High-Rate Filtration Sedimentation Tank for Flow Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional primary sedimentation tanks have inefficiencies due to long hydraulic retention times and large space requirements, and bioreactor tanks are sensitive to flow rate and contaminant concentration variations, necessitating additional equalization tanks.
Innovation Solution
A sedimentation tank system with a high-rate filtration part, including a filter medium, water gate, and flow rate adjustment mechanisms, which allows for rapid solid removal and flow control, integrating a pump station and control system to manage varying load amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional primary sedimentation tanks operate at low surface loading rates (1 to 2 m/hr) to prevent sludge re-floating, then solids can be effectively settled, but the hydraulic retention time increases to 2 to 4 hours and the tank occupies large space (10 to 20% of the treatment plant site)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by introducing a high-rate filtration system that operates at surface loading rates of 10 to 25 m/hr, which is 5 to 25 times higher than conventional rates. This parameter change enables rapid solid removal while maintaining effective treatment, resolving the contradiction between productivity and retention time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional gravity-based sedimentation mechanism with a high-rate filtration mechanism using filter media. This substitution allows solids to be removed through filtration rather than slow gravitational settling, dramatically reducing hydraulic retention time while increasing productivity
2Productivity
If conventional primary sedimentation tanks are designed with large volume to achieve sufficient retention time, then solids can be settled, but the tank occupies large space (10 to 20% of the treatment plant site)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the design parameters by implementing high-rate filtration with surface loading rates of 10 to 25 m/hr, which allows the tank volume to be reduced by 1/20 to 1/10 compared to conventional tanks while maintaining or improving filtration efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the treatment process into distinct filtration and sedimentation zones within the tank. The high-rate filtration part uses filter media to remove solids rapidly, while the sedimentation tank handles flow equalization and wet weather flow treatment, allowing each component to be optimized independently and reducing overall volume
3Ease of operation
If separate equalization tanks are installed to adjust flow rate for bioreactor sensitivity, then bioreactor input conditions are optimized, but huge space is required to store several times the flow rate to be treated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the primary sedimentation tank multi-functional by integrating high-rate filtration, flow equalization, and wet weather flow treatment capabilities into a single tank system. The high-rate filtration part handles continuous solid removal while the sedimentation tank provides flow equalization, eliminating the need for separate equalization tanks and reducing space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of primary sedimentation, flow equalization, and wet weather flow treatment into a single integrated tank system. The high-rate filtration part and sedimentation tank work together to simultaneously achieve solid removal, flow rate adjustment, and load equalization, eliminating the need for separate equalization tanks
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 enables high-rate filtration and flow rate control, reducing tank size by 1/20 to 1/10 and improving filtration efficiency, eliminating the need for separate equalization tanks, and ensuring optimal bioreactor input conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a filtration part which includes a filter medium and removes solids in the influent sewage and wastewater
Implementation Method 2
a sedimentation tank with a water gate formed at a predetermined height to store sewage and wastewater flowing over the water gate
Implementation Method 3
a pump station which pumps the influent sewage and wastewater, causing the same to flow into the filtration part
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a sedimentation tank system including high-rate filtration part and being capable of primary treatment of sewage and wastewater, flow rate adjustment, and treatment of wetweather flow. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a sedimentation tank system for removing solids in an influent sewage and wastewater, the sedimentation tank including a filtration part which includes a filter medium and removes solids in the influent sewage and wastewater, a sedimentation tank with a water gate formed at a predetermined height to store sewage and wastewater flowing over the water gate, and an outflow distribution channel that receives, from the filtration part, sewage and wastewater from which solids have been removed, and discharges the same to the outside of the primary sedimentation tank.