Filter Drum Recycles Water for Hydro-Excavation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydro-excavation processes face inefficiencies due to the need to haul away slurry for disposal and transport new water to sites, increasing time and costs, and existing methods fail to effectively filter and recycle water on-site, especially when using native water sources that clog high-pressure nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a vacuum hose connected to a debris tank, a filter drum with a porous membrane, and a blade assembly to separate solids from liquids, allowing filtered water to be reused and dewatered solids to be returned for compaction, utilizing a filter aid like diatomaceous earth on the filter drum's surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If water is hauled to the site for hydro-excavation, then water supply is ensured, but time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the site to serve itself by filtering and recycling water on-site using the vacuum equipment and filter drum, eliminating the need for external water supply operations. The vacuum system recovers slurry and the filter drum processes it to produce reusable water, making the system self-sufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding slurry and hauling new water, the system recovers both components. The filter drum separates and recovers water from slurry, while dewatered solids are returned to the site for compaction. This recovery approach eliminates the need for external water hauling.
2Quantity of substance
If native water from lakes and streams is used, then water supply is available, but high-pressure nozzles become clogged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filtration action before water reaches the high-pressure nozzles. The filter drum with porous membrane pre-filters native water sources, removing particles that would cause clogging. This preliminary action protects downstream equipment while maintaining water supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter drum acts as an intermediary between the native water source and the hydro-excavation equipment. It processes raw water through porous filtration, producing clean water suitable for high-pressure nozzles while separating contaminants.
3Ease of operation
If slurry is hauled away for disposal, then site clearance is achieved, but time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding slurry by hauling it away, the system recovers both water and solids. The filter drum separates water which is returned for reuse, while dewatered solids are collected and returned to the site for compaction, eliminating disposal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by processing slurry on-site and returning both filtered water and dewatered solids to the site. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external disposal services and reduces project time.
4Ease of operation
If dry fill materials are hauled back to the job site, then backfilling is enabled, but time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers dewatered solids from slurry processing and returns them to the site for compaction and backfilling. This recovery eliminates the need to haul external dry fill materials, saving time and costs while maintaining backfilling capability.
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
Enables on-site water filtration and recycling, reducing the need for external water supply and disposal of slurry, thereby decreasing project time and costs by reusing filtered water and dewatered solids for hydro-excavation.
Implementation Method 1
a filter drum that is used to filter the solids from the liquid, where a portion of the filter drum is configured to rotate through the slurry contained in a tub
Implementation Method 2
The outer surface of the filter drum is a porous membrane
Implementation Method 3
The filter drum may be coated with a filter aid of diatomaceous earth disposed on the outer surface of the filter drum
Implementation Method 4
a vacuum hose to remove a slurry of solids and liquid at a site
Implementation Method 5
The vacuum hose is in fluid communication with the debris tank
Implementation Method 6
a blade assembly scrapes dewatered solids collected on an outer surface of the filter drum as the filter drum rotates
Implementation Method 7
A filter pump draws the liquid from the tub through the porous membrane of the filter drum
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system to recycle water for hydro-excavation includes a vacuum hose to remove a slurry of solids and liquid from hydro-excavation at a site. A debris tank is in fluid communication with the vacuum hose and is used to collect the slurry. The system also includes a filter drum, where a portion of the filter drum is configured to rotate through the slurry to filter the liquids from the solids, where dewatered solids are returned to the site for compaction. In addition, an outlet is in fluid communication with a central portion of the filter drum to return filtered water for use in hydro-excavation at the site.