Modular Floating Platforms for Tailing Pond Evaporation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mining tailing storage ponds experience high evaporation rates due to their large surface area and hot, windy climates, leading to water loss and instability.
Innovation Solution
Modular floating platforms that can be joined together to cover the surface of tailing ponds and other bodies of water, equipped with propulsion and control systems for uniform coverage, solar energy collection, wind energy harnessing, and buoyancy elements to reduce evaporation and maintain water temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If modular floating platforms are deployed to cover tailing ponds, then water evaporation is significantly reduced, but device complexity and deployment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the covering function into multiple independent modular floating platforms that can be deployed separately and joined together. Each module contains its own buoyancy elements, panels, and coupling mechanisms, allowing the system to cover large pond surfaces through replication of standardized units rather than deploying a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular platforms are designed with universal coupling mechanisms and standardized interfaces that allow them to be assembled in various configurations to cover ponds of different sizes and shapes. The same basic module serves multiple purposes: providing evaporation coverage, supporting equipment, and enabling flexible system expansion or contraction based on pond requirements.
2Loss of substance
If modular floating platforms are used to cover large pond surfaces, then evaporation reduction effectiveness increases, but assembly and deployment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular platforms are pre-assembled with coupling mechanisms and connection points during manufacturing, so that when deployed, they require minimal field assembly. The standardized interfaces and pre-positioned coupling elements allow for rapid connection between modules, significantly reducing the time required to cover large pond surfaces compared to custom-built structures.
3Loss of substance
If floating platforms are deployed in hot and windy climates, then evaporation protection is improved, but structural stability and reliability become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the covering system into multiple smaller modular units distributed across the pond surface, the system reduces the impact of wind and thermal stresses on any single structure. Each module independently withstands environmental forces, and the distributed configuration prevents catastrophic failure from affecting the entire system, thereby maintaining reliability in hot and windy climates.
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
Significantly reduces water evaporation rates, with 87% reduction at 80% coverage and 40% reduction at 50% coverage, while allowing for flexible assembly and disassembly, and integration of additional components for energy generation and water temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyancy element integrated on or in the panel
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are modular floating platforms configured to be joined together to form a cover over surfaces of natural and artificial bodies of water and other liquids, for reducing evaporation and other purposes. The floating platforms may be motorized and provided with remote control systems, so that the platforms may be assembled together on command to provide uniform coverage of the surface of the body of water. The floating platforms are optionally capable of solar and wind power collection. The platforms are useful for covering mining tailing storage ponds.