Bottom-Mounted Solids Separation in Wastewater Purifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wastewater purifiers with solids separation devices face inefficiencies due to 'sludge flotation' caused by gaseous components, which limits separation efficiency and complicates reactor construction, and require specific liquid and sludge bed level management, restricting design freedom and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A purifier design with a solids separation device placed on or near the bottom of the reaction vessel, utilizing a downer to transport fluid from the top to the bottom, reducing gaseous content and minimizing turbulence, and incorporating a gas separation device to further reduce gaseous interference, allowing for improved separation efficiency and modular construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the solids separation device is placed near the top of the reaction vessel, then the separation process can be implemented, but gaseous components create turbulence and cause sludge flotation which reduces separation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The solids separation device is inverted from its conventional position near the top of the reaction vessel to a position at the bottom. This inversion fundamentally changes the flow dynamics: fluid enters from below and rises through the separation device, allowing gases to escape naturally upward while solids settle downward under gravity, eliminating the sludge flotation problem that occurs when gases rise through sludge in conventional top-mounted configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by positioning the separation device at the bottom where the fluid pressure and flow characteristics are different. This parameter change (positioning) transforms the harmful effect of rising gases into a beneficial feature where gases naturally escape upward without interfering with sludge settling, as the sludge moves in the opposite direction (downward) under gravity
2Reliability
If the solids separation device is placed near the top of the reaction vessel, then separation can occur, but the construction becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the solids separation device to the bottom position, the patent simplifies the reactor construction. The fluid distributor at the bottom serves dual purposes: distributing influent and feeding the solids separation device. The separated sludge returns directly to the reaction zone below, eliminating the need for complex internal structures, horizontal pipes, and multi-level configurations required in top-mounted designs
3Reliability
If the solids separation device is placed near the top of the reaction vessel, then separation is possible, but specific demands on liquid and sludge bed levels reduce design freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The inverted bottom-mounted configuration eliminates level constraints because the separation device operates independently of the sludge bed level in the reaction vessel. Sludge returns to the reaction zone below the separation device, allowing the system to adapt to various operating conditions and sludge accumulation levels without compromising separation functionality, thereby significantly increasing design freedom
4Reliability
If two distinct types of separation devices are used with external whirlpool separation, then mechanical separation is achieved, but the system requires pipes through the reactor vessel and sludge settles in non-optimal locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the solids separation function directly into the reaction vessel at the bottom, combining the fluid distribution system and solids separation device into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate external whirlpool separation devices and pipes penetrating the reactor vessel, while ensuring separated sludge returns directly to the reaction zone where it optimally interacts with influent material
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 enhances the separation efficiency of solids from liquids, reduces the risk of clogging, and simplifies reactor design by minimizing the need for horizontal pipes and optimizing sludge bed interaction, leading to a more effective and cost-efficient wastewater purification process.
Implementation Method 1
the downer is arranged to transport the fluid towards the bottom of the reaction vessel
Implementation Method 2
due to density differences a downward flow is initiated
Implementation Method 3
Gas bubbles, for example formed in the anaerobic processes, in the fluid cause an upward transport
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a purifier (100) for the purification of a fluid such as wastewater, the purifier comprising:—a reaction vessel (10) for a fluid, the reaction vessel having a reaction chamber (11) and a bottom (12);—a downer (14) having a top end (91) and a bottom end (92), wherein the top end of the downer is connected to a fluid collector (13) to collect fluid from the reaction vessel (10), and the downer is arranged to transport the fluid towards the bottom (12) of the reaction vessel;—a solids separation device (20) arranged to separate solids from liquid, the solids separation device comprising a fluid inlet (72) arranged to introduce fluid into the solids separation device and a liquid discharge (56) arranged to remove separated liquid from the solids separation device; wherein the fluid inlet of the solids separation device (20) is connected to the bottom end (92) of the downer and the solids separation device is located on or near the bottom (12) of the reaction vessel.