Floating Nitrogen Removal Platform with Pump and Drain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nitrogen pollution removal devices in water bodies are permanent fixtures, making them difficult to deploy and move, and they often disrupt the ecosystem with their bulky components, while failing to effectively address the issue of nitrogen pollution which leads to eutrophication and biodiversity loss.
Innovation Solution
A floating device with a platform, pump, and drain system that allows for nitrification and denitrification processes to convert ammonia and nitrate into gaseous nitrogen, using a substrate for biofilm formation and powered by solar energy, enabling easy deployment and removal from water bodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanent fixtures are used for nitrogen removal, then nitrogen pollution can be addressed, but the devices are difficult to deploy and move
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by designing a floating platform instead of a permanent fixed structure. The platform can be freely positioned and moved within the water body, transforming the static nature of traditional nitrogen removal devices into a dynamic, mobile system that maintains effectiveness while improving deployability and repositioning capability.
2Strength
If bulky components are used in nitrogen removal devices, then the structure can support the necessary functions, but the device disrupts the ecosystem and is difficult to deploy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible shells and thin films by using a floating platform with a relatively thin, lightweight structure compared to traditional bulky nitrogen removal devices. This flexible platform design provides sufficient structural support for the nitrogen removal functions while minimizing physical disruption to the aquatic ecosystem and improving ease of deployment.
3Reliability
If traditional permanent structures are used, then nitrogen conversion can occur, but the devices cannot be easily moved or redeployed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a floating platform that can be deployed in multiple locations and adapted to different water bodies. The platform maintains its nitrogen conversion functionality across various deployment scenarios, making the system versatile and adaptable to different environmental conditions and pollution hotspots while preserving conversion effectiveness.
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 device effectively removes nitrogen pollution through a two-step process, improving water quality and biodiversity by converting nitrogen species into gaseous nitrogen, and can be easily moved or redeployed, addressing the limitations of permanent fixtures and ecosystem disruption.
Implementation Method 1
the formed biofilm performs nitrification to convert at least one of ammonium and ammonia in the water into nitrite and nitrate
Implementation Method 2
the formed biofilm converts the nitrite and nitrate into gaseous nitrogen via denitrification
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are provided for removing nitrogen pollution from a body of water. The apparatus includes a platform configured to be released into and float on the body of water, the platform including a confinement area. A pump is connected to the platform, with the pump being configured to pump water into the confinement area during a first period, and the pump being configured to not pump water into the confinement area during a second period. A drain is positioned in the platform configured to intermittently release water out of the confinement area. A substrate is provided in the confinement area, with the substrate being configured to allow for the formation of a biofilm on the substrate. The pump and drain are configured such that during the first period, water is moved into the confinement area by the pump and out of the confinement area through the drain, and the formed biofilm performs nitrification to convert at least one of ammonia and ammonium in the water into nitrite and nitrate. The pump and the drawing are also configured such that during the second period, water is stagnant in the confinement area and the formed biofilm converts the nitrite and nitrate into gaseous nitrogen.