Method and means for precision mixing
View Patent ↗An extremely dilute mixture of a liquid in a flowing fluid stream is prepared by forming tiny droplets of the liquid and injecting the droplets individually into the flowing stream. The rate at which liquid is added to the flowing stream is determined by the number of droplet forming units that are provided and upon the frequency with which the units are activated, allowing a precise digital control of the concentration of the liquid in the flowing fluid stream.
1. A system for introducing a liquid into a fluid stream comprising:
a fluid source;
a confined space connected at a first location to the fluid source for passing a fluid stream containing first components there through, the confined space being connected at a second location to use point;
a first droplet forming device for injecting a first liquid in amounts ranging from one picoliter to multiple milliliters into the fluid stream within the confined space before the fluid stream reaches the use point, the first liquid containing second components, the first droplet forming device including:
a first liquid reservoir;
a first exit port to the confined space; and
a first subsystem for controllably injecting the first liquid from the first liquid reservoir through the first exit port into the confined space;
wherein the first components in the fluid stream interact with second components in the first liquid; and
a feedback control loop for controlling at least one of the frequency and size of the injected droplets in response to a signal from one or more sensors connected to the confined space.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream bind with second components in the first liquid.
3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream chemically react with and/or titrate second components in the first liquid.
4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second components modify reactions between the first components in the fluid stream and are selected from the group consisting of accelerants, deccelerants, and catalysts.
5. The system according to claim 1 , the fluid in the fluid stream is a gas, the first liquid is water, wherein the injecting the water into the gas stream controls the humidity of the gas stream.
6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second components modify viscosity of the fluid stream.
7. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the first liquid has a lower viscosity than the viscosity of the fluid stream.
8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first components include particles which agglomerate during flow of the fluid stream and the second components include a surfactant for reducing agglomeration of the particles.
9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the interaction between the first components and the second components results in a change of phase of at least one of the first components of the fluid stream.
10. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second components include a flocculant.
11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second components are selected from the group consisting of:
pure, dilute, or mixed chemicals; combinations of chemicals; biological materials including spores, bacteria, viruses, cells, cellular components, membranes, enzymes; and particulates including microspheres and microspheres coated with chemicals or biological materials.
12. The system according to claim 1 , the confined space including turbulence-inducing means for mixing the fluid stream with the first injected liquid.
13. A system for introducing a liquid into a fluid stream comprising:
a fluid source;
a confined space connected at a first location to the fluid source for passing a fluid stream containing first components there through, the confined space being connected at a second location to use point;
a first droplet forming device for injecting a first liquid in amounts ranging from one picoliter to multiple milliliters into the fluid stream within the confined space before the fluid stream reaches the use point, the first liquid containing second components, the first droplet forming device including:
a first liquid reservoir;
a first exit port to the confined space; and
a first subsystem for controllably injecting the first liquid from the first liquid reservoir through the first exit port into the confined space, the first subsystem including:
a first body member having a hole along the length thereof, the first exit port being at a first end of the first body member;
a first transducer located near second end of the first body member;
at least two first conductors for generating a pressure wave in response to an electrical pulse and causing the first transducer to deform, thereby forming a first liquid droplet at the first exit port and causing the first liquid droplet to be expelled into the fluid stream;
a second droplet forming device for injecting in to the fluid stream within the confined space before the fluid stream reaches the use point, a second liquid containing third components,
the second liquid injector including:
a second liquid reservoir;
a second exit port to the confined space; and
a second subsystem for controllably injecting the second liquid from the second liquid reservoir through the second exit port into the confined space, the second subsystem including:
a second body member having a hole along the length thereof, the second exit port being at a first end of the second body member;
a second transducer located near second end of the second body member;
at least two second conductors for generating a pressure wave in response to an electrical pulse and causing the second transducer to deform, thereby forming a second liquid droplet at the second exit port and causing the second liquid droplet to be expelled into the fluid stream;
wherein the first components in the fluid stream interact with at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid.
14. The system according to claim 13 , further including a feedback control loop for controlling at least one of the frequency and size of the injected first and second droplets in response to a signal from one or more sensors connected to the confined space.
15. The system according to claim 13 , the confined space including turbulence-inducing means for mixing the fluid stream with the first and second injected liquids.
16. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the first and second liquids are different.
17. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the second and third components interact with each another.
18. The system according to claim 13 , the first and second transducers being piezoceramic.
19. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream bind with at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid.
20. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream chemically react with, and/or titrate at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid.
21. The system according to claim 13 , wherein at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid modify reactions between the first components in the fluid stream and are selected from the group consisting of accelerants, deccelerants, and catalysts.
22. The system according to claim 13 , the fluid in the fluid stream is a gas, at least one of the first and second liquids is water, wherein injecting the water into the gas stream controls the humidity of the gas stream.
23. The system according to claim 13 , wherein at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid modify viscosity of the fluid stream.
24. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the first components include particles which agglomerate during flow of the fluid stream and at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid include a surfactant for reducing agglomeration of the particles.
25. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the interaction between the first components and at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid results in a change of phase of at least one of the first components of the fluid stream.
26. The system according to claim 13 , wherein at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid are selected from the group consisting of pure, dilute, or mixed chemicals; combinations of chemicals; biological materials including spores, bacteria, viruses, cells, cellular components, membranes, enzymes; and
particulates including microspheres and microspheres coated with chemicals or biological materials.
27. A system for introducing a liquid into a fluid stream comprising:
a fluid source;
a confined space connected at a first location to the fluid source for passing a fluid stream containing first components there through, the confined space being connected at a second location to use point;
a first droplet forming device for injecting a first liquid in amounts ranging from one picoliter to multiple milliliters into the fluid stream within the confined space before the fluid stream reaches the use point, the first liquid containing second components, the first droplet forming device including:
a first liquid reservoir;
a first exit port to the confined space; and
a first subsystem for controllably injecting the first liquid from the first liquid reservoir through the first exit port into the confined space, the first subsystem including:
a first body member having a hole along the length thereof, the first exit port being at a first end of the first body member;
a first resistance heater disposed within the hole;
at least two first conductors for applying a current pulse to the first resistance heater and causing the temperature in the first liquid located within the hole to rise, thereby forming a vapor bubble in the first liquid resulting in a first liquid droplet being expelled into the fluid stream from the first exit port;
a second droplet forming device for injecting in to the fluid stream within the confined space before the fluid stream reaches the use point, a second liquid containing third components,
the second liquid injector including:
a second liquid reservoir;
a second exit port to the confined space; and
a second subsystem for controllably injecting the second liquid from the second liquid reservoir through the second exit port into the confined space, the second subsystem including:
a second body member having a hole along the length thereof, the second exit port being at a first end of the second body member;
a second resistance heater disposed within the hole;
at least two second conductors for applying a current pulse to the second resistance heater and causing the temperature in the second liquid located within the hole to rise, thereby forming a vapor bubble in the second liquid resulting in a second liquid droplet being expelled into the fluid stream from the second exit port;
wherein the first components in the fluid stream interact with at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid.
28. The system according to claim 27 , further including a feedback control loop for controlling at least one of the frequency and size of the injected first and/or second droplets in response to a signal from one or more sensors connected to the confined space.
29. The system according to claim 27 , the confined space including turbulence-inducing means for mixing the fluid stream with the first and second injected liquids.
30. The system according to claim 27 , wherein the first and second liquids are different.
31. The system according to claim 27 , wherein the second and third components interact with each another.
32. The system according to claim 27 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream bind with at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid.
33. The system according to claim 27 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream chemically react with and/or titrate at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid.
34. The system according to claim 27 , wherein at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid modify reactions between the first components in the fluid stream and are selected from the group consisting of accelerants, deccelerants, and catalysts.
35. The system according to claim 27 , the fluid in the fluid stream is a gas, at least one of the first and second liquids is water, wherein injecting the water into the gas stream controls the humidity of the gas stream.
36. The system according to claim 27 , wherein at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid modify viscosity of the fluid stream.
37. The system according to claim 27 , wherein the first components include particles which agglomerate during flow of the fluid stream and at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid include a surfactant for reducing agglomeration of the particles.
38. The system according to claim 27 , wherein the interaction between the first components and at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid results in a change of phase of at least one of the first components of the fluid stream.
39. The system according to claim 27 , wherein at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid are selected from the group consisting of: pure, dilute, or mixed chemicals; combinations of chemicals; biological materials including spores, bacteria, viruses, cells, cellular components, membranes, enzymes; and particulates including microspheres and microspheres coated with chemicals or biological materials.
40. The system according to claim 1 , the fluid in the fluid stream being selected from the group consisting of a gas or a liquid.
41. The system according to claim 13 , the fluid in the fluid stream being selected from the group consisting of a gas or a liquid.
42. The system according to claim 27 , the fluid in the fluid stream being selected from the group consisting of a gas or a liquid.
43. The system according to claim 1 , the use point being a detector, sensor, or sensor system.
44. The system according to claim 13 , the use point being a detector, sensor, or sensor system.
45. The system according to claim 27 , the use point being a detector, sensor, or sensor system.
46. A system for introducing a liquid into a fluid stream comprising:
a fluid source;
a confined space connected at a first location to the fluid source for passing a fluid stream containing first components there through, the confined space being connected at a second location to use point;
a first droplet forming device for injecting a first liquid in amounts ranging from one picoliter to multiple milliliters into the fluid stream within the confined space before the fluid stream reaches the use point, the first liquid containing second components, the first droplet forming device including:
a first liquid reservoir;
a first exit port to the confined space; and
a first subsystem for controllably injecting the first liquid from the first liquid reservoir through the first exit port into the confined space, the first subsystem including:
a first body member having a hole along the length thereof, the first exit port being at a first end of the first body member;
a first transducer located near second end of the first body member; and
at least two first conductors for generating a pressure wave in response to an electrical pulse and causing the first transducer to deform, thereby forming a first liquid droplet at the first exit port and causing the first liquid droplet to be expelled into the fluid stream;
wherein the first components in the fluid stream interact with the second components in the first liquid.
47. The system according to claim 46 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream bind with second components in the first liquid.
48. The system according to claim 46 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream chemically react with and/or titrate second components in the first liquid.
49. The system according to claim 46 , wherein the second components modify reactions between the first components in the fluid stream and are selected from the group consisting of accelerants, deccelerants, and catalysts.
50. The system according to claim 46 , the fluid in the fluid stream is a gas, the first liquid is water, wherein the injecting the water into the gas stream controls the humidity of the gas stream.
51. The system according to claim 46 , wherein the second components modify viscosity of the fluid stream.
52. The system according to claim 51 , wherein the first liquid has a lower viscosity than the viscosity of the fluid stream.
53. The system according to claim 46 , wherein the first components include particles which agglomerate during flow of the fluid stream and the second components include a surfactant for reducing agglomeration of the particles.
54. The system according to claim 46 , wherein the interaction between the first components and the second components results in a change of phase of at least one of the first components of the fluid stream.
55. The system according to claim 46 , wherein the second components include a flocculant.
56. The system according to claim 46 , wherein the second components are selected from the group consisting of: pure, dilute, or mixed chemicals; combinations of chemicals;
biological materials including spores, bacteria, viruses, cells, cellular components, membranes, enzymes; and particulates including microspheres and microspheres coated with chemicals or biological materials.
57. The system according to claim 46 , further comprising a feedback control loop for controlling at least one of the frequency and size of the injected droplets in response to a signal from one or more sensors connected to the confined space.
58. The system according to claim 46 , the confined space including turbulence-inducing means for mixing the fluid stream with the first injected liquid.
59. The system according to claim 46 , the fluid in the fluid stream being selected from the group consisting of a gas or a liquid.
60. The system according to claim 46 , the use point being a detector, sensor, or sensor system.
61. A system for introducing a liquid into a fluid stream comprising:
a fluid source;
a confined space connected at a first location to the fluid source for passing a fluid stream containing first components there through, the confined space being connected at a second location to use point;
a first droplet forming device for injecting a first liquid in amounts ranging from one picoliter to multiple milliliters into the fluid stream within the confined space before the fluid stream reaches the use point, the first liquid containing second components, the first droplet forming device including:
a first liquid reservoir;
a first exit port to the confined space; and
a first subsystem for controllably injecting the first liquid from the first liquid reservoir through the first exit port into the confined space, the first subsystem including:
a first body member having a hole along the length thereof, the first exit port being at a first end of the first body member;
a first resistance heater disposed within the hole;
at least two first conductors for applying a current pulse to the first resistance heater and causing the temperature in the first liquid located within the hole to rise, thereby forming a vapor bubble in the first liquid resulting in a first liquid droplet being expelled into the fluid stream from the first exit port;
wherein the first components in the fluid stream interact with the second components in the first liquid.
62. The system according to claim 61 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream bind with second components in the first liquid.
63. The system according to claim 61 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream chemically react with and/or titrate second components in the first liquid.
64. The system according to claim 61 , wherein the second components modify reactions between the first components in the fluid stream and are selected from the group consisting of accelerants, deccelerants, and catalysts.
65. The system according to claim 61 , the fluid in the fluid stream is a gas, the first liquid is water, wherein the injecting the water into the gas stream controls the humidity of the gas stream.
66. The system according to claim 61 , wherein the second components modify viscosity of the fluid stream.
67. The system according to claim 66 , wherein the first liquid has a lower viscosity than the viscosity of the fluid stream.
68. The system according to claim 61 , wherein the first components include particles which agglomerate during flow of the fluid stream and the second components include a surfactant for reducing agglomeration of the particles.
69. The system according to claim 61 , wherein the interaction between the first components and the second components results in a change of phase of at least one of the first components of the fluid stream.
70. The system according to claim 61 , wherein the second components include a flocculant.
71. The system according to claim 61 , wherein the second components are selected from the group consisting of: pure, dilute, or mixed chemicals; combinations of chemicals;
biological materials including spores, bacteria, viruses, cells, cellular components, membranes, enzymes; and particulates including microspheres and microspheres coated with chemicals or biological materials.
72. The system according to claim 61 , further comprising a feedback control loop for controlling at least one of the frequency and size of the injected droplets in response to a signal from one or more sensors connected to the confined space.
73. The system according to claim 61 , the confined space including turbulence-inducing means for mixing the fluid stream with the first injected liquid.
74. The system according to claim 61 , the fluid in the fluid stream being selected from the group consisting of a gas or a liquid.
75. The system according to claim 61 , the use point being a detector, sensor, or sensor system.
76. A system for introducing a liquid into a fluid stream comprising:
a fluid source;
a confined space connected at a first location to the fluid source for passing a fluid stream containing first components there through, the confined space being connected at a second location to use point;
a first droplet forming device for injecting a first liquid in amounts ranging from one picoliter to multiple milliliters into the fluid stream within the confined space before the fluid stream reaches the use point, the first liquid containing second components, the first droplet forming device including:
a first liquid reservoir;
a first exit port to the confined space; and
a first subsystem for controllably injecting the first liquid from the first liquid reservoir through the first exit port into the confined space, the first subsystem including:
a first body member having a hole along the length thereof, the first exit port being at a first end of the first body member;
a first transducer located near second end of the first body member;
at least two first conductors for generating a pressure wave in response to an electrical pulse and causing the first transducer to deform, thereby forming a first liquid droplet at the first exit port and causing the first liquid droplet to be expelled into the fluid stream;
a second droplet forming device for injecting a second liquid in amounts ranging from one picoliter to multiple milliliters into the fluid stream within the confined space before the fluid stream reaches the use point, the second liquid containing third components, the second droplet forming device including:
a second liquid reservoir;
a second exit port to the confined space; and
a second subsystem for controllably injecting the second liquid from the second liquid reservoir through the second exit port into the confined space, the second subsystem including:
a second body member having a hole along the length thereof, the second exit port being at a first end of the second body member;
a second resistance heater disposed within the hole;
at least two second conductors for applying a current pulse to the second resistance heater and causing the temperature in the second liquid located within the hole to rise, thereby forming a vapor bubble in the second liquid resulting in a second liquid droplet being expelled into the fluid stream from the second exit port;
wherein the first components in the fluid stream interact with at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid.
77. The system according to claim 76 , further including a feedback control loop for controlling at least one of the frequency and size of the injected first and second droplets in response to a signal from one or more sensors connected to the confined space.
78. The system according to claim 76 , the confined space including turbulence-inducing means for mixing the fluid stream with the first and second injected liquids.
79. The system according to claim 76 , wherein the first and second liquids are different.
80. The system according to claim 76 , wherein the second and third components interact with each another.
81. The system according to claim 76 , the first and second transducers being piezoceramic.
82. The system according to claim 76 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream bind with at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid.
83. The system according to claim 76 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream chemically react with, and/or titrate at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid.
84. The system according to claim 76 , wherein at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid modify reactions between the first components in the fluid stream and are selected from the group consisting of accelerants, deccelerants, and catalysts.
85. The system according to claim 76 , the fluid in the fluid stream is a gas, at least one of the first and second liquids is water, wherein injecting the water into the gas stream controls the humidity of the gas stream.
86. The system according to claim 76 , wherein at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid modify viscosity of the fluid stream.
87. The system according to claim 76 , wherein the first components include particles which agglomerate during flow of the fluid stream and at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid include a surfactant for reducing agglomeration of the particles.
88. The system according to claim 76 , wherein the interaction between the first components and at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid results in a change of phase of at least one of the first components of the fluid stream.
89. The system according to claim 76 , wherein at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid are selected from the group consisting of pure, dilute, or mixed chemicals; combinations of chemicals; biological materials including spores, bacteria, viruses, cells, cellular components, membranes, enzymes; and particulates including microspheres and microspheres coated with chemicals or biological materials.
90. A system for introducing a liquid into a fluid stream comprising:
a fluid source;
a confined space connected at a first location to the fluid source for passing a fluid stream containing first components there through, the confined space being connected at a second location to use point;
a first droplet forming device for injecting a first liquid in the form of a first droplet in amounts ranging from one picoliter to multiple milliliters into the fluid stream within the confined space before the fluid stream reaches the use point, the first liquid containing second components;
a second droplet forming device for injecting a second liquid in the form of a second droplet in amounts ranging from one picoliter to multiple milliliters into the fluid stream within the confined space before the fluid stream reaches the use point, the second liquid containing third components; and
a feedback control loop for controlling at least one of the frequency and size of the injected first and second droplets in response to a signal from one or more sensors connected to the confined space;
wherein the first components in the fluid stream interact with at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid.
91. The system according to claim 90 , wherein the first droplet forming device includes:
a first liquid reservoir;
a first exit port to the confined space; and
a first subsystem for controllably injecting the first liquid from the first liquid reservoir through the first exit port into the confined space; and
the second droplet forming device including:
a second liquid reservoir;
a second exit port to the confined space; and
a second subsystem for controllably injecting the second liquid from the second liquid reservoir through the second exit port into the confined space.
92. The system according to claim 90 , the confined space including turbulence-inducing means for mixing the fluid stream with the first and second injected liquids.
93. The system according to claim 90 , wherein the first and second liquids are different.
94. The system according to claim 90 , wherein the second and third components interact with each another.
95. The system according to claim 90 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream bind with at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid.
96. The system according to claim 90 , wherein the first components in the fluid stream chemically react with, and/or titrate at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid.
97. The system according to claim 90 , wherein at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid modify reactions between the first components in the fluid stream and are selected from the group consisting of accelerants, deccelerants, and catalysts.
98. The system according to claim 90 , the fluid in the fluid stream is a gas, at least one of the first and second liquids is water, wherein injecting the water into the gas stream controls the humidity of the gas stream.
99. The system according to claim 90 , wherein at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid modify viscosity of the fluid stream.
100. The system according to claim 90 , wherein the first components include particles which agglomerate during flow of the fluid stream and at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid include a surfactant for reducing agglomeration of the particles.
101. The system according to claim 90 , wherein the interaction between the first components and at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid results in a change of phase of at least one of the first components of the fluid stream.
102. The system according to claim 90 , wherein at least one of the second components in the first liquid and the third components in the second liquid are selected from the group consisting of: pure, dilute, or mixed chemicals; combinations of chemicals; biological materials including spores, bacteria, viruses, cells, cellular components, membranes, enzymes; and particulates including microspheres and microspheres coated with chemicals or biological materials.