Grow Table Cleaning Filtration for Wastewater Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to effectively collect and separate hazardous liquids from wastewater, particularly in environments where water runoff from vehicle washing and plant growth facilities is prohibited from entering sewers or ground water, leading to environmental contamination and waste of valuable water resources.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a planar material with a non-porous base layer and multiple layers of offset grid-patterned membranes, combined with a roller table and nozzles, which filters and recycles liquids by separating contaminants through angled plate layers and a series of separation tanks, allowing reuse of the water for cleaning and irrigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If water runoff from vehicle washing and plant growth facilities is discharged directly into sewers or ground water, then the disposal process is simple and low-cost, but environmental contamination occurs and regulatory compliance is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts harmful contaminated wastewater into a beneficial resource by filtering and recycling it for reuse in vehicle washing and plant irrigation, transforming an environmental hazard into a sustainable water source that complies with regulations while reducing water consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary filtration and separation system between the wastewater source and the environment, using multiple filtering layers and separation tanks to process contaminated water before disposal or reuse, thereby preventing direct environmental contamination
2Reliability
If a filtration system is implemented to separate contaminants from wastewater, then environmental compliance is achieved and water can be reused, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is divided into multiple independent functional segments including coarse filtration layers, fine filtration layers, separation tanks for oil-water separation, and recycling pumps, allowing each component to be optimized independently and simplified for maintenance while achieving comprehensive contaminant removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous filtration materials with varying pore sizes to physically trap and separate contaminants from water, utilizing the natural properties of porous media to achieve effective filtration without complex mechanical moving parts, thereby reducing system complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple layers of filtering membranes are used to effectively separate contaminants, then water quality for reuse is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the filtration system use membranes with locally optimized properties - coarse filtration layers use larger pore sizes for suspended solids, while fine filtration layers use smaller pores for dissolved contaminants, allowing each section to be manufactured with appropriate precision for its specific function rather than uniform high complexity throughout
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
Effectively separates contaminants from liquids, enabling the reuse of water for cleaning and irrigation, reducing environmental pollution and water waste, while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
a plate layer comprising at least two layers of runners arranged in a grid, the grid of each successive layer of the at least two layers is offset at an angle with respect to the grid of a previous layer
Implementation Method 2
A series of separation tanks are provided within the cleaning system for receiving the liquid and impurities
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning system includes a planar material beneath a soiled grow table. The planar material is non-porous except for a drain. Above the planar material is a plate layer including at least two layers of runners arranged in a grid where each successive layer is offset at an angle with respect to the grid of a previous layer. The plate layer rests upon the non-porous material. An upper layer covers the plate layer and has a plurality of holes. A roller table is provided for slideably supporting the grow table. Nozzles are positioned over the grow table and is/are interfaced to a pump for receiving and spraying liquid from the pump downwardly towards the grow table. The liquid and impurities (e.g., soil, leaves) fall to the upper layer and through the plurality of holes for cleaning and filtering the liquid before the liquid is returned to the pump.