Barrier-Based Microbubble Flotation for Dissolved Contaminant Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purification methods are ineffective in removing dissolved contaminants, particularly microplastics and ecologically unsafe precipitants/flocculants remain in the water body.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a barrier enclosing a water surface area, pressurized water formation to create microbubbles, and introduction of a precipitant/flocculant into the microbubble zone to form flocs that rise to the surface for removal, ensuring complete separation of contaminants and precipitants/flocculants from the water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flocculation tank and flotation tank are integrated into a floating body (DE 42 15 096 C2), then the water purification system can be deployed flexibly on water bodies, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a barrier module that encloses the water surface area, a pressurized water supply module with relief valve, and a flotate removal module. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system structure while maintaining deployability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the core flotation function from complex integrated tanks and implements it through a simplified barrier-based enclosure system. The barrier (14) with upper and lower edges encloses the water surface area, separating it from surrounding water without requiring large integrated tank structures.
2Productivity
If conventional flotation methods are used without microbubbles, then the system is simpler to operate, but dissolved contaminants including microplastics cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressurized water supplied through a pressurized water line with a relief valve to generate microbubbles within the enclosed water surface area. The microbubbles rise through the water, attaching to dissolved contaminants and microplastics, enabling their effective removal through flotation without requiring complex chemical treatment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of water by creating a microbubble zone through pressure variation. Pressurized water is supplied and then relieved through the relief valve, causing phase change and microbubble formation, which enhances the flotation process and enables removal of previously irrecoverable dissolved contaminants.
3Productivity
If precipitants and flocculants are added to the entire water body, then contaminants can be precipitated, but the precipitants themselves remain in the water and may be ecologically unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier (14) creates a localized treatment zone by enclosing a specific water surface area, separating it from the surrounding water body. Precipitants and flocculants are added only within this enclosed area, allowing contaminants to be precipitated and removed without introducing harmful chemicals into the entire water body, thus maintaining ecological safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and removes the flotate containing precipitated contaminants and excess precipitants from the enclosed water surface area. This extraction process ensures that both contaminants and precipitants are completely removed from the water body, preventing ecological damage from residual chemicals.
4Reliability
If the barrier extends deep into the water body, then flotate containment is improved, but the installation complexity and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be adjusted to different water depths as needed. The lower edge can be positioned at various depths depending on the specific application requirements, providing flexibility in containment effectiveness while simplifying installation compared to fixed deep-submerged structures.
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 removes dissolved contaminants, including microplastics, while ensuring no precipitant/flocculant remains in the water, making it suitable for sensitive waters and using environmentally safe agents.
Implementation Method 1
supplying pressurised water via a pressurised water line having a relief valve into the body of water below the water surface region such that a microbubble zone is formed in which microbubbles are formed and rise to the water surface region
Implementation Method 2
supplying a precipitating and/or flocculant into the microbubble zone such that microbubbles attach to flocs containing a precipitated substance and the flocs rise to the water surface region
Implementation Method 3
supplying a precipitating and/or flocculant into the microbubble zone such that microbubbles attach to flocs containing a precipitated substance and the flocs rise to the water surface region
Implementation Method 4
microbubbles are formed and rise to the water surface region... flocs rise to the water surface region and form part of the floc
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Method for cleaning a body of water with the following steps: • Arranging a barrier which has an upper edge and a lower edge in the body of water so that the upper edge is arranged above the water surface and the lower edge at a predetermined water depth and the barrier at least partially encloses a water surface area, • Supplying pressurised water via a pressurised water line which has a relief valve into the body of water below the water surface area so that a microbubble zone is formed in which microbubbles are formed and rise to the water surface area, • Removing a flotate from the water surface area, and • Supplying a precipitating and/or flocculant into the microbubble zone so that microbubbles attach themselves to flocs which contain a precipitated substance and the flocs rise to the water surface area and form part of the floc.