Biowaste Solids Separator with Steam Sterilization and Temperature Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Biological waste slurries pose a hazard due to the presence of microorganisms, requiring effective separation of solids to prevent system clogging and ensure thorough sterilization before disposal, as existing methods are inefficient in managing solid hazards and ensuring uniform sterilization temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A device with a chamber, filter or screen unit, and temperature measurement systems for separating solids from the slurry, followed by heat treatment using steam injection to achieve sterilization, ensuring all parts reach the required temperature for effective microbial killing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solids are separated from biowaste slurry using conventional methods, then system clogging is prevented, but uniform sterilization of all solid parts cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the chamber into multiple zones with different functions: a separation zone for solid-liquid separation, a heating zone for thermal treatment, and a sterilization zone for microbial inactivation. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while ensuring comprehensive sterilization of all solid particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary heating medium (thermal fluid or steam) that circulates through the chamber to transfer heat uniformly to all solid particles. This intermediary mechanism ensures that even solids in hard-to-reach areas receive sufficient heat for sterilization without requiring direct contact between the sterilization agent and all solid surfaces.
2Reliability
If temperature measurement means are added to ensure sterilization conditions, then sterilization reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the thermal conditions in the chamber and provide feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts heating power and duration to ensure all solids reach the required sterilization temperature, thereby verifying sterilization conditions without requiring overly complex measurement systems.
3Reliability
If batch processing is used for solid sterilization, then thorough sterilization is achieved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary separation of solids from the biowaste slurry before sterilization, concentrating the solids in the chamber. This preliminary action reduces the volume of material that requires sterilization, allowing for more efficient thermal processing while maintaining thorough sterilization of all solid particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous operation by maintaining the separation and sterilization processes without interruption. The chamber is designed to allow continuous feeding of solids and continuous thermal treatment, eliminating idle times between processing batches while ensuring each solid particle receives adequate sterilization exposure.
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 solution ensures reliable separation and sterilization of solids, preventing system clogging and ensuring thorough microbial inactivation, validated by temperature sensors and microbiological challenge tests, with efficient steam injection providing effective sterilization conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A unit for separating solids, preferably a filter or screen unit, is adapted to the first main outlet port so, that liquid leaving the chamber will pass through the solids separating unit
Implementation Method 2
raising the temperature of the solid material remaining in the chamber by means of direct steam injection to a predetermined sterilization temperature
Implementation Method 3
raising the temperature of the solid material remaining in the chamber by means of direct steam injection
Implementation Method 4
Means for temperature measurement are provided at representative locations to ensure that sterilizing conditions have been reached in all parts of the solids contained in the device
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for the separation of solids from a biowaste slurry before heat treatment, and for heat treatment of the separated solids. The device comprises a chamber with a main inlet port for feeding slurry, and outlet ports. A unit for separating solids is adapted to an outlet port so, that liquid leaving the chamber has passed through the separation unit. A second outlet port is provided directly from the chamber to allow removal, following sterilization, of solids collected in the chamber. The sterilization is secured by temperature monitoring at representative locations.