Submerged Effluent Launder Sweeper for Clarifier Scum Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wastewater treatment clarifiers with submerged effluent launders, there is a challenge in efficiently cleaning the sloped launder surface without requiring complex systems of moving parts, as traditional scum box designs interfere with rake arms and drive mechanisms, leading to algae growth and sludge bypass.
Innovation Solution
A scum removal system where a scum drop out box is placed externally or internally as a low-profile configuration, allowing a rake-attached sweeping launder wiper to remove scum from the sloped surface without additional moving parts, using a flat, cantilevered scum ramp and drop channel to direct scum into an external or internal discharge area, preventing sludge from exiting with clarified water and minimizing algae growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a traditional scum box or collection trough is located within the clarifier, then scum can be collected, but it interferes with rake arms and drive mechanisms, requiring complex moving parts that can become hung up and damage equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The scum collection function is extracted from the traditional internal scum box location and repositioned to utilize the existing scum pipe that extends through the clarifier wall. The scum ramp directs scum to a drop channel that flows out through a break in the clarifier wall to an external discharge area, removing the need for internal scum box structures and associated complex moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The rake-attached sweeping launder wiper is moved with the clarifier's rake to remove sludge accumulation from the launder's submerged surface. This self-service mechanism uses the existing rake motion to clean the launder without requiring additional moving parts or complex drive systems.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a scum box is placed inside the clarifier, then scum collection is enabled, but piping and supports are required inside the clarifier, interfering with operations
Solution Approach 1:
The scum collection system is extracted from the internal clarifier space and repositioned to utilize the existing scum pipe that extends through the clarifier wall. The scum drop out box can be positioned externally or as a low-profile internal configuration that does not interfere with rake arm and drive mechanism operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sloped launder surface is not cleaned, then no cleaning system is needed, but algae growth occurs and sludge can be discharged with clarified water
Solution Approach 1:
The rake-attached sweeping launder wiper utilizes the existing rake motion to automatically clean the launder surface as the rake operates. This self-service approach prevents algae growth and sludge discharge without requiring a separate complex cleaning system with additional moving parts.
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 solution improves clarifier effluent quality by preventing sludge from being discharged with clarified water and reduces algae growth by maintaining the sloped surface clean, without the need for external supports or complex moving parts, and allows efficient cleaning of the launder surface.
Implementation Method 1
A scum surface is provided by a vertical upper wall of the structure, at the upper end of the sloped plate. At the lower end of the sloped plate extends a density current baffle
Implementation Method 2
much of the bypassed solids settles onto the surface of the sloped plate
Data Source
AI summary
In a wastewater treatment system, a clarifier has a submerged effluent launder, with a sloped, submerged plate that allows clarified liquid to exit through submerged openings. The sloped surface tends to accumulate solids, which can lead to algae growth. Typical internal scum collection system equipment prevents any efficient way to clear the accumulated sludge off the launder surface because of interferences. As disclosed here, a scum discharge area or box is placed external to the clarifier in one embodiment. Scum is wiped from a vertical surface of the launder assembly, above the sloped launder surface, and swept over a scum beach at one position in the clarifier, to drop into a lower trough and the flow out through the clarifier wall to a drop out box or scum discharge area. This allows for a rake-attached, sweeping launder wiper to be moved with the clarifier's rake to remove the accumulation of sludge from the launder's submerged surface, without elaborate moving parts. The sludge is swept back to settle in the clarifier, improving effluent quality by preventing sludge from exiting along with clarified water. In another embodiment the scum discharge box is internal, as a low-profile vertically disposed channel against the inside clarifier wall, leading to an existing scum pipe through the clarifier wall.