Gravity Flow Control for Low-Energy Wastewater Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid flow control systems for wastewater treatment are energy-intensive, prone to corrosion, and unsuitable for slow flow rates, as they rely on mechanical pumps that are not effective for bioelectrochemical systems requiring low energy and small footprints.
Innovation Solution
A gravity-based fluid flow control system that uses a motorized actuator assembly to adjust the position of an enclosure along a vertical direction, altering hydraulic resistance to control flow rates without pumps, suitable for wastewater treatment systems, including bioelectrochemical systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical pumps are used for fluid flow control, then flow control capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases and corrosion resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mechanical pump from the system entirely, extracting the problematic component that causes both energy consumption and corrosion issues. Instead, it uses gravity as the driving force and a valve mechanism for flow control, eliminating the need for mechanical pumping in the wastewater treatment environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pump system with a gravity-based flow system controlled by a valve. This substitution eliminates the mechanical components that consume energy and are susceptible to corrosion, using instead a passive gravity-driven system with minimal mechanical intervention (the valve for flow regulation).
2Productivity
If mechanical pumps are used for fluid flow control, then flow rate control is achieved, but suitability for slow flow rates decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable valve mechanism that can modulate the flow opening to precise degrees, enabling control of slow flow rates. The valve's ability to adjust its opening position dynamically allows the system to adapt to various flow rate requirements, including very slow flows that would be difficult to control with mechanical pumps.
3Use of energy by moving object
If gravity-based flow control is used, then energy consumption decreases, but flow rate control precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a valve as an intermediary component between the gravity-driven flow source and the treatment system. This valve acts as a mediator that translates the constant gravitational force into variable, precisely controllable flow rates, maintaining low energy consumption while achieving accurate flow control through the valve's adjustable opening.
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 solution enables efficient, low-energy fluid flow control in wastewater treatment systems, avoiding pump-related issues and corrosion, and is scalable for various applications from small to large scales.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator assembly configured to move the enclosure along a vertical direction aligned with the direction of gravity so as to control a flow of the fluid through and out of the flow control system
Implementation Method 2
wherein the flow control system is configured to control a flow rate of the fluid through the internal volume by changing a position of the internal volume relative to (1) a position of the external fluid processing device and (2) an upper level of the input fluid in the wastewater containment tank along the vertical direction, wherein a change of the position of the internal volume changes a hydraulic resistance of a path from the wastewater containment tank to the outflow port
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for operation and control of gravity-fed fluid flows in water and wastewater related systems. The disclosed flow control system uses gravity to provide a flow of a fluid from a fluid source and a motorized flow control device fluidically coupled to the fluid source to control a defined flow rate of the flow by changing a position of an internal volume of the flow control device through which the fluid flows relative to a fixed level of the fluid in the fluid source. The disclosed devices, systems and methods can be used in a wide variety of systems for environmental and low-energy demand applications such as, for example, a wastewater treatment system to control a flow of wastewater in the system.