Ultrafine bubble generation by rapid condensation of mixed vapor of non-condensable gas and steam

Abstract

Although the mechanism of ultrafine bubble generation has not yet been elucidated, we believe that the state of gas-saturated water before the generation of ultrafine bubbles is the most important factor in the mechanism of ultrafine bubble generation. Therefore, we proposed the hypothesis that the spatial distribution of dissolved gas molecules among the water molecules before the ultrafine bubble formation is stared has a significant effect on the formation of ultrafine bubble suspending water. Based on this hypothesis, we succeeded in generating ultrafine bubbles of sufficient number concentration in the condensate by rapidly condensing a well mixture of non-condensable gas and vapor by cooling. The number concentration of the generated ultrafine bubbles increased almost in proportion to the condensation rate of the vapor. Therefore, it was found that promoting the formation of bubble nuclei from dissolved gas molecules existing between water molecules in the condensate and suppressing bubble growth led to an increase in the number concentration of ultrafine bubbles. The principle of ultrafine bubble generation in this invention not only simplifies the generation of ultrafine bubble water but also enables the control of the number concentration of ultrafine bubbles in water.