Floating Effluent Treatment Plant with Variable Volume Buffer Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for treating domestic effluents from floating or flood-prone habitats face challenges such as complex and costly drainage networks, pollution risks during flooding, and inefficiencies due to fluctuating effluent volumes, particularly in seasonal habitats.
Innovation Solution
A floating effluent treatment plant with a buffer storage tank that extends below the waterline and has a variable volume, combined with aerobic and anaerobic treatment units, to manage varying effluent flows and ensure effective treatment, including anaerobic pretreatment of effluents to degrade components not addressed by conventional aerobic methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a buffer storage tank is added upstream of the aerobic treatment tank to compensate for flow variations, then the treatment efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer storage tank is merged with the anaerobic treatment function, creating a combined unit that performs both buffering and anaerobic digestion. This integration reduces the number of separate components needed while achieving both flow regulation and preliminary treatment objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer storage tank is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a buffer for flow variations, provides anaerobic pretreatment of effluents, and contributes to the overall treatment capacity. This multi-functionality improves treatment efficiency without adding separate dedicated components for each function.
2Weight of moving object
If the buffer storage tank extends below the waterline to minimize impact on platform buoyancy, then the buoyancy is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer storage tank utilizes the vertical dimension by extending below the waterline of the floating platform. This allows the tank to displace water and contribute to buoyancy without occupying excessive horizontal space on the platform, thereby maintaining platform stability while achieving proper buoyancy characteristics.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a variable volume buffer storage tank is used to maintain constant freeboard, then the platform stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer storage tank is designed with variable volume capability, allowing it to dynamically adjust its capacity based on the incoming effluent flow. This dynamic adjustment maintains a constant freeboard of the floating platform, ensuring stability during seasonal variations in occupancy and effluent generation, while the flexibility of the tank structure accommodates volume changes without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
4Reliability
If anaerobic pretreatment is added to degrade phosphates and nitrogen, then the treatment quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer storage tank performs anaerobic pretreatment of effluents before they enter the aerobic treatment tank. This preliminary action degrades complex organic compounds, phosphates, and nitrogen compounds, preparing the effluent for more efficient aerobic treatment and ensuring the treatment output meets discharge quality requirements for sensitive environments like bathing waters.
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 system effectively manages fluctuating effluent volumes, reduces buoyancy and freeboard issues, and ensures high-quality treated effluent discharge into aquatic environments, minimizing pollution risks and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first aerobic treatment tank (3) integrated on a main floating platform (6) so as to extend at least partly below the waterline of the latter in order, under the effect of Archimedes' thrust, to reduce the weight supported by the latter through this aerobic treatment tank (3)
Implementation Method 2
this buffer storage tank extends at least partly below the waterline of the floating platform with which it is associated
Implementation Method 3
the buffer storage tank is designed to ensure anaerobic pretreatment of the effluents it contains
Implementation Method 4
at least a first aerobic treatment tank (3) integrated on a main floating platform (6)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a floating domestic effluent treatment plant, including at least one treatment unit (2) comprising at least a first aerobic treatment tank (3) built onto a main floating platform (6) so as to extend at least partly below the waterline (7) of the platform, in order, under the effect of buoyancy, to reduce the weight supported by the platform due to this aerobic treatment tank (3), the tank being provided with upstream connection means (4) in order to be supplied with effluent to be treated and with downstream connection means (5) for discharging digested effluent. The treatment unit (2) comprises at least one buffer storage tank (11) for effluent to be treated, connected to the upstream connection means (4) of the aerobic treatment tank (3) and mounted on the main floating platform (6) or a secondary floating platform (6A) in such a way as to extend largely below the waterline (7); (7A) of the latter, this buffer storage tank (11) being defined as having a variable volume and consisting of a liner (13). The invention also relates to a method for managing the operation of a treatment plant.