Floating Evaporator Vessel for Contaminant Drift Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reservoir evaporator systems face issues such as contamination drift due to wind, high maintenance requirements, and complexity, particularly with the use of high-pressure air or moving parts, which can lead to multi-media pollution and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A reservoir evaporation system featuring a partially enclosed vessel with an upper and lower chamber, where air is injected into the lower chamber to enhance evaporation, and the exhaust air carries evaporated water vapor away from the contaminant-rich effluent, using a floating design that eliminates the need for high-pressure systems and moving parts, promoting aerobic conditions and efficient contaminant separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If misting-type evaporator systems are used to increase evaporation rate, then the evaporation efficiency is improved, but contamination drift occurs and high-pressure supply is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a containment structure (enclosed chamber with transparent wall) as an intermediary between the effluent surface and the surrounding environment. This mediator captures evaporated contaminants and directs them through a controlled pathway to the water source, preventing uncontrolled drift while maintaining high evaporation rates through the spray mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the evaporated contaminants from the general atmosphere by capturing them within the enclosed chamber. The contaminants are separated from the evaporation process and redirected through a specific pathway (conduit or hose) back to the water source, removing the harmful drift effect from the system.
2Productivity
If high-pressure air supply is used to aerosolize effluent, then evaporation efficiency is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using compressed air to generate the spray mist through nozzles. The high-pressure air supply system is simplified by using standard pneumatic components (compressor, tank, regulators, lubricator) rather than complex mechanical systems, achieving efficient aerosolization with relatively simple equipment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If moving parts are used in evaporator systems, then operational flexibility is improved, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an automatic drain valve that operates without manual intervention. The valve uses a float mechanism that automatically opens to drain condensed water from the containment chamber when the water level rises, and automatically closes when the level drops. This self-service feature eliminates the need for manual draining and reduces maintenance requirements.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If enclosed chamber is used to prevent contamination drift, then environmental safety is improved, but heat loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a transparent wall (flexible or rigid enclosure) to contain the evaporative process. The transparent material allows solar radiation to pass through and heat the effluent and air within the chamber, reducing heat loss while still preventing contamination drift. The enclosure can be flexible or rigid depending on the specific implementation.
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 solution effectively increases the rate of evaporation, reduces contamination drift, minimizes maintenance needs, and maintains aerobic conditions, thereby enhancing economic efficiency and environmental safety by separating contaminants from water vapor efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
air is injected into the lower chamber to enhance evaporation, and the exhaust air carries evaporated water vapor away from the contaminant-rich effluent, using a floating design that eliminates the need for high-pressure systems and moving parts, promoting aerobic conditions
Implementation Method 2
This solution effectively increases the rate of evaporation, reduces contamination drift, minimizes maintenance needs, and maintains aerobic conditions, thereby enhancing economic efficiency and environmental safety by separating contaminants from water vapor efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
A reservoir evaporation system for evaporating fluid from an open reservoir of effluent containing a contaminant includes a fluid evaporator, an air pump, and an air supply conduit functionally connecting the fluid evaporator with the air pump. The fluid evaporator includes a vessel adapted to be positioned in an operative position partially submerged on the top surface of the effluent in the reservoir with a lower chamber submerged in the effluent and an upper chamber extending above the top surface of the effluent. In operation, air from the air pump mixes with the effluent inside the fluid evaporator and subsequently is discharged through exhaust openings. A fluid discharge pipe can also simultaneously discharge aerated effluent back down into the reservoir. Fluid is thereby separated from the effluent in the lower chamber by evaporation in a controlled manner that minimizes spread of contaminants to surrounding environments by wind.