An apparatus (10) for generating a microfoam, the apparatus comprising a first channel (12) having an inlet (11) and an outlet (13), a source of foamable fluid and a source of pressurised gas arranged to feed into the inlet, mix together and flow along the channel to the outlet, the direction from the inlet to the outlet defining a bulk flow direction, along which channel a microfoam is formed from the mixture; wherein the channel comprises a bulk flow stream (22) that is substantially parallel to the bulk flow direction, and a plurality of deviation points (24), each deviation point having a paired joining point (25), spaced along the bulk flow stream; each deviation point inducing a deviating portion of the bulk flow stream to be redirected away from the bulk flow stream; the deviating portion reaching a fluidic dead-end and encountering a counter-flow of fluid, such that, in use, the fluidic dead-end induces a reversed deviating portion of the bulk flow stream directed towards the bulk flow stream; the reversed deviating portion reaching the paired joining point where it rejoins the bulk flow stream before continuing until reaching the next pair of deviation and joining points; the shear forces induced by the deviations of the bulk flow stream inducing formation of the microfoam by interaction of the pressurised gas and foamable liquid.
An apparatus (10) for generating a microfoam, the apparatus comprising a first channel (12) having an inlet (11) and an outlet (13), a source of foamable fluid and a source of pressurised gas arranged to feed into the inlet, mix together and flow along the channel to the outlet, the direction from the inlet to the outlet defining a bulk flow direction, along which channel a microfoam is formed from the mixture; wherein the channel comprises a bulk flow stream (22) that is substantially parallel to the bulk flow direction, and a plurality of deviation points (24), each deviation point having a paired joining point (25), spaced along the bulk flow stream; each deviation point inducing a deviating portion of the bulk flow stream to be redirected away from the bulk flow stream; the deviating portion reaching a fluidic dead-end and encountering a counter-flow of fluid, such that, in use, the fluidic dead-end induces a reversed deviating portion of the bulk flow stream directed towards the bulk flow stream; the reversed deviating portion reaching the paired joining point where it rejoins the bulk flow stream before continuing until reaching the next pair of deviation and joining points; the shear forces induced by the deviations of the bulk flow stream inducing formation of the microfoam by interaction of the pressurised gas and foamable liquid.
B01F 23/235 - Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids for making foam
B01F 25/432 - Mixing tubes, e.g. wherein the material is moved in a radial or partly reversed direction with means for dividing the material flow into separate sub-flows and for repositioning and recombining these sub-flowsCross-mixing, e.g. conducting the outer layer of the material nearer to the axis of the tube or vice-versa
B01F 25/431 - Straight mixing tubes with baffles or obstructions that do not cause substantial pressure dropBaffles therefor
An apparatus or method for generating a microfoam, the apparatus comprising a channel having an inlet and an outlet, a source of foamable liquid and pressurised gas arranged to feed into the inlet, wherein the channel is comprised of a spatially oscillating flow channel to provide an oscillating flow direction, the spatially oscillating flow channel oscillating about a bulk flow direction, the spatially oscillating flow channel providing a sequence of planar cross-sections perpendicular to the flow direction, with a sub-sequence of planar cross-sections that are perpendicular to the bulk flow direction in the plane in question, the sub-sequence comprising at least one plane that does not overlap with at least one other plane in the sub-sequence.
B01F 3/04 - Mixing, e.g. dispersing, emulsifying, according to the phases to be mixed gases or vapours with liquids
B05B 15/531 - Arrangements for cleaningArrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockageArrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter for removal of clogging particles using backflow
B05B 15/55 - Arrangements for cleaningArrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockageArrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter using cleaning fluids
B01F 5/06 - Mixers in which the components are pressed together through slits, orifices, or screens
B01F 13/00 - Other mixers; Mixing plant, including combinations of dissimilar mixers
B05B 7/00 - Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
B05B 7/04 - Spray pistolsApparatus for discharge with arrangements for mixing liquids or other fluent materials before discharge
An apparatus or method for generating a microfoam, the apparatus comprising a channel having an inlet (107, 110) and an outlet, a source of foamable liquid (101) and pressurised gas (102) arranged to feed into the inlet (107, 110), wherein the channel is comprised of an spatially oscillating flow channel (106) to provide an oscillating flow direction, the spatially oscillating flow channel (106) oscillating about a bulk flow direction, the spatially oscillating flow channel (106) providing a sequence of planar cross-sections perpendicular to the flow direction, with a sub-sequence of planar cross-sections that are perpendicular to the bulk flow direction in the plane (46) in question, the sub sequence comprising at least one plane (46) that does not overlap with at least one other plane (46) in the sub sequence.
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