CSBR-MBR Wastewater System with Partitioned Reactors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wastewater treatment systems face challenges in efficiently converting to membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes, leading to increased energy consumption, high operating costs, and interrupted operations during conversion, especially when maintaining high mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentrations, which can degrade effluent quality and require significant site and construction changes.
Innovation Solution
A sewage and wastewater treatment system utilizing a constant level continuous flow sequencing batch reactor (CSBR) process with an inner recycle tank, anoxic tank, anaerobic tank, and aerobic tanks, along with submerged separation membrane modules, allows for phased process conversion to MBR without interrupting operations, reducing energy consumption and costs by dividing main reactor tanks with partitions and using submerged separation membranes with varying pore sizes to meet water quality criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wastewater treatment systems convert to membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes with high MLSS concentrations, then treatment efficiency and effluent quality improve, but energy consumption increases and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the main reactor tank into multiple compartments using partitions, creating separate functional zones for different treatment stages. This segmentation allows optimized conditions in each compartment while maintaining overall system efficiency, reducing the need for high MLSS concentrations throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different compartments within the reactor are designed with specific local conditions (e.g., varying MLSS concentrations, different oxygen levels, distinct hydraulic retention times) tailored to their specific treatment functions. This local optimization allows high effluent quality without requiring uniformly high MLSS concentrations system-wide, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
2Productivity
If conventional systems convert to MBR processes, then treatment capacity improves, but construction complexity and site requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor is divided into multiple compartments using simple partitions that can be installed within the existing tank structure. This segmentation approach increases treatment capacity by creating multiple functional zones without requiring complete system redesign or complex external infrastructure, thus improving productivity while limiting construction complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it divides the reactor into separate compartments, provides structural support, and can be configured to create different hydraulic flow patterns. This multi-functionality increases treatment capacity without proportionally increasing construction complexity.
3Productivity
If MBR processes maintain high MLSS concentrations, then biological treatment efficiency improves, but scum and foam accumulation increases requiring manual removal
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the reactor into separate compartments, the system reduces scum and foam accumulation in any single location. Each compartment can be optimized to minimize nuisance formations, and the segmented structure allows better control of local conditions that prevent scum and foam buildup, maintaining high biological treatment efficiency while improving operational convenience.
4Reliability
If conversion to MBR process is implemented, then effluent quality standards are met, but operation interruptions occur during conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The partition structures are designed and installed in a manner that allows the system to remain operational during conversion. Preliminary configuration of the partitions and membrane modules enables gradual implementation of MBR processes without requiring complete shutdown, allowing the system to meet effluent quality standards while minimizing operation interruptions during conversion.
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 approach enables a simple and cost-effective conversion to CSBR-MBR, increasing treatment flow capacity by up to twice the original capacity, reducing operating and maintenance costs, and maintaining uninterrupted wastewater treatment operations while meeting stringent effluent quality standards.
Implementation Method 1
a filtering process using a separation membrane to replace a typical gravitational deposition process
Implementation Method 2
microorganisms take in organic matters and nutrient salts from sewage/wastewater within an aerobic biological reactor, and are grown
Implementation Method 3
denitrification for converting the nitrate nitrogen generated through the nitrification into nitrogen gas in an anaerobic state
Implementation Method 4
the grown microorganisms are deposited in the form of sludge in a gravity settling reservoir, and are separated and removed from water
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a sewage and wastewater treatment system and method using a constant level continuous flow sequencing batch reactor (CSBR). Also, disclosed is a method capable of converting the system into a membrane bio-reactor (MBR) process by means of submerged membranes with a simple configuration. Further, disclosed is an automated foam and scum management and removal system.