixture through the stator discs (620 a, 620 b).

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the two stator disks (620 a, 620 b) are configured to be connected to a current generator configured to generate a fluctuating current, thereby forming a fluctuating positive charge on one of the two stator disks (620 a, 620 b) and a fluctuating negative charge on the other stator disk (620 a, 620 b).

10. A system for providing treated fluid to an engine arrangement, the system comprising a preparation line for a first fluid (108, 508, 608, 708), a preparation line for a second fluid (110, 510, 609, 710), and a fluid treatment system (104, 504a, 504b, 604, 804) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fluid treatment system (104, 504a, 504b, 604, 804) is located downstream of the preparation line for the first fluid (108, 508, 608, 808) and the preparation line for the second fluid (110, 510, 609, 810), wherein at least one of the preparation line for the first fluid (108, 508, 608, 808) and the preparation line for the second fluid (110, 510, 609, 810) comprises at least one first halbach array (850, 850a, 850 b).

11. The system for providing treated fluid to an engine arrangement of claim 10, further comprising at least one second halbach array (850, 850a, 850 b) located downstream of the fluid treatment system (104, 504a, 504b, 604, 804).

12. A fluid treatment method includes generating (402) a mixture of a first fluid and a second fluid, wherein at least one of the first fluid or the second fluid is a hydrocarbon fuel, generating (404) a vapor-filled cavity embedded in the mixture, and increasing (406) an amount of gas content in the vapor-filled cavity by introducing resonance into the mixture.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein generating (402) the mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid and generating (404) the vapor-filled cavity are performed by one or more rotating elements (200, 630).

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein increasing (406) the amount of gas content in the vapor-filled cavity comprises directing the mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid through an assembly of two or more tubes of non-magnetic material, the two or more tubes having a circular cross-section and different diameters and being arranged concentrically, thereby defining a plurality of intermediate spaces forming flow paths for the mixture, and applying a fluctuating current to an inner tube and an outer tube of the assembly of two or more tubes.

15. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein increasing (406) the amount of gas content in the vapor-filled cavity comprises directing the mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid through one or more modules, each module comprising two plates (300 a, 300 b) and an insulator disposed between the two plates (300 a, 300 b) and configured to isolate the plates (300 a, 300 b) from each other, wherein each plate (300 a, 300 b) comprises an opening (304), the opening (304) enabling the mixture to flow through the respective plate (300 a, 300 b), and applying a fluctuating current to the two plates (300 a, 300 b) of each module, thereby forming a fluctuating positive charge on one plate (300 a, 300 b) of each module and a fluctuating negative charge on the other plate (300 a, 300 b) of each module.