Method and apparatus for diffusing ozone gas into liquid

Abstract

An ozone diffuser includes an outer tube having a tubular porous membrane disposed coaxially therein. An annular space is defined between the inner surface of the tubular member and the outer surface of the membrane into which ozone gas is applied. Water is caused to flow through the interior of the membrane in such a manner as to form a vortex which creates a negative pressure at the inner surface of the membrane. The pressure difference between the annular space and the interior of the membrane causes ozone gas to be sucked through the membrane and become diffused into the water. The pressure difference results in a high concentration of ozone in the water. The vortex also produces a shearing effect which breaks up the ozone bubbles and increases the diffusion efficiency.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for diffusing a first fluid into a second fluid, comprising: 
 a membrane having a porosity which is sufficient to allow the first fluid to pass therethrough;    a first passageway configured to apply the first fluid to a first surface of the membrane; and    a second passageway configured to apply the second fluid to a second surface of the membrane which is opposite to the first surface thereof such that the second fluid forms a vortex with sufficiently low pressure to cause the first fluid to move from the first passageway through the membrane into the second passageway and become diffused into the second fluid.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as in    claim 1   , in which the first fluid is a gas and the second fluid is a liquid.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as in    claim 2   , in which the first fluid comprises ozone gas.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as in    claim 3   , in which the second fluid comprises water.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as in    claim 1   , comprising an outer tubular member, in which: 
 the membrane is tubular and is disposed coaxially inside the outer tubular member;    the first passageway comprises an annular space between an inner surface of the tubular member and an outer surface of the membrane, the outer surface of the membrane constituting said first surface thereof;    the first passageway has an inlet;    the membrane has an inner surface which constitutes said second surface thereof and defines the second passageway; and    the second passageway has an inlet and an outlet.    
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as in    claim 5   , in which: 
 the inlet of the second passageway is oriented at substantially a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the second passageway and is radially offset from the longitudinal axis, thereby causing the second fluid to form said vortex in the second passageway.    
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as in    claim 6   , in which the inlet and outlet of the second passageway are provided at substantially opposite ends thereof.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as in    claim 7   , in which the apparatus is disposed such that the axis of the second passageway is oriented substantially vertically; and 
 the inlet of the second passageway is disposed above the outlet thereof.    
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as in    claim 1   , in which: 
 the first fluid comprises ozone gas; and    the membrane has a porosity of approximately 50 to 60 microns.    
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as in    claim 1   , in which the first and second passageways are configured such that a pressure difference between the first and second surfaces of the membrane is approximately 5 to 20 psig.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as in    claim 1   , in which the second passageway is configured such that said vortex at least partially shears the first fluid at the second surface of the membrane.  
     
     
         12 . A method for diffusing a first fluid into a second fluid, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a membrane having a porosity which is sufficient to allow the first fluid to pass therethrough;    (b) applying the first fluid to a first surface of the membrane; and    (c) applying the second fluid to a second surface of the membrane which is opposite to the first surface thereof in such a manner that the second fluid forms a vortex with sufficiently low pressure to cause the first fluid to move through the membrane and become diffused into the second fluid.    
     
     
         13 . A method as in    claim 12   , in which the first fluid is a gas and the second fluid is a liquid.  
     
     
         14 . A method as in    claim 13   , in which the first fluid comprises ozone gas.  
     
     
         15 . A method as in    claim 14   , in which the second fluid comprises water.  
     
     
         16 . A method as in    claim 12   , in which: 
 step (a) comprises providing the membrane in the shape of a tube;    step (b) comprises applying the first fluid to an outer surface of the membrane which constitutes said first surface thereof; and    step (c) comprises applying the second fluid to an interior of the membrane which constitutes said second surface thereof.    
     
     
         17 . A method as in    claim 16   , in which: 
 the membrane is oriented such that a longitudinal axis thereof is oriented substantially vertically; and    the second fluid is applied into the interior of the membrane at substantially a right angle to the longitudinal axis and is radially offset from the longitudinal axis to create said vortex.    
     
     
         18 . A method as in    claim 12   , in which: 
 the first fluid comprises ozone gas; and    step (a) comprises providing the membrane with a porosity of approximately 50 to 60 microns.    
     
     
         19 . A method as in    claim 12   , in which steps (b) and (c) in combination comprise creating a pressure difference between the first and second surfaces of the membrane of approximately 5 to 20 psig.  
     
     
         20 . A method as in    claim 12   , in which steps (a), (b) and (c) in combination comprise creating said vortex such that it at least partially shears the first fluid at the second surface of the membrane.