In-situ Hypobromite Generation for Urea Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water treatment systems are ineffective in completely removing nitrogen-containing organic compounds, such as urea, which impede the reuse and utilization of water resources.
Innovation Solution
A water treatment system incorporating a nitrogen-containing organic compound oxidizing device with a two-stage mixing process using hypobromite, generated by mixing inorganic bromides and oxidants within the system, to break down urea into molecular nitrogen and carbon dioxide, thereby reducing urea concentrations below 50 μg/L.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional hypobromite storage designs are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but reagent stability and effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hypobromite generation process into two separate input streams: one delivering oxidant-containing water and another delivering inorganic bromide-containing water. These streams are mixed in-situ within the treatment system rather than storing pre-mixed hypobromite solution, thereby maintaining system simplicity while ensuring reagent stability through controlled generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary mixing of oxidant and inorganic bromide streams before they contact the urea-containing water. This preliminary action ensures that hypobromite is generated at the optimal point in the treatment process, maximizing its effectiveness while avoiding the stability issues associated with storage.
2Productivity
If thorough mixing of reagents is achieved, then hypobromite formation efficiency is improved, but reagent usage quantity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where a portion of the treated water (second-stage treatment water) is recirculated back to the mixing unit. This recirculated water serves as a carrier that enhances the mixing efficiency of fresh reagent streams with the urea-containing water, improving hypobromite formation efficiency while utilizing the treated water itself rather than requiring additional reagents.
Solution Approach 2:
The treated water from the system itself is used to facilitate the mixing process. The second-stage treatment water, after completing its primary function, is recirculated to assist in the mixing of new reagent batches, making the system self-sufficient and reducing the need for external auxiliary substances.
3Reliability
If multi-stage treatment process is implemented, then nitrogen-containing organic compound removal effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the oxidation process with the mixing process by integrating the hypobromite generation and urea oxidation into a single unified treatment train. The oxidant and inorganic bromide streams are mixed and react with urea in sequence without requiring separate dedicated units, thereby achieving effective multi-stage treatment while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing unit serves multiple functions: it mixes the oxidant stream with inorganic bromide stream to generate hypobromite, mixes the generated hypobromite with urea-containing water to oxidize urea, and also receives recirculated treated water to enhance mixing efficiency. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices for each function.
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 effectively reduces nitrogen-containing organic compound concentrations, enhancing water quality and efficiency by real-time reagent mixing and circulation, minimizing reagent usage and overcoming the limitations of conventional hypobromite storage designs.
Implementation Method 1
The in-pipe mixer mixes the first-stage treatment water, the oxidant-containing water stream, and the inorganic bromide-containing water stream
Implementation Method 2
The mixing unit joins the pipeline to mix the first-stage treatment water, the oxidant-containing water stream, the inorganic bromide-containing water stream and a portion of the second-stage treatment water
Implementation Method 3
oxidize nitrogen-containing organic compounds, particularly urea, wherein hypobromite for oxidizing urea is fully formed
Data Source
AI summary
A water treatment system is provided with a nitrogen-containing organic compound oxidizing device that treats the first-stage treatment water after filtration and removal of cation ions. An oxidant-containing water stream and an inorganic bromide-containing water stream are respectively added into a pipeline that conducts the first-stage treatment water and then pass through an in-pipe mixer and a mixing unit, whereby to oxidize the nitrogen-containing organic compounds in the first-stage treatment water and then form the second-stage treatment water for output.