Spray generators

Abstract: A spray generator for producing a spray of liquid droplets of a norrow size spectrum in which a substantially uniform cyclic disturbance is imposed on fluid emerging at a nozzle. Such a disturbance can be produced by a fluidic bistable oscillator (7) or by allowing the fluid to flow across a bluff body (80) in the flow path. An opposed jet arrangement can be located within the vortex chamber (28) of a fluidic diode (13) and the liquid spray produced can meet swirling gas introduced at tangential inlets to the chamber.

Description: The present invention concerns spray generators. In a gas absorption process for example in which a liquid spray contacts a gas flow a nozzle arrangement can be selected to generate a spray of liquid droplets. However nozzle arrangements generate a wide spectrum of droplet sizes. Droplets which are significantly smaller than the required mean size can enhance interfacial area but will have an increased susceptibility to gas phase entrainment. A reduction in droplet size spectrum can be produced by imposing a uniform cyclic disturbance on to a jet of liquid. This can be achieved by applying mechanical vibration or an ultrasonic source at the jet nozzle. The disturbance causes a regular dilational wave along the jet which ultimately breaks up the jet into near uniform droplets. GB specification 949,954 discloses an apparatus in which an opening is made in the wall of a pipe and liquid is pumped into each end of the pipe. Where the two flows of liquid meet at the opening a spray of drops is formed. Anti-phase pulsations in the pressure of the fluid supplied to each end of the pipe cause the spray of drops to spread over an angle determined by the width of the opening. French patent 1,538,024 discloses an apparatus for use in dentistry in which two jets of water issue from two nozzles and interact to form a spray. The nozzles are fed from the outlets of a fluidic diverter. The outlets from the fluidic diverter have tappings in them and connections back to the control ports of the fluidic diverter. Thus once an instability in the water flow is established it is maintained and causes the direction of the spray to change in a random fashion. According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for generating a spray of liquid drops including a pair of opposed nozzles such that liquid flows issuing therefrom impinge and interact to produce a spray of drops and means for imposing a uniform cyclic disturbance on the flows of liquid to the nozzles wherein the nozzles (1, 2) are located axially in a vortex chamber (28) having at least one tangential inlet (14) and an axial outlet (15). The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment having co-axial opposed nozzles; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram; Figure 3 is a diagram, similar to Figure 1, of a second embodiment; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment used as a gas scrubber; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment used for distillation; Figure 6 is a diagram, similar to Figure 1, having a plurality of pairs of opposed nozzles; Figure 7 represents diagrammatically a cascade arrangement; Figure 8 is a section on A-A in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment; Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a yet further embodiment; and Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of still yet a further embodiment. In Figure 1, a pair of spaced apart, co-axial nozzles 1, 2 are connected by conduits 3, 4 to output arms 5, 6 respectively of a bistable fluidic diverter 7. A liquid supply is connected to input 7¹ of the diverter. Feedback loops 8, 9 are connected between conduits 3, 4 respectively and the control ports 10, 11 of the diverter. Each feedback loop includes a variable fluidic resistance and capacitance 12. Alternatively, a variable capacitance located in the output arms can be sufficient to control the frequency of oscillation. A spray of liquid is formed by the interaction of two streams emerging from the nozzles 1, 2. Although the nozzles are shown in axial alignment in Figure 1 it is possible to arrange the nozzles at other angles to produce a desired interaction of impinging fluid streams. The nozzles have equal flow areas which, conveniently, is of circular cross-section. When the jets of fluid emerging from the two nozzles have equal momentum flux, the resulting curtain of liquid will be normal to the axes of the nozzles. Such a curtain of liquid will disintegrate into droplets as instabilities develop and such droplets will vary in size due to the variable nature or random generation of the instabilities. To the extent of the droplet size spectrum it is required to dominate the waveforms which result from the naturally occurring instabilities. This domination can be achieved by imposing a sinuous waveform on to the curtain of liquid. In Figure 2, M₁ and M₂ respectively denote the momentum flux at nozzles 1 and 2. V A and V R respectively are axial and radial components of velocity of liquid issuing from the nozzles. Cyclic variations in M₁ and M₂ produce V A and V R . The resultant is a liquid curtain with an imposed sinusoidal waveform. Rapid cyclic variations in M₁ and M₂ can be produced by pressure fluctuations generated by the bistable fluidic diverter. Flow emerging from input 7¹ of the bistable diverter will attach itself to a wall of a flow channel at the exit from input 7¹ flow along either arm 5 or 6. If the flow is along arm 5 and conduit 3 to nozzle 1, an increase in pressure occurs in feedback loop 8 and this increase when applied to the port 10 causes the flow from input 7¹ to switch to the arm 6 and conduit 4. The same effect then takes place in feedback loop 9 to cause the flow to switch back to arm 5. The wavelength of the sinusoidal waveform is a function of the radial velocity component V R and the frequency of switching of the pressure or momentum flux. For sinusoidal waves the diameter of droplets produced by the break up of a wavefront is a function of the square root of a critical wavelength multiplied by a liquid sheet thickness parameter which is substantially dependent on liquid properties, such as viscosity, surface tension and density. Consequently, variations in liquid properties can be compensated for by varying the radial velocity component and/or varying the frequency and amplitude of the resulting sinusoidal waveform. This can be done by adjusting the pressure downstream of the diverter and/or varying the frequency and amplitude of the momentum flux variation through changes in the fluidic diverter feedback loops 8 and 9. Variations in resistance and capacitance are the main parameters for changing the characteristics of the feedback loops. As a result droplets of a required size spectrum can be produced regardless of reasonable variation in the quality of the feed liquid. The apparatus can find use in burner nozzles to maintain combustion efficiency or emission levels regardless of changes in fuel oil viscosity and the like. In another application concerning spray dryer nozzles it is possible to obtain consistent narrow sized droplets regardless of variations in feed quality. Figure 3 shows an annular nozzle arrangement and the same reference numerals are used as in Figure 1. Such an arrangement can be useful in burners having only a single chamber entry. In Figure 4, a bistable fluidic diverter or oscillator 26 has opposed jets 27 located within vortex chamber 28 of a fluidic diode 13. The diode is a device having a tangential inlet port 14 and an axial outlet 15 such that an incoming gas phase at the inlet port 14 spirals in the chamber 12 to emerge at the axial outlet 15. A reservoir 16 for scrub liquor is conveniently located beneath the vortex chamber 28. The scrub liquor is pumped along pipe 17 to the bistable oscillator 26 by a pump 18. A substantially uniform radial spray curtain is produced within the vortex chamber 12 by liquor from the opposed jets 27. The liquor curtain has a wide cone angle, typically 45°. The opposed jets 27 can have large jets which can be well separated, for example by three times the jet diameter. Droplets of liquor are produced by the oscillatory flow generated by the oscillator 10 at the region of jet impingement. As the arrangement does not rely on flow instabilities produced by constricting nozzles to produce droplets it is more suited for use with slurries and suspensions which could cause blockage of narrow nozzles. Gas entering the vortex chamber 28 through the tangential inlet port 14 is washed by the spray curtain within the chamber. Drops are accelerated to the walls by the centrifugal forces imposed by the swirling gas stream. The apparatus functions by counter-current action. High velocities occur between the liquid and gas phases ensuring low gas phase resistance to mass transfer. Washed gas substantially disentrained of liquid by centrifugal separation emerges along axial outlet 15 and the spray liquor can be returned to the reservoir 16, for example by down pipes 19. Figure 5 shows a distillation apparatus comprising a cascade of individual units such as shown in Figure 4. Gas flowing along pipe 20 enters the first vortex chamber 21 tangentially to meet a curtain liquor produced by the bistable oscillator 22. Liquor from the vortex chamber is pumped along pipe 23 to a boiler (not shown) and vapour or gas from the boiler flows along pipe 20. The gas emerging along pipe 24 from the chamber 21 constitutes the inlet gas phase into the second vortex chamber 25. Liquor from the second vortex chamber 25 is pumped to the inlet of the oscillator 22 at the first unit of the cascade. Similarly additional stages can be added as required to produce a distillation apparatus. In Figure 6, a plurality of pairs of spaced apart, substantially coaxial nozzles 30 are connected by conduits 31, 32 to the output arms 33, 34 of a fluidic diverter. The diverter is provided with feedback loops, each loop including a variable resistance and a variable capacitance in the manner shown in Figure 1. The resistance can be provided by a restrictor in the feedback loop and the capacitance can be an enclosed volume in communication with the loop. As before, a spray of liquid is formed by the interaction of two streams emerging from the nozzles 30 or from annular nozzles as in Figure 3. The resulting curtain of liquid can find use as a safety curtain to combat fire. For example, the nozzles can be arranged across doors and bulkheads in aircraft cabins. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a distillation apparatus comprising a plurality of individual units of the kind similar to that described with reference to Figure 4. The units form a compact column. Each unit 50 comprises a vortex chamber 51 having a plurality of openings 52 (Figure 8) in side wall 53 for tangential gas flow. The vortex chamber 51 is enclosed within an outer chamber 54 having an opening 55 at the centre of its base for the gas flow. The gas flows through a radial diffuser 56 to recover some static pressure drop in passing from the opening 55 to the openings 52. The swirling gas flow produced in the chamber 51 meets a liquid curtain produced by the opposed nozzles 57. Gas from the uppermost unit 50 in the column enters a condenser 58. Liquid from the condenser 58 is fed back to the column and pumped by pump 59 to the fluidic diverter and the opposed nozzles in the vortex chamber of the uppermost unit. Product from the condenser 58 is drawn off along line 60. Similarly, from the bottom unit of the column liquid is pumped to a boiler 61 and vapour or gas from the boiler is introduced into the bottom of the column. A product stream from the boiler flows along line 62. A feed can be introduced at line 63. In an alternative arrangement seen in Figure 9 a single fluidic diverter 65 communicates with a plurality of pairs of opposed nozzles 66. Each pair of nozzles 66 is located within a respective vortex chamber 67. Gas passes upwardly through the column and liquid is returned to the fluidic diverter 65 along line 68 containing pump 69. In Figure 10 a plurality of individual units 70 each comprising a pair of nozzles 72 located within a vortex chamber of a fluidic diode and as described with reference to Figure 4 are stacked together into a column. The nozzle pairs each communicate with an associated fluidic diverter 73. A gas supply to be treated is introduced into the bottom unit of the column 71 to pass upwardly through the liquid sprays generated in each unit by the impinging flows emerging at nozzles 72. In this arrangement a different liquor can be applied at each unit and furthermore different spray droplet sizes can be created in each unit. The units can be adjusted independently. The embodiment in Figure 11 comprising a vortex shredder is capable of functioning at higher frequencies and at lower amplitudes. A bluff body 80 such as a cylinder is located across the travel flow of a liquid along a conduit 81. Liquid is pumped around closed path 82 by pump 83, the liquid supply being introduced at 84. Pitot tubes 85, 86 extend into the flow path along conduit 81. In passing over the bluff body the liquid flow forms vortices 87 in antiphase and the pitot tubes are connected to nozzles to produce spray of droplets.

Claims: An apparatus for generating a spray of liquid drops including a pair of opposed nozzles (1, 2) such that liquid flows issuing therefrom impinge and interact to produce a spray of drops and means for imposing a uniform cyclic disturbance on the flows of liquid to the nozzles wherein the nozzles (1, 2) are located axially in a vortex chamber (28) having at least one tangential inlet (14) and an axial outlet (15). Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein there is included a reservoir (16) arranged to collect the said drops and means (18) for supplying liquid from the reservoir (16) to the nozzles (1, 2). Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein there is included a plurality of vortex chambers (28) arranged sequentially such that the outlet (15) from one vortex chamber (28) communicates with the inlet (14) of a succeeding vortex chamber (28). Apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein the pair of nozzles (1, 2) in each vortex chamber (28) communicates with a common means for imposing a uniform cyclic disturbance on the flows of liquid to the nozzles (1, 2). Apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein the pairs of nozzles (1, 2) in each vortex chamber 28) communicates with a respective means for imposing a uniform cyclic disturbance on the flows of the liquid to the nozzles (1, 2). Apparatus according to any preceding Claim wherein the means for imposing a uniform cyclic disturbance upon the flows of fluid to the nozzles (1, 2) comprises a bistable fluidic diverter (7, 22, 26, 65, 73) having output arms connected to the respective nozzles (1, 2) and an adjustable feedback loop connecting each output arm to an associated control port (10, 11) of the fluidic diverter (7, 22, 26, 65, 73). Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the means for imposing a uniform cyclic disturbance on the flows of the liquid to the nozzles (1, 2) comprises a duct (81) through which the liquid is caused to flow by means of a pump (83) and which contains means (80) for producing two streams of regular vortices (87) and conduits (85, 86) which communicate with the nozzles (1, 2) respectively, so positioned that the said vortices produce regular pulsations in the pressure of the fluid entering the conduits (85, 86). Apparatus according to any of Claims 3 to 7 wherein there is included means (55, 61) for vaporising a liquid containing more than one component, and supplying the vapour to a first vortex chamber in the sequence of vortex chambers, a condenser (58) connected to the outlet from the last vortex chamber (51) in the sequence of vortex chambers, means for extracting a distillate from the condenser (58) and means for recirculating liquid from the condenser (58) to the vaporiser (61). Apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein the liquid from the condenser (58) is circulated in countercurrent sequence to the flow of the vapour via the nozzles (1, 2) in each vortex chamber (51) and the reservoir (16) associated with each vortex chamber. Apparatus according to any of Claims 3 to 9 wherein the outlet from each vortex chamber (28) communicates with the inlet (15) to a succeeding vortex chamber (28) via a radial diffuser (56) thereby to regain some of the pressure drop in the gaseous medium associated with passing from the outlet (15) of the one vortex chamber (28) to the inlet (14) of the other.

Inventors: BOWE MICHAEL JOSEPH, CLARK STUART ARNOLD, BOWE, MICHAEL JOSEPH, CLARK, STUART ARNOLD
Applicants: ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY UK, UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B05B1
IPC codes: B05B1, B05B7