Method and Device for Enhancing a Process Involving a Solid Object and a Gas

Abstract

This invention relates to a sonic device (and a method) for enhancing a process involving a solid object and a gas, where the gas surrounds the object or at least is in contact with a surface of the object, the device comprising sonic means for applying a high intensity sound or ultrasound to at least the surface of the object, wherein the high intensity sound or ultrasound, during use of the sonic device, is applied directly in the gas that is also the medium through which the high intensity sound or ultrasound propagates to the surface of the object, whereby a laminar sub-layer at the surface of the object is reduced and/or minimized. The reduction of the laminar sub-layer provides increased heat transfer efficiency and/or increased catalytic speed and/or increased gas exchange.

1 . A sonic device for enhancing a process involving a solid object ( 100 ) and a gas ( 500 ), where the gas ( 500 ) surrounds the object ( 100 ) or at least is in contact with a surface ( 204 ) of the object ( 100 ), the device comprising 
 sonic means ( 301 ) for applying a high intensity sound or ultrasound to at least the surface ( 204 ) of the object ( 100 ),    wherein the high intensity sound or ultrasound, during use of the sonic device, is applied directly in the gas ( 500 ) that is also the medium through which the high intensity sound or ultrasound propagates to the surface ( 204 ) of the object ( 100 ), whereby a laminar sub-layer ( 203 ) at the surface ( 204 ) of the object ( 100 ) is reduced and/or minimized, where the high intensity sound or ultrasound has an intensity that is 140 dB or larger.    
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the sound intensity of the high intensity sound or ultrasound is selected from the range of approximately 140-160 dB or is above 160 dB.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said sonic means ( 301 ) comprises: 
 an outer part ( 305 ) and an inner part ( 306 ) defining a passage ( 303 ),    an opening ( 302 ), and    a cavity ( 304 ) provided in the inner part ( 306 )    where said sonic means ( 301 ) is adapted to receive a pressurized gas and pass the pressurized gas to said opening ( 302 ), from which the pressurized gas is discharged in ajet towards the cavity ( 304 ).    
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that 
 the temperature (T 1 ) of said surface ( 204 ) is greater than the temperature (T 0 ) of said gas ( 500 ), and    said process is a heat exchange process, whereby said reduction and/or minimization of the laminar sub-layer ( 203 ) causes an increased heat exchange from said object ( 100 ) to said gas ( 500 ).    
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that 
 the temperature (T 1 ) of said surface ( 204 ) is smaller than the temperature (T 0 ) of said gas ( 500 ), and    said process is a heat exchange process, whereby said reduction and/or minimization of the laminar sub-layer ( 203 ) causes an increased heat exchange from said gas ( 500 ) to said object ( 100 ).    
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that 
 the surface ( 204 ) of said object ( 100 ) is a catalyst and that said gas ( 500 ) comprise at least one reactant of the catalyst, and    said process is a catalytic process, whereby said reduction of the laminar sub-layer ( 203 ) causes an increased speed of said catalytic process.    
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that 
 said surface ( 204 ) is an inner surface of a given volume, and    said process is a change of gas composition between said gas ( 500 ) and a previous gas composition at said inner surface, whereby said reduction of the laminar sub-layer ( 203 ) causes an increased gas exchange by increasing the interaction between gas molecules of said gas ( 500 ) and said previous gas composition at said inner surface.    
   
   
       8 . A method of enhancing a process involving a solid object ( 100 ) and a gas ( 500 ), where the gas ( 500 ) surrounds the object ( 100 ) or at least is in contact with a surface ( 204 ) of the object ( 100 ), the method comprising the steps of: 
 applying a high intensity sound or ultrasound to at least the surface ( 204 ) of the object ( 100 ) by sonic means ( 301 ),    where the high intensity sound or ultrasound is applied directly in the gas ( 500 ) that is also the medium through which the high intensity sound or ultrasound propagates to the surface ( 204 ) of the object ( 100 ), whereby a laminar sub-layer ( 203 ) at the surface ( 204 ) of the object ( 100 ) is reduced and/or minimized, where the high intensity sound or ultrasound has an intensity that is 140 dB or larger.    
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , characterized in the sound intensity of the high intensity sound or ultrasound is selected from the range of approximately 140-160 dB or is above 160 dB.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that said sonic means ( 301 ) comprises: 
 an outer part ( 305 ) and an inner part ( 306 ) defining a passage ( 303 ),    an opening ( 302 ), and    a cavity ( 304 ) provided in the inner part ( 306 ),    and wherein said method further comprises the step of:    receiving a pressurized gas in said sonic means ( 301 ),    passing the pressurized gas to said opening ( 302 ),    discharging the pressurized gas in a jet towards the cavity ( 304 ) from said opening ( 302 ).    
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that 
 the temperature (T 1 ) of said surface ( 204 ) is greater than the temperature (T 0 ) of said gas ( 500 ), and    said process is a heat exchange process, whereby said reduction and/or minimization of the laminar sub-layer ( 203 ) causes an increased heat exchange from said object ( 100 ) to said gas ( 500 ).    
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that 
 the temperature (T 1 ) of said surface ( 204 ) is smaller than the temperature (T 0 ) of said gas ( 500 ), and    said process is a heat exchange process, whereby said reduction and/or minimization of the laminar sub-layer ( 203 ) causes an increased heat exchange from said gas ( 500 ) to said object ( 100 ).    
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that 
 the surface ( 204 ) of said object ( 100 ) is a catalyst and that said gas ( 500 ) comprise at least one reactant of the catalyst, and    said process is a catalytic process, whereby said reduction of the laminar sub-layer ( 203 ) causes an increased speed of said catalytic process.    
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that 
 said surface ( 204 ) is an inner surface of a given volume, and    said process is a change of gas composition between said gas ( 500 ) and a previous gas composition at said inner surface, whereby said reduction of the laminar sub-layer ( 203 ) causes an increased gas exchange by increasing the interaction between gas molecules of said gas ( 500 ) and said previous gas composition at said inner surface.    
   
   
       15 . (canceled)