Grit Elevator With Endless Belt Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current grit removal methods in wastewater treatment are inefficient and prone to mechanical wear, as they require diverting wastewater flow and manual intervention, leading to premature equipment failure and increased maintenance costs due to the difficulty in separating grit from larger particles and rags.
Innovation Solution
A continuous grit elevator system utilizing a rotatable endless belt with solid screens and grit collectors that allows grit to settle and be lifted without diverting wastewater, enabling continuous operation and reducing mechanical wear by separating grit from the flow without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional grit settling chambers are used with manual or intermittent mechanical grit removal, then grit can be separated from wastewater, but the system requires diverting wastewater flow and manual intervention, reducing productivity and increasing loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous grit removal through an automatic rake mechanism that operates continuously within a single settling chamber, eliminating the need to divert wastewater flow for cleaning. The rake continuously scrapes accumulated grit from the chamber bottom and transports it to a removal point, maintaining uninterrupted wastewater treatment while efficiently removing grit without manual intervention or flow diversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic rake mechanism serves itself by being driven by the wastewater flow itself. The current in the settling chamber moves the rake along the chamber bottom, and the rake automatically accumulates and transports its own load of grit to the discharge point without requiring external power or manual operation, enabling continuous autonomous grit removal.
2Reliability
If screens are used to remove particulate matter, then separation can be achieved, but the screens get damaged by grit and stones, causing premature failures and increasing loss of substance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts harmful grit and stones from the wastewater stream before they can reach and damage downstream screens and equipment. By removing these abrasive particles in the settling chamber through gravitational settling and automatic raking, the system protects subsequent screening equipment from premature wear and failure, extending component life and reducing material loss.
3Reliability
If long channel grit settling chambers are used to reduce flow velocity for grit settlement, then grit separation is improved, but the chamber must be very long to achieve required settling, increasing device complexity and space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by reducing wastewater flow velocity before the grit settling chamber to optimize settling conditions. By pre-slowing the water flow upstream of the chamber, grit particles can settle more effectively without requiring an excessively long chamber, thereby reducing overall system complexity and space requirements while maintaining reliable grit removal.
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
The system effectively removes grit continuously, reducing equipment wear and maintenance costs by allowing uninterrupted wastewater flow and automating the grit removal process, thus improving the efficiency and reliability of wastewater treatment.
Implementation Method 1
Grit removed from the water flow and led to the grit elevator settles to the bottom of the apparatus
Implementation Method 2
grit that has entered the bottom interior of a grit elevator is picked up by a grit collector and lifted upwards as the endless belt of screens is rotated
Data Source
AI summary
A grit elevator (30) including a plurality of solid screens (104) in the form of a rotatable endless belt, one or more grit collectors (116) on the interior of the endless belt, and a grit inlet (172) leading to the interior of the endless belt.