Multiplex inertial filter, collector and separator
AssigneesIrpi LLC, The United States Of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Was
InventorsMark M. Weislogel, John C. Graf, Nora D. Shapiro, Logan Torres, Rawand M. Rasheed, Ryan Jenson
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Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for a multiplexed phase separating inertial filter that is composed of helical through holes generating centrifugal separating forces. In one example, the inertial filter may be a planar porous material with an array of helical channels, each helical channel of the array of helical channels extending from a top surface of the porous material to a bottom surface of the porous material.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- flowing a gas, a liquid, and/or a solid through an inertial filter having helical passages within a planar porous material.
A method for a filtering system, comprising:
- introducing liquid droplets to an air flow via a spray nozzle;
- flowing the air flow with liquid droplets into an inertial filter comprising a planar porous material and an array of helical passages configured to receive at least a mixture of at least a gas and a liquid, where each helical passage of the array of helical passages extends from a top surface of the planar porous material to a bottom surface of the planar porous material and is further configured to passively induce centrifugal accelerations that drive liquid of the mixture of at least the gas and the liquid to outer walls of the array of helical passages where droplets impinge onto the planar porous material, are absorbed, and are driven by wicking capillary forces away from the outer walls;
- and
- directing liquid which is driven away from the outer walls out of the inertial filter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.