Biosolids Concentrator and Digester System for Low BOD Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biosolids concentrator and digester systems are inefficient in handling low Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) waste streams, requiring large systems due to excess water and inefficient separation of soluble compounds, leading to high sludge production and system size constraints.
Innovation Solution
A biosolids concentrator and digester system utilizing a series of tanks with air stratification, clarification, micron filtration, and membrane filtration to separate and concentrate biosolids, reducing water volume by 90% and achieving compact system design, with thermal treatment and mechanical sloughing of microbial biomass to enhance digestion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional biosolids concentrator and digester systems are used to handle low BOD waste streams, then the system can process the waste, but the system size becomes large due to excess water and inefficient separation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple functional stages: an equalization/separation tank for initial waste stream separation, anaerobic digestion tank for biological treatment, aerobic digestion tank for further processing, and a clarifier tank for final separation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the overall system volume needed compared to conventional single-stage systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical and chemical parameters of the waste stream through sequential processing: anaerobic conditions convert complex organics to simpler compounds, aerobic conditions further degrade remaining organics, and clarification removes suspended solids. These parameter changes concentrate the biosolids and reduce water volume, enabling a more compact system design.
2Productivity
If conventional systems process low BOD waste streams, then waste treatment is achieved, but sludge production is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transitions in the form of anaerobic and aerobic digestion processes that transform organic matter into different forms. The anaerobic phase converts complex organics to biogas and simpler compounds, while the aerobic phase further degrades remaining organics. This multi-phase biological treatment reduces the amount of sludge requiring disposal while maintaining effective waste stream treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous biological treatment through the sequence of anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion, and clarification. This continuous action ensures complete degradation of organic matter, minimizing residual sludge production while maintaining high waste treatment efficiency throughout the process.
3Productivity
If conventional systems are used, then waste stream processing is possible, but water volume reduction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes water from the waste stream through the clarifier tank, which separates treated water from concentrated biosolids. This extraction process achieves significant water volume reduction (90% reduction in water volume as stated in the summary) while maintaining the processing capability for low BOD waste streams.
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 achieves a 90% reduction in water volume and 85-90% reduction in BOD, allowing for a compact digester system capable of handling low BOD waste streams effectively, producing high-quality discharge water and minimizing sludge production.
Implementation Method 1
uses air stratification to separate compounds with higher density from compounds with lower density
Implementation Method 2
clarification, micron filtration and membrane filtration to clean the waste stream water
Implementation Method 3
clarification, micron filtration and membrane filtration to clean the waste stream water
Implementation Method 4
clarification, micron filtration and membrane filtration to clean the waste stream water to near drinking water quality for discharge
Implementation Method 5
thermal treatment and mechanical sloughing of microbial biomass to enhance digestion efficiency
Implementation Method 6
A Bio-Solids Concentrator and Digester System (BCDS) according to the present invention uses tanks that are more compact than common trickle filter to digest simple compounds in the waste stream rapidly
Implementation Method 7
The anaerobic tank is in fluid communication with the aerobic tank through the anaerobic tank-aerobic tank connector. The waste stream enters the anaerobic tank through the equalization/separation tank-anaerobic tank connector at the anaerobic tank bottom portion. The waste stream leaves the anaerobic tank through the anaerobic tank-aerobic tank connector at the anaerobic top portion. The aerobic tank is in fluid communication with the clarifier tank through the aerobic tank-clarifier tank connector. The waste stream enters the aerobic tank through the anaerobic tank-aerobic tank connector at the aerobic tank bottom portion. The waste stream leaves the aerobic tank through the aerobic tank-clarifier tank connector at the anaerobic top portion.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of a biosolids concentrator and digester system having an inlet, a digester, a digester-first clarifier connector, a first clarifier, a first clarifier-micron filter connector, a micron filter, a micron filter-membrane filter connector, a membrane filter, and an outlet. The inlet receives a waste stream. The inlet is in fluid communication with the digester. The digester is in fluid communication with the first clarifier through the digester-first clarifier connector. The first clarifier is in fluid communication with the micron filter through the first clarifier-micron filter connector. The micron filter is in fluid communication with the membrane filter through the micron filter-membrane filter connector. The membrane filter is in fluid communication with the outlet.