Ozone-induced air flotation device for advanced treatment of fresh water bodies

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of fresh water circulating water culture systems, and discloses an ozone-induced air flotation device for deep treatment of fresh water bodies, which comprises a main body, an ozone generator, a water level pipe and a relay; a water inlet and a water outlet are arranged in the side wall of the main body, an overflow port is arranged at the top of the main body, an overflow box is communicated with the overflow port, and a gas-liquid interface is formed between liquid in the overflow box and air; the ozone generator is communicated with an aeration stone, and the aeration stone is arranged in the main body; the water level pipe is vertically arranged on the side of the main body, the bottom of the water level pipe is communicated with the main body, a liquid level sensor is arranged on the water level pipe, the height of the liquid level sensor is the same as the target gas-liquid interface height of the liquid in the overflow box; the control end of the relay is electrically connected with the liquid level sensor, and the execution end of the relay is electrically connected with the ozone generator; the pressure fluctuation at the top of the water level mapping device is used to control the ozone addition amount according to the water level, and the risk of ozone excess is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of freshwater recirculating aquaculture systems, and in particular to an ozone-induced flotation device for deep treatment of freshwater bodies. Background Technology

[0002] Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) is the core production model in the field of sustainable facility aquaculture. It achieves efficient recycling of aquaculture water through a combination of physical filtration, biological filtration and other water treatment processes. The primary technical step in achieving this recycling is to effectively remove suspended particulate matter composed of feces, uneaten feed and bioflocs from the water.

[0003] In marine aquaculture, foam separation technology is typically used to efficiently remove fine suspended particulate matter with a diameter of less than 100 micrometers. However, in freshwater RAS (Rapid Aquaculture System), the lack of electrolytes in the freshwater system results in a low surface tension coefficient, leading to larger bubbles generated during foam separation. This ultimately creates a technical bottleneck of poor foaming performance at the gas-liquid interface and insufficient foam stability, making it unsuitable for removing fine suspended particulate matter.

[0004] Existing patents (such as CN220056474U) propose combining ozone oxidation with foam separation technology to solve the problem of removing fine suspended particulate matter in freshwater RAS. However, this technical solution still has key drawbacks: the lack of an automatic adjustment mechanism for the amount of ozone added results in low mass transfer and dissolution efficiency of ozone in water, or waste of resources due to excessive ozone addition, and it is impossible to balance treatment effect and economy.

[0005] Therefore, how to balance the removal efficiency of fine suspended particulate matter with the economic efficiency of ozone utilization has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0006] The technical problem this application aims to solve is to balance the efficiency of fine particulate matter removal with the economic efficiency of ozone utilization.

[0007] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides an ozone-induced flotation device for deep treatment of freshwater bodies. The ozone-induced flotation device includes: a main body with an inlet and an outlet on its side wall, used to hold the liquid to be treated; an overflow port on the top of the main body, connected to an overflow box, where the liquid in the overflow box forms a gas-liquid interface with air; an ozone generator with an aeration stone connected to it, placed inside the main body, used to blow bubbles into the liquid to be treated; a water level pipe, standing vertically on the side of the main body, with its bottom connected to the main body, and a liquid level sensor installed on it, the height of which is the same as the target gas-liquid interface height in the overflow box, used to detect the position of the gas-liquid interface; and a relay, the control terminal of which is electrically connected to the liquid level sensor, and the execution terminal of which is electrically connected to the ozone generator, used to control the start and stop of the ozone generator.

[0008] In one embodiment, an air vent valve is installed at the top of the water level pipe, and a drain ball valve is installed at the bottom of the water level pipe. The air vent valve and the drain ball valve are used to coordinate the adjustment of the pressure and liquid level in the water level pipe.

[0009] In one embodiment, a PTFE solenoid valve and a one-way check valve are connected between the ozone generator and the aeration stone. The PTFE solenoid valve is electrically connected to the control terminal of a relay, and the relay is also used to control the on / off state of the PTFE solenoid valve. The one-way check valve is used to prevent the backflow of gas generated by the ozone generator.

[0010] In one embodiment, the ozone-induced flotation device further includes a jet pump, a venturi tube, and a return pipe. The inlet and outlet of the jet pump are respectively connected to the main body. The venturi tube is installed on the pipe between the inlet of the jet pump and the main body or on the pipe between the outlet of the jet pump and the main body. An ejector port is provided on the side of the venturi tube. The return pipe connects the ejector port and the overflow box. The return pipe is used to return the ozone gas in the overflow box to the main body for reuse with the water flow of the jet pump.

[0011] In one embodiment, the water level pipe is connected to the main body via a hydraulic control ball valve, which is used to fine-tune the liquid level in the water level pipe to reduce excessive foam overflow.

[0012] In one embodiment, the height difference between the gas-liquid interface and the foam overflow ranges from 3 to 5 centimeters.

[0013] In one embodiment, the height difference between the connection between the water level pipe and the main body and the gas-liquid interface ranges from 40 to 60 centimeters.

[0014] In one embodiment, a sleeve is provided inside the main body. The bottom of the sleeve is fixed to the bottom surface of the main body, the top of the sleeve is open, and the height of the sleeve is less than the height of the main body. The aeration stone is located inside the sleeve, and the water inlet pipe of the main body extends into the sleeve.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the ozone-induced flotation device for deep treatment of freshwater bodies described in this application has the following advantages: The ozone-induced flotation device in this embodiment of the application is additionally equipped with a water level pipe and a liquid level sensor. When the pressure at the top of the device decreases and the liquid level sensor cannot detect the liquid level in the water level pipe, ozone is continuously added. When the pressure at the top of the device increases and the liquid level sensor detects the liquid level in the water level pipe, ozone addition is stopped. This maintains the gas-liquid interface at the top of the device within a certain range of fluctuation, ensuring sufficient ozone bubbles to remove fine suspended particulate matter while reducing the risk of ozone overload, thus achieving a balance between the removal efficiency of fine suspended particulate matter and the economic efficiency of ozone utilization. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ozone-induced air flotation device, as exemplarily shown in an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a partial enlarged view A of an ozone-induced air flotation device exemplarily shown in an embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a partial enlarged view (B) of an ozone-induced air flotation device exemplarily illustrated in an embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure label: 1. Ozone-induced flotation device; 11. Main body; 12. Ozone generator; 13. Aeration stone; 14. Water level pipe; 15. Liquid level sensor; 16. Relay; 17. Air vent valve; 18. Drain ball valve; 19. PTFE solenoid valve; 20. One-way check valve; 21. Jet pump; 22. Venturi tube; 23. Return pipe; 24. Hydraulic ball valve; 25. Sleeve; 111. Overflow port; 112. Overflow box. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The specific embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate this application, but are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0021] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings are intended to distinguish similar objects and are not used to describe a specific structure. It should be understood that such terms are interchangeable where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in structures other than those illustrated or described. Furthermore, "comprising," "having," and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a product or device comprising a series of components or units is not necessarily limited to those explicitly listed, but may also include other components or units not explicitly listed but inherent to these products or devices.

[0022] Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are a core production model in the field of sustainable facility aquaculture. They achieve efficient recycling of aquaculture water by integrating combined water treatment processes such as physical filtration and biological filtration. The core technology for achieving water recycling lies in how to effectively remove suspended particulate matter composed of aquaculture waste, uneaten feed, and bioflocs from the water. The ability to effectively remove suspended particulate matter directly determines the circulation efficiency of the aquaculture water and the stability of the aquaculture environment.

[0023] In marine aquaculture, foam separation technology is the mainstream and efficient method for removing fine suspended particles smaller than 100 micrometers. However, in freshwater RAS, due to the lack of electrolytes in the freshwater system, the surface tension coefficient of the water is significantly low, which directly leads to larger bubble sizes generated during foam separation. The excessively large bubble size further causes technical problems such as poor foaming performance at the gas-liquid interface and insufficient foam stability, ultimately resulting in low removal efficiency of fine suspended particles.

[0024] To address this technical issue, existing patents (such as CN220056474U) propose combining ozone oxidation with foam separation technology. Ozone optimizes bubbles in three ways: first, it reduces the surface tension of fresh water, helping air disperse into uniform microbubbles and improving dispersibility; second, it oxidizes the hydrophilic groups on the surface of particulate matter to make them hydrophobic, enhancing the adsorption stability between particulate matter and bubbles and extending the bubble life cycle; and third, it generates microbubble nuclei during dissolution, ensuring bubble density.

[0025] While introducing ozone can improve bubble quality and thus enhance the removal efficiency of fine suspended particulate matter in freshwater RAS, this technology still has a key drawback: due to the lack of an automatic adjustment mechanism for ozone dosage, in practical applications, either insufficient ozone addition leads to low mass transfer and dissolution efficiency in the water, or excessive ozone addition results in resource waste, making it impossible to achieve a balance between treatment effectiveness and economy.

[0026] Based on this, such as Figure 1 As shown in the preferred embodiment of this application, an ozone-induced flotation device 1 for deep treatment of freshwater is provided. The ozone-induced flotation device 1 includes: a main body 11, an ozone generator 12, a water level pipe 14, and a relay 16.

[0027] The main body 11 has an inlet and an outlet on its side wall. The main body 11 holds the liquid to be treated. An overflow port 111 is located on the top of the main body 11, and an overflow box 112 is connected to the overflow port 111. The liquid in the overflow box 112 forms a gas-liquid interface with the air. An aeration stone 13 is connected to the ozone generator 12 and is placed inside the main body 11 to blow bubbles into the liquid to be treated. A water level pipe 14 stands vertically on the side of the main body 11, with its bottom connected to the main body 11. A liquid level sensor 15 is installed on the water level pipe 14. The height of the liquid level sensor 15 is the same as the target gas-liquid interface height of the liquid in the overflow box 112, used to detect the position of the gas-liquid interface. The control terminal of the relay 16 is electrically connected to the liquid level sensor 15, and the execution terminal of the relay 16 is electrically connected to the ozone generator 12. The relay 16 is used to control the start and stop of the ozone generator 12.

[0028] The ozone-induced flotation device 1 of this application utilizes a closed-loop control system linked to a liquid level sensor 15 and a relay 16. Relying on hardware functionality and without complex software algorithms, it maps the gas-liquid interface to the liquid level in the water level pipe 14, thereby dynamically adjusting the ozone addition amount. When the top pressure of the ozone-induced flotation device 1 decreases (indicating a slowdown in bubble rising speed), ozone is automatically and continuously replenished to maintain suspended solids removal; conversely, when the top pressure of the ozone-induced flotation device 1 increases (bubbles rise rapidly), ozone input is immediately suspended. This ensures sufficient ozone addition for efficient removal of suspended particulate matter while reducing ozone gas waste, balancing removal efficiency and production costs.

[0029] Meanwhile, by using the height of the gas-liquid interface as the detection object, it is equivalent to indirectly identifying the bubble mass. Even if there are external factors such as water temperature fluctuations or changes in water quality, since these external factors ultimately affect the bubble mass and thus the height of the gas-liquid interface, this application can directly detect the results and cope with the impact of these additional factors.

[0030] Furthermore, in one embodiment of this application, an air vent valve 17 may be installed at the top of the water level pipe 14, and a drain ball valve 18 may be installed at the bottom of the water level pipe 14. The air vent valve 17 and the drain ball valve 18 are used to coordinate the adjustment of the pressure and liquid level inside the water level pipe 14.

[0031] Since the liquid in the water level pipe 14 only needs to float up and down, there is a situation where it does not circulate for a long time. By periodically opening the drain ball valve 18, the liquid in the water level pipe 14 can be drained to avoid water quality deterioration and odor after long-term operation.

[0032] The vent valve 17 can be opened to work in conjunction with the vent ball valve 18. Furthermore, the vent valve 17 can also be opened to allow the liquid level in the water level pipe 14 to float up and down more smoothly, accurately reflecting the gas-liquid interface in the overflow box 112.

[0033] In one embodiment, a PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) solenoid valve and a one-way check valve 20 are connected between the ozone generator 12 and the aeration stone 13. The PTFE solenoid valve 19 is electrically connected to the control terminal of the relay 16. The relay 16 is also used to control the opening and closing of the PTFE solenoid valve 19. The one-way check valve 20 is used to prevent the backflow of gas generated by the ozone generator 12.

[0034] Ozone, as a strong oxidizing gas, easily corrodes valves made of ordinary metals or rubber, leading to problems such as sealing failure and malfunction. PTFE, however, possesses excellent chemical stability, withstanding oxidative corrosion for extended periods at normal ozone concentrations and maintaining structural integrity and sealing performance even in high-concentration ozone environments. The PTFE material allows solenoid valves to be adapted for ozone addition scenarios in freshwater RAS (Refreshwater Automation System), reducing damage caused by corrosion and lowering maintenance costs.

[0035] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown in the enlarged partial view A, the ozone-induced flotation device 1 also includes a jet pump 21, a venturi tube 22, and a return pipe 23. The inlet and outlet of the jet pump 21 are respectively connected to the main body 11. The venturi tube 22 is installed on the pipe between the inlet of the jet pump 21 and the main body 11 or on the pipe between the outlet of the jet pump 21 and the main body 11. An ejector port is provided on the side of the venturi tube 22. The return pipe 23 connects the ejector port and the overflow box 112. The return pipe 23 is used to return the ozone gas in the overflow box 112 to the main body 11 for reuse along with the water flow of the jet pump 21.

[0036] By introducing a jet pump 21 and a venturi tube 22, the liquid in the main body 11 circulates within the jet pump 21 under its drive. When the water flows through the venturi tube 22, the flow velocity increases due to the Venturi effect, resulting in a pressure decrease and creating a low-pressure zone at the opening on the side of the venturi tube 22. Since the side opening is connected to the overflow box 112, which in turn is connected to the main body 11, the ozone gas in the overflow box 112 flows towards the low-pressure zone, mixes with the liquid in the jet pump 21 via the venturi tube 22, and enters the process of generating the next bubble, thus realizing the recycling of additional ozone gas.

[0037] During ozone system operation, ozone or humid gas backflow can easily occur due to pressure fluctuations and changes in ozone addition and shutdown. Backflowing ozone can corrode the internal components of the ozone generator 12. The one-way check valve 20 closes rapidly the instant the pressure reverses, completely cutting off the backflow path and preventing generator corrosion damage at the source.

[0038] In one embodiment, the water level pipe 14 is connected to the main body 11 through a hydraulic control ball valve 24. The hydraulic control ball valve 24 is used to fine-tune the liquid level in the water level pipe 14 to reduce excessive foam overflow.

[0039] The hydraulic ball valve 24 can be adjusted to fine-tune the liquid level in the water level pipe 14, thereby achieving manual compensation.

[0040] On the other hand, when the hydraulic control ball valve 24 is closed, it works in conjunction with the opening of the exhaust valve 17 and the opening of the drain ball valve 18 to quickly drain the liquid in the water level pipe 14 and reduce the leakage of liquid from the main body 11.

[0041] In yet another embodiment of this application, as Figure 3 As shown in the magnified partial image B, the height difference between the gas-liquid interface and the foam overflow ranges from 3 to 5 centimeters.

[0042] This embodiment precisely adapts to the characteristic of insufficient foam stability in freshwater RAS by limiting the height difference between the gas-liquid interface and the foam overflow to 3 to 5 centimeters. On the one hand, the height difference of 3 to 5 centimeters provides a reasonable residence time for the foam, which ensures that the foam has enough time to adsorb fine suspended particles in the water before overflowing (avoiding the foam overflowing before it can fully carry the particles, thus ensuring separation efficiency), and also prevents the foam from accumulating and breaking due to prolonged residence, causing the adsorbed particles to fall back into the water.

[0043] On the other hand, a height difference of 3 to 5 centimeters can control the foam overflow rate, avoid excessive foam overflow causing equipment spillage and pollution, and adapt to the characteristics of easy dissipation of freshwater foam, ensuring that the overflowing foam can effectively complete particle separation, further improving the removal stability of fine particulate matter in freshwater RAS.

[0044] In one embodiment, the height difference between the connection between the water level pipe 14 and the main body 11 and the gas-liquid interface ranges from 40 to 60 centimeters.

[0045] In this embodiment, the height difference between the connection between the water level pipe 14 and the main body 11 and the gas-liquid interface is set to 40 to 60 centimeters. This can prevent gas-liquid fluctuations in the main body 11 from being directly transmitted to the water level pipe 14, prevent the liquid level in the water level pipe 14 from rising or falling suddenly, and ensure that its regulation of the liquid level in the main body 11 is more stable.

[0046] In one embodiment, a sleeve 25 is provided inside the main body 11. The bottom of the sleeve 25 is fixed to the bottom surface of the main body 11. The top of the sleeve 25 is open and the height of the sleeve 25 is less than the height of the main body 11. The aeration stone 13 is located inside the sleeve 25, and the water inlet pipe of the water inlet of the main body 11 extends into the sleeve 25.

[0047] By setting up a sleeve 25 that leads directly to the location of the aeration stone 13 and allows it to flow downwards from above, the disturbance in the water to be treated can be increased, allowing suspended particles to come into more full contact with ozone, thereby forming richer foam with more particles, and improving the efficiency of foam in carrying suspended particles.

[0048] The working process of this application is as follows: After the aquaculture water enters the treatment body 11, ozone is regulated by the PTFE solenoid valve 19 and the one-way check valve 20 controlled by the relay 16. It is aerated by the aeration stone 13 and integrated into the water. Combined with the specific height difference between the gas-liquid interface and the foam overflow / water level pipe 14 and the liquid level fine adjustment of the liquid control ball valve 24, the foam separation of fine suspended particles is completed, and the treated water is recycled.

[0049] In summary, this application provides an ozone-induced flotation device 1 for deep treatment of freshwater bodies. Through the automated implementation of ozone dosing and backflow prevention, precise adjustment of liquid level, and scientific setting of the gas-liquid interface height difference, it not only solves the core pain points of low foam separation efficiency and uneconomical ozone utilization in freshwater RAS, but also ensures the safety of equipment operation and system stability, ultimately achieving a multi-dimensional balance between the removal effect of fine suspended particulate matter, equipment reliability, and operating economy.

[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of this application, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An ozone-induced flotation device for deep treatment of freshwater bodies, characterized in that, The ozone-induced flotation device (1) includes: The main body (11) has an inlet and an outlet on its side wall. The main body (11) is used to hold the liquid to be treated. The top of the main body (11) has an overflow port (111). An overflow box (112) is connected to the overflow port (111). The liquid in the overflow box (112) forms a gas-liquid interface with the air. An ozone generator (12) is connected to an aeration stone (13), which is placed inside the main body (11) and is used to blow bubbles into the liquid to be treated. A water level pipe (14) is erected on the side of the main body (11). The bottom of the water level pipe (14) is connected to the main body (11). A liquid level sensor (15) is installed on the water level pipe (14). The height of the liquid level sensor (15) is the same as the height of the target gas-liquid interface of the liquid in the overflow box (112), and it is used to detect the position of the gas-liquid interface. The relay (16) is electrically connected to the liquid level sensor (15) and to the ozone generator (12). The relay (16) is used to control the start and stop of the ozone generator (12).

2. The ozone-induced flotation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, An air vent valve (17) is installed at the top of the water level pipe (14), and a drain ball valve (18) is installed at the bottom of the water level pipe (14). The air vent valve (17) and the drain ball valve (18) are used to coordinate the adjustment of the pressure and liquid level in the water level pipe (14).

3. The ozone-induced air flotation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A PTFE solenoid valve (19) and a one-way check valve (20) are connected between the ozone generator (12) and the aeration stone (13). The PTFE solenoid valve (19) is electrically connected to the control terminal of the relay (16). The relay (16) is also used to control the opening and closing of the PTFE solenoid valve (19). The one-way check valve (20) is used to prevent the backflow of gas generated by the ozone generator (12).

4. The ozone-induced flotation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ozone-induced flotation device (1) further includes a jet pump (21), a venturi tube (22), and a return pipe (23). The inlet and outlet of the jet pump (21) are respectively connected to the main body (11). The venturi tube (22) is installed on the pipe between the inlet of the jet pump (21) and the main body (11) or on the pipe between the outlet of the jet pump (21) and the main body (11). The side of the venturi tube (22) is provided with an ejector port. The return pipe (23) connects the ejector port and the overflow box (112). The return pipe (23) is used to return the ozone gas in the overflow box (112) to the main body (11) for reuse along with the water flow of the jet pump (21).

5. The ozone-induced flotation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water level pipe (14) is connected to the main body (11) through a hydraulic control ball valve (24). The hydraulic control ball valve (24) is used to fine-tune the liquid level in the water level pipe (14) to reduce excessive foam overflow.

6. The ozone-induced air flotation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height difference between the gas-liquid interface and the foam overflow ranges from 3 to 5 centimeters.

7. The ozone-induced flotation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height difference between the connection between the water level pipe (14) and the main body (11) and the gas-liquid interface is 40 to 60 centimeters.

8. The ozone-induced flotation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body (11) is provided with a sleeve (25), the bottom of the sleeve (25) is fixed to the bottom surface of the main body (11), the top of the sleeve (25) is open and the height of the sleeve (25) is less than the height of the main body (11), the aeration stone (13) is located inside the sleeve (25), and the water inlet pipe of the water inlet of the main body (11) extends into the sleeve (25).

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