US 5,762,775 A · Method for electrically producing dispersions of a nonconductive fluid in a conductive medium

Abstract

A method for use in electrically forming dispersions of a nonconducting fluid in a conductive medium that minimizes power consumption, gas generation, and sparking between the electrode of the nozzle and the conductive medium. The method utilizes a nozzle having a passageway, the wall of which serves as the nozzle electrode, for the transport of the nonconducting fluid into the conductive medium. A second passageway provides for the transport of a flowing low conductivity buffer fluid which results in a region of the low conductivity buffer fluid immediately adjacent the outlet from the first passageway to create the necessary protection from high current drain and sparking. An electrical potential difference applied between the nozzle electrode and an electrode in contact with the conductive medium causes formation of small droplets or bubbles of the nonconducting fluid within the conductive medium. A preferred embodiment has the first and second passageways arranged in a concentric configuration, with the outlet tip of the first passageway withdrawn into the second passageway.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method for electrically forming dispersions of a nonconducting fluid in a conductive medium, said method comprising:

passing the nonconducting fluid through a restricted passageway defined by a first tubular member into the conductive medium, said first tubular member having a first end and a second end, said first end receiving the nonconducting fluid and said second end being disposed within the conductive medium and discharging the nonconducting fluid into the conductive medium;
passing an electrical buffer fluid through an annular passageway having a first end and a second end, said annular passageway defined between said first tubular member and a second tubular member, said first tubular member being received within said second tubular member, said annular passageway first end receiving said electrical buffer fluid and said annular passageway second end being disposed within said conductive medium to a depth greater than said second end of said first tubular member, said electrical buffer fluid forming an electrical buffer region within said conductive medium adjacent said second end of said restricted passageway;
and
applying a voltage between said first tubular member and said conductive medium to electrically form dispersions of said nonconductive fluid in said conductive medium.

1 more element

A method for electrically forming dispersions of a nonconducting fluid in a conductive medium, said method comprising:

passing the nonconducting fluid through a restricted passageway defined by a first tubular member into the conductive medium, said first tubular member having a first end and a second end, said first tubular member being provided with a central bore of substantially uniform cross-section from said first end to said second end, said first end receiving the nonconducting fluid and said second end being disposed within the conductive medium and discharging the nonconducting fluid into the conductive medium, said first tubular member including a metallic tubular member having first and second ends and an insulating casing around said metallic tubular member and extending to said second end of said metallic tubular member to insulate an exterior side surface of said metallic tubular member from the conductive medium,
passing an electrical buffer fluid through an annular passageway having a first end and a second end, said annular passageway defined between said first tubular member and a second tubular member, said first tubular member being received within said second tubular member, said annular passageway first end receiving said electrical buffer fluid and said annular passageway second end being disposed within said conductive medium to a depth greater than said second end of said first tubular member, said electrical buffer fluid forming an electrical buffer region within said conductive medium adjacent said second end of said restricted passageway;
and
applying a voltage between said first tubular member and said conductive medium to electrically form dispersions of said nonconductive fluid in said conductive medium.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for electrically producing dispersions of a nonconductive fluid in a conductive medium

Life of this patent

Method for electrically producing dispersions of a nonconductive fluid in a conductive medium

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16