Invention Reference Number
Inventors
High fluid flow, or entrainment, is beneficial in various fluid machines, especially in ejector pumps. Pumps or fans are often used to drive high volume rates of fluids. These devices use a simple jet with an entrainment channel, but this limits flexibility. This technology provides advanced entrainment designs for high volume flow, and allows the designer to precisely control for mass flow rate with high entrainment ratio by varying only a small set of predefined control parameters. It enables devices with high-efficiency and simple operation with no moving parts.
Description
This technology describes several nozzle-jet designs for more efficient entrainment devices, specifically an automated method for pumping fluid instead of using pumps with moving parts. No such system like this exists. This fluid mobilization and transport system also uses a fan for gasses or pump for liquids that help provide very high entrainment ratios and increased flow rtes. The device enables the engineer to precisely control the flow rate and entrainment ratio. It uses a series of thin jets arranged in a matrix, or other configurations. Increasing the number of motive jets provides multiple lines of flow and allows a large mass flow rate in a small design. For each case, the motive jet is powered by a pressure applied from behind and the motive jet emerges through the jet outlet and causes stationary fluid in the entrainment duct to be entrained due to pressure difference between motive jet and entrainment duct fluid, as well as due to shear forces. The working fluid may be air, water or another fluid.
Applications and Industries
- Waste heat recovery
- Venturi scrubbing
- Fans
- Refrigeration
- Hydrogen refueling
- Fluid transport
Benefits
- High efficiency
- Reduced maintenance
- No moving parts allows low operating cost and simple manufacturing
- Precisely controlled entrainment ratio and mass flow rates
- Efficient recovery of waste heat
- Creates high efficiency fans, pumps and propulsion systems
Contact
To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.
