Aerator Speed Control for Lower Energy Use in Water Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water treatment apparatuses with oxygen injection systems consume unnecessary electrical power due to maintaining constant agitation speeds despite varying oxygen requirements, leading to inefficient energy use.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a frequency variator to control the motor of the oxygen injection apparatus, allowing variable rotational speeds based on oxygen demand, optimizing power consumption by adjusting speeds within acceptable limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the agitation speed is kept constant at the nominal value, then the gas transfer efficiency is maintained, but the electrical power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from constant nominal speed operation to variable speed operation. The motor speed is dynamically adjusted based on actual oxygen demand, allowing the system to adapt its agitation speed to match process requirements while maintaining adequate gas transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of motor speed from a fixed nominal value to a variable parameter. By modifying the speed parameter within acceptable ranges (reducing it when oxygen demand is low), the system optimizes energy consumption while preserving the necessary gas transfer performance.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the motor speed is reduced to lower power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but the gas transfer and agitation effectiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where the motor speed is adjusted based on feedback regarding oxygen demand and gas transfer efficiency. This ensures that speed reductions do not compromise the minimum required performance levels for effective water treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by reducing motor speed only to the extent necessary for energy optimization, maintaining the minimum speed required to achieve adequate gas transfer. This partial reduction avoids excessive speed cuts that would harm performance while still capturing energy savings.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for managing the operation of an apparatus for injecting oxygen into a purification basin. The oxygen notably being used by the biomass present in the purification basin to consume the pollution present in an effluent feedstock contained in the basin. The method comprises varying a rotational speed of the shaft by using a frequency variator, wherein an applied variation in speed is between plus 15% and minus 15% of the nominal speed of the shaft.