Anoxic Screen Scouring via Gas Bubble Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wastewater systems face issues with screens being blinded by media or biology growth, which can disrupt oxygen levels when traditional methods are used to dislodge or prevent these issues.
Innovation Solution
Introducing gases that at least partially contact the screens to dislodge or discourage media and biology growth without significantly affecting oxygen levels in the wastewater system, using configurations such as gas conduits and vents to facilitate this process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional methods are used to dislodge media or biology growth from screens, then screen blinding is prevented, but oxygen levels in the wastewater system are substantially affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses gas (pneumatic) injection through conduits positioned behind the screen to create gas bubbles that contact the screen surface. These bubbles provide mechanical force to dislodge media and biology growth without using traditional mechanical scraping methods that would directly affect oxygen levels in the wastewater.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas bubbles act as an intermediary medium between the cleaning mechanism and the screen. Instead of directly mechanically contacting the screen, the gas bubbles transfer energy to dislodge contaminants, thereby preventing screen blinding while avoiding direct interference with oxygen levels in the wastewater system.
2Reliability
If gases are introduced to contact screens for dislodging media, then screen blinding is prevented, but oxygen levels may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The gas injection system is localized to specific areas behind the screen where media and biology growth occur. The gas conduits are positioned to deliver gas bubbles directly to the screen surface, creating a localized cleaning action that does not substantially affect the overall oxygen levels in the wastewater system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and parameters of gas introduction by using bubbles of controlled size and distribution. The gas is introduced in a form (bubbles) and at a rate that provides sufficient cleaning force while maintaining oxygen levels within acceptable ranges, thus changing the parameters of gas delivery to achieve both cleaning and oxygen preservation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents screen blinding while maintaining oxygen levels, ensuring the denitrification process is not interrupted and the anoxic character of the wastewater is preserved.
Implementation Method 1
introducing gases that at least partially contact the screens to dislodge or discourage media and biology growth
Data Source
AI summary
Wastewater systems, methods and/or kits configured such that one or more screens and one or more gases introduced into the system allow the one or more gases to at least partially contact the one or more screens to dislodge or discourage the media or solids from and/or the biology growth on the one or more screens without substantially affecting the oxygen level in the proximity of the one or more screens.