Electroflotation Outlet Pipe Turbulence Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electroflotation apparatuses face challenges in separating impurities from wastewater due to turbulent water flow, which limits operation to lower water throughputs and requires complex engineering designs, increasing operation costs and time for effective separation.
Innovation Solution
An electroflotation apparatus with an outlet pipe having a specific diameter ratio and length to reduce turbulence, featuring a cylindrical space for electrolysis and a separation area with a larger diameter ratio to stabilize the flock, allowing for higher water throughputs and improved flock aggregation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the water flow rate is increased to improve productivity, then the throughput increases, but the turbulence increases causing flock aggregate breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
A diffuser plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrolytic cell and the separation area. The diffuser plate mediates the transition from high-velocity turbulent flow to low-velocity laminar flow, preventing flock aggregate breakdown while maintaining high water throughput. The plate distributes the flow uniformly and reduces turbulence intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The velocity of water flow is changed from high velocity at the electrolytic cell outlet to low velocity in the separation area. This parameter change is achieved through the diffuser plate design that converts kinetic energy into potential energy, reducing flow velocity and turbulence to protect flock aggregates while maintaining high overall throughput.
2Reliability
If a large separation area is provided to improve flock separation, then the separation efficiency increases, but the device complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
Turbulence reduction and flow stabilization are performed preliminarily in the outlet pipe and diffuser plate before the water enters the separation area. This preliminary action ensures that flock aggregates remain intact and separation occurs more efficiently in a compact separation area, reducing the overall device footprint while maintaining high separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser plate introduces a horizontal flow distribution dimension to the primarily vertical flow from the electrolytic cell. By distributing flow horizontally across the plate before vertical rise into the separation area, the effective separation area is increased without proportionally increasing the vertical footprint of the device.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the outlet pipe diameter is increased to reduce turbulence, then the flock aggregation improves, but the device footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet pipe is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first outlet pipe section for initial flow transition, a diffuser plate for flow distribution and turbulence reduction, and a second outlet pipe section for final flow stabilization. This segmentation allows turbulence reduction without requiring a single large-diameter pipe, maintaining a compact overall footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser plate is nested within the outlet pipe structure, with the plate positioned inside the pipe bore. This nesting allows the diffuser functionality to be integrated into the existing pipe volume without significantly increasing the external dimensions or footprint of the device.
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 reduces turbulence, enabling higher water throughputs while maintaining flock aggregation, thus improving separation efficiency and reducing operation costs by simplifying the design and enhancing the quality of treated water.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolytic cell for treating the waste water and having a cylindrical space where waste water is electrolysed and a flock containing the impurities is generated
Implementation Method 2
the outlet pipe comprising: a first end having a cylindrical portion that is connected to the top of the electrolytic cell and having a first diameter; a second end through which the treated water and flock exit the outlet pipe, the second end having a second diameter; and a length extending between the first diameter and the second diameter; wherein the ratio of the second diameter to the first diameter is between 1.5:1 and 6:1; and wherein the ratio of the length to the first diameter is between 7:1 and 45:1 in order that the outlet pipe reduces the turbulence of the treated water
Implementation Method 3
The flock generated is carried upward out of the cell and into the separating tank by hydrogen gas produced in the electrocoagulation step
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
An electroflotation apparatus (100, 200, 300, 400, 600) for removing impurities from waste water is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electrolytic cell (104, 401) for treating the waste water and generating a flock containing the impurities as well as an outlet pipe (108, 402, 508, 509) having a linear central axis (A) located co-axially with the electrolytic cell for passing the water and flock from the electrolytic cell (104, 401) to a separation area (112, 204, 304, 404, 604). The outlet pipe (108, 402, 508, 509) comprises a first end connected to the electrolytic cell (104, 401) and having a first diameter (d1), as well as a second end through which the treated water and flock exit the outlet pipe (108, 402, 508, 509), the second end having a second diameter (d2). A length (1) extends between the first diameter (d1) and the second diameter (d2). The ratio of the second diameter (d2) to the first diameter (d1) is between 1.5:1 and 6:1. The ratio of the length (1) to the first diameter (d1) is between 7:1 and 45:1. The outlet pipe (108, 402, 508, 509) reduces the turbulence of the treated water from the electrolytic cell (104, 401) before the treated water is passed to the separation area (112, 204, 304, 404, 604) such that aggregation of the flock in the separation area (112, 204, 304, 404, 604) is increased.