Preparation of Free-Surface Hyperbolic Water Vortices

Abstract

Free surface vortices are present in industry in flow regulation, energy dissipation, and energy generation. Although investigated extensively, detailed experimental data regarding free surface vortices are lacking, particularly regarding the turbulence at the interface. The present paper reports on a special type of free surface vortex first proposed by Walter Schauberger in the 1960s that has an oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficient exceeding the value of similar systems. This special type of vortex forms in a hyperbolic funnel. Different stable regimes can be stabilized with different hydraulic characteristics. Other advantages of this technology are its energy efficiency, simple design, and scalability. The flow in this hyperbolic funnel is characterized by strong turbulence and an increased surface area of the air-water interface. The local pressure strongly varies along the surface, resulting in a pronounced wavey air-water boundary layer. Due to the helical flow, these perturbations move inward, pulling the boundary layer with them. The resultant pressure gradient draws a certain air volume into the water vortex. The construction of the basic hyperbolic funnel setup and operational examples, including high-speed visualization for three different stable regimes, are presented in this work.

Characterization of a hyperbolic vortex plasma reactor for the removal of aqueous phase micropollutants

“…One innovative technology in this field is the water vortex gas discharge plasma reactor, which combines plasma technology with a Schauberger hyperbolic vortex. As shown in [36,37] water vortices are very efficient aeration systems, and thus are capable of dissolving gases at very high rates. This reactor enables the in-situ production of reactive species in the gas phase for micropollutant degradation by plasma discharge and the efficient mass transfer and mixing required for distributing these reactive species into the liquid phase by the water vortex.…”