Microbubble Aerator Skirt Recirculation for Wastewater Oxygen Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical surface aerators for waste lagoons do not effectively recirculate air that resurfaces, leading to inefficiencies in oxygen usage and treatment effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An aerating system with a skirt and manifold that captures resurfacing air and oxygen, directing it back into the liquid through an air pump or pressure gradients, enhancing oxygen utilization and bubble retention within the water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical surface aerators are used to introduce air into waste lagoon, then oxygen is supplied to microorganisms and mixing is provided, but air that resurfaces is not recirculated leading to wasted oxygen and reduced treatment efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures and recycles air that would otherwise escape to the atmosphere. The collection means (skirt with intake members) gather resurfaced air, and the recirculation system returns it to the air pump for re-injection, thereby recovering oxygen that would be wasted and improving treatment efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where resurfaced air is continuously captured, recirculated through the air pump, and re-injected into the lagoon. This closed-loop approach ensures oxygen is utilized multiple times rather than being lost, directly addressing the productivity and oxygen loss contradiction
2Productivity
If multiple aerator units are deployed to treat large waste lagoons, then adequate oxygen supply is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system enables continuous utilization of oxygen by capturing and re-injecting resurfaced air. This extends the effective operating time and oxygen utilization of each aerator unit, allowing fewer units to achieve the same overall treatment capacity, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining productivity
3Quantity of substance
If air is delivered deep into the lagoon water, then oxygen dissolution is enhanced, but air that reaches the surface is lost without recirculation
Solution Approach 1:
The collection means positioned at the surface capture air bubbles that rise and would otherwise be lost. The recirculation system returns this air to the air pump for re-injection, recovering the oxygen and preventing substance loss while maintaining enhanced oxygen dissolution benefits
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
Significantly increases oxygen content in wastewater, reducing the number of aeration systems needed by up to 80%, thereby lowering costs and improving treatment efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
utilization of appropriate pressure gradients
Implementation Method 2
a portion of the air returns to the surface
Implementation Method 3
Some of the resurfacing air and oxygen will be captured by the chamber of the skirt and be recirculated to the air pump
Implementation Method 4
Both the air from the chamber and the oxygen source are directed to the air pump and are forced downward and out an exit channel
Data Source
AI summary
An aerating system for treating a waste lagoon or some type of wastewater that captures and recirculates air that has been previously pumped into the lagoon via a skirt. The system also utilizes an oxygen source to pump oxygen into the waste lagoon or wastewater that can also be recirculated. A manifold of the system is designed to have intakes for both the recirculated air and for the oxygen source.