A method for enhancing mass transport in fuel deoxygenation systems

摘要

A fuel system for an energy conversion device includes a deoxygenator system (14) with a multitude of flow impingement elements (55) which are interleaved to provide a fuel channel (38) with intricate two-dimensional flow characteristics. The flow impingement elements (55) break up the boundary layers and enhance the transport of oxygen from the core of the of the fuel flow within the fuel channel (38) to the oxygen permeable membrane surfaces by directing the fuel flow in a direction normal to the oxygen permeable membrane (36). The rapid mixing of the relatively rich oxygen core of the fuel with the relatively oxygen-poor flow near the oxygen permeable membrane enhances the overall removal rate of oxygen from the fuel. Because this process can be accomplished in fuel channels (38) of relatively larger flow areas while maintaining laminar flow, the pressure drop sustained is relatively low.