Membrane Wastewater Treatment with Temperature Gradient

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial wastewater containing hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, and hydrogen fluoride poses challenges for effective treatment due to corrosion and environmental pollution risks, necessitating an environmentally friendly recycling method.

Innovation Solution

A wastewater treatment apparatus comprising a membrane assembly with a membrane having holes, which allows materials to move between wastewater and an absorbent liquid, with temperature control mechanisms to adjust the temperatures of both the wastewater and the absorbent liquid, ensuring the absorbent liquid is hotter than the wastewater.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the absorbent liquid is kept at a lower temperature to reduce energy consumption, then water vapor transfer increases, but this causes loss of absorbent liquid concentration and reduced treatment reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidtreatment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the absorbent liquid, specifically raising it to be higher than the wastewater temperature. This parameter change reduces water vapor transfer from wastewater to absorbent liquid, thereby maintaining absorbent liquid concentration and improving treatment reliability while managing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the temperature of the absorbent liquid is raised above wastewater temperature to reduce water vapor transfer, then absorbent liquid concentration is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies temperature parameter change by raising the absorbent liquid temperature above wastewater temperature. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining treatment reliability through reduced water vapor transfer while managing the associated energy consumption through controlled heating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If conventional treatment methods are used without temperature control, then device complexity is reduced, but corrosion and environmental pollution occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcorrosion and pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces temperature as a control parameter, raising absorbent liquid temperature above wastewater temperature. This parameter change reduces water vapor transfer and associated corrosion and pollution risks, justifying the increased device complexity through temperature control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses temperature difference as an intermediary mechanism between wastewater and absorbent liquid. By controlling the temperature relationship (absorbent liquid hotter than wastewater), it mediates the interaction to reduce harmful effects like corrosion and pollution while enabling effective treatment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 apparatus effectively treats and recycles wastewater by reducing water vapor transfer, maintaining absorbent liquid concentration, and enhancing treatment reliability, thereby addressing corrosion and pollution issues.

Implementation Method 1

the membrane assembly is further configured to allow materials to move between the wastewater and the absorbent liquid through the holes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

determining a difference between a vapor pressure of the wastewater and a vapor pressure of the absorbent liquid based on the mole fraction of water in the wastewater and the mole fraction of water in the absorbent liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor pressure difference: Vapour Pressure

Implementation Method 3

in the membrane assembly, a temperature of the absorbent liquid is different from a temperature of the wastewater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature gradient: Temperature Gradient

Implementation Method 4

a first temperature adjuster configured to change a temperature of the wastewater, a second temperature adjuster configured to change a temperature of the absorbent liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 5

a second water tank configured to store absorbent liquid, the at least one membrane assembly configured to receive the wastewater from the first water tank the absorbent liquid from the second water tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250042797A1Apparatus configured to treat wastewater and method of treating wastewater

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus configured to treat wastewater includes a first water tank configured to store wastewater, a second water tank configured to store absorbent liquid, and a membrane assembly including a membrane including holes, the membrane assembly configured to receive the wastewater from the first water tank and the absorbent liquid from the second water tank, where the membrane assembly is further configured to allow materials to move between the wastewater and the absorbent liquid through the holes, and where, in the membrane assembly, a temperature of the absorbent liquid is different from a temperature of the wastewater.