Mobile Wastewater Clarification Apparatus with Multi-Stage Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle-mounted portable apparatuses for wastewater clarification and disinfection from road drainage inlets and tunnels are limited to coarse separation by flocculation and settling, without comprehensive treatment to restore water quality, and have difficult-to-clean sludge compartments and impractical sludge discharge systems.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-mounted apparatus with a sludge collecting tank divided into three compartments, multiple filtration stages, pH adjustment and disinfection additive units, a cyclone device for water separation, and turbidity control, enabling finer filtration, sludge separation, and safe water discharge monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If coarse separation by flocculation and settling is used, then the apparatus structure is simpler, but the water quality restoration is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus structureVSAvoidwater quality restoration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment process is divided into multiple sequential stages: coagulation-flocculation, sand filtration, activated carbon filtration, and disinfection. Each stage addresses specific contaminants, transforming a single complex unit into multiple functional modules that collectively achieve comprehensive water quality restoration while keeping individual components manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Intermediary substances are introduced at each treatment stage: coagulants (alum, ferric chloride) for particle aggregation, sand as a physical filter medium, activated carbon for adsorption of organic contaminants, and disinfectants (chlorine, ozone) for pathogen elimination. These intermediaries enable progressive purification without requiring overly complex equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If sludge is confined in compartments for separation, then the filtration efficiency is improved, but the cleaning difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The sludge collection system is segmented into multiple compartments (first sludge collection compartment, second sludge collection compartment, third sludge collection compartment) that can be independently accessed and cleaned. Each compartment serves a specific filtration stage, allowing targeted maintenance without shutting down the entire system and enabling easier cleaning of individual sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition walls between compartments are designed to be movable or removable, transforming static enclosed spaces into dynamically accessible chambers. This allows operators to open and clean specific compartments as needed, maintaining filtration efficiency while significantly improving ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple treatment stages are added, then the water quality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater qualityVSAvoidtreatment system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment apparatus integrates multiple functions into a single mobile unit: coagulation-flocculation, sand filtration, activated carbon filtration, disinfection, sludge collection, and water quality monitoring. This multi-functional integration achieves comprehensive water quality improvement while consolidating what would otherwise be separate complex systems into one unified portable device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automatic control features including pH monitoring and adjustment, turbidity sensing, and automated disinfectant dosing. These self-service capabilities reduce the need for manual intervention and complex operational procedures, allowing multiple treatment stages to function cohesively with minimized operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If sludge discharge is simplified, then the operation ease is improved, but the separation efficiency may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesludge dischargeVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Sludge discharge is segmented by compartment, with each sludge collection compartment having its own dedicated discharge outlet. This allows operators to discharge sludge from individual compartments independently based on accumulation levels, simplifying operation while maintaining separation efficiency by preventing cross-contamination between different sludge streams from different treatment stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides comprehensive water treatment including pH adjustment, heavy metal separation, and disinfection, ensuring safe discharge and practical sludge handling, while continuously monitoring water quality to prevent environmental contamination.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclone device for separating the water from the sludge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

a first filter for coarse filtering of the sludge in the tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a second filter for finer filtration with respect to said first filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

collection and settling means for the water separated from the sludge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSettling: Settling

Data Source

PatentEP3310715B1Vehicle-mounted portable apparatus for clarification and disinfection of wastewater produced by the washing of road drainage inlets and drains and tunnels, and method for clarification and disinfection of wastewater produced by the washing of road drainage inlets and drains and tunnels
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 CAPPELLOTTO
  • EP3310715B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A vehicle-mounted portable apparatus (10) for clarification and disinfection of wastewater produced by the washing of road drainage inlets and drains and tunnels, characterized in that it comprises – a sludge collecting tank (11), – a first filter (17) for coarse filtering of the sludge in the tank, – a second filter (18) for finer filtration with respect to the first filter (17), – a dosage unit (19) for pH adjustment additives, – mixing means (20) for the addition of additives for purifying and disinfecting the sludge, – a cyclone device (23) for separating the water from the sludge, – collection and settling means (24) for the water separated from the sludge, – a hydraulic line (25) for the separated water, for connection between the separation cyclone (23) and the collection and settling means (24) for the separated water, with a dosage unit (26) for disinfection additives, – a hydraulic line (27) for connection to a high-pressure pump (28) for propelling the treated water toward generic uses, – a hydraulic line (29) for discharging treated water, provided with a turbidity control sensor (30).