Micro-nano Bubble Wastewater Treatment for PFOS Decomposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods are ineffective in decomposing chemically stable organofluoric and organochlorine compounds, such as PFOS and PFOA, due to their high thermal decomposition requirements and difficulty in microbial decomposition, posing ecological concerns.

Innovation Solution

A wastewater treatment method involving multiple stages of microbial treatment with micro-nano bubbles, including initial activation in a microbe tank, subsequent supplementation with ozone micro-nano bubbles, and final activated charcoal treatment, enhances microbial activity and decomposition efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional microbial treatment is used to decompose organofluoric and organochlorine compounds, then treatment cost is reduced, but decomposition effectiveness is insufficient due to chemical stability of the compounds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment costVSAvoiddecomposition effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state and surface area parameters by introducing micro-nano bubbles into the wastewater treatment system. These bubbles create intense surface activity and localized high-energy states that enhance microbial metabolic activity, thereby improving decomposition effectiveness of chemically stable compounds without increasing treatment cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The micro-nano bubbles act as an intermediary substance that mediates between the wastewater and microorganisms. The bubbles transfer energy and enhance the interaction between microbial cells and target compounds, facilitating more effective decomposition of chemically stable organofluoric and organochlorine compounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If thermal decomposition is used to decompose PFOS or PFOA, then decomposition effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly due to high temperature requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecomposition effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces thermal decomposition (high-temperature mechanical energy) with micro-nano bubble-induced microbial decomposition (biological energy enhancement). The micro-nano bubbles create localized high-energy states that activate microbial metabolism, achieving effective decomposition at much lower energy costs without requiring high temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If micro-nano bubbles are added to treatment-receiving-water before microbial treatment, then microbial activity is activated, but the complexity of the treatment process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial activityVSAvoidtreatment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by adding micro-nano bubbles to the treatment-receiving-water before the microbial treatment stage. This pre-treatment step activates microbial activity in advance, ensuring that microorganisms are fully activated when they contact the target compounds, thereby improving decomposition effectiveness without requiring complex multi-stage systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This method effectively decomposes organofluoric and organochlorine compounds with activated microorganisms, achieving high removal ratios and reducing environmental impact at lower energy costs.

Implementation Method 1

generation of a local high pressure field, and electrostatic polarization which appear in the nano bubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic polarization: Electrostatic Induction

Implementation Method 2

ozone gas generated by an ozonizer and waste liquid drawn from the bottom of a treatment tank are fed to a micro bubble generator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

a process for decomposing a part of liquid into gas in the liquid and (ii) a process for applying ultrasonic waves in the liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic cavitation: Acoustic Cavitation

Implementation Method 4

a contact oxidation tank filled with charcoal for applying microbial treatment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS7641798B2Waste water treatment method and waste water treatment apparatus

Publication Date: 2010.01.05 SHARP FUKUYAMA LASER CO LTD

AI summary

A waster water treatment apparatus has micro-nano bubbles generation tanks, mixing tanks, a submerged membrane tank, a contact oxidation tank, and an activated charcoal adsorption device. In the micro-nano bubbles generation tanks, micro-nano bubbles are added to the waste water. In the mixing tanks, the waste water containing micro-nano bubbles is mixed with sludge containing microorganisms. In the contact oxidation tank, the waste water containing organofluoric compounds is microbially treated by the micro-nano bubbles added to the waste water. The micro-nano bubbles activate microorganisms in the waste water. Thereby organofluoric compounds are microbially decomposed with effect.