Asymmetrical Dividing Element for Raceway Pond Fluid Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional raceway pond systems suffer from dead zones, velocity stratification, local recirculation, high energy losses, increased power consumption, and reduced operational area due to symmetrical tear-drop profiles at the dividing-element's extremities, which hinder efficient fluid circulation and microorganism growth.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an asymmetrical structure at the dividing-element's extremities, featuring leading and trailing tapered side walls inclined at specific angles, forming a continuous asymmetrical shape to minimize dead zones and recirculation, and enhance fluid flow, combined with a pumping mechanism for circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If symmetrical tear-drop profile is used at both sides of the dividing-element, then fluid flow deflection to outer edge is improved, but area available for microorganism growth is reduced and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the bend at one extremity of the dividing-element with a tear-drop profile while leaving the other extremity with a conventional bend configuration. This asymmetric arrangement allows one side to benefit from improved fluid flow deflection and reduced dead zones, while the other side maintains larger operational area for microorganism growth, thereby resolving the contradiction between flow efficiency and growth area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by implementing the tear-drop profile bend configuration only at specific locations (one extremity of the dividing-element) rather than uniformly across the entire system. This localized modification optimizes fluid circulation in critical areas while preserving operational area in other regions, thus balancing flow efficiency with microorganism growth space.
2Productivity
If symmetrical tear-drop profile is used at both sides of the dividing-element, then fluid circulation is improved, but pressure drop increases leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric bend configuration reduces the overall pressure drop by not imposing the high-curvature tear-drop profile at both extremities. By applying the profile at only one extremity, the system achieves improved circulation efficiency where needed while avoiding excessive pressure losses that would require higher power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy use.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional bend configuration is used at dividing-element extremities, then operational area is maintained, but dead zones and velocity stratification occur reducing mixing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric configuration introduces tear-drop profile bends at one extremity of the dividing-element to eliminate dead zones and improve mixing efficiency in those specific regions, while maintaining conventional configurations at other extremities to preserve operational area. This selective application resolves the contradiction between maintaining area and improving mixing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
By applying the tear-drop profile bend configuration locally at specific extremities rather than throughout the entire system, the patent improves mixing efficiency and eliminates dead zones in critical areas while preserving operational area in other regions, thus resolving the contradiction between area maintenance and mixing productivity.
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
This configuration eliminates dead zones and velocity stratification, reduces energy losses, minimizes power consumption, and maintains operational area for improved hydrodynamic behavior and microorganism growth.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid flowing takes 180° turn near the bends of each dividing-element and this leads to boundary layer separation at the extremities of the dividing-element leading to the recirculation of fluid
Implementation Method 2
minimizing energy losses due to centrifugal forces
Implementation Method 3
The raceway pond may consists of a pumping mechanism such as paddle wheel in the rectangular grids to induce the flow movement required
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system for improving fluid circulation in a fluid-body with improved hydrodynamics, minimized dead zones and a system with minimized energy losses, the system comprises at least one dividing-element disposed within the fluid-body, wherein, the dividing-elements divides the fluid-body into at least two segments such that the segments are connected to and in fluid communication with each other, characterized in that, at least one of the dividing-element has at least one asymmetrical structure configured on at least one extremity thereof.