High-Load Biohydrogen Reactor With Helical Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional biohydrogen production systems face challenges in quickly separating solid, liquid, and gas phases due to high viscosity, leading to sludge loss and low hydrogen production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A high-load organic wastewater dark fermentation biohydrogen production device with a two-phase separation system, including a dark fermentation reactor, gas buffer tank, and hydrogen storage tank, utilizing a helical baffle plate and inert gas to facilitate rapid separation and return of sludge, enhancing biomass retention and acid-base buffer capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional fermentation biohydrogen production reaction apparatus is used, then hydrogen production process is simple, but solid-liquid-gas separation is slow leading to sludge loss and low hydrogen production efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: fermentation reactor, two-phase separation device, gas buffer tank, and hydrogen storage tank. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the two-phase separation device dedicated to rapid solid-liquid separation, thereby improving overall hydrogen production efficiency while reducing separation time
Solution Approach 2:
A two-phase separation device is introduced as an intermediary component between the fermentation reactor and gas collection system. This intermediary device specifically addresses the separation problem by providing a dedicated space and mechanism for rapid solid-liquid separation, preventing sludge loss and improving hydrogen production efficiency without complicating the overall process
2Quantity of substance
If high-viscosity liquid phase is used for fermentation, then organic substrate concentration can be high, but hydrogen bubble floating resistance increases making separation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The two-phase separation device acts as an intermediary that facilitates hydrogen bubble separation from high-viscosity liquid. By providing a controlled separation environment with appropriate flow conditions and separation mechanisms, it overcomes the high floating resistance caused by viscosity while maintaining high organic substrate concentration in the fermentation process
Solution Approach 2:
The separation process is moved to a different spatial dimension by introducing a dedicated two-phase separation device with vertical flow paths and separation zones. This dimensional change allows hydrogen bubbles to separate from the high-viscosity liquid more effectively by utilizing vertical buoyancy forces and controlled flow patterns that overcome viscous resistance
3Productivity
If microbial floc anaerobic active sludge is used, then fermentation capability is good, but solid-liquid-gas separation becomes difficult leading to sludge loss
Solution Approach 1:
The two-phase separation device serves as an intermediary that enables effective separation of microbial floc sludge from the fermentation liquid. It provides a controlled environment with appropriate flow conditions and separation mechanisms that can handle the complex floc structure while maintaining fermentation capability and preventing sludge loss
Solution Approach 2:
The separation system uses dynamic flow control to adapt to the characteristics of microbial floc sludge. By adjusting flow rates and creating appropriate hydrodynamic conditions in the two-phase separation device, the system can effectively separate floc particles while maintaining the viability and fermentation capability of the sludge for recycling
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 device improves hydrogen production efficiency by ensuring complete separation of phases, increasing biomass retention, and maintaining a stable acidic environment, resulting in higher hydrogen yields and reduced sludge loss.
Implementation Method 1
a baffle plate has a helical shape that makes influent water form a helical centripetal water flow path
Implementation Method 2
spraying inert gas bubbles from the air intake disc by the inert gas; applying disturbance to the gas-containing high-viscosity fermentation liquid
Implementation Method 3
to precipitate hydrogen from the liquid phase, the hydrogen bubbles must overcome the gravity and the resistance of a gas-liquid phase interface during floating
Data Source
AI summary
A high-load organic wastewater dark fermentation biohydrogen production device and a hydrogen production method are provided. An exhaust port of the production device is communicated with a gas collection region through a gas pipe; a return inlet is arranged at a bottom; a baffle plate is arranged in a two-phase separation device; the baffle plate has a helical shape that makes influent water form a helical centripetal water flow path; one end of an inert gas communicating pipe is connected with an air hole at a bottom of the gas collection region; the other end of the inert gas communicating pipe is communicated with an air intake disc; the inert gas communicating pipe is provided with a connecting hole and an air pump; and the gas collection region is connected with a gas buffer tank and a hydrogen storage tank in sequence. A two-phase separation unit is also provided.