A method of processing biodegradable waste is provided. The method comprises providing at least one waste processing device (21), the or each device (21) having a processing passage (3) with a passage inlet (4) and a passage outlet (5), and a nozzle (16) circumscribing the passage (3) and opening into the passage (3) between the passage inlet (4) and passage outlet (5). The method further comprises directing a flow of a biodegradable waste slurry into the processing passage (3), and supplying a processing fluid to the nozzle (16) and injecting the processing fluid through the nozzle (16) into the waste slurry within the processing passage (3). The processing fluid is supplied to the or each device (21) at a temperature and pressure which results in the waste slurry leaving the passage outlet (5) with an exit temperature of 45-160°C. A method of producing biogas from biodegradable waste is also provided, as is a waste processing apparatus.
An apparatus for entraining a powder in a process fluid is provided. The apparatus (2') has a process passage (22) having a passage inlet (24) connectable to a source of process fluid, and a passage outlet (26). A nozzle (30) opens into the process passage (22) intermediate the passage inlet (24) and passage outlet (26). The nozzle (30) has a nozzle inlet (32), a nozzle outlet (36) and a nozzle throat (34) intermediate the nozzle inlet (32) and nozzle outlet (36), where the nozzle throat (34) has a cross sectional area which is less than that of the nozzle inlet (32) and nozzle outlet (36). At least one first port (42') opens into the process passage (22) adjacent the nozzle outlet (36), and an entrainment fluid supply chamber (38) is in fluid communication with the nozzle 30. A first powder supply chamber (44') is connected to the first port (42') by a first powder supply passage (46), wherein the powder supply chamber (44'), powder supply passage (46) and first port (42') are coaxial. A system and method of entraining a powder in a process fluid are also provided.
F04F 5/24 - Pompes à jet, p. ex. dispositifs dans lesquels le flux est produit par la chute de pression causée par la vitesse d'un autre fluide le fluide inducteur étant un fluide compressible déplaçant des liquides, p. ex. contenant des solides ou bien déplaçant des liquides et des fluides compressibles
The present invention is directed to methods and systems for pre-treating sewage sludge in a sewage treatment works (STW) to facilitate anaerobic digestion. These methods include (a) passing sewage sludge through one or more pre-treatment devices, wherein each pre-treatment device comprises (i) a passage of substantially constant diameter having an inlet in fluid communication with the STW and an outlet; and (ii) a transport fluid nozzle communicating with the passage and adapted to inject high velocity transport fluid into the passage; (b) passing the sewage sludge treated in step (a) to an anaerobic digester; and (c) collecting methane produced in step (b). Other methods are also provided for pre-treating a bio-degradable waste flow. Such methods include (a) passing bio-degradable waste flow through one or more pre-treatment devices, wherein each pre-treatment device comprises (i) a passage of substantially constant diameter having an inlet in fluid communication with the bio-degradable waste flow and an outlet; and (ii) a transport fluid nozzle communicating with the passage and adapted to inject high velocity transport fluid into the passage; (b) dewatering the bio- degradable waste flow from step (a); and (c) optionally compacting the material resulting from step (b).
The present invention provides methods for increasing soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) in sewage sludge. These methods include passing the sewage sludge through one or more devices that contains (a) a hollow body provided with a straight-through passage of substantially constant cross-section, the passage having an inlet end and an outlet end for the entry and discharge respectively of the sewage sludge, (b) a transport fluid nozzle substantially circumscribing and opening into the passage intermediate the inlet and outlet ends thereof, (c) a transport fluid inlet communicating with the transport fluid nozzle for the introduction of a transport fluid, and (d) a mixing chamber being formed within the passage downstream of the transport fluid nozzle. The sewage sludge is then passed through a digester.
A brewing vessel (250) is provided for processing a brewing composition made up of a number of ingredients. The vessel (250) has a base (252) and contains at least one fluid processor (10) which, in use, lies below the surface level of the composition within the vessel (250). The at least one processor (10) comprises a substantially straight passage (14) having a passage inlet (16) adapted to receive the composition from within the vessel (250), and a passage outlet (18) adapted to dispatch the composition back into the vessel (250). The cross sectional area of the passage (14) does not reduce below the cross sectional area of the passage inlet (16). The processor (10) further comprises a driving fluid nozzle (34) substantially circumscribing the passage (14) and having a nozzle inlet (36) adapted to receive a supply of a driving fluid, a nozzle outlet (40) opening into the passage (14) intermediate the passage inlet (16) and passage outlet (18), and a nozzle throat (38) intermediate the nozzle inlet (36) and nozzle outlet (40), the nozzle throat (38) having a cross sectional area which is less than that of both the nozzle inlet (36) and nozzle outlet (40).
A method and apparatus for processing microorganisms is provided. The method comprises mixing microorganisms with a working fluid to form an working fluid slurry, and injecting a transport fluid through a transport fluid nozzle into the working fluid slurry in order to disrupt the cellular structure of the microorganisms.
A fluid mover (1) includes a hollow body (2) provided with a straight-through passage (3) of substantially constant cross section with an inlet end (4) an outlet end (5) for the entry and discharge respectively of a working fluid. A nozzle (16) substantially circumscribes and opens into the passage (3) intermediate the inlet (4) and outlet (5) ends. An inlet (10) communicates with the nozzle (16) for the introduction of a transport fluid and a mixing chamber (3A) is formed within the passage (3) downstream of the nozzle (16). The nozzle internal geometry and the bore profile immediately upstream of the nozzle exit are disposed and configured to optimise the energy transfer between the transport fluid and working fluid. In use, through the introduction of transport fluid, the working fluid or fluids are atomized to form a dispersed vapor/droplet flow regime with locally supersonic flow conditions within a pseudo-vena contracta, resulting in the creation of a supersonic condensation shock wave (17) within the downstream mixing chamber (3A) by the condensation of the transport fluid. Methods of moving and processing fluids using the fluid mover are also disclosed.
F04F 5/36 - Pompes à jet, p. ex. dispositifs dans lesquels le flux est produit par la chute de pression causée par la vitesse d'un autre fluide le fluide inducteur étant un fluide compressible caractérisées par l'utilisation d'un fluide inducteur particulier
F04F 5/44 - Parties constitutives, détails ou accessoires non couverts par les groupes ou présentant un intérêt autre que celui visé par ces groupes
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