Boat Wastewater Treatment Guide Wall and Movable Partition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wastewater treatment devices for boats are inefficient in achieving effective treatment within a short time, as they often fail to adequately separate solids and require lengthy processes for disinfection and discharge.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a guide wall directing sewage into a sump for initial solids separation, with a movable dividing wall and sloping surfaces to facilitate further separation, followed by mixing with seawater and disinfectant, and uses sensors and pumps for controlled treatment and discharge, including a maceration pump for solid breakdown.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional wastewater treatment devices are used, then treatment can be performed, but the treatment process is time-consuming and ineffective within a short time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment speedVSAvoidtreatment effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment tank is divided into multiple functional sections: a receiving section for initial solids separation, a treatment section for chemical treatment, and a discharge section. This segmentation allows different treatment processes to occur simultaneously in different zones, enabling effective treatment within six minutes by parallelizing the treatment steps rather than performing them sequentially.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving section performs preliminary solids separation before the wastewater enters the treatment section. A guide wall directs incoming wastewater to create a sump area where solids settle first, pre-cleaning the water before it undergoes chemical treatment. This preliminary action reduces the treatment burden and accelerates the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If solids separation is not adequately performed, then treatment time is reduced, but treatment effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolids separation efficiencyVSAvoidtreatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving section is specifically designed with a guide wall and sump configuration to create localized conditions optimal for solids separation. The guide wall directs flow to create a settling zone where solids can separate under gravity before the water proceeds to chemical treatment. This localized quality enhancement ensures effective solids removal without requiring the entire system to be optimized for this single function, maintaining overall treatment speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a complex treatment process is used, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device combines multiple treatment functions into a single integrated treatment tank. The receiving section, treatment section, and discharge section work together in one unit, with the guide wall and partition wall creating functional zones without requiring separate external components. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining effective disinfection through the combination of physical separation and chemical treatment within the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration enables rapid and effective treatment of wastewater, allowing for the separation and discharge of treated water within six minutes, ensuring efficient solids removal and disinfection.

Implementation Method 1

The guide wall 18 is arranged parallel to and at a distance from the end wall of the treatment tank 10 and ends at a distance above the bottom of the treatment tank 10. A sump 20 is arranged below the guide wall 18. The wastewater flowing in via the inlets 14 hits the guide wall 18 and is thereby forced downwards.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The lower edge of the second overflow is located slightly above the lower edge of the first overflow. It is particularly important that the overflow into the intermediate tank creates a downward flow, so that the flow is forced to flow into the lower region of the intermediate tank and reverse upwards to the overflow to the treatment section.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrostatic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

The treated wastewater can also be circulated via a mixer and a maceration pump to reduce any remaining solids.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 4

There it is mixed with seawater and disinfected with a suitable disinfectant, e.g. chlorine.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing: Stirring

Data Source

PatentEP2326551B1Apparatus for the treatment of wastewater
Publication Date: 2012.05.16 HAMANN AG
  • EP2326551B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2326551B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2326551B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

Disclosed is an apparatus for treating wastewater, in particular on board of boats, comprising a treatment tank that has a holding section and a treatment section, an inlet for wastewater in the holding section, and an outlet in the treatment section for treated wastewater, said outlet being connected to an inlet for treated wastewater into the treatment section via a macerator pump. A partition having an overflow mechanism is arranged between the holding section and the treatment section. The holding section has a bottom for solids. A connection for sea water and disinfectant is provided in the treatment section. A conducting wall which ends above the bottom and initially directs the fed wastewater in the direction of the bottom is disposed at a distance from the top inlet in the holding section. The partition forms an intermediate container along with a wall adjoining the treatment section. The wastewater is introduced into said intermediate container via the overflow mechanism. The additional wall has a second overflow mechanism to the treatment section, and the partition is designed as a flap which connects the lower zone of the intermediate container to the bottom in the open position.