Retrofitting Lagoon Entry System for Sealed Robotic Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for cleaning covered anaerobic lagoons are time-consuming, hazardous, and require shutting down production, as they involve manual entry and venting, which can lead to the release of hazardous gases and reduce the operational efficiency of anaerobic digestion processes.
Innovation Solution
A lagoon entry system that includes a center wall, interior portion, exterior portion, and gate complex, allowing a submersible robot cleaner to access the lagoon without releasing gases, enabling efficient and safe cleaning by creating a sealed environment for the robot to remove waste while maintaining the anaerobic digestion process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning methods are used to remove waste from covered lagoons, then waste removal can be achieved, but production must be shut down and hazardous gases are released
Solution Approach 1:
A sealed entry system with interlocking gates serves as an intermediary structure between the external environment and the covered lagoon interior. This mediator allows the robotic cleaner to enter and exit while maintaining the seal integrity, preventing hazardous gas release during cleaning operations and enabling continuous production
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical cleaning process is replaced with an autonomous robotic cleaner that operates within the sealed entry system. The robot performs waste removal functions without requiring human operators to enter the lagoon or shut down production, eliminating both labor hazards and operational interruptions
2Productivity
If manual cleaning is performed, then waste can be removed, but the process is time-consuming and hazardous to humans
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic cleaner is designed to autonomously navigate the lagoon floor, locate waste material, and transport it to the vacuum collection point without human intervention. The system serves itself by automatically performing all cleaning functions, eliminating human exposure to hazardous environments while maintaining high cleaning efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed entry system with interlocking gates acts as a protective intermediary barrier that isolates the hazardous lagoon environment from human operators. This mediator structure allows the robotic cleaner to access the lagoon interior while keeping human workers safely outside, eliminating safety hazards while enabling continuous operation
3Ease of operation
If the lagoon is vented and drained for cleaning, then waste removal is possible, but anaerobic digestion is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed entry system with interlocking gates serves as a mediator that provides cleaning accessibility without requiring the lagoon to be vented or drained. The robot can enter through the sealed gateway, navigate the flooded lagoon floor, and remove waste while the anaerobic digestion process continues undisturbed in the main lagoon volume
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous anaerobic digestion by allowing waste removal operations to proceed independently within the sealed entry structure. The useful action of anaerobic digestion continues uninterrupted while the robotic cleaner simultaneously performs waste removal through the sealed gateway, maintaining both productivity and operational ease
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more arrangements, a lagoon entry system and method of retrofitting a lagoon entry system to a covered lagoon is presented. In one or more arrangements, the lagoon entry system includes a center wall connected to an interior portion, an exterior portion, and a gate complex. The gate complex includes a gate which is configured to provide selective access into the covered lagoon, namely access by a submersible robot cleaner configured to clean the floor of the covered lagoon. In one or more arrangements, the lagoon entry system is retrofitted to a covered lagoon by cutting a hole in the cover of the covered lagoon, excavating material from an interior area located inside the covered lagoon and an exterior area located outside the lagoon. Once the interior area and exterior area have been excavated, the center wall, interior portion, and exterior portion can be placed and properly connected.