Flow Equalization Reactor with Variable Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wastewater treatment systems face challenges in maintaining a consistent effluent pumping rate and biological treatment efficiency under varying wastewater inflow conditions, including changes in composition and rate, which can impact the effectiveness of downstream treatment processes.
Innovation Solution
A flow equalization reactor with variable liquid depth and volume, designed to operate with or without internal partitions, allowing for multiple wastewater treatment zones that can switch between different treatment processes such as biological processes, and utilizing recycle flows and partition walls with flow holes to maintain consistent liquid levels and facilitate hydraulic equalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flow equalization reactor operates without internal partitions to maximize hydraulic equalization volume, then flow equalization capability is improved, but treatment process flexibility and adaptability to varying wastewater composition deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flow equalization reactor is divided into multiple treatment zones by internal partitions, where each zone can perform different treatment functions (e.g., aerobic, anoxic, anaerobic). This segmentation allows the system to maintain hydraulic equalization capability while providing treatment process flexibility through selective operation of different zones based on incoming wastewater characteristics
2Reliability
If the reactor volume is increased to provide sufficient surge volume for 24-hour flow equalization, then hydraulic buffering capacity is improved, but device complexity and space requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The flow equalization reactor is designed to serve multiple functions: hydraulic equalization, biological treatment (aerobic, anoxic, anaerobic processes), and pollutant removal. By integrating these functions into a single reactor system, the patent avoids the need for separate equalization tanks and treatment reactors, thereby reducing overall device complexity and space requirements while maintaining sufficient surge volume
3Adaptability or versatility
If internal partitions are added to create multiple treatment zones, then treatment process adaptability is improved, but hydraulic flow patterns and liquid level consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The internal partitions are designed with localized characteristics, including varying heights and permeability features, to optimize flow distribution across different treatment zones. This allows each zone to maintain appropriate liquid levels for its specific treatment process while contributing to overall hydraulic equalization, thus preserving liquid level consistency despite the presence of multiple zones
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating wastewater is disclosed in which a flow equalization reactor is provided that includes at least one wastewater treatment zone. A first wastewater treatment process is performed in the at least one wastewater treatment zone, which can be switched to a second wastewater treatment process. The flow equalization reactor is designed with a variable liquid depth and volume that can operated as a mixed wastewater zone, an anaerobic reactor zone, an anoxic reactor zone or an aerobic reactor zone. The equalization reactor provides sufficient variable liquid depth and volume above a minimum liquid depth and residual volume to provide the necessary hydraulic flow equalization or surge volume to achieve a relatively constant effluent pumping rate or feed forward flow rate over 24 hours per day, seven days per week into the downstream biological treatment processes, clarifiers, filters, or disinfection units, etc.