Counter Current Supersaturation Oxygenation for Wastewater

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for oxygenating liquids, such as those used in wastewater treatment, are inefficient and require pressurized water, which limits the effectiveness of oxygen supersaturation and bacterial activation.

Innovation Solution

A counter current supersaturation oxygenation method using a downflow tube and upflow tube system with a gas diffuser, where a porous tube emits at least 93% pure oxygen into the liquid flowing through the downflow tube, allowing oxygen to dissolve and then rise through the liquid, enhancing oxygenation efficiency without the need for pressurized water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pressurized water is used for oxygenation (Speece method), then oxygen transfer efficiency is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen transfer efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using a downflow tube where water flows downward and oxygen bubbles rise upward through the same column, creating counter-current flow. This eliminates the need for pressurized water while achieving efficient oxygen transfer, as the upward rising bubbles maximize contact time with the downward flowing water without requiring external pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing oxygen gas through a diffuser at the bottom of the downflow tube, creating bubbles that rise through the water column. The hydraulic flow of water downward combined with the pneumatic bubble rise creates an efficient mass transfer system without requiring pressurized water input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If U-tube oxygenation is used, then oxygen can be transferred to water stream, but oxygenation efficiency is reduced due to top-intake configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygenation efficiencyVSAvoidoxygenation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional U-tube configuration by using a downflow tube where water enters at the top and flows downward, while oxygen bubbles rise from the bottom diffuser. This counter-current arrangement maximizes oxygen transfer efficiency compared to the top-intake configuration, as bubbles have the entire column length to dissolve oxygen into the water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If pure oxygen is used instead of air, then bacterial activation is improved, but gas consumption cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial activation efficiencyVSAvoidgas consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pure oxygen (93% or higher) instead of air to provide a stronger oxidant that more effectively activates bacteria and protozoans in the activated sludge process. The counter-current flow system ensures efficient oxygen transfer, making the higher gas consumption costable by maximizing the utilization of each unit of oxygen delivered.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

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 more efficient oxygen supersaturation of liquids, improving bacterial activation and treatment efficiency while eliminating the requirement for pressurized water, thereby enhancing the treatment process.

Implementation Method 1

Oxygen is sparged at the top of the down-leg of the U-tube and is transferred into a gas-liquid mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

a method of treating a liquid by counter current supersaturation oxygenation, which enables oxygen supersaturation of the liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSupersaturation: Supersaturation

Implementation Method 3

The gas-liquid mixture exits an up-leg of the U-tube. However, U-tubes oxygenate a water stream at a top of the intake

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS8298426B1Method of treating a liquid by counter current supersaturation oxygenation

Publication Date: 2012.10.30 FARRELL DONNA J MS

AI summary

A counter current supersaturation oxygenation method includes an apparatus, which includes a down flow tube, an upflow tube and a gas diffuser. The gas diffuser preferably includes a porous tube and a support frame. The porous tube is preferably wrapped in a spiral from a bottom of the support frame to a top of the support frame. A non-porous gas supply hose is connected to the porous tube. The gas diffuser is suspended inside the down flow tube at substantially a bottom thereof. One end of the upflow tube is connected to substantially a bottom of the down flow tube. A second embodiment of the apparatus preferably includes a down flow tube, the gas diffuser and a buoyant platform. A stream of liquid becomes oxygenated by passing down the down flow tube. The oxygenated liquid may flow up the upflow tube or down to any appropriate destination.