Floating Bed Reverse Sewage Filtration System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sewage treatment methods face inefficiencies due to frequent maintenance needs, high energy costs, and large space requirements, as impurity particles deposit on filter materials, necessitating a more effective and energy-efficient method for cleaning and separating impurities.

Innovation Solution

A reversible washing, floating bed type reverse sewage treatment system utilizing light filter sands with a specific gravity less than water, where sewage flows upward, allowing impurities to settle and be easily removed, and a reverse washing jet nozzle for cleaning the filter sands without the need for external pumping or removal, combined with a sludge discharge device for efficient sludge management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If filter cloth or filter cotton is used to filter sewage, then filtration is achieved, but solid impurities accumulate on the filter surface requiring frequent replacement or cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional filtration approach by making the filter material (filter sand) mobile rather than stationary. The filter sand circulates between the filtration chamber and cleaning chamber, allowing continuous operation without frequent maintenance. This inversion transforms the static filter cloth approach into a dynamic system where the filter medium is continuously regenerated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a system where filter sand that has accumulated impurities is discarded from the filtration chamber to the cleaning chamber, where it is regenerated and then recovered back to the filtration chamber. This cyclic process of discarding and recovering the filter medium eliminates the need for frequent replacement of filter materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Productivity

If gravity sedimentation filtration with filter sand is used, then filtration is achieved, but large area occupation and construction time are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration capabilityVSAvoidtank area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal sedimentation tanks to a vertical arrangement where filter sand circulates upward and downward through the sewage. This vertical dimensionality change allows the filtration process to occur in a compact column rather than requiring large horizontal sedimentation areas, significantly reducing the footprint of the treatment system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs hydraulic principles to circulate the filter sand through the system. Water flow is used to lift and transport the filter sand particles through the sewage and back to the cleaning chamber, eliminating the need for large mechanical equipment and reducing the overall system size while maintaining effective filtration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Productivity

If centrifugal filter or pressure squeeze filter is used, then filtration is achieved, but high equipment costs and limited treatment capacity are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidequipment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical filtration systems (centrifugal filters, pressure squeeze filters) with a simpler hydraulic circulation system. Instead of using motors, centrifuges, or pressure equipment, the system uses water flow itself to circulate the filter sand and achieve filtration, dramatically reducing equipment complexity and cost while maintaining effective treatment capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If filter material is cleaned externally, then cleaning is achieved, but the process is complex and requires the filter material to be flowed into removal line

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidcleaning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the filtration chamber and cleaning chamber into a single integrated system where the same filter sand continuously cycles between both functions. The cleaning process is combined with the filtration process through the continuous circulation of filter sand, eliminating the need for separate external cleaning lines and complex cleaning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter sand performs self-cleaning by being circulated through the system where it naturally separates from accumulated impurities in the cleaning chamber. The hydraulic flow automatically regenerates the filter sand without requiring external cleaning equipment or manual intervention, making the system self-maintaining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This system maintains filtration efficiency over time, reduces maintenance frequency and costs, and simplifies the treatment process by allowing light filter sands to float and be cleaned in place, while naturally separating impurities and facilitating sludge discharge.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of light filter sands 20 with a specific gravity less than that of water are filled in the sewage filter chamber 11 and gather in an upper part of the sewage filter chamber 11 through a buoyancy of water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

A reverse washing jet nozzle 40 extends into the sewage filter chamber 11 and is disposed above the clean water drainage pipe 15 to spray water for cleaning the light filter sands 20

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray cleaning: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 3

A sludge discharge device 50 is disposed at a bottom of the filter tank 10 and communicated to the sewage filter chamber 11 to discharge deposited sludge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity sedimentation: Sedimentation

Data Source

PatentEP3804830B1Reversible washing, floating bed type reverse sewage treatment system and treatment method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 HU MING CHUN
  • EP3804830B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3804830B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3804830B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A reversible washing, floating bed type reverse sewage treatment system and its treatment methods are provided. Through the light filter sand and reverse sewage treatment system and the sewage filter procedure, the light filter sands float upward and gather at the top of the sewage filter tank to filter the sewage flowing upward. Further, the solid impurities in the sewage are naturally separated from the light filter sands and settle down on the bottom of the sewage filter tank, thereby achieving the effect of maintaining the filtration efficiency and reducing the maintenance of the filter material. Moreover, through the reverse washing jet nozzle and the filter sand cleaning tank and the filter sand reverse cleaning procedure, the water from the reverse washing jet nozzle can clean the light filter sands in the filter sand cleaning tank, thereby achieving the purposes of energy saving and reducing maintenance costs.