Continuous Flow Cyclic Aerobic Granular Sludge Reactor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing continuous flow cyclic-operating wastewater treatment systems face challenges in reducing the reactor footprint and eliminating the use of plastic tube settlers, while also adapting to the use of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) for efficient wastewater treatment.
Innovation Solution
The development of a continuous flow cyclic-operating aerobic granular sludge (CF-CAGS) wastewater treatment system that grows, selects, and maintains AGS within the treatment plant, utilizing a series of reactors with hydraulic connections and controlled phases to promote AGS proliferation and wastewater treatment efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tube settlers are used to reduce the surface area of the CF-CAS system, then the sedimentation rate per surface unit is improved, but the system generates plastic pollution and requires additional anti-floating systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes tube settlers from the CF-CAS system entirely, extracting the harmful plastic component while maintaining sedimentation functionality through alternative means (gravity settling in dedicated sedimentation chambers). This eliminates plastic pollution while preserving the essential sedimentation rate capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive and environmentally harmful plastic tube settlers with simple, inert, and potentially biodegradable sedimentation chambers that can be made from conventional construction materials. These structures serve their purpose and can be easily maintained or replaced without environmental harm.
2Area of stationary object
If tube settlers are used to improve sedimentation efficiency, then the surface area requirement is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to additional anti-floating systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the tube settlers that require anti-floating systems, thereby eliminating the associated complexity. The simplified system uses conventional sedimentation chambers without floating components, reducing device complexity while maintaining compact footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using floating tube settlers that require active anti-floating control systems, the patent inverts the approach by using fixed, gravity-based sedimentation chambers. This reverses the logic from active flotation control to passive gravitational settling, significantly reducing system complexity.
3Productivity
If aerobic granular sludge is introduced to treat high strength wastewater, then the biological treatment capacity is improved, but the system requires adaptation to maintain AGS stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies operational parameters (loading rates, retention times, aeration patterns) to optimize conditions for AGS stability and performance. By adjusting these parameters, the system maintains high biological treatment capacity while ensuring AGS remains stable and active throughout the treatment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements monitoring and feedback mechanisms to track AGS characteristics and adjust operational parameters accordingly. This ensures the system adapts to maintain optimal AGS stability and treatment performance, allowing the high biological treatment capacity to be sustained over time.
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 allows for the efficient treatment of wastewater with reduced reactor footprint, elimination of plastic tube settlers, and enhanced biological treatment capacity, while maintaining the stability and efficiency of AGS.
Implementation Method 1
wastewater treatment will seek to biodegrade, reduce and/or eliminate... various pollutants or undesirable substances
Implementation Method 2
mixing flocculent activated sludge with the wastewater, in a turbulent phase, under oxygenation/aeration
Implementation Method 3
simultaneous nutrient removal
Implementation Method 4
simultaneous nutrient removal
Implementation Method 5
the activated sludge is settled/sedimented to produce clarified water/supernatant
Implementation Method 6
sludge (at least in part in the form of particles at this stage) is continuously separated by gravity from the supernatant
Implementation Method 7
under oxygenation/aeration
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a process and a water treatment plant involving a continuous flow cyclic-operating water treatment plant (1) comprising a series of at least three compartments, comprising sludge, in hydraulic connection (2AB, 2AC, 2BC) with each other, wherein growing, selecting and/or maintaining aerobic granular sludge while treating water. To achieve this goal, a sequence of feast and famine conditions has been engineered. An influent is continuously receiving (4) into a first compartment of the series of at least three compartments where it is dispersed into the supernatant under anaerobic conditions without mixing with the sludge. Indeed, the water and sludge mixture are under anaerobic conditions to promote anaerobic conversion of carbon into storage polymers to create sludge particles. The accumulated water and sludge mixture are passing to the current second compartment of the series of compartments where aeration is introduced to promote microbiological respiration.