Fluidized Iron Particle Bed for Continuous Contaminant Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing contaminants from fluids, such as heavy metals and organic compounds, often require complex and expensive systems, and there is a need for a more efficient and cost-effective solution that can handle a wide range of contaminants without complex maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a reaction vessel with a fluidized bed of reactive particles larger than 2 mm, where the contaminated fluid flows against gravity to create a fluidized bed, allowing for effective reaction and separation of contaminants, with self-cleaning properties and adjustable flow velocity to maintain particle suspension and prevent particle discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If small iron particles (less than 800-900 micrometer) are used to achieve large particle surface for accelerating reaction, then the reaction efficiency with contaminant is improved, but the flow velocity must be kept low to prevent particles from being carried away, which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using large iron particles (greater than 800-900 micrometer) instead of small particles. This inversion allows the use of higher flow velocities to maintain particle suspension while still achieving effective contaminant removal, thereby resolving the contradiction between reaction efficiency and flow velocity requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the particle size parameter from conventional small particles to large particles (greater than 800-900 micrometer). This parameter change fundamentally alters the fluid dynamics, allowing particles to remain suspended at higher flow velocities while maintaining sufficient surface area for effective redox reactions with contaminants
2Reliability
If large iron particles (more than 6,35 mm) are used to prevent particles from being carried away and provide mechanical agitation, then particle retention is improved, but the particle surface area decreases, reducing reaction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle size parameter to a specific range (greater than 800-900 micrometer) that balances two competing requirements: large enough to prevent particles from being carried away by flow, yet small enough to provide sufficient surface area for effective redox reactions with contaminants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic fluidized bed system where particles are kept in constant motion through controlled upward flow. This dynamic state ensures particles remain suspended without requiring excessive flow velocities that would carry particles away, while simultaneously providing sufficient particle surface area for effective contaminant removal through redox reactions
3Manufacturing precision
If complex filtration or separation units are added to improve contaminant removal, then purification efficiency is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-cleaning mechanism where the fluidized iron particles naturally maintain their reactivity through continuous movement and exposure to contaminants. The system eliminates the need for external filtration or separation units by relying on the inherent reactivity and movement of the iron particle bed to remove contaminants through redox reactions, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates complex filtration and separation units from the system. Instead of adding these components to improve contaminant removal, the invention relies on the fundamental redox reaction between iron particles and contaminants, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining effective purification
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 system achieves efficient contaminant reduction with self-cleaning reactive particles, reducing maintenance needs and allowing for continuous operation, while maintaining effective contaminant removal without the need for complex filtration or separation units.
Implementation Method 1
The contaminated water that flows in an upward direction against the force of gravity inside the photochemical reactor keeps iron particles in suspension and forms a fluidized bed of the iron particles inside the photochemical reactor
Implementation Method 2
flows in an upward direction against the force of gravity
Implementation Method 3
the toxicity of a plurality of organic and inorganic contaminants may be reduced by redox reactions. Hence, by means of a reduction of a configuration of electrons of the contaminants, the contaminants may be transferred to inert reaction products with less toxicity
Implementation Method 4
the solid compound may be separated from the decontaminated fluid in a filtration, a floatation or a sedimentation step
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system (100) for at least partially removing a contaminant in a contaminated fluid (103). The system comprises a reaction vessel (101) with a fluid inlet (108) and a fluid outlet (109). The fluid inlet (108) and the fluid outlet (109) are arranged in such a way that the contaminated fluid (103) is conductable from the fluid inlet (108) to the fluid outlet (109) in a fluid flow direction which has at least a component orientated antiparallel to the force of gravity. The system (100) further comprises a fluid supply unit (104) connected to the fluid inlet (108) for supplying the contaminated fluid (103) through the fluid inlet (108) inside the reaction vessel (101). The reaction vessel (101) is filled with reactive particles (102). The fluid supply unit (104) is adapted for controlling a flow velocity of the contaminated fluid (103) between the fluid inlet (108) and the fluid outlet (109) so that the flow of contaminated fluid (103) through the reactive particles (102) generates a fluidized bed of the reactive particles (102), thereby removing at least partially the contaminant in the contaminated fluid (103) by a reaction of the contaminant and the reactive particles (102). At least 80 % of the reactive particles (102) have a size of more than 2 mm.