Managed Sewer System Using Ozone Sterilization and Small Diameter Piping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sewer systems, relying on gravity flow and anaerobic processes, are complex, expensive, and produce greenhouse gases like methane, which are harmful to the atmosphere, while existing technologies do not optimize the distributed processing and transportation of wastewater effectively.

Innovation Solution

A 'managed sewer' system utilizing a network-based approach with embedded computerized control for optimized distribution and processing, employing small diameter piping, ozone treatment, and high floc affinity polymers to sterilize and separate wastewater, reducing capital costs and environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If gravity flow piping is used to collect wastewater from multiple residences, then the system can operate without external power, but the piping diameters must grow significantly and trench depth becomes prohibitively deep requiring expensive lifting stations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidpiping system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical gravity flow system with an electromagnetic pump-based pressurized flow system. Small diameter pipes with controlled pressure flow replace the large diameter gravity flow pipes and lifting stations, fundamentally changing the mechanical approach to wastewater transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the flow parameters from gravity-driven slow flow to pump-controlled pressurized flow. This allows the use of small diameter pipes while maintaining adequate flow velocity and preventing sedimentation, resolving the contradiction between pipe size and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If pumped-flow sewer systems are used to reduce piping complexity, then the system can use smaller pipes, but pumping cycles are determined by input volume requiring large common pipes and lift stations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepiping system complexityVSAvoidwastewater volume handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wastewater collection system into multiple small diameter independent pipes, each serving specific zones or buildings. This eliminates the need for a single large common pipe while maintaining pumping efficiency and reducing the quantity of material needed for pipe construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamically controlled pumping with variable speed pumps that adjust flow rates based on real-time demand and system conditions. This allows efficient handling of varying wastewater volumes without requiring oversized pipes and lift stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If anaerobic biological processes are used for wastewater treatment, then the system can process solids to methane and heat, but methane production attacks the earth's protective ozone layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewastewater processing efficiencyVSAvoidgreenhouse gas emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces ozone, a strong oxidant, into the wastewater stream to oxidize organic matter and kill pathogens. This aerobic oxidation process replaces anaerobic digestion, eliminating methane production while maintaining effective wastewater treatment and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful anaerobic process that produces greenhouse gases into a beneficial aerobic process using ozone. The ozone itself is generated on-site from atmospheric oxygen, turning a potential harm (ozone release) into a benefit (wastewater treatment without methane emissions).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 managed sewer system significantly reduces capital costs, minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, and efficiently transports wastewater through small diameter piping, ensuring effective sterilization and separation of pathogens, thereby optimizing the wastewater processing and transportation process.

Implementation Method 1

A controlled amount of ozone is injected into the flow along the path of travel through the pipe to a processing center

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

High floc affinity polymers are injected into the flow to separate out the solids and liquids from the gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlocculation: Flocculation

Data Source

PatentUS10870588B2Method and apparatus to implement a managed distributed wastewater process

Publication Date: 2020.12.22 MASTEN JR JAMES WILLIAM

AI summary

The method of the managed sewer is a “Netcentric” distributed process that is managed in real-time and implemented through several apparatuses that enable the low capital cost and low installation cost of a smaller diameter pipe (smaller than typically used in gravity flow systems). The apparatuses enable the method of managing the grinding, pumping and staging processes to optimize the effectiveness of the collection process through the small pipe and increase system efficacy by using the pumping and transport action of the material in the pipe as part of the process activity.