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

Patent · Tue Jun 09 00:00:00 EDT 1998

OSTI ID:871604

DePaoli, David W ^[1]; Tsouris, Constantinos ^[2]; Feng, James Q ^[3]

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1. Knoxville, TN
2. Oak Ridge, TN
3. Fairport, NY

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the first and second passageways arranged in a concentric configuration, with the outlet tip of the first passageway withdrawn into the second passageway.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. (Oak Ridge, TN)
• Patent Number(s): US 5762775
• OSTI ID: 871604
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
electrically
producing
dispersions
nonconductive
fluid
conductive
medium
forming
nonconducting
minimizes
power
consumption
gas
generation
sparking
electrode
nozzle
utilizes
passageway
wall
serves
transport
provides
flowing
conductivity
buffer
results
region
immediately
adjacent
outlet
create
protection
current
drain
electrical
potential
difference
applied
contact
causes
formation
droplets
bubbles
preferred
embodiment
passageways
arranged
concentric
configuration
tip
withdrawn
conductive fluid
method utilizes
potential difference
power consumption
electrical potential
preferred embodiment
conductive medium
immediately adjacent
gas generation
conducting fluid
/204/239/