초록 ▼

A device and method for creating hydrodynamic cavitation in fluid is provided. The device includes a fluid passage having at least two local constrictions of flow provided in a parallel relationship therein, wherein each local constriction of flow configured to generate a hydrodynamic cavitation fie

A device and method for creating hydrodynamic cavitation in fluid is provided. The device includes a fluid passage having at least two local constrictions of flow provided in a parallel relationship therein, wherein each local constriction of flow configured to generate a hydrodynamic cavitation field downstream therefrom. The at least two local constrictions of flow can include concentrically arranged annular orifices.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A device for creating hydrodynamic cavitation in fluid, the device comprising: a first fluid passage having a longitudinal axis and defined by at least one wall having an inner surface; a second fluid passage disposed within the first fluid passage and defined by at least one

What is claimed is: 1. A device for creating hydrodynamic cavitation in fluid, the device comprising: a first fluid passage having a longitudinal axis and defined by at least one wall having an inner surface; a second fluid passage disposed within the first fluid passage and defined by at least one wall having an inner surface, the at least one wall that defines the second fluid passage includes a first baffle extending outward therefrom, thereby defining a first orifice between the first baffle and the at least one wall that defines the first fluid passage, the first orifice configured to generate a first hydrodynamic cavitation field downstream therefrom, wherein the at least one wall that defines the second fluid passage includes one or more openings to permit fluid to flow from within the first fluid passage to within the second fluid passage or vice versa; a second baffle disposed within the second fluid passage and spaced from the inner surface of the at least one wall that defines the second fluid passage, thereby defining a second orifice between the second baffle and the at least one wall that defines the second fluid passage, the second orifice configured to generate a second hydrodynamic cavitation field downstream therefrom. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the openings are circular, slotted, or meshed. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second orifices are annular shaped. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second orifices are concentrically arranged within the first fluid passage. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second baffles both lie in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first fluid passage. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first orifice has a first gap thickness defined as the radial distance between the first baffle and the inner surface of the at least one wall that defines the first fluid passage, and the second orifice has a second gap thickness defined as the radial distance between the second baffle and the inner surface of the at least one wall that defines the second fluid passage. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first gap thickness is substantially equal to the second gap thickness. 8. The device of claim 6, wherein the first gap thickness is different than the second gap thickness. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second baffles includes a cylindrical surface and a tapered surface that confronts fluid flow. 10. A device for creating hydrodynamic cavitation in fluid, the device comprising: (a) an inlet opening for introducing fluid into the device; (b) an outlet opening for exiting fluid from the device; (c) a first fluid passage in fluid communication with the inlet opening and the outlet opening, the first fluid passage having: (i) a first upstream end and a first downstream end; (ii) a longitudinal axis and being defined by a first wall; and (iii) a first baffle element disposed within the first fluid passage between the first upstream end and the first downstream end, thereby defining a first orifice between the outer-most perimeter of the first baffle element and the inside surface of the first wall, wherein the first baffle element is positioned to generate a hydrodynamic cavitation field downstream from the first baffle element; (d) a second fluid passage in fluid communication with the inlet opening and the outlet opening, the second fluid passage having: (i) a second upstream end and a second downstream end; (ii) a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first fluid passage, the second fluid passage being defined by the outside surface of the first wall and the inside surface of a second wall, the first wall and the second wall being parallel to each other; and (iii) a second baffle element disposed within the second fluid passage between the second upstream end and the second downstream end, the second baffle element being positioned substantially the same plane as the first baffle element, and the second baffle element being connected to or a part of the outside surface of the first wall, thereby defining a second orifice between the outer-most perimeter of the second baffle element and the inside surface of the second wall, wherein the second baffle element is positioned to generate a hydrodynamic cavitation field downstream from the second baffle element. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the first wall has one or more openings disposed therein to provide fluid communication between the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the openings are circular, slotted or meshed. 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the size of the first orifice and the size of the second orifice may be the same or different. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the size of the first orifice and the size of the second orifice are the same. 15. The device of claim 13, wherein the size of the first orifice and the size of the second orifice are different. 16. The device of claim 10, wherein the first and second wall defining the first and second flow-through chambers are each cylindrically shaped and have a circular cross-section. 17. The device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first baffle element and the second baffle element is conically shaped and having a tapered portion that confronts fluid flow. 18. The device of claim 10, further comprising: a third fluid passage in fluid communication with the inlet opening and the outlet opening, the third fluid passage having: a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first fluid passage and the longitudinal axis of the second fluid passage, the third fluid passage being defined by the outside surface of the second wall and the inside surface of a third wall, the third wall being parallel to the first wall and the second wall; and a third baffle element disposed within the third fluid passage between a third upstream end and a third downstream end, the third baffle element being positioned in substantially the same plane as the first baffle element and the second baffle element, and the third baffle element being connected to or a part of the outside surface of the second wall, thereby defining a third orifice between the outer-most perimeter of the third baffle element and the inside surface of the third wall, wherein the third baffle element is positioned to generate a hydrodynamic cavitation field downstream from the third baffle element.