Decentralized Biosolids Conversion System for Urban Wastewater
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing centralized wastewater treatment systems are struggling to keep pace with rapid urbanization, leading to infrastructure failures, overflows, and increased costs for repairs and new construction, with estimates suggesting a need for at least $1 trillion over the next 25 years.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized wastewater treatment and biosolids conversion system that processes wastewater from high-density buildings using a dewatering system, an oxidizing component, and a blending chamber with configurable blades, converting waste solids into biosolids that can be reused as fertilizer or soil amendment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If decentralized wastewater treatment systems are implemented, then infrastructure cost and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the wastewater treatment process into separate functional modules: a dewatering system for solid-liquid separation, an oxidizing component for chemical treatment, and a blending chamber for mixing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance while improving overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blending chamber serves multiple functions: it mixes dewatered solids with oxidizing chemical, controls the oxidation process, and facilitates biosolids conversion. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate devices needed, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
2Productivity
If centralized wastewater treatment systems are expanded to meet urbanization demands, then treatment capacity is improved, but infrastructure cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing decentralized treatment units at multiple locations rather than expanding a single centralized facility, the system distributes treatment capacity across numerous smaller units. This approach reduces the cost of infrastructure expansion while maintaining the ability to treat large volumes of wastewater through parallel operation of multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The decentralized systems treat wastewater locally at the point of generation, eliminating the need for expensive long-distance sewer transmission infrastructure. Each unit independently processes wastewater, reducing the overall infrastructure cost burden on centralized systems while maintaining treatment capacity.
3Productivity
If dewatering is performed to produce biosolids, then waste solids conversion is improved, but water loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers water from the dewatering process and redirects it to irrigation areas or other uses rather than simply discarding it. This water recovery mechanism minimizes water loss while maintaining effective dewatering for biosolids production, as the recovered water can be reused in the agricultural or environmental applications where the biosolids are applied.
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 system effectively addresses the challenges of aging infrastructure by providing a cost-effective and sustainable solution for wastewater treatment and biosolids conversion, reducing the strain on centralized systems and enabling the reuse of treated water and biosolids.
Implementation Method 1
a dewatering system for removing water from a wastewater stream, thereby producing dewatered solids having between 25% and 50% solids
Implementation Method 2
an oxidizing component for mixing said dewatered solids with an oxidizing chemical
Implementation Method 3
a blending chamber operably connected to said oxidizing component, said blending chamber having a plurality of blades that are configurable to alternate in more than one direction
Data Source
AI summary
Biosolids conversion systems and methods are provided. Wastewater may be received and separated into a separated water component and a dewatered solids component on-site at or near a wastewater source. The separated water components may be treated on-site using an ancillary water treatment process. The dewatered solids may be converted to a biosolid with aid of one or more oxidizers and a blending chamber. The dewatered solids may be converted to a biosolid on-site at or near a wastewater source or may be converted to a biosolid off-site at a central solids processing facility.