Aerator and aeration tank

Abstract

An aerator and an aeration tank. The aerator comprises: a cavity provided with a gas inlet hole and a gas outlet; and a float valve comprising a valve cover and a valve body, wherein the valve body at least partially extends into the cavity from above the cavity; the float valve is configured to move upwards from a first position; when the float valve is at the first position, the valve cover comes into contact with the upper end of the cavity and blocks the gas outlet; and when the float valve moves away from the first position, the valve cover is spaced apart from the upper end of the cavity and allows a gas to be released from the cavity through the gas outlet. The aerator further comprises a slide valve, wherein the slide valve is provided with a sliding rod and a bottom valve, the sliding rod at least partially extends into the valve body from below the valve body; the slide valve is configured to move upwards from a second position; when the slide valve is at the second position, the bottom valve blocks the gas inlet hole; and when the slide valve moves away from the second position, the bottom valve allows the gas to enter the cavity through the gas inlet hole.

Description

An aerator and an aeration tank

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202520488231.5, filed on March 19, 2025, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to an aerator and an aeration tank, and more specifically, to an aerator that makes aeration in the aeration tank more uniform. Background Technology

[0003] In wastewater treatment, aeration increases the oxygen content in the wastewater, which promotes the growth and reproduction of aerobic microorganisms and enhances their ability to purify the wastewater. Aeration typically takes place in an aeration tank, which contains multiple aerators. These aerators inject gas from air distribution pipes into the water, thus achieving the aeration process.

[0004] Under conditions of low sludge organic load, the design aeration rate of a single aerator calculated based on the organic load is often lower than the lower limit of its recommended aeration range. Furthermore, the actual pollutant concentration in the wastewater during operation is often lower than the design value, resulting in the actual aeration rate of a single aerator being even lower than the lower limit of its recommended aeration range. As the aeration rate decreases, the resistance loss of the aerator decreases accordingly. However, excessively low resistance loss amplifies the uneven aeration caused by installation level errors between different aerators. This increases installation difficulty, and in engineering practice, it is difficult to completely eliminate installation level errors, thus making it difficult to eliminate the aforementioned uneven aeration phenomenon and reducing aeration efficiency.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to propose an aerator that improves upon the shortcomings of the aforementioned prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of this application, an aerator is provided, comprising: a cavity having a cylindrical structure, wherein an air inlet and an air outlet are respectively provided at the lower and upper ends of the cavity; a float valve including a valve cover and a valve body fixed together, the valve cover being located above the valve body, the valve body extending at least partially into the cavity from the upper part of the cavity, the float valve being configured to be movable upward from a first position, wherein when the float valve is in the first position, the valve cover contacts the upper end of the cavity and closes the air outlet, and when the float valve moves away from the first position, the valve cover is spaced apart from the upper end of the cavity and allows gas to leave the cavity from the air outlet; wherein the aerator further includes a slide valve having a slide rod and a bottom valve fixed together, the slide rod extending at least partially into the valve body from below and being slidable relative to the valve body, the bottom valve being located below the slide rod, the slide valve being configured to be movable upward from a second position, wherein when the slide valve is in the second position, the bottom valve closes the air inlet, and when the slide valve moves away from the second position, the bottom valve does not close the air inlet to allow gas to enter the cavity from the air inlet.

[0007] According to this scheme, during aeration, the gas first pushes the slide valve upward, thus unblocking the air inlet of the bottom valve. After the gas enters the chamber, the continuous gas pressure then pushes the float valve upward, unblocking the air outlet and allowing gas to enter the water body where the aerator operates, thus achieving the aeration function. When the aeration volume is small, the upward movement distance of the slide valve is also small, resulting in a smaller gap between the bottom valve and the lower end of the chamber for gas flow. This leads to a higher gas velocity, thus increasing resistance loss. The increased resistance loss helps to achieve uniform aeration among multiple aerators in the aeration tank, thereby improving aeration efficiency.

[0008] In some designs, when the aerator is not aerating, the float valve is in the first position and the bottom valve is in the second position. When the aerator starts aerating, the bottom valve moves upward from the second position and the float valve moves upward from the first position.

[0009] In some designs, the valve body may have a slide rail extending in the vertical direction, with the slide rod extending into the slide rail.

[0010] In some designs, the lateral dimension of the bottom valve is larger than the lateral dimension of the air inlet.

[0011] In some designs, the foot valve can be approximately spherical.

[0012] In some designs, the cavity has a bottom, and an air inlet is defined by a portion of the bottom. When the slide valve is in the second position, the bottom valve contacts this portion of the bottom and closes the air inlet. When the slide valve moves upward away from the second position, the bottom valve is spaced apart from this portion of the bottom and allows gas to enter the cavity from the air inlet.

[0013] In some designs, as the slide valve moves upward from the second position, the gap between the bottom valve and the bottom gradually increases.

[0014] In some designs, the upper end of the cavity may have a knife-edge structure with its outer wall sloping upward and inward, and when the float valve is in the first position, the valve cover contacts the upper surface of the knife-edge structure.

[0015] According to the design, the knife-edge structure improves the sealing between the valve cover and the cavity when not aerated, preventing sludge and impurities in the sewage from entering the cavity of the aerator.

[0016] In some designs, the outer circumferential edge of the valve cover may have a serrated structure comprising multiple teeth projecting outward in a radial direction, the serrated structure being configured to cut air bubbles.

[0017] According to this scheme, the toothed structure cuts the bubbles, thereby significantly reducing the bubble diameter and improving aeration efficiency.

[0018] In some designs, the aerator may also include a limiting ring fixed to the cavity. The valve body has a limiting part. When the float valve moves upward by a threshold distance, the limiting ring contacts the limiting part, thereby preventing the float valve from moving further upward.

[0019] According to the scheme, the limit ring restricts the excessive upward movement of the float valve to prevent the float valve from falling out of the cavity.

[0020] According to a second aspect of this application, an aeration tank is provided, comprising a plurality of aerators as described in the first aspect of this application.

[0021] According to this scheme, even under low aeration conditions, the resistance loss of each aerator in the aeration tank will not be too small, thus ensuring that the gas in the air distribution pipe flows through the multiple aerators in a roughly uniform manner, achieving relatively uniform aeration and thereby improving aeration efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an aeration tank according to an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an aerator according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the aerator is in a non-aerated state;

[0024] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an aerator according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the aerator is in an aeration state;

[0025] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the valve cover cutting bubbles according to an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the relationship between resistance loss and aeration rate.

[0027] Figure reference numeral 10: Aeration tank; 12: Air distribution pipe; 100: Aerator; 110: Cavity; 112: Air inlet; 114: Air outlet; 116: Bottom; 118: Knife-edge structure; 120: Float valve; 122: Valve cover; 123: Toothed structure; 124: Valve body; 126: Slide rail; 130: Slide valve; 132: Slide rod; 134: Bottom valve; 140: Limiting ring. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, solutions, and advantages of the technical solutions of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise stated, the terms used herein have their ordinary meanings in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same parts.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an aeration tank 10 according to an embodiment of this application. The aeration tank 10 includes an air distribution pipe 12 and a plurality of aerators 100. The air distribution pipe 12 is connected to the air inlet 112 of each aerator 100 (as shown in Figure 2). Gas in the air distribution pipe 12 enters the corresponding aerator 100 through the air inlet 112 of each aerator 100 to achieve the aeration function. It should be understood that although three aerators 100 are shown in Figure 1, this application is not intended to limit the number of aerators 100 in the aeration tank 10. The aeration tank 10 may include two, four, or any other suitable number of aerators 100.

[0030] Figures 2 and 3 show schematic diagrams of an aerator 100 according to an embodiment of this application, wherein the aerator 100 in Figure 2 is in a non-aerated state, and the aerator 100 in Figure 3 is in an aerated state. The non-aerated state refers to a state where no gas is introduced into the air distribution pipe 12, and no gas flows directionally through the aerator 100; the aerated state refers to a state where gas is introduced into the air distribution pipe 12, causing the gas to flow directionally through the aerator 100.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the aerator 100 mainly includes a cavity 110 and a float valve 120.

[0032] The cavity 110 is roughly cylindrical in shape, with an air inlet 112 at the lower end and an air outlet 114 at the upper end. During aeration, gas from the air distribution pipe 12 flows into the cavity 110 through the air inlet 112, then flows out of the cavity 110 through the air outlet 114, and finally enters the aeration working area, thereby increasing the oxygen content in the water in that area and improving the wastewater purification capacity.

[0033] The float valve 120 includes a valve cover 122 and a valve body 124 fixed together. The valve cover 122 is located above the valve body 124, which extends at least partially into the cavity 110 from above. In the non-aeration state, the float valve 120 is in a first position under its own weight (as shown in Figure 2). When the float valve 120 is in the first position, the valve cover 122 of the float valve 120 contacts the upper end of the cavity 110 and closes the air outlet 114 of the cavity 110. The lower surface of the valve cover 122 of the float valve 120 seals against the upper edge of the cylinder of the cavity 110, preventing sludge and impurities in the sewage from entering the cavity 110 of the aerator 100.

[0034] During aeration, the float valve 120 moves upward from the first position under the action of the airflow flowing into the cavity 110 (as shown in Figure 3). As the float valve 120 moves upward away from the first position, the valve cover 122 of the float valve 120 is separated from the upper end of the cavity 110, thereby allowing gas to leave the cavity 110 from the air outlet 114 and finally enter the aeration working area to achieve the aeration function.

[0035] For traditional aerators, at low aeration rates (e.g., aeration rate less than 3 Nm³), 3 In the case of aeration rate of 0.06 m / h, the resistance loss of the aerator may be too small. However, excessively low resistance loss will amplify the uneven aeration caused by installation level errors between different aerators. This will increase the difficulty of installation, and in engineering practice, it is difficult to completely eliminate installation level errors, thus making it difficult to eliminate the above-mentioned uneven aeration and reducing aeration efficiency.

[0036] To address the aforementioned shortcomings of conventional aerators, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the aerator 100 of this embodiment further includes a slide valve 130, which has a slide rod 132 and a bottom valve 134 fixed together. The slide rod 132 extends at least partially into the valve body 124 of the float valve 120 from below and is movable vertically relative to the valve body 124. The bottom valve 134 is located below the slide rod 132 and may be generally spherical.

[0037] In the non-aeration state, the slide valve 130 is in the second position under its own weight (as shown in Figure 2). When the slide valve 130 is in the second position, the bottom valve 134 of the slide valve 130 contacts the lower end of the cavity 110 and closes the air inlet 112 of the cavity 110. In order for the bottom valve 134 of the slide valve 130 to close the air inlet 112 of the cavity 110, the lateral dimension (e.g., diameter) of the bottom valve 134 is designed to be larger than the lateral dimension (e.g., diameter) of the air inlet 112. Thus, in the non-aeration state, the bottom valve 134 seals the air inlet 112 of the cavity 110, creating the initial conditions for the expected increase in resistance loss when aeration starts (when the aeration volume is very small).

[0038] During aeration, the slide valve 130 moves upward from its second position under the influence of the airflow entering the air distribution pipe 12 (as shown in Figure 3). As the slide valve 130 moves upward away from the second position, the bottom valve 134 of the slide valve 130 is separated from the lower end of the cavity 110, thereby allowing gas to enter the cavity 110 from the air inlet 112. Subsequently, the gas entering the cavity 110 exerts an upward force on the float valve 120, causing the float valve 120 to move upward from its first position, thus achieving the aeration function.

[0039] Even with a low aeration rate, the resistance loss of the aerator 100 in the embodiments of this application will not be too small. This is because, at a low aeration rate, the bottom valve 134 of the slide valve 130 moves upward a smaller distance, resulting in a smaller gap between the bottom valve 134 and the lower end of the cavity 110. This leads to a smaller cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow path, increasing the airflow velocity and consequently increasing the airflow resistance loss. Because the resistance loss of the aerator 100 is not too small, aeration uniformity can be improved without requiring a particularly small installation level error, thereby improving aeration efficiency and reducing installation difficulty. Furthermore, the slide valve 130 and the float valve 120 are designed as separate structures. The slide valve 130 itself is not heavy, allowing it to be lifted upwards without a particularly large aeration rate, thus achieving the aeration function.

[0040] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the relationship between the resistance loss of the aerator and the aeration rate, where the horizontal axis represents the aeration rate of the aerator (unit: Nm³). 3 The vertical axis represents the resistance loss of the aerator (in cm head). The curve represented by a circle in the figure represents a conventional aerator, while the curve represented by a triangle represents the aerator 100 proposed in this application. The target curve represents the resistance loss under ideal conditions. As can be seen from Figure 5, for a conventional aerator, the resistance loss value decreases sharply as the aeration rate decreases; while for the aerator 100 proposed in this application, the resistance loss value decreases relatively slowly as the aeration rate decreases. This ensures that even at lower aeration rates, the resistance loss value is not too low, thereby improving aeration efficiency. Preferably, the weight of the slide valve 130 can be optimized through calculation and testing to dynamically change the gap between the bottom valve 134 of the slide valve 130 and the air inlet 112 of the cavity 110 under different aeration rates, thereby meeting the requirements for the optimal resistance loss value under different aeration rates (e.g., as shown by the target curve in Figure 5).

[0041] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, the circumferential outer edge of the valve cover 122 may have a toothed structure 123, the toothed structure 123 including a plurality of teeth protruding outward in the radial direction, the toothed structure 123 being configured to cut bubbles flowing near the valve cover 122. The toothed structure 123 cuts the bubbles, thereby significantly reducing the bubble diameter and improving the aeration efficiency of the aerator 100. The aforementioned toothed structure 123 is particularly advantageous for cases with low aeration rates, because at low aeration rates, the vibration frequency of the aerator 100 is low, and the generated bubble volume is prone to be large, so it is more necessary for the toothed structure 123 to cut the bubbles to reduce the bubble volume.

[0042] Preferably, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the valve body 124 of the float valve 120 may be provided with a slide rail 126 extending in the vertical direction. The slide rod 132 of the slide valve 130 extends into the slide rail 126 and can move up and down relative to the float valve 120 within the slide rail 126. More preferably, by selecting appropriate diameters for the slide rod 132 and the slide rail 126, it is ensured that the slide rod 132 slides smoothly within the slide rail 126, and the gap between the slide rod 132 and the slide rail 126 is reasonably controlled to avoid significant deflection of the slide rod 132 during sliding.

[0043] Optionally, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cavity 110 has a bottom 116, and an air inlet 112 is defined by a portion of the bottom 116 (i.e., the lateral edge of the bottom 116). In the non-aeration state, the slide valve 130 is in a second position, with its bottom valve 134 contacting this portion of the bottom 116 of the cavity 110 and closing the air inlet 112 of the cavity 110. In the aeration state, the slide valve 130 moves upward away from the second position, with its bottom valve 134 spaced apart from this portion of the bottom 116 of the cavity 110 and allowing gas to enter the cavity 110 from the air inlet 112.

[0044] Optionally, the part where the bottom 116 of the cavity 110 contacts the bottom valve 134 of the slide valve 130 is chamfered. On the one hand, this optimizes the required resistance loss value, and on the other hand, the chamfer makes the part where the bottom 116 of the cavity 110 contacts the bottom valve 134 of the slide valve 130 smoother, thereby minimizing the reduction in service life caused by collisions between the bottom 116 and the bottom valve 134 during a large number of start-ups and shutdowns.

[0045] Preferably, the bottom valve 134 of the slide valve 130 can be designed to have a smooth transition surface (e.g., a generally spherical surface). In this way, even if some dirt accumulates on the surface of the bottom valve 134, the smooth transition surface of the bottom valve 134 will help the dirt to be removed during the up and down sliding of the slide valve 130.

[0046] Preferably, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the aerator 100 may further include a limiting ring 140, which is fixed to the cavity 110. The valve body 124 is provided with a limiting part. When the float valve 120 moves upward by a threshold distance, the limiting ring 140 contacts the limiting part, thereby preventing the float valve 120 from moving further upward. In this way, the limiting ring 140 restricts the excessive upward movement of the float valve 120, preventing the float valve 120 from falling off the cavity 110 during aeration. Specifically, the limiting ring 140 is a semi-circular clamp with two toes. It is fixed to the outside of the cylinder of the cavity 110 of the aforementioned aerator 100. The two toes are inserted into the cavity 110 of the aerator 100 through a small hole in the cavity 110. It is arranged on the upper part of the bottom plate of the valve body 124 of the float valve 120 to block the upward movement of the float valve 120, so as to limit the excessive upward movement of the float valve 120.

[0047] Preferably, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the upper end of the cavity 110 may have a knife-edge structure 118 with its outer wall inclined upward and inward. In the non-aeration state, the float valve 120 is in the first position, with its valve cover 122 in contact with the upper surface of the knife-edge structure 118 of the cavity 110. In the aeration state, the float valve 120 moves upward away from the first position, and its valve cover 122 is spaced apart from the knife-edge structure 118 of the cavity 110, thus forming a channel for airflow. The lower surface of the valve cover 122 of the float valve 120 may be smooth and flat. In the non-aeration state, the valve cover 122 of the float valve 120 falls onto the knife-edge structure 118 of the cavity 110 of the aerator 100 under its own weight, forming a natural seal, thereby effectively preventing sludge and impurities in the sewage from entering the cavity 110 and protecting the aerator 110 and its pipes from clogging.

[0048] This document describes in detail several exemplary embodiments of the present application with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and alterations can be made to the above specific embodiments without departing from the concept of the present application, and various technical features and structures proposed in the present application can be combined without exceeding the protection scope of the present application, which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An aerator, characterized in that, include: The cavity has a cylindrical structure, with an air inlet and an air outlet at the lower and upper ends of the cavity, respectively. A float valve includes a valve cover and a valve body fixed together, the valve cover being located above the valve body, the valve body extending at least partially into the cavity from above, the float valve being configured to move upward from a first position, wherein when the float valve is in the first position, the valve cover contacts the upper end of the cavity and closes the outlet, and when the float valve moves away from the first position, the valve cover is spaced apart from the upper end of the cavity and allows gas to exit the cavity from the outlet; The aerator further includes a slide valve having a slide rod and a bottom valve fixed together. The slide rod extends at least partially into the valve body from below and is slidable relative to the valve body. The bottom valve is located below the slide rod. The slide valve is configured to move upward from a second position. When the slide valve is in the second position, the bottom valve closes the air inlet. When the slide valve moves away from the second position, the bottom valve does not close the air inlet to allow gas to enter the cavity from the air inlet.

2. The aerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the aerator is in a non-aeration state, the float valve is in the first position and the bottom valve is in the second position. When the aerator starts aeration, the bottom valve moves upward from the second position and the float valve moves upward from the first position.

3. The aerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The valve body is provided with a slide rail extending in the vertical direction, and the slide rod extends into the slide rail.

4. The aerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lateral dimension of the bottom valve is larger than the lateral dimension of the air inlet.

5. The aerator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bottom valve is approximately spherical.

6. The aerator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cavity has a bottom, and the air inlet is defined by a portion of the bottom. When the slide valve is in the second position, the bottom valve contacts the portion of the bottom and closes the air inlet. When the slide valve moves upward away from the second position, the bottom valve is spaced apart from the portion of the bottom and allows gas to enter the cavity from the air inlet.

7. The aerator according to claim 6, characterized in that, As the slide valve moves upward from the second position, the gap between the bottom valve and the bottom gradually increases.

8. The aerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper end of the cavity has a knife-edge structure with the outer wall inclined upward and inward. When the float valve is in the first position, the valve cover is in contact with the upper surface of the knife-edge structure.

9. The aerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer circumferential edge of the valve cover has a toothed structure, the toothed structure including a plurality of teeth protruding outward in a radial direction, the toothed structure being configured to cut bubbles.

10. The aerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a limiting ring, which is fixed to the cavity. The valve body is provided with a limiting part. When the float valve moves upward by a threshold distance, the limiting ring contacts the limiting part, thereby preventing the float valve from moving upward further.

11. An aeration tank, characterized in that, It includes a plurality of aerators according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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