Downflow Bubble Contact Oxygenator for Wastewater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aeration systems are inefficient and costly in achieving high dissolved oxygen levels in wastewater, leading to odor and corrosion issues in municipal wastewater treatment plants, as they consume excessive energy and are prone to clogging due to rags and stringy materials, while also stripping out volatile components, making it difficult to maintain aerobic conditions in primary clarifiers and combined sewer overflows.
Innovation Solution
A downflow bubble contact oxygenator system that uses gaseous O2 injection to superoxygenate wastewater to 10 mg/L or higher, with a recirculation mechanism to enhance oxygen transfer efficiency and maintain dissolved oxygen levels, preventing the formation of malodorous and corrosive gases by keeping oxygen in a dissolved state, thus reducing the need for costly odor control chemicals and minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional aeration systems are used to provide dissolved oxygen to wastewater, then some oxygen transfer occurs, but the systems are quickly clogged by rags and stringy material and are inefficient at achieving high dissolved oxygen levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful rags and stringy material from the wastewater stream before it can enter and clog the aeration system. By removing these contaminants upstream, the aeration equipment is protected from plugging, ensuring continuous reliable operation while maintaining high oxygen transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary screening and removal of solids and debris before the wastewater enters the aeration zone. This preliminary action prevents clogging before it occurs, allowing the aeration system to maintain high dissolved oxygen levels without interruption
2Quantity of substance
If conventional aeration systems are used to treat wastewater, then some oxygen transfer occurs, but they consume excessive energy and are costly to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the aeration process by using fine bubble diffusers instead of coarse bubble aerators, and by optimizing flow rates, pressure, and temperature conditions. These parameter changes enable much more efficient oxygen transfer, achieving high dissolved oxygen levels with significantly lower energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic principles by injecting compressed air or oxygen gas through fine bubble diffusers, creating numerous small bubbles that maximize surface area for oxygen transfer. This pneumatic approach, combined with hydraulic flow management, achieves superior oxygen dissolution efficiency compared to conventional mechanical aeration
3Productivity
If high purity oxygen is injected into wastewater to achieve high dissolved oxygen levels, then oxygen absorption efficiency increases, but the cost increases and explosion hazards arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high purity oxygen as a strong oxidant to rapidly and efficiently dissolve into the wastewater, achieving high dissolved oxygen levels without the explosion hazards associated with compressing atmospheric air. The fine bubble diffuser system safely delivers this oxidant through controlled dissolution, maximizing productivity while minimizing risks
4Quantity of substance
If conventional aeration systems are used in anaerobic environments like primary clarifiers, then some oxygen transfer occurs, but they cannot maintain aerobic conditions and allow odor and corrosion issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary aeration in the primary clarifier before the wastewater moves to secondary treatment. By introducing oxygen early in the flow path, the system prevents anaerobic conditions and odor generation at the source, creating aerobic conditions that eliminate hydrogen sulfide production and associated corrosion problems
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
The system effectively superoxygenates wastewater to prevent hydrogen sulfide formation, maintains aerobic conditions, and reduces energy consumption, achieving high oxygen absorption efficiency while minimizing gas stripping and clogging issues, thereby addressing odor and corrosion problems in wastewater treatment systems.
Implementation Method 1
an oxygenator operably coupled to the oxygen source to permit oxygen from the oxygen source to be introduced to the oxygenator... when the wastewater flows through and is oxygenated by the oxygenator, a level of dissolved oxygen in the oxygenated wastewater increases
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for control of a gas or chemical. In one embodiment, the system comprises an oxygenator for receipt of wastewater and oxygen for dissolving, mixing, diffusing, or infusing the oxygen into the wastewater, and a recirculation mechanism configured to increase the flow rate in the oxygenator and/or level of oxygen dissolved in the wastewater.