Floating Media Filter Diffuser Trough for Turbidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Media filtration systems, particularly those using air-charged backwashing bioclarifiers with floating media, face issues with turbidity release during backwashing, leading to cloudy water and aesthetic concerns in applications requiring pristine effluent, such as swimming pools and drinking water treatment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a floating media filter with a diffuser trough positioned below the media bed during filtration, allowing the media bed to disperse during backwashing and re-form with its lower surface below the diffuser trough, ensuring efficient separation of solids and minimizing the mixing of dirty and clean water, thus preventing 'dirty burps' in the effluent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the media bed is dispersed during backwashing to clean the media, then the filtration efficiency is improved, but turbidity is released into the effluent causing cloudy water
Solution Approach 1:
The filter chamber is divided into an upper filtration zone and a lower expansion zone separated by a baffle wall. The media bed is segmented into a filtration portion (upper zone) and an expansion portion (lower zone), allowing independent operation of each zone during filtration and backwashing cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
A diffuser trough is introduced as an intermediary structure in the lower expansion zone. This trough receives and distributes the effluent from the filtration zone, preventing direct mixing of clean effluent with turbid backwash water while still allowing the expansion zone to function during backwashing.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the media bed is kept static during filtration to maintain clear flow, then effluent clarity is improved, but the system cannot effectively handle backwashing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The media bed is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between filtration and backwashing modes. During filtration, the media forms a static bed in the upper zone. During backwashing, the same media can be dispersed into the lower expansion zone, providing adaptability to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes vertical space by introducing a baffle wall that creates an upper filtration zone and a lower expansion zone. This dimensional separation allows the media bed to occupy different vertical positions during different operational modes, enabling both static filtration and dynamic backwashing.
3Device complexity
If the diffuser trough is positioned at the bottom of the filter housing, then the structure is simplified, but clean effluent mixes with dirty backwash water
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing is segmented into distinct functional zones (upper filtration zone and lower expansion zone) using a baffle wall. The diffuser trough is positioned in the lower expansion zone rather than at the very bottom, creating spatial separation between clean effluent discharge and dirty backwash water.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser trough acts as an intermediary structure that receives effluent from the filtration zone and directs it away from the backwash water. This intermediary positioning prevents direct mixing while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 design enhances the filtration process by maintaining a clean effluent flow, reducing turbidity issues, and allowing for the expansion of filtration technologies into applications requiring consistent water quality, as the media bed's reformation above the diffuser trough prevents the entrainment of solids, thereby improving the filtration efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
A floating media is positioned in the housing and forms a static media bed when the filter is in a filtration stage
Implementation Method 2
A diffuser trough is positioned in the filter housing such that the lower surface of the media bed, when the filter is in the filtration stage, is below the upper edge of the diffuser trough
Implementation Method 3
air charged backwashing bioclarifiers employing floating media
Data Source
AI summary
A floating media filter including a filter housing having an influent inlet and an effluent outlet. A floating media is positioned in the housing and forms a static media bed when the filter is in a filtration stage. A diffuser trough is positioned in the filter housing such that the lower surface of the media bed, when the filter is in the filtration stage, is below the upper edge of the diffuser trough. A backwashing mechanism causes dispersion of the media bed during the backwashing stage.