Oxygenation device

Abstract

This invention relates to apparatus and method for dissolving a gas into a liquid, and particularly relates to apparatus and method for increasing the oxygen content of water by introducing oxygen bubbles into water flowing through a venturi under laminar flow. This invention also relates to maximizing and controlling the laminar flow of water through said venturi so as to maximize mass transfer of oxygen into said water.

I claim:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for dissolving a gas into a liquid comprising: 
 (a) venturi means for receiving a flow of said liquid there through;    (b) diffuser means associated with said venturi means for diffusing said gas into said liquid flow;    (c) means for controlling said liquid through said venturi means in a laminar zone as said gas is introduced into said liquid.    
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said diffuser means comprises a micro-bubble diffuser.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said venturi means includes a throat and said micro-bubble diffuser comprises a ring disposed about said throat of said venturi means.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said micro-bubble diffuser includes gas orifices of 0.015 inches or less.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said venturi means is comprised of stainless steel.  
     
     
         6 . A method of increasing the oxygen content of water comprising: 
 (a) flowing said water through a venturi having an oxygen diffuser associated with said venturi;    (b) maintaining laminar flow of said water through said venturi when introducing oxygen through said diffuser into said water.    
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said flow of said water through said venturi is increased to maximize laminar flow of said water so as to maximize the oxygen content of said oxygenated water.  
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said water temperature is maintained between 32° F. and 40° F.  
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said water flowing through said venturi is pressurized at 20 psig or greater.  
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said oxygen is pressurized to said diffuser at a pressure the same as or greater than said water.  
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 10  further bottling said oxygenated water.  
     
     
         12 . Water produced from the method of  claim 11  having a oxygen content of up to 48 mg of oxygen per liter of water.  
     
     
         13 . A method of increasing and maintaining the mass transfer of oxygen into a body of water comprising: 
 (a) providing a passage between said body of water and venturi, said venturi having a throat section;    (b) drawing on said body of water for pressurized laminar flow through said venturi;    (c) introducing oxygen through a diffuser associated with said throat section of venturi so as to introduce oxygen bubbles into said laminar flow of said water through said venturi;    (d) controlling said water and oxygen so as to maximize the laminar flow rate of said water through said venturi.    
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said bubbles are stretched when introduced into said laminar flow of said water so as to maximize the mass transfer of said oxygen into said water.  
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said water is cooled to a temperature between 32° F. and 40° F.  
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said body of water is first softened and filtered.  
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said body of water is next distilled.  
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said distilled body of water is stored and subjected to ultra violet treatment.  
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said treated body of water is cooled between 32° F. and 40° F. prior to being pumped through said venturi.