Biochemical Reactor Unclogging Pipe Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional biochemical reactors face challenges in efficiently circulating and distributing immobilized carriers due to buoyancy issues and shear stress, leading to clogging and uneven biodegradation, particularly in high nitrite loading conditions.

Innovation Solution

A biochemical reactor design featuring a tank with a circulation conduit and vanes to induce a helical pattern in the fluid and carriers, along with an unclogging pipe that uses pressurized air to clear clogs in the circulation conduit, ensuring uniform distribution and preventing carrier damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional impellers are used to stir and disperse immobilized carriers, then the carriers can be circulated throughout the reactor, but the carriers become damaged due to shear stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecirculation of immobilized carriersVSAvoidcarrier integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical impeller system with a circulation conduit system that uses fluid flow to move carriers. The conduit has an angled inlet that directs fluid and carriers together, eliminating the need for high-shear mechanical stirring while achieving effective circulation and distribution of the fragile immobilized carriers throughout the reactor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If conventional stirring methods are used to circulate buoyant immobilized carriers, then carriers can be distributed throughout the reactor, but uniform distribution is difficult to achieve under high nitrite loading conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecirculation of carriersVSAvoiduniform distribution of carriers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specific flow pattern at the circulation conduit inlet where fluid enters at an angle to the carrier movement direction. This angled inlet (between 45-60 degrees) creates a localized zone of enhanced mixing and circulation right where the carriers are introduced, ensuring uniform distribution throughout the reactor volume even under high nitrite loading conditions that cause carrier buoyancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If circulation conduits are used to move carriers, then carriers can be circulated without mechanical stress, but clogging of the conduit occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier integrityVSAvoidconduit patency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by incorporating an unclogging pipe that is pre-configured to deliver pressurized air or fluid to the circulation conduit inlet. This unclogging mechanism is ready to clear any blockages before they can cause operational failures, maintaining reliable conduit patency while preserving carrier integrity during normal circulation operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design enhances the uniform distribution of immobilized carriers, prevents clogging, and maintains efficient biodegradation by minimizing shear stress and buoyancy-related issues, thereby improving the reactor's operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

The unclogging pipe may include an unclogging inlet opening and an unclogging outlet opening. The unclogging pipe may be disposed proximate to the circulation outlet opening. Clearing clogging of the circulation conduit may include directing a pressurized flow of air to the circulation conduit via the unclogging pipe.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurized air flow: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The one or more vanes may be configured to cause the immobilized carriers and the fluid exiting the circulation outlet opening to enter into a helical pattern as the immobilized carriers and the fluid recirculate through the tank.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHelical flow pattern: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 3

The biochemical reactor may include a circulation conduit at least partially disposed within the tank. The circulation conduit may include a circulation inlet opening and a circulation outlet opening.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid circulation: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9909091B1Biochemical reactor with an unclogging pipe

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 MIH WATER TREATMENT INC

AI summary

This disclosure describes a biochemical reactor with an unclogging pipe. The biochemical reactor may include a tank configured to house immobilized carriers and fluid. The biochemical reactor may include a circulation conduit at least partially disposed within the tank. The circulation conduit may include a circulation inlet opening and a circulation outlet opening. The biochemical reactor may include one or more vanes disposed proximate to the circulation outlet opening. The one or more vanes may be configured to cause the immobilized carrier and the fluid exiting the circulation outlet opening to enter into a helical pattern. The biochemical reactor may include an unclogging pipe configured to clear clogging of the circulation conduit. The unclogging pipe may be disposed proximate to the circulation outlet opening. Clearing clogging of the circulation conduit may include directing a pressurized flow of air to the circulation conduit via the unclogging pipe.