The present invention relates to a polymeric microporous diffuser which may or may not be inserted inside a pressure concentrator, in addition to being used in series in an air pressure distributor. Therefore, the invention could belong to the field of water treatment, in particular for introducing air for the treatment or movement of fluids or other activities requiring air in a water treatment system. STATE OF THE ART

Air is a fundamental element in many water treatment activities since it is used to mix components, separate elements, activate reactions, inhibit reactions, move fluids, among other functions.

Air should be available for biological activities so that the microorganisms can use oxygen to carry out their biotic activities. It is known that the demand for oxygen by biological elements will be equal to the sum of the patches of oxidation on the organic material and to the respiration of new cells produced during biological growth.

The increase of the interfacial area or contact surface is one of the most important parameters for increasing the efficiency of the "gas/liquid" mass transfer operation. The presence of microbubbles is recognized as the cause of an increase in its numeric density and the increase in residence time of the air in the mixture which raises the likelihood of collision and adhesion of the particle/bubble system, therefore increasing the use capacity of the air.

The invention US 5,194,144 granted to Bloug defines a design of fine bubbles to aerate waste materials so that the bacteria perform the function of decomposing the material. The air enters from an external medium and ends up in a propeller tube which has the bubble formation protected by a guard bushing positioned at its end which generates a fine bubble.

The invention US 8,172,206 granted to St. Lawrence defines a system for forming microbubbles where the fundamental element is the presence of a motor which is attached to a shaft that mixes the medium to a liquid, in addition to having a discharge plate joined to a chamber. The motor rotates the shaft and the discharge plate forming the bubbles.

Both inventions require different additional elements to the bubble forming element. The present patent defines the structural arrangement of the microporous plate as the microbubble forming element, not depending on the motor, bushings, rotations or any other device to achieve the desired bubble diameter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a diffuser composed of two polymers which has a microporous structure and through which the air is made to pass, in that the air passes through an air pressure distributor submerged in the water and in that, as the air passes through the device, the air, which is diffused, is in the form of microbubbles.

The advantages which the present invention has with respect to the state of the art:

- Homogenous size of the air bubbles generated.

- Resistant to biological and chemical attacks, resulting from a long service life under the most extreme conditions of use.

- Increase of the gas/liquid surface when increasing the number of bubbles and reducing the size thereof for improved mixture.

The first aspect of the invention is an air diffuser comprising a cylindrical body

- wherein the cylindrical body has a lateral section size from the base of the cylinder to the opposing base of less than 5 cm; and

- wherein the cylindrical body is configured so that at least one of the bases of the cylindrical body can be connected to an air-conducting system such that the air passing through the air-conducting system passes through the micrometric section pores of the cylindrical body, wherein the air diffuser has a composition comprising at least two polymers and wherein said polymers have micrometric section pores.

In a preferred embodiment of the diffuser of the present invention, the size of the diameter of the base of the cylindrical body is selected from:

between 1 cm and 5 cm;

between 5 cm and 7.62 cm; and

between 7.62 cm and 15.24 cm.

In another preferred embodiment of the diffuser of the present invention, the size of the diameter of the base of the cylindrical body is between 5 cm and 7.62 cm and the cylindrical body has at least one invagination towards the interior thereof, in at least one of the bases of the cylindrical body intended to be connected to the air-conducting system.

In another preferred embodiment of the diffuser of the present invention, the size of the diameter of the base of the cylindrical body is between 7.62 cm and 15.24 cm and the air-conducting system is a pressure concentrator, wherein said pressure concentrator comprises

- a vessel comprising:

• a closed lateral wall,

· an upper perimeter edge,

• a lower base with a through hole;

wherein the diffuser is transversely connected to the perimeter edge of said vessel, and

• a tubular and hollow connector, with a diameter size of less than 7.62 cm which extends at the bottom from the perimeter edge of the through hole,

in which the air enters through the connector coming from the air conductor and is guided to the diffuser.

In another preferred embodiment of the diffuser of the present invention, the two polymers are selected from the following list: styrene-butadiene rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, vinyl polychloride, ethylene polyterephthalate, polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethylene and polypropylene nylon.

Another aspect of the present invention is the process of obtaining the air diffuser comprising the following steps:

(a) introducing at least two polymers selected from the following list: styrene-butadiene rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, vinyl polychloride, ethylene polyterephthalate, polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethylene and polypropylene nylon in the form of powder, resin or granules in a press mold suited for the final shape of the air diffuser of the present invention;

(b) placing the press countermold on the mold of the previous step (a) with the mixture of the polymers;

(c) heating the system obtained in step (b) to a temperature above the temperature for forming the polymers and applying a pressure of between 150 atm and 300 atm;

(d) cooling the system of step (c) and unmolding.

Another aspect of the present invention is the use of the air diffuser as a microporous aerating plate in an air pressure distributor.

Another aspect of the present invention is the use of the air diffuser as a microporous aerating plate in an air concentrating chamber.

Throughout the description and the claims, the word "comprises" and its variants do not intend to exclude other technical characteristics, additions, components or steps. For the person skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and characteristics of the invention will emerge in part from the description and in part from the practice of the invention. The following examples and figures are provided by way of illustration and are not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows a view of possible formats of the diffuser plates and their relationship with the microscopic lattice of their material.

Fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional view and profile of the pressure concentrator for use of diffuser plates.

Fig. 3 shows a view of the air pressure distributor system in series towards the pressure concentrators.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following figures are not to scale. The actual dimensions for each one of the components may vary according to the flow of effluent water. The most significant details of the device are highlighted with the aim of someone who has no experience in the field being able to clearly assess the design.

Fig. 1 shows the air diffuser 1 which has a cylindrical format designed to avoid blind spots in the arrangement of the diffusers in a tank. The height between the connection point of the air-conducting system and the external area should not be more than 5 cm. Diffuser plates wider than 5 cm 1 A require an invagination 2 towards the interior of the body, located in at least one of the bases of the cylindrical body which may be connected directly to the air- conducting system. Diffuser plates with diameters greater than 7.62 cm (3 inches) 1 B should be inserted in a pressure concentrator 4.

The air diffuser 1 , 1 A and 1 B, has a microporous surface 3 which is not visible with the naked eye, but gives a rough sensation upon touch. The material of the microporous surface 3 is due to a specific formulation of at least two polymers mixed in liquid state and at high pressure, which, upon solidifying, generate empty spaces which guide the air and generate the microbubbles. The physical structure of the microporous surface 3 makes it highly resistant to large air pressure forces without undergoing any modifications. Similarly, due to its plastic nature, it is resistant to biological and chemical actions, resulting in a long service life under the most extreme conditions of use.

Fig. 2 shows the pressure concentrator 4 which is plastic and which comprises a vessel where the diffuser is firmly and transversely connected to the perimeter edge of said vessel, greater than 7.62 cm 1 B to an upper perimeter edge 5. In the internal part of the closed lateral wall of the vessel, once the diffuser is connected, it leads to an air concentrating chamber 6 which provides the air distribution throughout the diffuser plate 1 B. The air enters the concentrator by means of a tubular and hollow connector 7 which is an integral part of the pressure concentrator 4 and allows for connection of different types of air distribution, such as hoses, tubes, threads, plugs. The pressure concentrator 4, in spite of having different compartments, is a single piece.

The air pressure distributor system in series 8 is identified in Fig. 3 which consists of a highly-resistant tube 9 sealed at its ends. At one of the ends is a connector 10 which receives the air distribution system. This connector allows for connection of different types of air distribution, such as hoses, tubes, threads, plugs. The interior 12 of this distribution system maintains constant the pressure of the air that enters throughout its entire volume.

The distributor 8 has outlets 1 1 which are connected to each tubular and hollow connector 7 of the pressure concentrators 4 which, in turn, are sealed by the aerators 1 B. The length of the air pressure distributor system in series 8 as well as the number of outlets 1 1 is designed according to specifications of the calculations of the demand for available oxygen.

The entire device associated with the air diffuser is hermetically sealed in the process of conduction towards the diffuser 1 , 1 A and 1 B.