Hydrocarbon Removal Apparatus with Sensor-Based Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing hydrocarbons from contaminated water are inefficient, costly, and often require manual intervention or the use of additional chemicals, leading to ineffective organic layer removal and increased water disposal costs.
Innovation Solution
A compact apparatus equipped with sensors for independent water level monitoring and automatic positioning, allowing for optimal collection of the supernatant organic phase by adjusting its position based on water level fluctuations and organic phase presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pump-and-treat method is used to extract polluted water, then water can be removed from contaminated site, but the collected water becomes waste requiring disposal and treatment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes only the organic phase (NAPL) from the contaminated water body, leaving the cleaned water in situ. This selective extraction avoids the need to pump and dispose of large volumes of water, thereby reducing disposal costs while effectively removing the contaminant.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and removes only the valuable/problematic organic phase while discarding the cleaned water back into the environment. This selective recovery approach prevents the loss of clean water and reduces waste disposal requirements compared to conventional pump-and-treat methods.
2Productivity
If chemical compounds such as surfactants are used to improve contaminant solubility, then flushing efficiency increases, but additional chemicals are required and treatment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the natural physical properties of the organic phase (density difference, immiscibility with water) to achieve separation and removal without requiring external chemical agents. The organic phase rises to the surface and is automatically collected, making the system self-sufficient and chemically-free.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of organic phase immiscibility and floating into a beneficial separation mechanism. The very property that makes NAPL problematic (floating on water) is exploited to enable easy collection and removal without chemicals.
3Reliability
If dual pump system is used to separately collect water and organic phase, then phase separation is achieved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex dual-pump system and replaces it with a single collection device that exploits natural buoyancy. The organic phase is extracted at the surface while water remains in situ, achieving phase separation through physical principles rather than mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the organic phase to naturally rise to the surface due to its lower density, where it is then automatically collected. This self-separation mechanism eliminates the need for complex pumping systems with multiple sensors and control mechanisms.
4Productivity
If floating skimmers are used to collect organic phase, then organic matter can be removed, but the system is influenced by water-organic composition variations and cannot completely remove organic layer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces floating skimmers with a submerged collection device that uses controlled positioning and pressure differentials. This mechanical substitution allows complete organic phase removal by directly accessing the phase at the interface and forcing it into collection, rather than relying on surface floating mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a flexible membrane that dynamically adapts to varying water levels and organic phase thicknesses. The membrane's movement and the device's positioning are adjusted in real-time to maintain effective collection regardless of composition variations, enhancing adaptability.
5Ease of operation
If filter canisters are used for organic phase removal, then simple operation is achieved, but only reduced organic volumes can be recovered and manual intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements continuous automatic operation with the collection device remaining submerged and actively collecting organic phase throughout operation. The system continuously pumps organic phase through the membrane filter and collects it, eliminating the intermittent manual emptying required by filter canisters and significantly increasing recovery volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors organic phase collection and pumps it through the filtration membrane without requiring manual intervention. The integrated pump and filter system operates autonomously, combining the simplicity of filter canisters with the continuous operation capability needed for high-volume recovery.
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 apparatus efficiently and automatically removes the demixed organic phase from contaminated water, minimizing water content and optimizing the flow of the filtered organic phase, thereby reducing costs and improving remediation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a selectively permeable filtering element configuring a separation cavity. When the apparatus is immersed in the body of water, the selectively permeable filter element separates the demixed organic phase into the separation cavity
Implementation Method 2
The heart of the system is a water-repellent selective belt, which passes through both phases and absorbs only the organic phase
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device and an apparatus and relative method for removing hydrocarbons from a water body, in particular for the remediation of hydrophobic contaminated hydrocarbons present as a demixed phase. The device of the invention is equipped with at least one sensor which determines its position with respect to the demixed phase in the body of water, allowing automated modification of the position of the device with respect to the demixed phase in optimising its separation and recovery.