Design

Figure 1 shows the vortex phase separator used in the system. The microgravity gas/liquid vortex separator uses centrifugal buoyancy force to separate gas and liquid. As a thin layer of water rotates around the inner diameter of a hollow cylinder, a stream of humidified CO₂ is introduced via tangential injection. These streams coalesce and drive the CO₂ separation from H₂O. Using specially designed injection nozzles, the gas stream breaks into minuscule bubbles upon contact with the water stream. These bubbles are then forced to the center of the cylinder due to density difference in gas and liquid, creating a gas column in the center of the vortex. Gas and liquid outlets are present on the top and bottom of the separator at the centers of the cylinder’s faces, with a baffle plate located on the liquid outlet to prevent gas from entering it. Water is led through a liquid outlet where it is chilled though a chiller and heat exchanger and then directed back to the liquid tangential inlet nozzle by a gear pump. A sparger is used to introduce CO₂ gas to a heated tank of water where the gas will be humidified. This humidified CO₂ stream is combined with the chilled H₂O from the liquid outlet and directed back into the gas tangential inlet nozzle by an ejector.

Figure 1: Vortex Phase Separator

Figure 2 shows the CO₂ humidifying tank design used in the system. CO₂ is brought into the spargers which bubbles it through water heater by the immersion heater. A drainage port is used to drain water when needed and the fill port is used to fill the tank. A baffle plate is used to ensure no water splashes into the outlet valve and affects humid the humid stream. A thermocouple probe, humidity sensor, and pressure transducer are used to for measurement purposes.

Figure 2: CO₂ Humidifying Tank

Figure 3 shows the housing of the entire system. T-slotted framing was used to build the base of this structure and polycarbonate sheets were used as the windows and door. Wheels were used on the legs of this housing so that the housing can be transported easily. Machining was done with drills, mills, and a bandsaw. This housing was designed so that a laptop and DAQ module chassis could be set on the top of it and all instrumentation could be connected to both the DAQ modules and computer. This allows for relevant values obtained from the system to be displayed on the laptop screen.

Figure 3: Housing of System