Coanda-Effect Tube Settler Cleaning for Sediment Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lamellae cleaning systems in water treatment clarifiers face inefficiencies due to structural damage from high-pressure water or air cleaning methods, health hazards for manual cleaning, and the inability to effectively clean structural support beams, leading to compromised cleaning efficiency and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A Coanda effect-induced lamellae cleaning system using tangential compressed air and high-pressure air combined with raw water flow, employing J-shaped deflectors to generate turbulence and enhance sediment removal in the tube settler assembly, minimizing structural interference and reducing manual cleaning needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-pressure water or air is used to clean the settling tubes, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but structural damage to the tube settler assembly occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pneumatic (compressed air) and hydraulic (raw water flow) systems to create a Coanda effect that generates turbulence for cleaning. Compressed air is injected tangentially through tubes near the settling tubes, creating a controlled fluid dynamic environment that cleans sediments without requiring direct high-pressure impact on the tube structures, thus maintaining structural integrity while achieving effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary fluid medium (the combination of compressed air and raw water flow creating Coanda effect) that indirectly cleans the settling tubes. Instead of directly applying high-pressure water or air to the tubes, the system uses this intermediary turbulent flow field to dislodge sediments, reducing direct mechanical stress on the tube structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual cleaning is performed, then health hazards to workers are avoided, but cleaning efficiency decreases and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service cleaning where the water treatment process itself (raw water flow) is utilized as part of the cleaning mechanism. The continuous flow of raw water through the system, combined with compressed air injection, automatically cleans the settling tubes without requiring external manual intervention, thereby eliminating worker safety risks while maintaining high cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical cleaning operations with an automated pneumatic-hydraulic system. Instead of workers physically entering confined spaces to manually remove sediments, the system uses controlled compressed air and water flow to automatically clean the tubes, substituting human labor with an automated mechanical system that improves both safety and efficiency.
3Strength
If conventional I-beams are used for structural support, then structural strength is improved, but air flow and cleaning efficiency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces conventional straight I-beams with curved or arcuate structural beams. These curved beams maintain the necessary structural strength while their curved geometry allows for better air and water flow patterns. The curvature enables the Coanda effect to function more effectively by directing flows along the beam surfaces, improving cleaning efficiency without sacrificing structural support capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces asymmetric beam designs that are optimized for both structural support and fluid flow characteristics. Rather than using symmetric I-beams, the beams are designed with asymmetric cross-sections or orientations that provide structural strength in critical directions while creating favorable flow patterns for the compressed air and water, thereby enhancing cleaning efficiency.
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 system effectively dislodges sediments within the lamellae channels while maintaining structural integrity, reducing operational and capital costs, and improving cleaning efficiency without damaging the tube settler assembly.
Implementation Method 1
A Coanda effect-induced tube settler assembly lamellae cleaning system for wastewater and drinking water treatment clarifier. High pressure air from a high pressure fixed air grid combined with raw water fluid flow stream, creates a Coanda-effect fluid inducing turbulence
Implementation Method 2
High pressure air from a high pressure fixed air grid combined with raw water fluid flow stream, creates a Coanda-effect fluid inducing turbulence when used in conjunction with cross-sectionally J-shaped deflector beams
Implementation Method 3
Settling tubes comprise a plurality of downwardly obliquely inclined hollow elongated tubes, through which flows raw water to be clarified, and into which sediments and other solid contaminants will become deposited under gravity forces
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for a Coanda effect-induced tube settler assembly lamellae cleaning system for raw water or semi-potable drinking water treatment clarifier. A tangential compressed air source is injected from compressed air tubes near J-shaped support deflector beams. The combined high pressure air from a high pressure fixed air grid and waste water fluid flow stream in a main waste water stream to be clarified, creates a Coanda-effect fluid inducing turbulence when used in conjunction with cross-sectionally J-shaped deflector beams. This combined fluid flowstream provides hydrodynamic cleaning pressure axially through the tubes' lumen of the tube settler assembly within a clarifier cell basin enclosure.