Compositions containing nano-bubbles in a liquid carrier

An apparatus for producing a composition comprising nano-bubbles dispersed in a liquid carrier, the apparatus consisting essentially of:

• (a) an elongate housing comprising a first end and a second end, the housing defining a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and an interior cavity adapted for receiving the liquid carrier from a liquid source;
• (b) a gas-permeable tube disposed within the interior cavity of the housing, the gas-permeable tube comprising an open end adapted for receiving a pressurized gas from a gas source, a closed end, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a lumen;
• (c) optionally one or more helical members adapted for enhancing turbulence in the liquid carrier;
• and
• (d) optionally a jet pump that is integral with the housing,
• wherein at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the gas-permeable tube comprises a porous coating having a mean pores size no greater than 1 μm selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, manganese, and combinations thereof,
• the liquid inlet of the housing being arranged to introduce the liquid carrier from the liquid source into the interior cavity of the housing at an angle that is generally orthogonal to the outer surface of the gas-permeable tube,
• the housing and gas-permeable tube being configured such that:
• (i) the flow rate of the liquid carrier from the liquid source as it flows parallel to the outer surface of the gas-permeable member from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet is greater than the turbulent threshold of the liquid to create turbulent flow conditions,
• (ii) pressurized gas introduced into the lumen of the gas-permeable tube is forced through the porous coating of the gas-permeable tube and onto the outer surface of the gas permeable tube in the form of nano-bubbles as the liquid carrier from the liquid source flows parallel to the outer surface of the gas-permeable member from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet, forming a composition comprising the liquid carrier and the nano-bubbles dispersed therein.

An apparatus for producing a composition comprising nano-bubbles dispersed in a liquid carrier, the apparatus consisting essentially of:

• (a) an elongate housing comprising a first end and a second end, the housing defining a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and an interior cavity adapted for receiving the liquid carrier from a liquid source;
• (b) a gas-permeable member at least partially disposed within the interior cavity of the housing, the gas-permeable member comprising an open end adapted for receiving a pressurized gas from a gas source, a closed end, and a porous sidewall extending between the open and closed ends having a mean pore size no greater than 1.0 μm, the gas-permeable member defining an inner surface, an outer surface, and a lumen;
• (c) optionally one or more helical members adapted for enhancing turbulence in the liquid carrier;
• and
• (d) optionally a jet pump that is integral with the housing,
• the liquid inlet of the housing being arranged to introduce the liquid carrier from the liquid source into the interior cavity of the housing,
• the housing and gas-permeable member being configured such that:
• (i) the flow rate of the liquid carrier from the liquid source as it flows parallel to the outer surface of the gas-permeable member from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet is greater than the turbulent threshold of the liquid to create turbulent flow conditions,
• (ii) pressurized gas introduced into the lumen of the gas-permeable member is forced through the porous sidewall of the gas-permeable member and onto the outer surface of the gas permeable member in the form of nano-bubbles as the liquid carrier from the liquid source flows parallel to the outer surface of the gas-permeable member from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet, forming a composition comprising the liquid carrier and the nano-bubbles dispersed therein.