Autonomous Chemical Dosing for Real-Time H2S Control in Wastewater

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wastewater treatment methods for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) abatement are inefficient, leading to excessive chemical usage or intermittent odor and corrosion issues due to inconsistent dosing strategies that fail to account for real-time variations in H2S levels.

Innovation Solution

A wastewater treatment management system with monitoring stations and a principal processing facility that uses sensors to determine H2S levels, adjusts treating agent dosages based on environmental data, and introduces agents at optimized rates to maintain H2S concentrations below predetermined targets, employing oxygen bubbles or other agents like anthraquinone and pH-adjusting compounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fixed dosage rates of treating agents are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but H2S control effectiveness deteriorates due to inability to respond to real-time variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing operation simplicityVSAvoidH2S control effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic dosing by replacing fixed dosage rates with real-time adjustable dosing based on sensor feedback. The system continuously monitors H2S levels and automatically adjusts treating agent dosage rates to match actual conditions, transforming a static operation into a dynamic responsive system that maintains effectiveness without sacrificing operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback control by using sensors to detect H2S levels and translating these measurements into adjusted dosage rates. The feedback loop continuously monitors the actual H2S concentration and modifies the treating agent dosing accordingly, ensuring reliable odor control while maintaining ease of operation through automated adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If excessive treating agent dosages are applied, then H2S control reliability is improved, but chemical waste increases and operational cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveH2S control effectivenessVSAvoidchemical waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the dosage parameter dynamically based on actual H2S levels rather than applying a fixed excessive dosage. By adjusting the dosage rate to match real-time conditions, the system maintains reliable H2S control while minimizing chemical waste and reducing operational costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Through feedback control, the system translates sensor measurements into precise dosage adjustments, applying only the necessary amount of treating agent to achieve H2S control objectives. This eliminates the need for excessive dosing while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If real-time monitoring and dynamic dosing are implemented, then H2S control precision is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosage control precisionVSAvoidsystem structural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves precise dosage control through self-service automation where sensors automatically detect H2S levels and the control system autonomously adjusts dosing rates without requiring complex manual intervention or sophisticated infrastructure. The system serves itself by translating sensor data into actionable dosing adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical dosing adjustment mechanisms with electronic sensing and control systems. By using sensors to detect H2S levels and electronically controlling dosage rates, the system achieves high precision while actually reducing mechanical complexity compared to manual adjustment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If treating agents are dosed without real-time data, then device complexity is reduced, but odor control effectiveness deteriorates due to intermittent issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structure simplicityVSAvoidodor and corrosion issues
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from H2S sensors to continuously adjust dosing rates, ensuring odor control effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple system structure. The feedback loop translates sensor data into dosing adjustments that prevent odor and corrosion issues without requiring complex infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves effective odor control through self-service operation where sensors and control systems work together to automatically adjust dosing based on actual H2S levels, preventing odor and corrosion problems without requiring complex manual monitoring or adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The system effectively controls H2S levels and reduces corrosion by dynamically adjusting treating agent dosages, minimizing chemical waste and maintaining system integrity while ensuring odor control.

Implementation Method 1

The oxygen or gas bubbles may be used to manipulate the oxidation-reduction potential of the wastewater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation-reduction potential manipulation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS20260103401A1Autonomous chemical dosing system and methods of use thereof
Publication Date: 2026.04.16 EVOQUA WATER TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • US20260103401A1 patent drawing
  • US20260103401A1 patent drawing
  • US20260103401A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A wastewater treatment management system including a plurality of monitoring stations, a treating station for introducing a treating agent to wastewater, and a principal processing facility for controlling a dose of the treating agent. A system configured to treat a wastewater stream collection system including a source of a treating agent, a metering valve, a sensor, and a controller operatively connected to the metering valve and the sensor. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instruction that instruct a controller to perform a method of controlling addition of a treating agent into a wastewater stream collection system. A controller for a system configured to treat odor and control corrosion in a wastewater stream collection system that is operatively connectable to a metering valve for administering a treating agent to a wastewater stream collection system.