Airfoil-shaped micro-mixers for reducing fouling on membrane surfaces

DWPI Title: Array of airfoil-shaped micromixers for reducing fouling on membrane surfaces comprises shape having rounded leading edge oriented upstream and trailing edge oriented downstream of fluid flowing along membrane's surface
Abstract: An array of airfoil-shaped micro-mixers that enhances fluid mixing within permeable membrane channels, such as used in reverse-osmosis filtration units, while minimizing additional pressure drop. The enhanced mixing reduces fouling of the membrane surfaces. The airfoil-shaped micro-mixer can also be coated with or comprised of biofouling-resistant (biocidal/germicidal) ingredients.
Use: Array of airfoil-shaped micromixers for reducing fouling on membrane surfaces (claimed) used in computational fluid dynamics.
Advantage: The array has micromixer design that increases local fluid mixing within microchannels to increase scouring effect on membrane surfaces, while minimizing increase in pressure drop; and while minimizing regions of stagnant flow directly downstream of the micromixer.
Novelty: An array of airfoil-shaped micromixers disposed on surface of permeable membrane comprises shape having rounded leading edge and tapered trailing edge, and overall length (A) and overall width (B). The leading edge is oriented upstream and the trailing edge is oriented downstream of fluid flowing along the membrane's surface in a direction of fluid flow.
Filed: 11/11/2008
Application Number: US2008268542A
Tech ID: SD 10441.0
This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate
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