Coagulant Composition for Wastewater Nutrient Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wastewater treatment processes face challenges in efficiently removing nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus due to dissolved oxygen interference in anoxic zones and safety concerns with methanol use, leading to high costs and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A coagulant composition combining iron or aluminum salts with a carbon source, such as alcohols or sugars, is introduced to provide a stable, safe, and efficient solution for nutrient removal, allowing for non-EX classified equipment usage and reducing operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If methanol is used as carbon source in denitrification process, then nitrogen removal efficiency is improved, but safety issues and equipment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the carbon source from methanol to ethanol, propylene glycol, or glycerol. These alternatives have different safety characteristics (lower flammability) while maintaining their effectiveness as carbon sources for denitrification, thus resolving the contradiction between nitrogen removal efficiency and safety concerns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite chemical composition combining coagulant (alum or ferric chloride) with carbon source (ethanol, propylene glycol, or glycerol) in specific ratios. This composite formulation integrates multiple functions (coagulation and denitrification) into a single safe-to-handle product, eliminating the need for separate methanol handling infrastructure
2Productivity
If separate methanol dosing is implemented, then nitrogen removal is achieved, but equipment complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coagulation function and denitrification function into a single integrated chemical dosing system. By combining coagulant and carbon source in one formulation, the need for separate methanol dosing equipment is eliminated, reducing device complexity while maintaining nitrogen removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a multi-functional chemical composition that simultaneously performs coagulation, phosphorus removal, and denitrification. This universal formulation replaces multiple separate treatment processes and equipment, simplifying the overall system while achieving comprehensive nutrient removal
3Productivity
If dissolved oxygen is recycled to anoxic zone, then nitrification is maintained, but BOD available for denitrification is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the carbon source function from the biological process and incorporates it into a chemical formulation. By adding carbon source compounds (ethanol, propylene glycol, glycerol) directly to the wastewater during coagulation, the system provides carbon for denitrification without relying on BOD that would be oxidized by recycled dissolved oxygen
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces chemical carbon source compounds as intermediaries between the coagulation process and denitrification. These compounds serve as a bridge that provides carbon for denitrification independently of the biological BOD pathway, allowing both nitrification and denitrification to proceed simultaneously without competition for carbon sources
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 coagulant composition effectively removes water-soluble phosphorus and total organic carbon, enhancing nitrogen removal efficiency and improving safety and cost-effectiveness in wastewater treatment processes, achieving over 90% total nitrogen removal.
Implementation Method 1
The coagulant composition effectively removes water-soluble phosphorus
Implementation Method 2
The coagulant composition effectively removes water-soluble phosphorus
Implementation Method 3
The coagulant composition effectively removes total organic carbon
Implementation Method 4
The coagulant composition effectively removes total organic carbon
Implementation Method 5
During denitrification the nitrates and the nitrites are converted using chemical additives to the molecular nitrogen
Implementation Method 6
During nitrification, ammonia is oxidized to nitrate and nitrites
Implementation Method 7
During denitrification the nitrates and the nitrites are converted using chemical additives to the molecular nitrogen
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a coagulant composition comprising a coagulant and a carbon source compound, wherein the coagulant is selected from the group iron and aluminium salts, or any combination thereof. The carbon source includes methanol, ethanol or glycol. The present invention further relates to a method of treating wastewater, e.g. containing nitrogen and/or phosphate, including providing the coagulant composition to wastewater before, during and/or after a biological treatment step, and the use of the coagulant composition in wastewater treatment.