Dynamic Air Supply Control for Wastewater Aeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wastewater treatment systems face inefficiencies in air supply, as constant pressure settings lead to unnecessary energy consumption and inadequate air distribution across multiple aeration tanks due to varying pressure losses, resulting in suboptimal treatment and increased energy use.
Innovation Solution
A system with a water quality measurement unit, necessary air amount acquisition, target in-pipe pressure calculation, and blowing control unit adjusts air supply pressure dynamically based on measured water quality and pipe losses to ensure each tank receives the necessary air amount while minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressure in the blowing pipe is set to be constant based on the assumed maximum load, then the biotreatment is sufficiently performed at maximum load, but an unnecessary amount of air is supplied when the load is lower than maximum load, resulting in higher energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from constant pressure control to variable pressure control. The blowing pipe pressure is dynamically adjusted based on the actual load (wastewater flow rate and BOD concentration) rather than maintaining a fixed pressure set for maximum load. This allows the system to adapt pressure levels to actual treatment needs, reducing energy consumption when load is lower while ensuring sufficient treatment at maximum load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from a constant value to a variable value that depends on operational conditions. By calculating the required pressure based on actual wastewater characteristics and treatment requirements, the system optimizes the pressure parameter to match actual needs, avoiding the energy waste of maintaining constant high pressure and ensuring reliable treatment performance.
2Ease of operation
If the pressure in the blowing pipe is set based on the necessary air amount of one aeration tank, then that tank receives appropriate air supply, but other tanks with different pressure losses may not receive adequate air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing customized pressure control for each aeration tank based on its specific characteristics. Instead of using a single pressure setting for all tanks, the system calculates and maintains different target pressures for each tank according to its pipe length, diameter, and pressure loss characteristics. This ensures each tank receives the appropriate air supply tailored to its local conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the air supply control into independent control zones for each aeration tank. Each tank has its own target pressure calculation and control mechanism, allowing the system to address the specific needs of each tank rather than treating all tanks uniformly. This segmentation enables adaptable air distribution across multiple tanks with varying requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A wastewater treatment system includes a plurality of reaction tanks, a blowing pipe, a blower unit, and an air supply amount controller. The air supply amount controller includes: a water quality measurement unit configured to measure a state of wastewater; a necessary air amount acquisition unit configured to acquire, a necessary air amount for achieving a predetermined target water quality of wastewater; a target in-pipe pressure calculation unit configured to calculate a blowing pipe loss pressure when the necessary amount of air is supplied into the blowing pipe, calculate a target in-pipe pressure based on the blowing pipe loss pressure, and change the calculated target in-pipe pressure in accordance with change of the necessary air amount; and a blowing control unit configured to control air supply from the blower unit so that the pressure in the blowing pipe becomes equal to the target in-pipe pressure.