Apparatus and method for producing an emulsion of a fuel and an emulsifiable component

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for producing an emulsion of a fuel and an emulsifiable component are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first cavitation chamber for receiving a first fluid, the first fluid being a first one of the fuel and the emulsifiable component, and wherein the apparatus is arranged to produce a swirling flow of the first fluid in the first cavitation chamber. The apparatus comprises a second cavitation chamber for receiving a second fluid, the second fluid being a second one of the fuel and the emulsifiable component, where the apparatus is arranged to produce a swirling flow of the second fluid in the second cavitation chamber. The first cavitation chamber further comprises an outlet and the first cavitation chamber, the outlet and the second cavitation chamber are arranged coaxially. The second cavitation chamber is arranged to receive the first fluid from the first cavitation chamber through the outlet.

1 . An apparatus for producing an emulsion of a fuel and an emulsifiable component, the apparatus comprising:
 a first cavitation chamber for receiving a first fluid, the first fluid being a first one of the fuel and the emulsifiable component, the apparatus being arranged to produce a swirling flow of the first fluid in the first cavitation chamber;   a second cavitation chamber for receiving a second fluid, the second fluid being a second one of the fuel and the emulsifiable component, the apparatus being arranged to produce a swirling flow of the second fluid in the second cavitation chamber;   the first cavitation chamber further comprises an outlet;   the first cavitation chamber, the outlet and the second cavitation chamber being arranged coaxially; and   wherein the second cavitation chamber is arranged to receive the first fluid from the first cavitation chamber through the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is arranged:
 to produce the swirling flow of the first fluid in the first cavitation chamber in a first direction;   to produce the swirling flow of the second fluid in the second cavitation chamber in a second direction;   wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is arranged:
 to produce the swirling flow of the first fluid in the first cavitation chamber;   to produce the swirling flow of the second fluid in the second cavitation chamber;   wherein the swirling flow of the first fluid is in the same direction as the swirling flow of the second fluid.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , arranged for fluid pressure in the first cavitation chamber to be higher than fluid pressure in the second cavitation chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the first cavitation chamber has a first radius, and the second cavitation chamber has a second radius, the first radius being smaller than the second radius. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outlet projects into the second cavitation chamber to a distance from a base of the first cavitation chamber, wherein the distance is determined with respect to a diameter of the second cavitation chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the distance is within the range of 0.1 to 0.15 times the diameter of the second cavitation chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , the second cavitation chamber having a discharge zone, and
 wherein the second cavitation chamber is arranged to receive the first fluid through the outlet in the discharge zone.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 the second cavitation chamber comprising an inlet arranged to receive the second fluid;   wherein the outlet is located downstream the inlet.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein a distance of projection of the outlet into the second cavitation chamber and a position of the inlet are determined with respect to one another. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the outlet projects into the second cavitation chamber to a first distance from a first end of the second cavitation chamber and the inlet is located at a position which is a second distance from the first end of the second cavitation chamber, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein second cavitation chamber comprises a plurality of inlets for receiving the second fluid;
 the second distance is a distance from the first end of the second cavitation chamber of an inlet of the plurality of inlets positioned farthest from the first end of the second cavitation chamber.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first distance is greater than or equal to 1.2 times the second distance. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , the first cavitation chamber having a first diameter, the outlet having a second diameter, and wherein the second diameter is in the range 0.7 to 0.75 times of the first diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising a check valve on the inlet to the first cavitation chamber, and
 wherein the check valve is arranged to be opened only if the pressure in the discharge zone of the second cavitation chamber reaches a threshold.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outlet has a first cross-sectional area and the second cavitation chamber has a second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is greater than or equal to 1.25 times the first cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a check valve in a conduit in fluid communication with an inlet for receiving the emulsifiable component, the apparatus being arranged to open the check valve responsive to satisfaction of a pressure criterion in the second cavitation chamber. 
     
     
         18 . A method for producing an emulsion of a fuel and an emulsifiable component, the method comprising:
 introducing a first fluid into a first cavitation chamber, the first fluid being a first one of the fuel and the emulsifiable component, and producing a swirling flow of the first fluid in the first cavitation chamber, and the first cavitation chamber further comprises an outlet;   introducing a second fluid into a second cavitation chamber, the second fluid being a second one of the fuel and the emulsifiable component, and producing a swirling flow of the second fluid in the second cavitation chamber;   wherein the first cavitation chamber, the outlet and the second cavitation chamber being arranged coaxially; and   wherein receiving the first fluid in the second cavitation chamber from the first cavitation chamber through the outlet.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the emulsifiable component is water and wherein a percentage by weight of the emulsifiable component in the emulsion is less than or equal to 70 percent. 
     
     
         20 . A method for producing an emulsion of a fuel and an emulsifiable component using the apparatus of  claim 1 .