Mist generating apparatus and method

摘要

An apparatus for generating a mist is provided. The apparatus has at least one working fluid supply conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with a supply of working fluid and an outlet in fluid communication with a first mixing chamber. The apparatus also includes a plurality of transport fluid passages, each of which has an inlet adapted to receive a supply of transport fluid and an outlet in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. Downstream of the mixing chamber is a nozzle having an inlet in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, an outlet, and a throat portion intermediate the nozzle inlet and outlet. The throat portion of the nozzle has a cross sectional area which is less than that of either the nozzle inlet or the nozzle outlet. The apparatus enhances the atomization of the working fluid to generate the mist.

主权项

1. An apparatus for generating a mist, comprising: a plurality of working fluid supply conduits, each conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with a supply of working fluid and an outlet; a first mixing chamber being in fluid communication with the outlets of the working fluid supply conduits; a plurality of transport fluid passages, each transport fluid passage having an inlet adapted to receive a supply of transport fluid and an outlet in fluid communication with the mixing chamber; and wherein the plurality of transport fluid passages comprise an inner transport passage co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, and a plurality of outer transport fluid passages circumferentially spaced about the inner transport fluid passage;
a plurality of working fluid passages, each having an inlet in fluid communication with the working fluid supply conduits and an outlet in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, and each working fluid passage having a diameter which is less than that of each of the supply conduits; and wherein at least one of the transport fluid passage outlets is positioned a shorter radial distance from the longitudinal axis than one of the working fluid passage outlets; and a nozzle having an inlet in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, an outlet, and a throat portion intermediate the nozzle inlet and outlet, the throat portion having a cross sectional area which is less than that of either the nozzle inlet or the nozzle outlet; wherein the working fluid passages are circumferentially spaced about an inner transport fluid passage, and radially positioned between the inner transport fluid passage and the outer transport fluid passage.