Device and method for generating bubbles, use of the device and a fuel cell comprising the device
AssigneeUniversity of Chester
InventorsDavid Ward, Robert Longman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for generating bubbles, comprising a porous material having at least one hydrophilic surface (1), arranged such that a liquid (7) in which the bubbles (6) are intended to be formed may contact the hydrophilic surface (1) and at least one hydrophobic surface (2), arranged such that a gas (5) used to generate the bubbles (6) may flow past the hydrophobic surface (2) before it flows past the hydrophilic surface (1). The device may be used for creating fine bubbles in numerous applications, such as wastewater treatment, plant cultivation, aquafarming, aeration systems, bioreactors, fermeters, oil extraction or fuel cells.
Claims17
A device for generating bubbles, comprising:
- a porous material having at least one hydrophilic surface, arranged to contact a liquid in which the bubbles are intended to be formed;
- and
- at least one hydrophobic surface, arranged to allow a gas used to generate the bubbles to flow past the hydrophobic surface before it flows past the hydrophilic surface
- wherein the hydrophobic surface is provided by a second material which is a hydrophobic material, the hydrophobic material being porous;
- wherein the hydrophobic material is arranged to cover the pores in the porous material or is inserted at least partially into the pores of the porous material such that a gas flow will pass through the hydrophobic material before passing the hydrophilic surface.
A method of generating bubbles, comprising:
- providing a gas supply to the device of any preceding claim, such that the gas supply flows past the hydrophobic surface before it flows past the hydrophilic surface;
- and
- providing a liquid in contact with the hydrophilic surface of the device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.