Method and apparatus for loading a source gas into a cavitation medium

Abstract

A cavitation system and method of use for loading the cavitation medium with a source gas, e.g., a reactant, prior to cavitation is provided. The cavitation system includes a cavitation chamber with suitable cavitation drivers and a pressurized gas source coupled to the chamber. A valve interposed between the source gas and the cavitation chamber controls the reactant loading process. In another aspect, a vacuum system is coupled to the cavitation system for use during degassing. The vacuum system may include a cold trap. Preferably multiple valves are used to couple/de-couple the vacuum system and the gas source to the cavitation system when required, for example as a means of protecting associated pressure gauges. In another aspect, the cavitation chamber and the cavitation medium fill reservoir as well as any coupling conduits in which the cavitation fluid is expected to flow are heated to a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the intended cavitation medium. Preferably the system components that must be heated are located within an oven. Alternately the desired temperature can be reached using localized heaters.

1 . A cavitation system comprising: 
 a cavitation chamber;    a cavitation medium within said cavitation chamber;    at least one cavitation driver coupled to said cavitation chamber;    degassing means coupled to said cavitation chamber;    a first valve interposed between said cavitation chamber and a pressure bleeding conduit;    a second valve interposed between said cavitation chamber and said degassing means;    a pressurized gas source coupled to said cavitation chamber; and    a third valve interposed between said pressurized gas source and said cavitation chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure regulator interposed between said third valve and said cavitation chamber.  
   
   
       3 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure regulator interposed between said pressurized gas source and said third valve.  
   
   
       4 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second valves comprise a single three-way valve.  
   
   
       5 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , wherein said degassing means further comprises a vacuum pump.  
   
   
       6 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cold trap interposed between said degassing means and said cavitation chamber.  
   
   
       7 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cavitation medium filling reservoir coupled to said cavitation system.  
   
   
       8 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for heating said cavitation chamber to a temperature greater than a melting temperature corresponding to said cavitation medium.  
   
   
       9 . The cavitation system of  claim 8 , wherein said heating means is an oven.  
   
   
       10 . The cavitation system of  claim 7 , further comprising means for heating said cavitation chamber and said cavitation medium filling reservoir to a temperature greater than a melting temperature corresponding to said cavitation medium.  
   
   
       11 . The cavitation system of  claim 10 , wherein said heating means is an oven.  
   
   
       12 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth valve interposed between a second pressure bleeding conduit and said pressurized gas source.  
   
   
       13 . The cavitation system of  claim 12 , wherein said third and fourth valves comprise a single three-way valve.  
   
   
       14 . A method of preparing a cavitation medium contained within a cavitation system for cavitation, the method comprising the steps of: 
 filling a cavitation chamber within said cavitation system with a quantity of the cavitation medium;    sealing the cavitation system;    degassing the cavitation medium within the cavitation system with a degassing system;    sealing off the degassing system from the cavitation system;    pressurizing the cavitation system with a source gas; and    cavitating the cavitation medium within the cavitation chamber, wherein said cavitating step at least partially depletes the cavitation medium of said source gas.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein prior to the step of cavitating the cavitation medium, the method further comprises the steps of: 
 sealing off the source gas from the cavitation system;    bleeding at least some of the pressure out of the cavitation system;    degassing the cavitation medium within the cavitation system with the degassing system;    sealing off the degassing system from the cavitation system; and    pressurizing the cavitation system with the source gas.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of heating said cavitation chamber.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step of heating said cavitation chamber is performed to a temperature greater than a melting temperature corresponding to the cavitation medium.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said filling step partially fills said cavitation chamber with the cavitation medium.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said filling step fills said cavitation chamber with the cavitation medium.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said source gas contains a reactant and wherein said cavitating step at least partially depletes the cavitation medium of said reactant.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of evacuating the cavitation system prior to performing said cavitation medium filling step.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 14 , said degassing step further comprising the step of cavitating the cavitation medium to remove gas from the cavitation medium.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of cavitating the cavitation medium within the cavitation chamber further comprises the step of bleeding the cavitation system pressure.