Aerobic Biodegradability Test System with In-Situ Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring aerobic biodegradability of organic pollutants are hindered by variations in test conditions and low efficiency in carbon dioxide adsorption, leading to inaccurate data and increased water loss, which affects the speed and accuracy of biochemical reactions.
Innovation Solution
A test system for aerobic biodegradability incorporating an oxygen supply unit, respirometer cells, and a two-stage in-situ adsorption module with a solid-state and liquid-state adsorption unit, along with a data processing unit, which promotes efficient oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide adsorption, and includes a mechanical or magnetic stirrer for enhanced mass transfer, and a condensation structure to prevent water loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional manual measurement methods are used for oxygen consumption and CO2 production, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to large errors and regular manual operations required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement operations with automated electronic sensing systems. Digital pressure sensors automatically monitor headspace pressure changes to calculate oxygen consumption, while TOC analyzers automatically measure dissolved CO2 concentrations. This substitution eliminates manual intervention errors and provides continuous, precise measurements without increasing overall system complexity significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The test system incorporates automatic data acquisition and processing capabilities where the system monitors and records its own operational parameters. The pressure sensor and TOC analyzer automatically collect data, and the system self-calculates biodegradation rates based on measured oxygen consumption and CO2 production, reducing reliance on manual operations while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If liquid displacement and buoyancy method is used for gas measurement, then measurement precision improves for positive-pressure gas production, but adaptability worsens for negative-pressure measurement such as oxygen consumption in aerobic biodegradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct gas volume displacement to pressure differential measurement. By monitoring headspace pressure changes in the closed bottle system, the method can accurately measure both oxygen consumption (negative pressure change) and CO2 production (positive pressure change). This parameter transformation enables the same measurement approach to work for both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, significantly improving adaptability while maintaining precision.
3Ease of operation
If alkaline solution adsorption device is used separately from fermenter, then ease of operation improves, but manufacturing precision worsens due to low absorption efficiency and bubble size variation at different gas flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the CO2 adsorption function directly into the fermenter system by integrating an alkaline solution absorption layer within the reaction vessel. This integration ensures that all gas phases generated during fermentation pass through the alkaline solution, achieving complete CO2 absorption regardless of gas flow rate variations. The merged design eliminates the separate adsorption device while improving absorption efficiency and maintaining operational simplicity.
4Device complexity
If no condenser is installed in front of adsorption unit, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of substance worsens due to water vapor entering adsorption unit and diluting alkaline solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses water vapor interference by adding a condensation dimension to the system. A condenser is installed to cool and condense water vapor from the gas phase before it reaches the alkaline solution adsorption unit. This dimensional addition (temperature/phase control) prevents water vapor dilution of the alkaline solution, maintaining absorption efficiency without significantly complicating the overall device structure.
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 improves the accuracy and efficiency of biodegradation rate calculations, reduces manual labor, and maintains high test efficiency by ensuring precise oxygen supply and effective carbon dioxide absorption, while preventing water loss and maintaining alkaline solution efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a two-stage in-situ adsorption module configured to adsorb carbon dioxide produced by the degradation of samples in the fermentation reactor
Implementation Method 2
a condensation structure to prevent water loss
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a test system and a test method for aerobic biodegradability. The system includes: an oxygen supply unit (1) configured to store oxygen required for aerobic biodegradation; a respirometer cells unit (2) configured to introduce the oxygen from the oxygen supply unit (1) to an aerobic fermentation unit (3) through a gas inlet pipe (6b); the respirometer cells unit is further connected to the oxygen supply unit through a gas pipe (6a), and is further configured to calculate a volume of consumed oxygen that is introduced into the aerobic fermentation unit (3) due to a negative pressure; a data processing unit (5) is configured to conduct data acquisition during the aerobic biodegradation, and calculate a biodegradation rate of the aerobic biodegradation according to the volume of consumed oxygen; the aerobic fermentation unit includes a fermentation reactor and a two-stage in-situ adsorption module that are arranged inside a constant-temperature water bath. The two-stage in-situ adsorption module includes a solid-state adsorption unit and a liquid-state adsorption unit.ol kkkkkid-state adsorption unit and a liquid-state adsorption u