Convex Membrane Bioreactor Vessel Design for Portable Sewage Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In territories without a central sewage system, there is a need for effective and portable sewage treatment solutions due to the harmful effects of untreated sewage discharge on the environment, and existing centralized treatment systems are often impractical or unaffordable.
Innovation Solution
A transportable membrane bioreactor system comprising two bioreaction vessels with aerobic and anoxic zones, utilizing a convex vessel design for efficient weight distribution and a fluid distribution system for sewage circulation, including a membrane filter device and control mechanisms for efficient treatment and filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a centralized sewage system is built, then sewage treatment capacity is improved, but construction cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sewage treatment system into modular components: separate aerobic and anoxic reaction vessels, independent membrane filtration units, and distributed control systems. This segmentation allows the treatment capacity to be achieved through multiple smaller units rather than one large complex system, reducing overall construction complexity while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal expansion of centralized systems to vertical stacking of modular treatment units. By arranging reaction vessels and filtration systems in three-dimensional space, the system achieves high treatment capacity in a compact footprint, simplifying infrastructure requirements.
2Productivity
If a centralized sewage system is built, then sewage treatment capacity is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses standardized modular modules that can be manufactured independently and assembled on-site. This reduces construction costs by enabling local assembly rather than importing complete centralized systems, while still achieving the required treatment capacity through multiple modules working together.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, easily replaceable components such as modular membrane cartridges and reaction vessels that can be manufactured at low cost. When individual components wear out or become inefficient, they can be replaced rather than replacing the entire system, reducing long-term costs while maintaining treatment capacity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the membrane bioreactor is made portable for remote areas, then adaptability to different locations is improved, but structural stability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor is divided into separate transportable modules (aerobic vessel, anoxic vessel, membrane unit) that can be moved independently. Each module is designed with reinforced connection points and standardized mounting interfaces, ensuring structural stability during transport while maintaining adaptability to different installation locations through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction vessels utilize spherical or cylindrical geometries, which provide superior structural strength-to-weight ratios compared to flat-walled containers. This curvature distributes mechanical stresses evenly, enhancing structural stability while reducing material weight for portable applications.
4Weight of moving object
If the vessel walls are made thinner to reduce weight for transport, then portability is improved, but strength may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel walls are designed with spherical or cylindrical curvature, which inherently distributes mechanical loads more efficiently than flat walls. This allows the use of thinner wall materials while maintaining the required strength to contain pressurized sewage and withstand transport stresses, thereby reducing overall vessel weight for improved portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material constructions for vessel walls, combining lightweight materials (such as fiber-reinforced polymers or aluminum alloys) with structural support elements. This composite approach achieves the necessary strength-to-weight ratio, allowing thin walls that are both lightweight for transport and strong enough to contain pressurized operations.
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
Enables efficient treatment of sewage in remote areas by providing a balanced and portable solution that effectively separates and treats contaminants, producing filtered water suitable for reuse, while reducing the environmental impact of untreated sewage.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane filter device and control mechanisms for efficient treatment and filtration
Implementation Method 2
a fluid distribution system that is arranged for flow of sewage from the first internal vessel space, in particular from the aerobic zone, to the second internal vessel space, in particular to the anoxic zone
Implementation Method 3
A vessel that has a wall that is at least partly convex, can withstand tensile forces relatively efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
Membrane bioreactor (2) for treating of sewage that includes a first and second bioreaction vessel (4, 6). The first bioreaction vessel (4) includes a first vessel wall (14) for enclosing an internal first vessel space. The second bioreaction vessel (6) includes a second vessel wall (26) for enclosing an internal second vessel space. The first vessel wall (14) includes a convex first peripheral vessel wall part and a first inner vessel wall part (22). The second vessel wall (26) includes a convex second peripheral vessel wall part and a second inner vessel wall part (30). The first vessel wall (14) and the second vessel wall (26) are mechanically connected to each other by means of a vessel connection structure (90). The vessel connection structure (90) positions the first and second peripheral vessel wall parts relative to each other during the treating of sewage.