Bio-trickling Filter Box with Hydrogel Battery for Wastewater Power

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microbial fuel cells with air cathodes have high costs due to the use of Nafion material, limiting their wide-range application in wastewater treatment and electricity generation.

Innovation Solution

A bio-trickling filter box device integrating a bio-trickling filter tank and microbial fuel cells, featuring a support bracket, trickling filter tubes, water pump, and battery components with water-absorbing hydrogel and conductive ceramic rings, where water flow drips onto the battery components to accumulate electric charge, purifying wastewater and generating electricity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If Nafion material is used as proton membrane in microbial fuel cells with air cathodes, then the redox characteristics and electricity generation capability are improved, but the cost becomes too high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity generation capabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive Nafion material with a cheaper alternative proton membrane that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The invention uses conventional materials that are more economically viable for large-scale wastewater treatment applications, accepting that the membrane may have shorter service life but significantly reducing overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the proton membrane by using alternative materials with different properties than Nafion. This includes selecting materials with appropriate proton conductivity, porosity, and chemical stability that can function effectively in the microbial fuel cell environment while being more cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If bio-trickling filter tank and microbial fuel cells are integrated, then dual functions of wastewater purification and electricity generation are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual function capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the bio-trickling filter tank and microbial fuel cell into a single integrated device where the filter tank serves as the reactor for both wastewater treatment and electricity generation. The trickling filter media acts as both the biological treatment substrate and the anode support for the fuel cell, merging two separate systems into one unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the trickling filter media to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides surface area for microbial attachment for organic matter degradation, supports the anode structure for electron transfer, and facilitates water distribution throughout the system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device effectively purifies organic wastewater and generates electricity by utilizing microorganisms to decompose organic matter, accumulating electric charge and providing power for electric apparatuses, while reducing costs by using a more affordable setup.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing microorganisms to decompose organic matter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological degradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

water-absorbing hydrogel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

water-absorbing hydrogel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 4

conductive, porous ceramic rings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 5

the water pump operates to enable water flow to flow through the trickling filter tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 6

drip into the battery component in a water drop manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11584670B2Bio-trickling filter box device capable of purifying organic wastewater and generating electricity

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 SANMING UNIV

AI summary

A bio-trickling filter box device capable of purifying organic wastewater and generating electricity is provided, which includes battery component(s) and a bio-trickling filter box component. The battery component(s) is provided in the bio-trickling filter box. The other end of each of trickling filter tube(s) is connected with a water tank. A water pump operates to make water flow through the trickling filter tube(s), pass through leakage holes and trickling holes, and drip into the battery component(s) in a water-drop manner, so as to supply an electric apparatus component with power. The bio-trickling filter box component(s) and the battery component(s) are combined, and the long-term impingement of water droplets on the battery component(s) can accumulate electric charge and generate the electricity. so as to provide power required by the electric apparatus component, which forms a biological treatment system that generates the power while treating the wastewater.