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Title:
APPARATUS TO ACCELERATE NON-LIQUID MATERIALS IN A SPIRALING FORWARD DIRECTION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2019/068169
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A method to focus forward momentum of a material increase the velocity of a specific material or a number of specific materials, said method comprising the steps of: introducing a slurry of material into a high velocity accelerator, where said high velocity accelerator is adapted to impart an increase in the velocity of the materials introduced therein; expanding the volume of the slurry introduced into the high velocity accelerator without diminishing the velocity of the material; entraining said expanded slurry through injection of a liquid at high velocity towards an outlet port located in the high velocity accelerator; and focusing the entrained slurry onto a pre-determined point located proximate the outlet port of the high velocity accelerator.

Inventors:
HARRISON JAMES (CA)
Application Number:
PCT/CA2018/000189
Publication Date:
April 11, 2019
Filing Date:
October 05, 2018
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
STITECH IND INC (CA)
International Classes:
F15D1/00; B04C9/00; B24C5/00
Foreign References:
CA2780023A12011-05-19
US20140215842A12014-08-07
CA2949766A12015-11-26
Other References:
See also references of EP 3692265A4
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
PIGEON, Charles O (CA)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A method to focus forward momentum of a material increase the velocity of a specific material or a number of specific materials, said method comprising the steps of:

introducing a slurry of material into a high velocity accelerator, where said high velocity accelerator is adapted to impart an increase in the velocity on the materials introduced therein;

expanding the volume of the slurry introduced into the high velocity accelerator without diminishing the velocity of the material;

entraining said expanded slurry through injection of a liquid at high velocity towards an outlet port located in the high velocity accelerator; and

focusing the entrained slurry onto a pre-determined point located proximate the outlet port of the high velocity accelerator.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of entraining the expanded slurry further comprises imparting a concentric movement to the entrained slurry towards the outlet port of the high velocity accelerator.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the imparting a concentric movement to the entrained slurry is performed by injecting the fluid through the injection ports at angle offset from a straight line between the outlet port and an injection port.

4. A method to focus forward momentum of a material increase the velocity of a specific material or a number of specific materials which accelerates independently of other materials, separate solids and/or gaseous materials from gaseous or solid materials, cause the abrasive collision of materials, impart work energy on a surface to cause directional motion of a body.

5. A method to accelerate the velocity of a solid material, said method comprising the steps of:

introducing a slurry of comprising at least one type of solid material into a high velocity accelerator, where said high velocity accelerator is adapted to impart an increase in the velocity on the materials introduced therein;

expanding the volume of the slurry introduced into the high velocity accelerator without diminishing the velocity of the material;

entraining said expanded slurry through injection of a liquid at high velocity towards an outlet port located in the high velocity accelerator; and focusing the entrained slurry onto a pre-determined point located proximate the outlet port of the high velocity accelerator.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the high velocity accelerator comprises:

an internal chamber;

a material inlet port;

a material outlet port;

a back wall surrounding the inlet port; an internal wall having a first end connected to the back wall and a second opposite end tapering to the outlet port, the first end being located proximate the inlet port and the second end being located proximate the outlet port;

a plurality of injection ports positioned along the periphery of the internal wall proximate the first end;

wherein said inlet port having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the internal chamber, and the injection ports are adapted to inject at a high rate of displacement a gas which, in operation, will create a vortex inside the internal chamber thereby entraining said material towards the outlet port.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the slurry is prepared using a solvent selected from the group consisting of: water, low boiling solvents, and combinations thereof.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the slurry is prepared using a water as a solvent.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said focal point is a shared focal point with a second high velocity accelerator performing substantially the same function from another position.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said focal point is a shared focal point with a second high velocity accelerator performing substantially the same function from the opposite direction.

Description:
APPARATUS TO ACCELERATE NON-LIQUID MATERIALS

IN A SPIRALING FORWARD DIRECTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus and method to rapidly accelerate a non-liquid material in a forward direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There may be numerous processes which may require the rapid acceleration of non-liquid materials for numerous purposes as may be required by the user of the apparatus.

It may be beneficial to the user to accelerate materials in a manner that is efficient and/or for an apparatus to process materials at various flow volume rates without being required to recalibrate and/or to require different systems for different volume flow rates.

It may be beneficial for a user to separate certain gases, vapors and/or air from other gases, vapors and/or air and/or the blend or infuse gases, vapors and/or air with other gases, vapors and/or air. It may be beneficial to a user to remove solid materials from gases, air and/or vapors and/or to add gases, air or vapors to solids. In some instances, it may be beneficial to blend solid materials.

It may be beneficial to impart forces on, and/or cause abrasive collisions of, solid materials such as aggregate materials which may smooth, round or remove jagged or protruding edges of a solid surface or body.

It may be beneficial to impart forces on a material which may cause the material to move forward at a higher velocity with a greater level of forward velocity than may be efficiently obtainable by other means or methods.

It may be beneficial to impart forces of one solid material on a second solid material in an opposing direction and to generate a desired amount of work potential with the intent to create an abrasive collision of the first and second material which may cause the imposing solid materials to break apart into smaller sized solid materials.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a method and system for an apparatus that can accelerate a non-liquid material in a forward direction where the method and system is versatile in application, can control the reaction outcome and can operate at a wide range of volume flow rates and material densities, temperatures, pressures and velocities. There is also a need in the art for a method and system that may provide the opportunity to achieve one or more than one desired action discussed above in a single step or with a reduced number of steps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system to focus forward momentum of a specific or number of specific materials which may be in a gaseous or solid state, increase the velocity of a specific material or a number of specific materials which accelerate independently of other materials, separate solids and/or gaseous materials from gaseous or solid materials, cause the abrasive collision of materials, impart work energy on a surface to cause directional motion of a body.

The incoming velocity of the material may rapidly decelerate due to the laws of conservation of energy. The value proposition of the present invention can be explained as follows:

- If a material is moving forward at a constant rate over a horizontal distance but is travelling in a spiral that is decreasing in diameter to an apex then the material is moving faster,

- Velocity translates to ft bs of force;

- Ft/lbs of force in acceleration is key to colliding impact;

- The spiralling evenly displaces airflow and reduces drag thereby conserving energy to be converted to velocity similar to rifling;

- Whether it is cold air with a % of moisture or an inert expanding gas when the air or gas exits the reactor it will rapidly expand and cool reducing its velocity and the cooling will reduce mass which assists in relieving pressure in addition to natural pressure loss in expansion; and

- Gaseous or air materials will move slower and not impede the solid materials which can be collided with itself or the surface of a body and assist to focus energy of solids to a smaller area with less blow out or dispersing of energy of the sand.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method to focus forward momentum of a specific or number of specific materials which may be in a gaseous or solid state, increase the velocity of a specific material or a number of specific materials which accelerate independently of other materials, separate solids and/or gaseous materials from gaseous or solid materials, cause the abrasive collision of materials, impart work energy on a surface to cause directional motion of a body. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system and methods are operated as a batch process. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system and methods are operated as a continuous flow-through process.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method to focus forward momentum of a material increase the velocity of a specific material or a number of specific materials, said method comprising the steps of:

introducing a slurry of material into a high velocity accelerator, where said high velocity accelerator is adapted to impart an increase in the velocity on the materials introduced therein;

expanding the volume of the slurry introduced into the high velocity accelerator without diminishing the velocity of the material;

entraining said expanded slurry through injection of a liquid at high velocity towards an outlet port located in the high velocity accelerator; and

focusing the entrained slurry onto a pre-determined point located proximate the outlet port of the high velocity accelerator.

Preferably, the step of entraining the expanded slurry further comprises imparting a concentric movement to the entrained slurry towards the outlet port of the high velocity accelerator.

Preferably, the imparting a concentric movement to the entrained slurry is performed by injecting the fluid through the injection ports at angle offset from a straight line between the outlet port and an injection port.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method to focus forward momentum of a material increase the velocity of a specific material or a number of specific materials which accelerates independently of other materials, separate solids and/or gaseous materials from gaseous or solid materials, cause the abrasive collision of materials, impart work energy on a surface to cause directional motion of a body.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method to accelerate the velocity of a solid material, said method comprising the steps of:

introducing a slurry of comprising at least one type of solid material into a high velocity accelerator, where said high velocity accelerator is adapted to impart an increase in the velocity on the materials introduced therein; expanding the volume of the slurry introduced into the high velocity accelerator without diminishing the velocity of the material;

entraining said expanded slurry through injection of a liquid at high velocity towards an outlet port located in the high velocity accelerator; and

focusing the entrained slurry onto a pre-determined point located proximate the outlet port of the high velocity accelerator.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the high velocity accelerator comprises:

an internal chamber;

a material inlet port;

a material outlet port;

a back wall surrounding the inlet port; an internal wall having a first end connected to the back wall and a second opposite end tapering to the outlet port, the first end being located proximate the inlet port and the second end being located proximate the outlet port;

a plurality of injection ports positioned along the periphery of the internal wall proximate the first end;

wherein said inlet port having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the internal chamber, and the injection ports are adapted to inject at a high rate of displacement a gas which, in operation, will create a vortex inside the internal chamber thereby entraining said material towards the outlet port.

Preferably, the slurry is prepared using a solvent selected from the group consisting of: water, low boiling solvents, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the slurry is prepared using a water as a solvent.

Preferably, said focal point is a shared focal point with a second high velocity accelerator performing substantially the same function from another position.

Preferably, said focal point is a shared focal point with a second high velocity accelerator performing substantially the same function from the opposite direction.

This preferably accelerates independently of other materials, separate solids and/or gaseous materials from gaseous or solid materials, cause the abrasive collision of materials, impart work energy on a surface to cause directional motion of a body. Wherein said plurality of injection ports positioned along the periphery of the internal wall of the internal chamber at a position close to the back wall are adapted to inject at a high rate of displacement a fluid which, in operation, will create a vortex inside the chamber thereby entraining said material towards the outlet port. The injection can preferably also imparting a concentric movement to the entrained slurry towards the outlet port of the high velocity accelerator. Preferably, imparting a concentric movement to the entrained slurry is performed by injecting the fluid through the injection ports at angle offset from a straight line between the outlet port and an injection port.

Preferably, the method to focus forward momentum of a material allows at least one of the following: increase the velocity of a specific material or a number of specific materials which accelerate independently of other materials; separate solids and/or gaseous materials from gaseous or solid materials; cause the abrasive collision of materials; and impart work energy on a surface to cause directional motion of a body.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system may comprise further comprise additional optional apparatus which may overcome efficiency losses in processing materials in the described manner and for the described purposes, where the inflow of material composition characteristics may not be consistent and/or where the feed rate, feed pressure and/or feed velocity are not consistent, but where there may be a requirement of the materials which may be processed by the apparatus to continue to be reasonably consistent to the intent of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings form part of the specification and are included to further demonstrate certain embodiments or various aspects of the invention. In some instances, embodiments of the invention can be best understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in combination with the detailed description presented herein. The description and accompanying drawings may highlight a oertain specific example, or a certain aspect of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that portions of the example or aspect may be used in combination with other examples or aspects of the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic of a system set-up of the method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the various material flows in a cross-section view of a dual high velocity accelerators according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are schematic depictions of three other preferred embodiment of the high velocity accelerator apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a schematic describing the physical changes in the state of certain materials resulting from the use of the apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a high velocity accelerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a potential use of the apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for the purposes of describing the physical changes in the state of certain materials resulting from the apparatus; and

Figure 7 illustrates a cross-section of a dual high velocity accelerators according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the effectiveness of the process using the apparatus is not dependent on the introduction or use of chemical aids or surfactants, although there may be applications where chemical use is desired to modify a specific intended result.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system is configured to incorporate the introduction of chemicals as required or desired by the user.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises one or more additional device including but not limited to:

a) eddy current generators used to confine specific materials at the inflow or outflow points of the invention;

b) magnetic generators to impart magnetic forces on martials at the inflow or outflow points of the invention; and

c) additions to remove moisture vapor from the invention internal chamber.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system promotes mechanically- induced chemical reactions which assist in the separation of various materials from each other. These chemical reactions may be naturally occurring by mechanical induction and do not produce any substantial negative or by-product based residual effect at any point in the process, or by the end of the process.

Variations of embodiments of the invention process can be applied to any number of applications and associated industries.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of the apparatus can vary to include supportive or additional user required classification and or treatment of materials.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system and methods are operated as a batch process or a continuous flow-through process. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system and methods are operated as a continuous flow-through process.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus can be scaled to suit a required application capacity as defined by the user and has the capacity to operate with no change in effectiveness of process at efficiency ranges of 10% to 100%.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the use of the apparatus can be incorporated at any number of process volume rates and may be incorporated in a permanently located process in any applicable application. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the use of the apparatus can be incorporated at any number of process volume rates and be incorporated in a mobile or semi-mobile process in any applicable application.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one can vaporize a specific percent of a specific liquid and/or a number of liquids, or to vaporize all of a specific liquid or all liquids having a vaporization temperature below a certain level and cause a solid material to flow in suspended state within a vapor which may cause a solid to become infused and/or saturated by a liquid or number of liquids.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one can implement systems and/or methods to minimize the volume of air as related to the volume of other material to prevent an adverse effect on the process, or prevent the desired result of the process.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user may be required to comprise a system of a consecutive series of apparatuses to accomplish the desired outcome of the process to ensure the efficiency of each component of the desired result of the process. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a system to transport material to the apparatus, and the transport of materials may require specific and/or minimum and maximum physical characteristics. The physical characteristics may include, but not be limited to:

material density;

pressure of material at the apparatus inlet;

velocity of the material at the apparatus inlet;

volume feed rate of material to the apparatus;

temperature of the material mass at the apparatus inlet;

percent of entrained and/or dissolved air in the material at the apparatus inlet;

viscosity of the material at the apparatus inlet;

percent of water comprising a material flow volume at the inlet of the apparatus; a minimum or maximum pressure of the inlet of the injectors of the apparatus;

a minimum or maximum temperature at the inlet of the injectors of the apparatus; and a minimum or maximum volume flow rate at the inlet of the injectors of the apparatus.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process results require specific physical characteristics of the apparatus, including but not limited to:

a) a minimum or maximum outflow opening size of the apparatus;

b) a minimum or maximum inflow opening size of the apparatus; and/or

c) a minimum or maximum internal conical chamber size with specific diameters, horizontal length and/or internal volume.

The total energy of the process is the sum of the energy of the inflowing suspended material plus the energy imparted by the creation of high velocity energy streams.

The energy of the material leaving the apparatus may be the total sum of the energy of the materials entering the apparatus but less the amount of energy that is lost due to a number of actions undergone in the apparatus which include but are not limited to; expansion loss, thermal transfer loss and friction

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user may adjust a single or a number of physical characteristics of the material which may eliminate and/or reduce the adverse effect of the process as a result of unattainable requirements of another physical characteristic.

A person skilled in the art has the knowledge to determine requirements for physical characteristics of the material and if required physical characteristics for the process may be unattainable as well as the knowledge to determine which physical characteristics of the material may eliminate or reduce other unattainable physical characteristics.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, materials meeting the minimum and/or maximum physical characteristic allowance for variation, which are transported to the high velocity accelerator may, enter such and, immediately rapidly expand.

A non-solid material entering the apparatus and rapidly expanding may lose unrecoverable pressure due to the laws of expansion.

The incoming pressure of the material may not increase in pressure as is normally required by the laws of conservation of energy. The incoming material may be imparted with an area of lower pressure which may cause the materials to further expand outwards and further reduce forward velocity while simultaneously reducing in pressure of non-solid materials which may result from an implied constricted flow area as described in Figure 6. In Figure 6, the center line of the internal chamber (1) is illustrated. Also, depicted are the maximum vacuum zone (2), the low-pressure zone (3), the zone of maximum compression on outflow (4), the material expansion and deceleration zone (5). The forward motion of the solid material is illustrated as reference character (6), the Shockwaves moving out from the point of maximum compression at outflow are illustrated by reference character (7), the flow of light gaseous and vapor material (8), the high turbulence transitions phase state zone (9), material flow eddy currents (10), material velocity at plane (11) and the conical plane of rotational axis are also illustrated in this figure.

High velocity accelerator HVA (also referred to as the STERN reactor system)

In an implementation of the apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention as part of a process, a material slurry enters the STERN reactor system (HVA), which induces a state which reduces effects of gravity and friction and generates a highly turbulent flow state of the suspension while simultaneously applying energy to create shear forces and vacuum states which act on the various components of the suspension, which encourages rapid separation of the various components of the suspension.

Entry of material into the HVA during operation results in a pressure drop and rapid increase in the velocity of the suspension equally to the medium as a singular mass, but imparts specific and different actions to the individual medium components. As a result, the HVA outputs a high-energy material flow, which assists in maintaining separation as it passes to a subsequent separator or settlement treatment system. The HVA may separate individual materials from each other and flow them forward as a bulk mass however, individual material components will flow as individual masses and at different velocities within the bulk mass. The variation of velocities may be dependent on the temperature, pressure and specific densities of each of the individual materials.

Figure 5 illustrates a lengthwise cross-sectional view of the apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The material inflow pipe (501) is in fluid operational connection with the apparatus' internal apparatus chamber (502). The size and configuration of the internal apparatus chamber (502) is determined by the intended application. There is a pressurized fluid chamber (503) which is in operational fluid connection with the internal chamber (502). There is also an inlet (504) for the pressurized fluid chamber (503), the fittings of which are also determined by the requirements of the intended application. There are high pressure seals (506) found around the internal chamber (502). A gas or air inlet (505) is located in fluid operational connection to the internal apparatus chamber and is used depending on the needs and requirements of the application. The outflow pipe (507) is in fluid operational connection with the internal chamber (502). According to a preferred embodiment, an eddy current or magnetic apparatus may be located at the inflow section (508) of the apparatus. According to another preferred embodiment, an eddy current or magnetic apparatus may be located at the outflow section (509) of the apparatus. The jets (508) are aimed along the conical inner surface to create high velocity streams which collide at the apex (509) of the HVA. In one embodiment, the jets may be aimed slightly tangentially so that the high velocity streams spiral along the inner surface, creating a central vortex in the chamber. By operation of the venturi principle, a low-pressure zone is created in the central volume of the internal chamber of the HVA.

Vacuum states may form areas of space within the apparatus which may be void of liquid and/or solid materials such as in areas like, the core of the conical flow and/or in the area above the jet stream and between the jet stream an inner conical surface of the apparatus, as depicted in Figure 4 and 5. As a result of the high energy cavitation forces imparted to the system by the high velocity water streams, the particles in suspension will collide with each other, particularly at the apex (9) of the vortex where the particles will have concentrated, as shown schematically in Figure 4. The collisions occur with sufficient energy to fracture weaker state particles. All particles will undergo surface rounding, increasing the sphericity of the individual particles and the compressive strength of the bulk mass. Individual particles will undergo directional changes, rotational velocity and momentum changes as they accelerate, collide and are compressed in the vortex. As the solid particles are buffeted in the vortex, contaminants, which adhere to the particles' surfaces, are dislodged. As such, contaminants will typically be less dense, they will migrate outwards and move with the liquid mass. Clay particles such as bentonite or other porous and or adherent type contaminants are also dislodged and flow freely in the liquid mass. Slag type materials are also dislodged but may become entrapped in the flow of other solids and can be separated, if desired, in secondary treatments.

Generally, components with higher density will concentrate in the centre of the vortex, while lighter density components will migrate to the outer zones. Materials that may vaporize in the apparatus process may condense at points of the process where there is an increase in pressure to a point where the state of vacuum is no longer sufficient to maintain the material in a vaporized state.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at some points in the process of using the apparatus the increase in pressure may be sufficient to cause all vaporized liquids to condense. In some cases, materials that vaporize into a gaseous state may not condense as pressure increases. Notwithstanding any theory the conclusion is specific to specific physical characteristics and properties of some materials. At a point where vaporized materials condense, the action will generate an effect commonly referred to by persons skilled in the art, as a "water hammer". The term "water hammer" is not intended to describe an effect specific to water and may describe different materials condensing. Notwithstanding any theory, it is believed the effect of "water hammer ", occurring at points where there may be a rapid compression and deceleration of materials, may produce either supersonic and/or subsonic Shockwaves as depicted in Figure 6.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process can generate material velocities which are supersonic.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at a point where all materials in the apparatus process are condensed to a maximum density and at a point where the material is condensed in to the smallest flow area of the process, the total sum of the energy of the process may be imparted on the material in a forward direction. Simultaneously, Shockwaves will impart forces on the material consistent with energy disbursement laws and impart forces in both, a forward direction, and away from the condensed material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, where the material is condensed to a maximum density within the process, is the outflow point of the material from the apparatus, the forces imparting on the material may transport the materials forward in a spiral motion. Preferably, materials in the process which remain in a vaporized state may expand outwardly. Preferably also, materials in the process which are liquid and emulsified with dissolved air and/or other gaseous may expand outwardly at a rate consistent with the laws of expanding fluids and fluids with dissolved air and/or gases.

Solid materials in the materials which are condensed may have forces imparted onto the materials which propel the material forward in a spiral motion and at a velocity which may not be consistent with liquid or vapor components of the material as described in Figure 4. Material components which may be able to disburse imparted forces may not propel forward at velocities consistent with materials which may not disburse imparted forces at the same values. Notwithstanding any theory, it is believed materials which are propelled forward at lower velocities than other materials will be imparted by centripetal forces to a greater degree than materials with more forward velocity such as solid materials. Materials moving forward at lower velocities and imparted by centripetal forces to a greater degree may continue to expand outwardly and rapidly decrease in forward velocity.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the inlet pipe (501) leads to an inlet transition zone where the internal diameter of the reactor increases and liquid and/or semi liquid states begin to vaporize and, in some cases, to completely vaporize. It is understood that the inlet pipe may protrude into the reactor chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention, without departing from the person skilled in the art's understanding that the back wall surrounds the inlet port.

As illustrated in Figure 4, when the suspension enters the inlet transition zone, it rapidly decelerates with a resultant increase in pressure and coinciding loss of pressure due to expansion of liquid materials. It is then very rapidly accelerated by the action of the high velocity water streams towards the apex (41 1). Thus, the suspended material is displaced into the apex by the action of the high velocity streams. Shear forces are focused at the apex (411) of the vortex and act on the solids which are concentrated there. The inventors surmise that, at an ideal point of maximum material compression or at an ideal point of expansion of the material after the point of maximum material compression, the material may have the required amount of energy imparted on a substance or body to cause displacement through a conserved level of work power and the imparted work power may be sufficient to propel and/or move a body or object in a forward direction, and/or propel and/or move the apparatus in the opposite direction of the material leaving the apparatus.

The HVA does not create cyclonic separation. In fact, in conventional cyclonic separation, denser material is accelerated by centrifugal force to the periphery, while lighter material collects in the center. In the HVA, the centrifugal forces are overcome and concentrate the denser materials towards the center of the flow and the center of the apex due to an internal vacuum state. Immediately upon entering the HVA chamber, the materials will experience a rapid deceleration, followed by rapid acceleration towards the apex, as the material is sucked into the vortex by the outer low-pressure region created by the high velocity water jets. Upon entry into the lower pressure area of the reaction chamber, the reduced pressure may reduce the friction of the layered flow, producing a highly unstable but directional flow pattern characteristic of a cavitational flow profile.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, material flow patterns may be manipulated with the introduction of an electric and/or magnetic fields generated at the inlet of the chamber with an electromagnet and a rotating ferrous plate. These electric or magnetic fields may encourage a more parallel flow conducive of laminar flow and/or segregation of ferrous materials in the material.

The total energy of the system in the HVA is the sum of the energy of the inflowing suspended material plus the energy imparted by the creation of high velocity water streams. The energy results in a significantly increased velocity of the suspended material, as well as an increase in energy of the solid particles carried in the flowing liquid carrier. Without restriction to a theory, it is believed that the significant energy of the system results in physical actions on the suspended material which results in separation of liquids clinging to the surface of the particles, degasification of liquids, particle size reduction and rounding to due fracturing and abrasive collisions, as may be seen schematically in Figure 4.

Notwithstanding any theory, it is believed the effect of "water hammer", occurring at points where there may be a rapid compression and deceleration of materials, may produce either supersonic and/or subsonic Shockwaves as depicted in Figure 6.

At a point where all materials in the apparatus process may be condensed to a maximum density and at a point where the material is condensed in to the smallest flow area of the process, the total sum of the energy of the process may be imparted on the material in a forward direction. Simultaneously, Shockwaves may impart forces on the material consistent with energy disbursement laws and impart forces in both, a forward direction, and away from the condensed material.

In an embodiment of the invention where the material is condensed to a maximum density within the process, is the outflow point of the material from the apparatus, the forces imparting on the material may transport the materials forward in a spiral motion at a velocity which is greater than before being processed through the apparatus. Materials in the process which vapors, gaseous or air may expand outwardly in open atmosphere and/or into an area of containment which is larger than the outflow opening of the apparatus.

Materials in the process which may be liquid and emulsified with dissolved air and/or other gaseous may expand outwardly at a rate consistent with the laws of expanding fluids and fluids with dissolved air and/or gases in open atmosphere and/or into an area of containment which is larger than the outflow opening of the apparatus.

Solid materials present in the slurry which may be condensed may be imparted by forces which propel the solid material forward in a spiral motion and at a velocity which may not be consistent with other components comprising of the material as described in Figure 4.

Material components which may be able to disburse imparted forces may not propel forward at velocities consistent with materials which may not disburse imparted forces at the same values.

Notwithstanding any theory, it is believed materials which may be propelled forward at lower velocities than other materials may be imparted by centripetal forces to a greater degree than materials with more forward velocity and/or solid materials.

Materials moving forward at lower velocities and imparted by centripetal forces to a greater degree may continue to expand outwardly and rapidly decrease in forward velocity while simultaneously loosing pressure.

It is believed by the inventor, at an ideal point of maximum material compression or at an ideal point of expansion of the material after the point of maximum material compression, the material may have the required amount of energy imparting on a solid material on a surface or opposing solid material may cause the solid materials to break into smaller sizes and/or collide with a surface in an abrasive manner.

In one embodiment of the invention, a material which is transported to the apparatus may accelerate from 0.05 m/s to 461 m/s in a horizontal distance along the rotational axis of a conical flow stream and cause a rapid pressure depression which may create a vacuum state. Outflow characteristic of the materials considered in one embodiment of the invention may provide benefits to the user and provide opportunities for effective a solid material component to separate or be freed from other solid material components as described in Figure 2 and Figure 4.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the co ical form of the rotational axis may be established at specific angles of decline and compounded angles of decline and may create a low-pressure stream along a rotational axis of the conical plane.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the specific angles, rotational distance, rotational axis, velocity, pressure, material type, material temperature and material volume flow rate of injector material, may be determined by a person skilled in the art to provide the energy required to impart the desired process result with consideration to the process material physical characteristics and properties.

Definitions and Interpretation

The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated. To the extent that the following description is of a specific embodiment or a particular use of the invention, it is intended to be illustrative only, and not limiting of the claimed invention.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or steps plus function elements in the claims appended to this specification may be intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

References in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment referred to in other portions of the specification. Further, when a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to combine, affect or connect such aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic with other embodiments, whether or not such connection or combination is explicitly described. In other words, any element or feature may be combined with any other element or feature in different embodiments, unless there is an obvious or inherent incompatibility between the two, or it is specifically excluded.

It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terminology, such as "solely," "only," and the like, in connection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a "negative" limitation. The terms "preferably," "preferred," "prefer," "optionally," "may," and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.

The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "and/or" means any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges recited herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges thereof, as well as the individual values making up the range, particularly integer values. A recited range (e.g., weight percent or carbon groups) includes each specific value, integer, decimal, or identity within the range. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, or tenths. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc.

As will also be understood by one skilled in the art, all language such as "up to", "at least", "greater than", "less than", "more than", "or more", and the like, include the number recited, and such terms refer to ranges that can be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. In the same manner, all ratios recited herein also include all sub-ratios falling within the broader ratio.