WO2014102709A1 - Method and means of manufacturing 'inverted' augmented siphon systems - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and means of manufacturing 'inverted' augmented siphon systems A method for producing 'inverted' augmented siphon systems comprising real or 'virtual' conduits including Venturi funnels and means for imparting cyclostrophic vortical spin. Concentrated coherent convective effects and enhanced entrainment aid throughput. Applications and effects include energy production, cooling, condensed clean water, food chain improvements and other environmental benefits.

Description

Method and means of Manufacturing 'Inverted' Augmented Siphon Systems

This invention teaches a radical approach to creating and maintaining inverted siphon systems by employing cyclostrophic action in a self-refining mode, thus enhancing an upward avalanche effect. In this invention I take advantage of some of the unique characteristics possessed by this inverted siphon system and therefore take care to describe the background to the physical approaches employed in the exemplary embodiments described later.

Keywords: Siphon, Syphon, Fluid, Vortex, Cyclostrophic Balance, Column, Virtual Chimney, Funnel, Coherent Convection.

Invention's Background and Prior Art

The Ancient Greek, Ctesibius, followed by Hero (a.k.a. Heron) of Alexandria, produced numerous siphonic innovations, one later employed in 'Hero's Fountain'. Hero's eponymous device allows us to explore the physical principles later embodied by Pascal and Bernoulli. In general terms, raising a fluid mass any distance involves well-known mechanical/kinetic (Joulean) limitations. In view of continuing common widespread misconceptions about siphons, it is worth reiterating that any siphon owes its operation to gravity and not to atmospheric pressure (which itself derives from gravity - thus, a suitably low vapour pressure fluid, like mercury, would siphon satisfactorily on the Moon). Additional to the pressure applied - whether by 'head' (i.e. superior fluid mass) or by mechanical impulsion of any sort - considerations of frictional losses, turbulence and material resilience must also limit the height which any conventional siphon can attain. However, throughout our planet's surface Nature recurrently powers the oceanic conveyor, during which oceanic quantities of water are raised, carried for many miles and then lowered. Although popular usage refers to buoyancy as a cause of 'rising' - we do know, courtesy of Archimedes and Galileo, that gravitational action on denser material 'displaces' the less dense material and forces it buoyantly upwards. It is, therefore, the gravitational pressing down that causes any perceived upward (or even sideways) motion. Frictional losses and the resistance from layers or strata above usually impede vertical convection. It should be remarked that convection is simply an aspect of Archimedean displacement and therefore is not confined merely to warmer fluids rising but to all cases where less dense media (made less dense by any means) are displaced by denser media.

A sub-class differentia of the genus siphon, a thermosiphon, devised and exploited well by Benjamin Franklin and Count Rumford, takes its most familiar form in chimneys but another common example is the coffee percolator. In both cases warmer (less dense) fluid is forced to ascend by gravity acting on the denser, displacing, fluid entering at the base. In this sense, it appears to be an 'inverted' siphon because its exit is higher than its entrance. Provided there is enough head and density difference within the total system, then a thermosiphon will, like its genus, continue to run indefinitely. Note that the 'thermo' aspect really encompasses density differences and does not rely on heat - any means of arranging density differences will suffice.

The next step to understanding is the concept of a 'virtual' pipe or conduit. In the case of a chimney, the hot air and smoke would still rise if the chimney were removed, but frictional losses, mixing, turbulence and so on would soon cause dissipation. However, thanks to spin or cyclostrophic action, usually via 'shear', Nature regularly provides virtual conduits, chimneys, for convection, in the shape of dust devils, water spouts and so on. Spin, in cyclostrophic action, creates a lower density core and consequently a self- adjusting and self-refining conduit. Higher-pressure media will press in laterally on the spinning conduit's lower pressure core but if the spinning virtual conduit contracts in diameter (volume), then its spin will increase in compensation thus pushing outwards. Similarly, as with a centrifuge, any denser media in the core will be flung outward in a self-refining process.

Of particular note here is that a de-airing process, similar to cavitation, will accompany this self-refining process. For example, in seawater, denser ions of Chloride and Sodium, with their accompanying clouds of attracted water molecules will migrate outwards, leaving less brackish, less dense water at the core.

At the same time, suspended or dissolved gas (air) molecules will precipitate, gather and grow at the lower-pressure core. As they appear they will accelerate upwards, entraining water with them. As this central core column rises, even more gases will precipitate as a result of the decreasing depth and pressure - leading to an upward avalanche effect. This effect is further amplified by the fact that the central core column is markedly less dense than its surrounding denser media.

Consequently, the denser displacing media will rush in preferentially at the base because cyclostrophic action will prevent it from entering at any other point in the ascending, spinning virtual tube.

Disclosure of Invention - Focus of Invention

This invention's vital focus is the physical attainment of dynamically adjustable, controllable, 'inverted' virtual siphon systems of unparalleled volume and height/depth, more than the specific means or media employed, although many other beneficial applications may also accrue.

The Current Invention

Accordingly, I propose novel, radical approaches to creating and maintaining dynamically adjustable, controllable virtual siphon columns that will overcome or minimise many of the problems encountered in current offerings and proposals. In preferred and exemplary embodiments of this invention I also refer to a notional systems block diagram SBD1 [figure 1] that enumerates and describes the main ascending siphon system flow components. These steps are: A Entrain potentially less dense fluid media by denser fluid media - creates virtual siphon system; B Impart cyclostrophic rotation; C Buoyantly accelerated ascent of less dense media, accelerated by upward avalanche effect; D Imparted cyclostrophic balance maintains conserves, refines and enhances siphon system throughout ascent; E Virtual siphon column eventually dissipates.

For the sake of clarity I outline typical virtual siphons contained within a small, local geographic curtilage although the principles outlined herein are equally applicable on any scale. Here I assume for these examples that the exemplary virtual siphon system uses water and air, although any other means or media could also benefit from this invention. Disclosure of Invention - Systematic Description

The very notion of a virtual siphon may seem counter-intuitive, even though such structures abound in Nature and are described in public domain literature.

95 As Count Rumford, Michaud et al taught, a physical chimney acts as a conduit, separating a column of more buoyant air (smoke or steam) and guiding it upwards with less atmospheric interference, friction and dissipation. Imparting spin to such a buoyant column enhances its behaviour, particularly at the exit.

100 If the physical chimney were removed - assuming the rising, spinning column is sufficiently robust (wide and energetic) - it would maintain itself in cyclostrophic balance, acting as a 'virtual chimney' with the eye-wall as a 'force field'.

In strict Count Rumford-style classification, a chimney is a sub-set of the thermo- siphon, which is a class of siphon. Such public domain teaching is well known to

105 those versed in the art, although some specific variants appear in patents.

I append a diagram showing an idealised formulation of the cyclostrophic phenomenon [Figure 2]. This should be viewed as a horizontal slice through a virtual siphon column. Rotation may be either clockwise or counter-clockwise because 110 Coriolis effects do not figure until diameters are very large.

Returning to a specific, physical model [Figure 3], somewhat echoing natural siphons, I propose to encourage synthetic virtual siphon formation by means of two funnels [A&B], (or a multiplicity thereof), preferably of the hyperbolic form, conjoined by a 115 connecting tube [CT], which may be a simple tubular neck connection of any length or may be curved or sinusoidal.

Mainly for illustrative purposes, in the simplest exemplar:

Two funnels [A&B], conjoined at a narrower neck, diabolo style, sit with one of the 120 wider mouths as a base and their hollow axes vertical.

Entraining fluid/s [EF] enter/s axially via conduits [C] within the base axis, then cling/s to the interior wall preferentially (courtesy Coanda, Venturi, Bernoulli) whilst minimising turbulent/frictional losses and rise/s in an involuting spiral.

125 As the lower, inverted, funnel narrows at its apex, angular momentum conservation causes an increasing centrifugal spin in the ascending spiral and the central vertical axis experiences lower pressure.

Maximum spin occurs at the connecting neck and then spirals outwards and upwards within the upper funnel.

130

As the spiralling, coaxial column ascends further, two forces - the 'imaginary' centrifugal outward force [I] and the in-pressing atmospheric pressure [P] - balance themselves dynamically in cyclostrophic opposition until such elapsed time and altitude as the various energies dissipate.

135

The major energetic ingredients are the pressure/density differentials, coupled with the imparted rotational torque - all of which are influenced by the geometrical dimensions, particularly the base, entry and exit diameters. 140 I now turn to the questions of powering such systems. Every rational person must always take great care to obey the Laws of Thermodynamics, that is, to avoid any chimerical pursuit of a non-existent 'free lunch'. It is therefore important to examine the sources and application of power. In the foregoing and following, I refer to various means for providing the spin and the buoyant 'lift' - regardless of the specific

145 fluid medium. A readily available means of producing driving jets is by electric turbines. Another impulsive means would be via rapid expansion (e.g. jets) whether pulsed or continuous. Another means would be natural convection encouraged via spin enhancing geometries and pressure/density differences. Other starting means should be apparent to those skilled in the art but reducing density by adding: air, heat,

150 electrolysis, venturi, ultrasonics, treated surfaces and so on all qualify. Whatever impulsive means are chosen, as with a conventional siphon, there will be an initial 'starting' demand to provide momentum. Once a rotating siphon column is established, its maintenance will require less power. Depending on the pressure/density gradients between the base and the 'top' of the siphon column,

155 considerable upward flow (updraft) will ensue. Some of this up-spinning flow may be harnessed to carry an extra workload. This additional load may be continuous or modulated. If the ingress of the working media/fluids is arrested or inhibited, or the spin stopped or reversed in direction, then the column will dissipate.

However, it should be clear that, if an efficient conduit exists, then the potential

160 differences of pressure and density between base and top make for a mighty 'Carnot Engine'. It is therefore entirely reasonable to assume that some of the useful workload could be employed for power and maintenance of the siphon. In fact there could be a remarkable excess of available power once the siphon column was established. One way to harness such a flow would be via the turbines and conduits initially used to

165 start the siphon. Ever since Zenobius Gramme's fortuitous discovery we know that an electric dynamo can also be a motor and vice versa. We can therefore envisage the same impulsive means being employed later in the process either for braking or generating - clearly a magneto-hydrodynamic version would eliminate

moving parts but energy conversion rates are low.

170 At this point the wisely alert reader may question the fountainhead of such power.

The ultimate source is the same that Sadi Carnot noted as motivating the weather system - that which also powers our hydroelectric schemes - gravitational attraction, acting in concert with the sun and our atmosphere. We tend to overlook gravity's invisible handiwork in powering convection and yet, sine qua non, wanting gravity we

175 would have no convection. Half the convective cycle (the falling return) comes

'gratis' courtesy the gravitational discoveries of Galileo et al, whilst the other arises - via the gravitational Archimedean displacement process - from the Sun (or other thermal sources, or from attenuation). As Michaud taught, whether we harness such forces or not, they exist in vast recirculating quantities; he noted that a raindrop still

180 falls if we channel its potential via a hydroelectric dam or waste it in a spendthrift splash. The natural power cycle continues, indifferent to its utilisation. The same considerations apply to the Oceanic circulations that massively dwarf atmospheric currents. Having described in simplified form the essential principles involved, I now make a number of radically inventive steps. But first, for the reader skilled in the art, I

185 must introduce a profound and radical invention that dramatically improves the

efficient function of such 'virtual siphons'. This concept is simple yet novel. Earlier, above, I referred to the fountainhead of such power and pointed to gravity and the convective cycle, however this powerful pair still require both a less dense medium and a denser medium on which to work their influence. 190 I now take water, in this case the Ocean, as a fluid exemplar for clarity, although the principles here will apply to all fluid media. The Ocean (strictly there is only one) is not homogenous at all, in fact, given the promiscuous nature of water; it is almost impossible to make a really pure sample of H20. In Nature then, we find endlessly changing variances in solutes (e.g. salt), suspensions, densities, temperatures,

195 pressures, potential energy and so on. Were it not so then two-thirds of our globe's surface would not support the billions of life forms that thrive within the Ocean.

Those skilled in the art may find helpful contextual reference in "An Oceanographical Curiosity: The Perpetual Salt Fountain" by Stommel et al, 1956 although predated by 200 Jevons, 1857 and then Lord Rayleigh, 1883. We now identify 'salt fingering' and the thermo-haline 'engine' as double diffusion.

It is well known among chemists that we cannot centrifuge (precipitate) fresh water from seawater, but perhaps they do not talk to marine engineers who daily battle with cavitation - arguably a form of precipitation. Water is sometimes termed an

205 incompressible medium, yet compress it does - our Ocean is squeezed some 22

centimetres under atmospheric pressure and a further 50 metres under its own mass. When a fluid is relieved of its pressure, even very slightly, then precipitation occurs within. The cursed cavitation that attacks ships' propellers even occurs within our own bodies when we crack our knuckles - it challenges heart surgeons when they try

210 to help our hearts. Essentially, even the slightest pressure gradient will create some

'precipitation' in a fluid. In our example, we're using subtle centrifugal action to spinoff, or separate the denser from the less dense ingredients. The reader familiar with "Maxwell's Demon" - an imaginary, minuscule robot molecule sorter employed to illustrate entropy - may pause here to reflect that Maxwell proved that we couldn't

215 hope to separate his hot gas molecules from the cooler ones. However, in my vortical centrifuge, I invoke a realisable, working form of Maxwell's Demon for separating and rejecting denser items in the fluid medium, this leaves me with less dense items that will then ascend buoyantly, perhaps this refining process should be called, because of its whirling, "McNulty's Dervish".

220

This rotary refining 'spin-off process step is essential for enhancing all virtual siphon performance. Although a virtual siphon could operate as a sub-class of thermo-siphon by adding (or harvesting) additional heat for attenuating the ascending medium, a far greater benefit can be realised by encouraging the rotational refining of the fluid 225 media. Having identified this key, we can now seek to optimise its contribution to the virtual siphon's efficiency.

Returning to the illustrative Oceanic example, it is clear that such a virtual siphon operating at any depth (but here for simplicity with its base sitting on the sea floor)

230 would peripherally reject denser material and would exhibit effectively a virtuous cycle. Less saline water would ascend preferentially in the virtual siphon column, gas bubbles would precipitate and ascend therewith, less dense water and other attenuated media would rise within the column. Referring back to the earlier principles enumerated, the denser fluid media would displace the less dense on a continuous,

235 self-sustaining basis. Additionally, as the spinning column rises, denser media will be expelled - further enhancing the ascending media's buoyancy.

Having described in simplified form the essential principles involved, I now make a number of radically inventive steps. 240 Disclosure of Invention - Exemplary Embodiment Mainly for Illustration of the Process

The first idealised embodiment [Figure 4] could adopt the hourglass/diabolo funnel form as described above. The specific geometrical dimensions and proportions would 245 be adapted to particular local circumstances.

For example the upper funnel cone could exhibit a much shorter vertical (and other) dimensions than the base cone. Well-known means of boundary surface friction reduction, such as 'fluidised bed', or 'skin effect' techniques or others could be 250 borrowed from the fluid and aerodynamic sciences and applied to the inner cone surfaces, as could 'rifling tracks' to encourage spin. Additionally, air and/or water entering at, or near, the base axis [BA] could be complemented by tangential near perimeter entries [TPE].

255 Further, in the central base axial entry, shaped conduits [SC] could lead the incoming fluid(s) [IF] to jet out either from static ports [SP] or via dynamically spinning arms [SA] (somewhat reminiscent of a Hero's Engine or a circularly rotating lawn sprinkler) so that the fluid/s preferentially hug the cone- wall [CW], thus ascending spiral pathways.

260

The choice whether to impel the incoming driving, entraining fluid streams by extra energetic means, or to rely on existing forces (gravitational pressure/density differences, local heat differences) will depend on the particular application and ambient conditions.

265

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention - and Industrial Applicability

Embodiments with Radically Inventive Progressive Steps

A second idealised embodiment [Figure 5] could employ the methods described 270 above but with several radically inventive departures. By taking the neck or waist section of the hourglass/diabolo configuration and extending it into a U-bend [UB], we can envisage two funnels [A & B] in their more customary attitude (wide diameter upwards) and joined by an elongated, curved narrower conduit.

Effectively, this approach employs gravity more conventionally by explicitly using 275 the normal downward gravitational acceleration in the 'feed' funnel in addition to whatever other impulsive spin means are employed. Clearly, additional 'feed' funnels [AFF] may be conjoined multiply to increase the effective input and spin to the final 'neck' and output. Various well-known piping techniques may advantageously be employed here (in addition to Venturi, eductor and other entrainment methods) so that 280 other fluid media may be drawn in and mixed with the stream/s; thus enhancing the energetic, pressive effectiveness.

In this entrainment arrangement, the similarities to the 'Trompe Pump' and bubble pump entrainment approach may be clearer [Figure 6], although entrainment applies 285 to all the embodiments herein. A third idealised embodiment [Figure 7] could be built along the principles so far outlined, but with a novel, completely different approach to manufacture.

290 Taking particularly the second embodiment outlined above, it is possible to make the funnel cones from almost any material - even temporary or dynamic ones. In the latter case, a suitable medium could be spun into an acceptable conformal shape and then 'fixed' and continuously maintained in a dynamic, spun or pumped manner to create virtual fluid funnels and conduits. In the dynamic 'virtual' case, very little

295 material would be needed for construction other than suitable 'plumbing', impulsion means and a conformal fluid medium.

As a specific example, water could be spun and then effectively set/frozen into a suitable configuration - regardless of its particular phase (e.g. consider,

300 metaphorically, an ice funnel). As I am invoking a hard-to-visualise second virtual structure to drive the first, I append a photograph and sketch [Figure 9] further to aid understanding and supplement the central dimple faintly shown in figures 7 & 8. Water (or any fluid) can be stirred or pumped in a continuous manner so that it adopts a dynamic, conformal shape (e.g. ; eddies and swirls) somewhat akin to a raw clay

305 bowl shaped on a potter's wheel. This geometry can be made large or small, shallow or deep, by rotating quickly or slowly depending on requirements. Thus, an effectively variable dynamic virtual base can be changed continuously in both its size (and spin), rather like an iris aperture in a camera.

The denser fluid as well as imparting angular momentum to the less dense fluid would 310 also serve to prevent unwanted entry of the less dense fluid except as required.

Further, an outward spin and flow would discourage any unwanted ingress from the peripheral boundary. Two main versions of such a system would be either 'unbounded' that is within an open body of working fluid (e.g., a lake or sea) or in a specially constructed 'bounded' body of working fluid such as a pool or pond.

315

In all the general dynamic cases, a rotating medium imparts angular momentum to another less dense medium, typically as bubbles, rising within. Any inner surface rotational 'skin effect' of the fluid(s) could act as an impelling 'container' [IC].

320 In this fourth idealised embodiment [Figure 8], whilst adopting the foregoing means, methods and techniques, I propose harnessing any excess useful work to power generators/turbines but, as outlined above and in the foregoing embodiments, in a markedly different manner to those already suggested in the published corpus. Regardless of whether (or whatever form of) extra impulsive means are employed to

325 start the upward-spiralling column, I can install devices within the existing conduits or extra thereto that can take advantage of the resultant pressure/density differences between the outer periphery and the inner, lower pressure axis. Specifically, whatever fluid/s or fluid mixtures are employed, there will always be an inflow, from higher to lower potential energy states, that can be channelled through conduits [CS] and

330 converted by mechanical or electro-mechanical means to produce useful work additional to that required for maintaining the dynamic column. In the case of common working fluids [WF] such as water and air, then existing well-known turbines [T] and the like could be adapted to produce mechanical or electrical power. Clearly other well-known methods of power conversion may be employed (e.g.

335 hydraulics and so on) and the power take off may be either local or transferred via conduits to a convenient location. In a fiflh exemplary embodiment, I suggest other useful employment for the work and effects created by such virtual siphons as built by the methods outlined above.

340 Clearly, creating such a siphon could enhance the rise of unused nutrients for encouraging food-chain applications. Creating such a submarine siphon may assist upwelling of nutrient-rich material that could enhance the living content of the seas and other water, whilst reducing the 'desert' depths and oxygenating the area, Phytoplankton blooms regularly appear during natural upwelling eddy events and the

345 benefits accruing from the deliberate encouragement of this process would enhance fish stocks as well as increasing the beneficial exchanges with the atmosphere. Cleaner water could also be captured at various points of ascent for human consumption purposes. Careful positioning of the input port/s together with some of the configurations mentioned earlier above could further aid such uses.

350

Crucially, in all these embodiments so far mentioned and indeed in others, which should be apparent to those skilled in the art, I choose mainly to entrain the working fluids and to cause them to jet or fan out centrifugally from, or adjacent to, the inner axis and within the effective perimeter. In this way I can impart rotation to coherent

355 convection without having to pitch any incoming convergence against outgoing centrifugal divergence, thus simplifying flow regimes and avoiding the need to construct extra barriers, friction means and the like. For example in Nature, such conflict is sometimes seen in the spray-rings at the base of waterspouts - effectively the virtual fabric of the siphon is torn at the base surface seal to allow the entrance of

360 incoming air - the resulting turbulence indicates the energy wasted in pitching the inflow against the out-spin and the damage to the smooth siphon seal at the base. I avoid this waste of energy by the means described above.

Additionally, the self-refining nature of the cyclostrophic effect dramatically increases 365 the potential buoyancy of the virtual siphon system by 'precipitating' dissolved and suspended gases, together with the continual rejection of denser media. Added to this amplification, the ascending less dense media feel less pressure during ascent enhancing further precipitation and therefore an upward avalanche effect ensues.

370 Apart from the 'Dervish' effect for sorting and peripherally rejecting the denser

media, hence enhancing the ascending column media's upwelling or lift, some commentary should be made regarding supplying lift,

particularly with regard to the starting or priming process. As mentioned earlier above, providing pumped jets, with their implicit expansion, would thus supply less 375 dense fluid media instantly - from which some precipitation of gas bubbles and other less dense media would evolve. In the gas bubble case, this is

reminiscent of the classic air bubble lift pump but without the physical tube and with a higher degree of efficiency. Many sub-marine experiments have proved that an initial seeding with small bubbles leads to a progressively larger ascending column of

380 less dense water, suffused with expanding bubbles, that then in turn entrain

considerable volumes of water with them. In this invention, the effect would be much larger - and with a coherent column. Another candidate for priming would be the local electrolysis of water, leading to clouds of ascending bubbles that again would entrain ascending water and lead to a chain reaction of precipitating gas bubbles

385 previously 'trapped' in the water. Clearly, the injection of heat, or warm media, or fresher (less saline) water, would also assist in priming the siphon, as would any nucleation media. Although these descriptions are outlines showing exemplary embodiments, there are 390 many variations and embodiments possible utilising the general themes and approaches outlined herein and the scope of this document should be interpreted in its general principles for utilising this dynamic virtual siphon technique to overcome some of the common limitations encountered in the aforementioned fields.

395

Claims

Claims:

1/ An 'inverted' augmented syphon system comprising real or 'virtual' conduits, including Venturi funnels and incorporating means for imparting cyclostrophic vortical spin, wherein concentrated coherent convective effects, centrifugal self- refining precipitation and enhanced entrainment aid throughput; energy input and extraction means are included within said system. 2/ An 'inverted' augmented syphon system according to claim 1, wherein the energy input and extraction means are electrical turbines or the like.

3/ An 'inverted' augmented syphon system according to claims 1&2 where the energy input is from either injected air, heat, electrolysis or ultrasonic means.

4/ An 'inverted' augmented syphon system according to claims 1, 2 & 3 where the downward conduit(s) carry waste, waste heat and/or other media.

5/ An 'inverted' augmented syphon system according to claims 1, 2, 3 & 4 where the upward conduit(s) carry dissolved nutrients or other media.

6/ An 'inverted' augmented syphon system according to claims 1, 2, 3 & 4 where the downward conduit(s) are also indirectly employed to create produce both cooling and condensing clean water.

7/ An 'inverted' augmented syphon system according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 where the downward conduit(s) may be considerably extended in length to service either a shore or ship-based unit for all or any of the previously stated claimed purposes.