High efficiency direct gas-liquid contact apparatus and methods

Claim 2

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a full spray having a divergent envelope; means defining a divergent spray chamber surrounding and substantially fitting said spray envelope, said chamber having an inlet area Ain and an outlet area Aout which is greater than Ain by a factor of between about 3 and 8; and radial, annular impedance-matching inlet duct means for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray chamber, said duct means having an inlet effective crosssectional area which is greater than its outlet effective cross-sectional area, said duct means acting to increase the velocity of said gas while decreasing the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply.

Claim 3

The apparatus defined by claim 1 wherein said factor is substantially 2.

Claim 4

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a spray having a divergent envelope; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray and positioned on a common axis therewith, said chamber having an inner surface with a divergent configuration substantially fitting said spray envelope; and radial impedance-matching inlet duct means for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray chamber, said duct means having axially spaced surfaces with and spaced from said spray generating means for defining an annular passageway leading to an inlet end of said spray chamber adjacent said spray generating means in which cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said duct means acting to increase the velocity of said gas while decreasing the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply.

Claim 5

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a spray having a divergent envelope; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray and positioned on a common axis therewith, said chamber having an inner surface with a divergent configuration substantially fitting said spray envelope; and radial impedance-matching inlet duct means for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray chamber, said duct means having axially spaced surfaces with and spaced from said spray generating means for defining an annular passageway leading to an inlet end of said spray chamber adjacent said spray generating means in which cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said duct means acting to increase the velocity of said gas while decreasing the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply.

Claim 6

The apparatus defined by claim 3 wherein said spray chamber has an inlet area Ain and an outlet area Aout which is greater than Ain by a factor of between about 3 and 8.

Claim 7

The apparatus defined by claim 3 wherein said inlet duct means has an inlet area Ai and an outlet area Ao having the relationship: 1.5 < (Ai/Ao) < 10.

Claim 8

The apparatus defined by claim 3 wherein said spray generating means constitutes an eductor, comprising jet means for forming a stream of said liquid, nozzle means for receiving said stream in close-fitting relationship thereto, and support means for spacing said nozzle means from said jet means to provide an opening for gas to be induced into said nozzle means.

Claim 9

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a full spray having a divergent envelope; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray and positioned on an axis common therewith, said chamber having a divergent inner surface which substantially fits said spray envelope; and inlet duct means for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray, including radial impedance-matching means having axially spaced surfaces with said spray generating means for defining an annular passageway configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said radial impedance-matching means communicating with said spray through an annular axial venturi configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of axial distance from said spray generating means, said duct means acting to increase the velocity of said gas while decreasing the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply.

Claim 10

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a full spray having a divergent envelope; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray and positioned on an axis common therewith, said chamber having a divergent inner surface which substantially fits said spray envelope; and inlet duct means for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray, including radial impedance-matching means having axially spaced surfaces with said spray generating means for defining an annular passageway configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said radial impedance-matching means communicating with said spray through an annular axial venturi configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of axial distance from said spray generating means, said duct means acting to increase the velocity of said gas while decreasing the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply.

Claim 11

The apparatus defined by claim 7 Wherein said spray chamber has an inlet area Ain and an outlet area Aout which is greater than Ain by a factor of between about 3 and 8.

Claim 12

The apparatus defined by claim 7 wherein said inlet duct means has an inlet area Ai and an outlet area Ao having the relationship: 1.5 < (Ai/Ao) < 10.

Claim 13

The apparatus defined by claim 7 wherein said spray generating means constitutes an eductor comprising jet means for forming a stream of said liquid, nozzle means for receiving said stream in close-fitting relationship thereto, and support means for spacing said nozzle means from said jet means to provide an opening for gas to be induced into said nozzle means.

Claim 14

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a full spray having an envelope which is divergent along an initial section thereof, and substantially non-divergent along a downstream section thereof; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray and positioned on an axis common therewith, said chamber having a first component with a divergent inner surface which substantially fits said initial section of said spray envelope, and a second component with a substantially non-divergent inner surface which substantially fits said downstream section of said spray envelope; and a multiple stage inlet duct system for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray, comprising: a first duct means defining a passageway communicating with an inlet end of said initial section of said spray chamber, and a second duct means comprising radial impedance-matching means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with said spray generating means for defining a second annular passageway such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said radial impedance-matching means communicating with an inlet end of said second component of said spray chamber through an annular axial venturi which surrounds said first component of said spray chamber and terminates in an annular opening at the entrance to said second component of said spray chamber, whereby gas induced into said spray through said second duct means acts to isolate said spray from said inner surface of said second component of said spray chamber substantially to prevent deposition of said spray thereon, said annular axial venturi being configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of axial distance from said spray generating means, at least said second duct means of said duct system acting to increase the velocity of said gas while decreasing the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply.

Claim 15

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a full spray having an envelope which is divergent along an initial section thereof, and substantially non-divergent along a downstream section thereof; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray and positioned on an axis common therewith, said chamber having a first component with a divergent inner surface which substantially fits said initial section of said spray envelope, and a second component with a substantially non-divergent inner surface which substantially fits said downstream section of said spray envelope; and a multiple stage inlet duct system for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray, comprising: a first duct means defining a passageway communicating with an inlet end of said initial section of said spray chamber, and a second duct means comprising radial impedance-matching means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with said spray generating means for defining a second annular passageway such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said radial impedance-matching means communicating with an inlet end of said second component of said spray chamber through an annular axial venturi which surrounds said first component of said spray chamber and terminates in an annular opening at the entrance to said second component of said spray chamber, whereby gas induced into said spray through said second duct means acts to isolate said spray from said inner surface of said second component of said spray chamber substantially to prevent deposition of said spray thereon, said annular axial venturi being configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of axial distance from said spray generating means, at least said second duct means of said duct system acting to increase the velocity of said gas while decreasing the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply.

Claim 16

The apparatus defined by claim 11 wherein said spray chamber has an inlet area Ain and an outlet area Aout which is greater than Ain by a factor of between 3 and 8.

Claim 17

The apparatus defined by claim 11 wherein said second inlet duct means has an inlet area Ai and an outlet area Ao having a relationship: 1.5 < (Ai/Ao) < 10.

Claim 18

The apparatus defined by claim 11 wherein said spray generating means constitutes an eductor comprising jet means for forming a stream of said liquid, nozzle means for receiving said stream in close-fitting relationship thereto, and support means for spacing said nozzle means from said jet means to provide an opening for gas to be induced into said nozzle means.

Claim 19

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a full spray having an envelope which is substantially conically divergent along an initial section thereof; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray and positioned on an axis common therewith, said chamber havinG an inner surface with a substantially conically divergent section substantially fitting said initial section of said spray envelope; a multiple stage inlet duct system for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray, a first stage of said system comprising a first radial impedance-matching duct means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with and spaced from said nozzle means for defining an annular passageway communicating with an inlet end of said spray chamber adjacent said spray generating means, said passageway being configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said duct system including a second stage comprising a second radial impedance-matching duct means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with said spray generating means for defining a second annular passageway communicating with said spray at a location downstream of said initial section of said spray envelope, said second passageway being configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said first and second stages of said duct system each acting to increase the velocity of said gas while decreasing the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply.

Claim 20

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a full spray having an envelope which is substantially conically divergent along an initial section thereof; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray and positioned on an axis common therewith, said chamber havinG an inner surface with a substantially conically divergent section substantially fitting said initial section of said spray envelope; a multiple stage inlet duct system for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray, a first stage of said system comprising a first radial impedance-matching duct means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with and spaced from said nozzle means for defining an annular passageway communicating with an inlet end of said spray chamber adjacent said spray generating means, said passageway being configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said duct system including a second stage comprising a second radial impedance-matching duct means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with said spray generating means for defining a second annular passageway communicating with said spray at a location downstream of said initial section of said spray envelope, said second passageway being configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said first and second stages of said duct system each acting to increase the velocity of said gas while decreasing the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply.

Claim 21

The apparatus defined by claim 15 wherein said first stage of said inlet duct system has an inlet area Ai and an outlet area Ao having the relationship: 1.5 < (Ai/Ao) < 10 .

Claim 22

The apparatus defined by claim 15 wherein said second stage of said inlet duct system has an inlet area Ai and an outlet area Ao having the relationship: 1.5 < (Ai/Ao) < 10.

Claim 23

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a full spray having an envelope which is substantially conically divergent along an initial section thereof, and substantially non-divergent along a downstream section thereof; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray and positioned on an axis common therewith, said chamber having a first component with a substantially conically divergent inner surface which substantially fits said initial section of said spray envelope, and a second component with a substantially non-divergent inner surface which substantially fits said downstream section of said spray envelope; and a multiple stage inlet duct system for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray, comprising: a first radial impedance-matching duct means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with and spaced from said nozzle means for defining an annular passageway communicating with an inlet end of said initial section of said spray chamber, said passageway being configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, and duct means comprising second radial impedance-matching means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with said spray generating means for defining a second annular passageway configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said radial impedance-matching means communicating with an inlet end of said second component of said spray chamber through an annular axial venturi which surrounds said first component of said spray chamber and terminates in an annular opening at the entrance to said second component of said spray chamber, whereby gas induced into said spray through said second duct means acts to isolate said spray from said inner surface of said second component of said spray chamber to prevent substantial deposition of said spray thereon, said annular axial venturi being configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of axial distance from said spray generating means, said firt and second stages of said duct system each acting to increase the velocity of said gas while decreasIng the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply.

Claim 24

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a full spray having an envelope which is substantially conically divergent along an initial section thereof, and substantially non-divergent along a downstream section thereof; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray and positioned on an axis common therewith, said chamber having a first component with a substantially conically divergent inner surface which substantially fits said initial section of said spray envelope, and a second component with a substantially non-divergent inner surface which substantially fits said downstream section of said spray envelope; and a multiple stage inlet duct system for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray, comprising: a first radial impedance-matching duct means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with and spaced from said nozzle means for defining an annular passageway communicating with an inlet end of said initial section of said spray chamber, said passageway being configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, and duct means comprising second radial impedance-matching means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with said spray generating means for defining a second annular passageway configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said radial impedance-matching means communicating with an inlet end of said second component of said spray chamber through an annular axial venturi which surrounds said first component of said spray chamber and terminates in an annular opening at the entrance to said second component of said spray chamber, whereby gas induced into said spray through said second duct means acts to isolate said spray from said inner surface of said second component of said spray chamber to prevent substantial deposition of said spray thereon, said annular axial venturi being configured such that its cross-sectional area decreases as a function of axial distance from said spray generating means, said firt and second stages of said duct system each acting to increase the velocity of said gas while decreasIng the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply.

Claim 25

The apparatus defined by claim 18 wherein said first inlet duct means has an inlet area Ai and an outlet area Ao having the relationship: 1.5 < (Ai/Ao) < 10.

Claim 26

The apparatus defined by claim 18 wherein said second inlet duct means has an inlet area Ai and an outlet area Ao having the relationship: 1.5 < (Ai/Ao) < 10.

Claim 27

The apparatus defined by claim 20 wherein said second inlet duct means has an inlet area Ai and an outlet area Ao having the relationship: 1.5 < (Ai/Ao) < 10.

Claim 28

The apparatus defined by claim 21 wherein said first component of said spray chamber has an outer surface which defines an inner surface of said annular axial venturi.

Claim 29

The apparatus defined by claim 22 wherein said spray chamber has an inlet area Ain and an outlet area Aout which is greater than Ain by a factor of between about 3 and 8.

Claim 30

The apparatus defined by claim 22 wherein said spray generating means constitutes an eductor comprising jet means for forming a stream of said liquid, nozzle means for receiving said stream in close-fitting relationship thereto, and support means for spacing said nozzle means from said jet means to provide an opening for gas to be induced into said nozzle means.

Claim 31

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a spray having a divergent envelope; means defining a spray chamber receiving said spray; radial impedance-matching inlet duct means for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray chamber, said duct means having axially spaced surfaces with and spaced from said spray generating means for defining an annular passageway leading to an inlet end of said spray chamber adjacent said spray generating means in which cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said duct means acting to increase the velocity of said gas while decreasing the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply; and means in said inlet duct means for creating turbulence in the flow of gas in said duct means and in said spray chamber to thereby maximize the gas-liquid contact in said chamber.

Claim 32

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a spray having a divergent envelope; means defining a spray chamber receiving said spray; radial impedance-matching inlet duct means for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray chamber, said duct means having axially spaced surfaces with and spaced from said spray generating means for defining an annular passageway leading to an inlet end of said spray chamber adjacent said spray generating means in which cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said duct means acting to increase the velocity of said gas while decreasing the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply; and means in said inlet duct means for creating turbulence in the flow of gas in said duct means and in said spray chamber to thereby maximize the gas-liquid contact in said chamber.

Claim 33

Evaporative cooling apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving an evaporable liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a full spray having a diverging envelope; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray, and positioned on a common axis therewith, said chamber having a divergent configuration substantially fitting said spray envelope; radial impedance-matching inlet duct means for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray chamber, said duct means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with and spaced from said spray generating means for defining an annular passageway leading to an inlet end of said spray chamber adjacent said spray generating means in which cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said duct means acting to decrease the pressure of said gas below that of the gas supply while increasing the velocity thereof.

Claim 34

Evaporative cooling apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving an evaporable liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a full spray having a diverging envelope; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray, and positioned on a common axis therewith, said chamber having a divergent configuration substantially fitting said spray envelope; radial impedance-matching inlet duct means for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray chamber, said duct means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with and spaced from said spray generating means for defining an annular passageway leading to an inlet end of said spray chamber adjacent said spray generating means in which cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said duct means acting to decrease the pressure of said gas below that of the gas supply while increasing the velocity thereof.

Claim 35

High efficiency gas-liquid contact apparatus useful for oxygenation, gas scrubbing, chemical reaction enhancement, fuel combustion, and the like, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a full spray having a diverging envelope; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray and positioned on a common axis therewith, said chamber having a divergent configuration substantially fitting said spray envelope; radial impedance-matching inlet duct means for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray chaMber, said duct means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with and spaced from said spray generating means for defining an annular passageway leading to an inlet end of said spray chamber adjacent said nozzle means in which cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said duct means acting to decrease the pressure of said gas below that of the gas supply while increasing the velocity thereof.

Claim 36

High efficiency gas-liquid contact apparatus useful for oxygenation, gas scrubbing, chemical reaction enhancement, fuel combustion, and the like, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a full spray having a diverging envelope; means defining a spray chamber surrounding said spray and positioned on a common axis therewith, said chamber having a divergent configuration substantially fitting said spray envelope; radial impedance-matching inlet duct means for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray chaMber, said duct means having axially spaced surfaces coaxial with and spaced from said spray generating means for defining an annular passageway leading to an inlet end of said spray chamber adjacent said nozzle means in which cross-sectional area decreases as a function of decreasing radius, said duct means acting to decrease the pressure of said gas below that of the gas supply while increasing the velocity thereof.

Claim 37

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a spray having a divergent envelope; means defining a divergent spray chamber surrounding and substantially fitting said spray envelope; conduit means surrounding and spaced from said spray chamber and extending downstream thereof, said spray chamber and conduit means defining a venturi inlet duct means for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray chamber, said duct means having an inlet effective cross-sectional area which is greater than its outlet effective cross-sectional area, said duct means acting to increase the velocity of sad gas while decreasing the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply; and means in said inlet duct means for creating turbulence in the flow of gas is said duct means and in said chamber to thereby maximize the gas-liquid contact in said chamber.

Claim 38

High efficiency aspirative gas-liquid contact apparatus, comprising: spray generating means for receiving a liquid under pressure and for producing therefrom a spray having a divergent envelope; means defining a divergent spray chamber surrounding and substantially fitting said spray envelope; conduit means surrounding and spaced from said spray chamber and extending downstream thereof, said spray chamber and conduit means defining a venturi inlet duct means for conducting gas to be aspirated from a gas supply to said spray chamber, said duct means having an inlet effective cross-sectional area which is greater than its outlet effective cross-sectional area, said duct means acting to increase the velocity of sad gas while decreasing the pressure thereof below that of the gas supply; and means in said inlet duct means for creating turbulence in the flow of gas is said duct means and in said chamber to thereby maximize the gas-liquid contact in said chamber.