Bio-tank Oxygen Replenishment via Real-time Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial wastewater treatment systems face inefficiencies in removing dissolved solids and colloidal materials, as existing methods are slow and require large infrastructure, and biological aerobic processes are disrupted by varying nutrient loads and organic compositions.
Innovation Solution
A bio-tank replenishment system that uses real-time oxygen concentration monitoring and controlled oxygen replenishment to facilitate aerobic biodegradation, combined with pre-treatment and membrane separation, to convert dissolved solids into carbon dioxide and suspended solids, which are easier to separate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If coagulation with inorganic species is used to remove large particles, then particle removal efficiency is improved, but treatment time increases and tank volume must be larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the treatment process by switching from coagulation-based slow removal to aerobic biological degradation. This parameter change enables faster treatment rates while maintaining effective particle removal, thereby reducing the required tank volume and treatment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical coagulation process with a biological aerobic degradation process. This substitution uses microorganisms to metabolize organic pollutants, achieving faster treatment rates compared to the slow coagulation and sedimentation process.
2Productivity
If aerobic degradation is used to treat wastewater with low organic loads, then treatment speed is improved, but the process is disrupted by varying nutrient loads and organic compositions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts operational parameters including dissolved oxygen levels, aeration rates, and nutrient supplementation to maintain optimal conditions for aerobic degradation. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures process stability despite varying wastewater composition and nutrient loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control mechanisms that monitor dissolved oxygen concentrations, pH levels, and other process parameters. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts aeration rates, nutrient addition, and other operational parameters to maintain stable aerobic degradation conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If membrane separation processes are used to remove non-biodegradable organic materials and inorganic ions, then purification efficiency is improved, but cleaning costs increase and membranes get fouled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary biological aerobic degradation to remove biodegradable organic materials before the wastewater undergoes membrane separation. This preliminary action reduces the loading on the membranes, minimizing fouling and extending cleaning intervals, thereby reducing maintenance costs while maintaining high purification efficiency.
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 system enhances the efficiency of wastewater treatment by maintaining optimal oxygen levels for biological activity, accelerating the conversion of dissolved solids into separable carbon dioxide and suspended solids, thereby improving the separation process and reducing treatment time and infrastructure needs.
Implementation Method 1
Biological species within the bioreactor tank consume oxygen dissolved in the wastewater to perform normal aerobic bodily functions. Carbon dioxide and suspended solids are natural by-products of such bodily functions.
Implementation Method 2
A circulation pump transfers wastewater from the tank to a mixer.
Implementation Method 3
The controller controls the devices that adjust each of these variables in order to optimize the amount of dissolvable oxygen within the wastewater during oxygen replenishment in the mixer.
Implementation Method 4
An oxygen probe disposed in the bioreactor tank wastewater measures real-time oxygen concentrations therein.
Implementation Method 5
Membrane separation such as nano filtration or reverse osmosis is also used to remove non-biodegradable organic materials and inorganic ions.
Implementation Method 6
Membrane separation such as nano filtration or reverse osmosis is also used to remove non-biodegradable organic materials and inorganic ions.
Implementation Method 7
The circulation pump transfers wastewater from the tank to a mixer. The controller controls the speed of the circulation pump according to oxygen concentrations in the bioreactor tank.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed herein for treating wastewater liquid by utilizing aerobic biological species. The contaminated wastewater stream is pretreated in a dissolved air flotation system to remove suspended solid waste, including large particles such as fats, grease, and physically emulsified oils. The purified wastewater containing dissolved waste is thereafter oxygenated and further decontaminated in a bioreactor tank. Biological species in the bioreactor tank consume oxygen and perform bodily functions that converts dissolved waste into easily removable carbon dioxide and suspend solids. Oxygen consumed by the biological species is replenished by pumping the wastewater though a liquid-oxygen mixer. A controller regulates the speed of the pump based on real-time oxygen concentration measurements provided by a corresponding oxygen probe disposed within the wastewater in the bioreactor tank.