Lamella Filter Tank Assembly for Simultaneous Solid and Oil Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to effectively combine the separation of solids and floating pollutants from liquids in a single system without requiring constructional adaptations, particularly in wastewater treatment scenarios where both types of pollutants are present.
Innovation Solution
A lamella filter tank assembly with multiple compartments, including an inlet conduit, lamella filter packages, a skimmer, underrun, and overrun members, which allows for the simultaneous separation of settling and floating pollutants through controlled liquid flow paths and drainage systems, minimizing turbulence to enhance pollutant settling and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single treatment system is used for both settling and floating pollutants, then treatment efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate treatment functions for settling pollutants and floating pollutants into a single integrated tank assembly. The tank includes a settling compartment with cone-shaped bottoms for solids removal and a floating pollutant compartment with skimmers for oil removal, both within one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate constructional adaptations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it settles solids through gravity separation in the first compartment, removes floating pollutants via skimmers in the second compartment, and provides underrun and overrun flow paths for comprehensive treatment. This multi-functional design addresses both settling and floating pollutant removal in one system.
2Reliability
If multiple compartments are added to separate pollutant types, then separation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tank assembly is divided into distinct compartments: a first compartment for settling pollutants with a cone-shaped bottom and drain, and a second compartment for floating pollutants with skimmers. This segmentation allows targeted treatment of different pollutant types while maintaining an integrated overall structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If flow velocity is reduced to enhance settling, then separation precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces underrun and overrun flow paths that create a three-dimensional flow pattern. The underrun path allows liquid to flow beneath the settled solids cone, while the overrun path allows excess liquid to flow over the top, enhancing separation precision without significantly reducing overall processing capacity.
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 efficiently separates both settling and floating pollutants in a single treatment process, enabling the removal of oil and solids without blockages, with the option to recycle or dewater sludges from each compartment, and is designed to be mobile and easily cleaned.
Implementation Method 1
flowing the liquid through a first compartment that includes a first drain at a bottom thereof, where a first portion of settling pollutants settle to the first drain
Implementation Method 2
The third compartment also includes a skimmer... and the floating pollutants are removed by the skimmer
Implementation Method 3
A lamella filter tank assembly with multiple compartments... which allows for the simultaneous separation of settling and floating pollutants through controlled liquid flow paths and drainage systems, minimizing turbulence to enhance pollutant settling and separation
Data Source
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AI summary
A tank assembly for the treatment of waste streams that include settling pollutants and floating pollutants. The tank assembly includes an inlet conduit, a first compartment that includes a first drain at a bottom thereof, a second compartment that includes a second drain at a bottom thereof, a third compartment that includes a third drain at a bottom thereof, and an outlet conduit. The second compartment also includes at least a first lamella filter package disposed therein. The third compartment also includes a skimmer, an underrun member and an overrun member. A liquid flow path is defined from the inlet conduit, through the first compartment, through the second compartment and the first lamella filter pack, through the third compartment, past the skimmer, under the underrun, over the overrun and out the outlet conduit.