Electrocoagulation Impinging Stream Apparatus for Wastewater Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water and wastewater treatment systems are complex, costly, and require significant space, chemicals, and skilled labor, failing to meet stringent environmental protection standards and potable water quality requirements.
Innovation Solution
An electrocoagulation impinging stream reaction apparatus with ultrasonic enhancement, featuring a covered electrocoagulation cell, stacked conical filters, and minimal chemical usage, designed for efficient separation of oil, heavy metals, and silt, with a simple structure and reduced operational complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional chemical coagulation and flocculation processes are used for wastewater treatment, then contaminant removal is achieved, but the system requires many container tanks, motors, water pumps, and heavy chemical dosing, resulting in high device complexity and large space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrocoagulation, impinging stream reaction, and ultrasonic treatment into a single integrated apparatus. The electrocoagulation cell with vertically placed electrode plates generates coagulation in-situ, while the impinging nozzle creates turbulent mixing and the ultrasonic element enhances separation, eliminating the need for separate chemical dosing systems, multiple tanks, and complex pumping mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses electrocoagulation where electric current passed through sacrificial electrode plates generates metal ions that automatically coagulate contaminants. The impinging stream creates self-sustaining turbulent flow patterns that enhance mixing and separation without requiring external motors or pumps, making the system self-operating with minimal mechanical components.
2Productivity
If traditional wastewater treatment systems are implemented, then treatment capacity is achieved, but the system requires significant space with many container tanks and equipment, increasing the volume of the treatment apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus nests multiple functional components within a compact vertical arrangement. The electrocoagulation cell with stacked electrode plates is integrated with the impinging nozzle system and ultrasonic element in a single chamber, with conical filters positioned below for immediate separation, creating a space-efficient nested configuration that maintains high treatment capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from horizontal multi-tank configurations to a vertical single-chamber design. The vertically placed electrode plates, upward flow path, and stacked conical filters utilize the vertical dimension to achieve the same treatment functions that traditionally required extensive horizontal space with multiple large tanks.
3Reliability
If heavy chemical dosing is used for coagulation and flocculation, then contaminant separation is achieved, but the cost increases and environmental concerns arise, requiring costly chemical reagents
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces chemical coagulants with electrocoagulation, where electric current passes through sacrificial metal electrode plates (typically aluminum or iron) to generate metal ions in-situ. These ions automatically coagulate suspended particles, oils, and contaminants through electrochemical reactions, eliminating the need for external chemical dosing systems and reducing chemical consumption to minimal levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental mechanism from chemical addition to electrochemical generation. By controlling electrical parameters (current, voltage, electrode material) rather than chemical dosing rates, the system achieves controllable coagulation without introducing external chemicals, thereby reducing chemical substance quantity while maintaining separation effectiveness.
4Reliability
If traditional treatment processes are used, then basic treatment is achieved, but the system requires skilled labor for operation and management, increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus operates automatically through electrocoagulation where the control system simply regulates electrical parameters to the treatment chamber. The impinging stream creates self-sustaining flow patterns, and the ultrasonic element continuously enhances separation without requiring manual intervention. Operators only need to monitor basic parameters and refill/empty the system, eliminating the need for skilled labor in chemical dosing, pH adjustment, and process optimization.
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 apparatus effectively meets stringent environmental protection standards with minimal chemical use, reducing operational complexity and costs, while ensuring high-quality treated water with improved separation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
combined electrochemical impinging stream reaction apparatus
Implementation Method 2
electrocoagulation environment followed by impinging stream reaction
Implementation Method 3
impinging stream reaction with ultrasonic
Implementation Method 4
impinging stream reaction apparatus with ultrasonic
Implementation Method 5
stacked conical filters
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosure is combined electrochemical impinging stream reaction apparatus with addition of ultrasonic of the invention and is used for illustrating the structure and the mutual position relationship of components of the apparatus. The combined electrochemical impinging stream reaction apparatus with addition of ultrasonic comprises a container frame to hold all the components, an electrocoagulation unit which is attached to the hopper type casing. The hopper type casing contains a conical filter arrangement. The combined electrochemical impinging stream reaction apparatus is configured for the removal of contaminants from water and wastewater.