Hollow Support Settler Plate for Clarifier Flow Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clarifiers face issues with support strength, corrosion, and flow disruption due to attached supports, leading to increased fabrication costs, maintenance difficulties, and reduced efficiency in solid settlement and liquid flow management.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a hollow support integrated with the settler plate, which extends from the back surface and does not project above the settling surface, allowing for efficient liquid flow and individual channel sampling without mixing with other channels, while providing sufficient strength for technician access and reducing turbulence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If supports are attached to the tops of settler plates, then the settler plates can be held in the clarifier, but the supports disrupt the flow of clarified liquid and increase fabrication complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport strengthVSAvoidflow disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is moved from a vertical attachment at the top of the plate to a horizontal integration within the plate body itself. The hollow support is formed by bending the plate material to create a cavity that provides structural strength without protruding into the flow path, thus resolving the contradiction between support strength and flow disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The support function is merged with the settler plate structure itself. Instead of being a separate attached component, the hollow support is formed as an integral part of the plate by bending the plate material, eliminating the need for separate support attachments and reducing fabrication complexity while maintaining flow efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If supports are welded to settler plates, then the plates can be securely held, but fabrication costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport attachment strengthVSAvoidfabrication cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure and settler plate are merged into a single integrated component. The hollow support is formed by bending the plate material itself, eliminating the need for separate support pieces and welding operations, thus reducing fabrication cost and complexity while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The settler plate serves its own support function through its own material structure. The plate is designed with a hollow cavity that provides the necessary structural strength to hold the plate in position, making external support attachments unnecessary and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If clarified liquid flows from multiple channels into common volumes, then the liquid combines, but individual channel monitoring becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid flow efficiencyVSAvoidchannel sampling accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clarifier system is segmented into independent flow channels, each with its own settler plate and hollow support. This segmentation allows each channel to be monitored and sampled independently through the hollow support structure, while still maintaining efficient liquid flow through the integrated design of each channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances the strength and efficiency of the clarifier by minimizing turbulence, facilitating easier maintenance, and allowing for precise monitoring and isolation of individual channels, thereby improving the overall settling process and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

The hollow support is configured to receive clarified liquid from a flow channel defined by adjacent settler plates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

These materials are generally suspended in the liquid and can be removed under the force of gravity when the flow of the liquid is substantially reduced, as in a very low flow, or quiescent zone in the clarifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity settling: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

Clarifiers are used to remove certain materials and particles from liquid or waste-water... the materials and particles... can be removed under the force of gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSedimentation: Sedimentation

Data Source

PatentUS10881988B2Settler with a settler plate that includes a hollow support

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 PARKSON CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to settler plates for a plate settler. The settler plates generally include a hollow support with a hollow interior to receive clarified liquid from a flow channel between adjacent settler plates. An orifice is formed through the hollow support to direct clarified liquid from the flow channel into the hollow interior. The orifice can be positioned such that clarified liquid can flow upwardly out of the flow channel and downwardly through the orifice into the hollow interior. The hollow support can be integrally formed with the settler plate. For example, the hollow support can be formed by bending a tab extending from an end of the settler plate. The tab can be bent into a hollow support with a cross section that is generally polygonal.