Gravity-Driven Biological Contactor and Self-Backwashing Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water treatment systems require multiple pumps for transferring water and backwashing, which increases maintenance, costs, and potential failure points, making them complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A combination biological contactor and self-backwashing filter system is designed with a vertical configuration, utilizing gravity-generated head pressure to eliminate the need for pumps by directing water flow between the upflow biological contactor and downflow granular media filter, and incorporating a controller to manage valve operations for efficient operation and cleaning modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pumps are used for transferring water and backwashing in water treatment systems, then water transfer and backwashing functions are achieved, but system complexity, maintenance needs, costs, and potential failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the biological contactor and filter into a single integrated system where water transfer and backwashing functions are merged. The system uses a single vessel with both contactor media and filter media, eliminating the need for separate pumps for each function. The outlet conduit serves dual purposes: transferring water during operation and enabling backwashing during cleaning modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet conduit is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the water transfer conduit during normal operation and as the backwashing conduit during cleaning modes. The same conduit and valve system handles both water transfer and backwashing, eliminating the need for separate dedicated pumps for each function.
2Productivity
If pumps are used to transfer water between contactor and filter, then water flow control is achieved, but maintenance requirements and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses gravity-generated head pressure to drive water flow through the contactor and filter, eliminating the need for mechanically complex pumping systems. The downward incline of the outlet conduit and vertical positioning create self-regulating flow that requires no active maintenance of mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical pumping systems with a gravity-based flow system. The vertical configuration and downward incline of the outlet conduit create gravity-driven flow that substitutes for mechanical pumps, eliminating their maintenance requirements while maintaining water treatment productivity.
3Ease of operation
If pumps are installed in the system, then water transfer capability is ensured, but potential failure points and operational risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes pumps from the system entirely, replacing them with gravity-driven flow. This elimination of mechanical components directly reduces potential failure points while maintaining operational simplicity through passive gravity-based water transfer.
4Device complexity
If a vertical configuration with gravity-driven flow is used, then pumps are eliminated and maintenance is reduced, but system design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vertical configuration where the biological contactor is positioned above the filter, utilizing the vertical dimension to create gravity-driven flow. The downward incline of the outlet conduit leverages gravitational potential energy, transforming the system from horizontal pump-dependent operation to vertical gravity-dependent operation, thereby simplifying the overall system despite the unconventional orientation.
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 configuration reduces system complexity, lowers maintenance needs, and eliminates the requirement for pumps, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability while maintaining effective water treatment capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The contactor outlet conduit may include a downward incline such that when the system is in the installed orientation and in an operating mode with water disposed in the contactor outlet conduit, the water in the contactor outlet conduit is directed by gravity generated head pressure toward the inlet manifold.
Implementation Method 2
The contactor outlet conduit, the inlet manifold, and the first inlet-outlet conduit of the inlet-outlet conduits may be shaped to define a first offset along the vertical dimension between an inlet of the contactor outlet conduit and the inlet-outlet opening of the first inlet-outlet conduit of the inlet-outlet conduits such that when the system is in the installed orientation and in an operating mode with water disposed in the contactor outlet conduit, gravity generated head pressure is sufficient to cause the water in the contactor outlet conduit to pass into the first filter cell of the filter cells when all intervening valves are open.
Implementation Method 3
The contactor outlet conduit, the inlet manifold, the first inlet-outlet conduit of the inlet-outlet conduits and the first filter cell of the filter cells may be shaped to define a second offset along the vertical dimension between an inlet of the contactor outlet conduit and a remote end of the first filter cell of the filter cells such that when the system is in the installed orientation and in a filter cleaning mode with water disposed in the contactor outlet conduit, gravity generated head pressure is sufficient to cause the water in the contactor outlet conduit to pass down through a second cell of the filter cells and up through the first filter cell of the filter cells when all intervening valves are open.
Data Source
AI summary
A combination biological contactor and self-backwashing filter system for water treatment is disclosed. The system may include a treatment vessel defining an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A biological contactor may be disposed within the upper chamber, and a filter may be disposed in the lower chamber. A contactor outlet conduit and inlet manifold may be used to transfer water from the biological contactor to filter cells within the filter.