Infrared Sludge Level Detection with Self-Cleaning Corundum Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sludge reflux systems in sewage treatment plants face issues with excessive or insufficient sludge reflux due to fixed reflux ratios, leading to inefficiencies and damage to anaerobic tanks, and existing sludge level meters are unsuitable for long-term underwater use due to high costs and interference from sand and biofilm.
Innovation Solution
An immersed active infrared self-cleaning secondary sedimentation tank sludge blanket induction device with infrared emitters and receivers, a transparent corundum ring, and a push rod assembly for cleaning, allowing precise sludge level control and long-term underwater operation with reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a visible light sludge level meter is sunk at the bottom of water, then sludge level detection is possible, but fiber winding, scratching by sand grains, biofilm growth on lens, high manufacturing cost, and natural light interference occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visible light optical systems with an infrared electromagnetic radiation system. The infrared emitter transmits infrared light through the sludge blanket, and the infrared receiver detects the transmitted infrared light to determine sludge level. This substitution eliminates the problems of fiber winding, sand grain scratching, and biofilm growth that plague visible light systems, while providing reliable long-term underwater operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the electromagnetic radiation from visible light to infrared range. By using infrared wavelengths (typically 3-14 μm), the system achieves better penetration through sludge and water while avoiding the interference issues of visible light. The infrared emitter and receiver are specifically designed to operate at these wavelengths, providing stable detection without the drawbacks of visible light systems.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed reflux ratio is used in sludge reflux, then system operation is simple, but excessive or insufficient reflux occurs leading to reduced treatment efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the infrared receiver continuously monitors the sludge level in the secondary sedimentation tank and sends signals to automatically adjust the sludge reflux pump operation. When the sludge level reaches a predetermined height, the system automatically stops the reflux pump; when the level drops, the pump restarts. This closed-loop feedback eliminates the need for manual intervention while optimizing treatment efficiency through dynamic reflux ratio adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static fixed reflux ratio system to a dynamic adjustable system. The sludge reflux pump's operation is continuously adjusted based on real-time sludge level measurements detected by the infrared system. This dynamic adjustment allows the reflux ratio to adapt to changing operational conditions, maximizing treatment efficiency without requiring complex manual control.
3Productivity
If clear liquid with high dissolved oxygen flows back to anaerobic tank, then sludge reflux maintains continuous flow, but the anaerobic function of the anaerobic tank is destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared-based feedback control system monitors sludge level and automatically adjusts reflux pump operation to prevent clear liquid with high dissolved oxygen from flowing back to the anaerobic tank. By stopping the reflux pump when sludge level reaches the predetermined height, the system ensures that only sludge (not clear liquid) is refluxed, thereby protecting the anaerobic function of the anaerobic tank while maintaining continuous sludge reflux flow.
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 provides stable and reliable sludge level monitoring and control, preventing excessive reflux and improving sewage treatment efficiency by using infrared technology and a self-cleaning mechanism resistant to sand and biofilm interference.
Implementation Method 1
a set of infrared emitters and infrared receivers that are located on an inner wall of the upper sleeve and are oppositely arranged
Implementation Method 2
the infrared receiver outputs a second signal when the sludge blocks the transparent hard ring and blocks the infrared rays emitted by the infrared emitters
Implementation Method 3
a push rod assembly that can move up and down in the inner cavity and is used for cleaning the transparent hard ring
Implementation Method 4
when clean water enters the clean water cavity from the water inlet hole, the clean water pushes the push rod assembly to move upwards
Implementation Method 5
the clean water enters the cleaning bent pipe from the water feeding hole and is sprayed out from the water outlet hole, and the push rod assembly scrubs the transparent hard ring under the action of water flow
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an immersed active infrared self-cleaning secondary sedimentation tank sludge blanket induction device and an application method thereof, the induction device comprises an upper sleeve and a lower sleeve that are connected up and down and form a communicated inner cavity, a set of infrared emitters and infrared receivers that are located on an inner wall of the upper sleeve and are oppositely arranged, a transparent hard ring that is annularly adhered to front sides of the infrared emitters and the infrared receivers, and a push rod assembly that can move up and down in the inner cavity and is used for cleaning the transparent hard ring; wherein a sludge outlet hole and a water outlet hole located below the sludge outlet hole are arranged on the upper sleeve, a bearing plate is arranged in the inner cavity of the lower sleeve.