System for transporting non-Newtonian materials using acoustic softening over long distances
A system for transporting a non-Newtonian material. The system includes a storage container configured to store the non-Newtonian material and a dispensing system configured to dispense the non-Newtonian material. A conduit connects the storage container to the dispensing system. The conduit is configured to transport the non-Newtonian material from the storage container to the dispensing system. A pump is configured to pump the non-Newtonian material out of the storage container and through the conduit to the dispensing system. A hanger is configured to support the conduit from a support structure. An acoustic wave generator is along the conduit configured to impart acoustical shear agitation to the non-Newtonian material to reduce viscosity of the non-Newtonian material.
1. A system for transporting a non-Newtonian material, the system comprising:
a storage container configured to store the non-Newtonian material;
a dispensing system configured to dispense the non-Newtonian material;
a conduit connecting the storage container to the dispensing system, the conduit configured to transport the non-Newtonian material from the storage container to the dispensing system;
a pump configured to pump the non-Newtonian material out of the storage container and through the conduit to the dispensing system;
a hanger configured to support the conduit from a support structure; and
an acoustic wave generator along the conduit configured to impart acoustical shear agitation to the non-Newtonian material to reduce viscosity of the non-Newtonian material;
wherein:
the acoustic wave generator includes a plurality of acoustic transducers arranged around the conduit; and
the plurality of acoustic transducers are on an interior of the conduit.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of acoustic transducers include shear polarized acoustic transducers configured to introduce shear acoustic waves in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of acoustic transducers include rotary transducers and translatory transducers.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of acoustic transducers are at an expansion joint of the conduit.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the conduit includes a concentric pipe; and
the acoustic wave generator includes outer acoustic transducers at an outer diameter of the concentric pipe.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the outer acoustic transducers are aligned with the plurality of acoustic transducers on the interior of the conduit.
7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the outer acoustic transducers are offset from the plurality of acoustic transducers on the interior of the conduit.
8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a heater proximate to the acoustic wave generator, the heater configured to heat the non-Newtonian material.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic wave generator includes a plurality of internal piezoelectric patch transducers at an interior of the conduit.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic wave generator includes a piezoelectric film transducer at an interior of the conduit.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hanger is configured to support the conduit from the support structure including a building truss.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hanger includes dampeners configured to isolate vibration of the conduit from the support structure.
13. A system for transporting a non-Newtonian material, the system comprising:
a storage container configured to store the non-Newtonian material;
a dispensing system configured to dispense the non-Newtonian material;
a conduit connecting the storage container to the dispensing system, the conduit configured to transport the non-Newtonian material from the storage container to the dispensing system;
a transfer chamber along the conduit between the storage container and the dispensing system;
a first pump configured to pump the non-Newtonian material out of the storage container and into the transfer chamber;
a second pump configured to pump the non-Newtonian material out of the transfer chamber to the dispensing system;
a pressure source at the transfer chamber configured to apply pressure to the non-Newtonian material within the transfer chamber; and
a plurality of acoustic transducers along the conduit configured to impart acoustical shear agitation to the non-Newtonian material to reduce viscosity of the non-Newtonian material.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of acoustic transducers include shear polarized acoustic transducers configured to introduce shear acoustic waves in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit.
15. A system for transporting a non-Newtonian material, the system comprising:
a storage container configured to store the non-Newtonian material;
a dispensing system configured to dispense the non-Newtonian material;
a conduit connecting the storage container to the dispensing system, the conduit configured to transport the non-Newtonian material from the storage container to the dispensing system;
a pump configured to pump the non-Newtonian material out of the storage container and through the conduit to the dispensing system; and
a plurality of shear polarized acoustic transducers about the conduit configured to introduce shear acoustic waves in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit to reduce viscosity of the non-Newtonian material,
wherein the plurality of shear polarized acoustic transducers are on an interior of the conduit.