Clarifier Circulating Element for Biomass Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for wastewater treatment in clarification tanks require energy-intensive submersible mixers to achieve turbulence, leading to high costs and inefficient distribution of growth bodies, which can result in biomass drying out and reduced treatment effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A circulating element is arranged with a suction opening parallel to the water surface, at least 30 cm below, to constantly move growth bodies from the dead zone into the middle or lower areas of the tank, ensuring homogeneous distribution and preventing drying out, while reducing the need for additional mixers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional submersible mixers are used to generate turbulence, then the growth bodies are distributed in the clarification tank, but a large number of energy-intensive mixers are required leading to high construction, operation, and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mixing function from conventional submersible mixers and relocates it to a dead zone external to the clarification tank. The dead zone serves as a dedicated mixing chamber where growth bodies are concentrated and mixed before being reintroduced to the clarification tank, eliminating the need for multiple energy-intensive mixers within the tank itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The dead zone acts as an intermediary chamber between the growth body source and the clarification tank. It provides a separate space for mixing and concentrating growth bodies, which are then fed into the clarification tank through a feed opening, mediating the distribution process more efficiently than direct mixing within the tank.
2Reliability
If conventional submersible mixers are used to create horizontal flow, then some turbulence is achieved, but the flow runs essentially horizontally under the water surface causing growth bodies to collect on the water surface and dry out
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating horizontal flow that pushes growth bodies toward the surface, the invention inverts the approach by using a downward-directed stream from the dead zone. The mixed growth bodies are fed into the clarification tank from above through a feed opening, creating vertical distribution that prevents surface accumulation and drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal flow distribution to vertical distribution by feeding growth bodies downward from the dead zone into the clarification tank. This dimensional change in flow direction ensures growth bodies are distributed throughout the water column rather than accumulating at the surface.
3Reliability
If the suction opening is placed close to the water surface, then growth bodies near the surface are sucked off effectively, but air enters the waste water which is harmful to the process
Solution Approach 1:
The suction opening is positioned at a specific depth (at least 30 cm below the water surface) rather than at the surface itself. This localized positioning creates an optimal balance: deep enough to prevent air intake while still effectively capturing growth bodies that tend to rise toward the surface, maintaining local quality of the suction zone.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the suction opening is placed at a distance of at least 30 cm below the water surface, then air is prevented from entering the waste water, but the growth bodies close to the surface may not be sucked off efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The dead zone continuously concentrates and mixes growth bodies, maintaining them in a suspended state and directing them toward the feed opening. This continuous action ensures that even though the suction opening is positioned 30 cm below the surface, growth bodies are constantly supplied to the suction zone, maintaining effective removal without air intake.
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 method achieves significant energy savings of over 50% and ensures healthy biomass distribution throughout the tank, enhancing wastewater treatment efficiency without complex pipelines or additional equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The circulating element creates a flow that constantly keeps the growth bodies floating in the waste water in motion
Implementation Method 2
via a parallel to the water surface aligned Suction opening of a flow tube sucks the growth bodies out of the dead zone
Data Source
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AI summary
The method for swirling growth bodies (8) in a clarification basin filled with wastewater, comprises forming the growth body floating in a dead zone (2) and then arranging in a roller element, where a flow tube (3) sucks the growth body from the dead zone in an interval of 30 cm below the water surface over a suction opening (6) directed parallel to water surface and brings through a pressure-side opening (7) of the flow tube in the middle and/or lower area of the basin. The roller element is repositioned for the retention of the interval between the suction opening and water surface. The method for swirling growth bodies (8) in a clarification basin filled with wastewater, comprises forming the growth body floating in a dead zone (2) and then arranging in a roller element, where a flow tube (3) sucks the growth body from the dead zone in an interval of 30 cm below the water surface over a suction opening (6) directed parallel to water surface and brings through a pressure-side opening (7) of the flow tube in the middle and/or lower area of the clarification basin. The roller element is repositioned for the retention of the interval between the suction opening and water surface in dependence of the water level. The roller element is movably guided at a guide rod. The current emerging from the flow tube is directed vertically or obliquely towards bottom. An independent claim is included for a clarification basin filled with wastewater.