Modular Unpressurized Bioreactor for Nitrate Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies for removing nitrate from contaminated water are costly, inefficient, and unsuitable for small-scale or variable nitrate loads, particularly in agricultural and rural settings, due to high upfront capital costs, need for steady-state conditions, and limitations in treating high nitrate levels and fluctuating water flows.

Innovation Solution

A modular, portable upflow denitrification system using anaerobic denitrifying bacteria and a locally available, cost-effective carbon source, such as acetate, to treat nitrate-contaminated water in a compact, unpressurized bioreactor with biofilm carriers, allowing for flexible operation and efficient nitrate removal across varying nitrate loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional nitrate removal technologies (ion exchange, reverse osmosis) are used, then nitrate removal efficiency is improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenitrate removal efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/physical filtration systems (ion exchange, reverse osmosis) with a biological system using anaerobic denitrifying bacteria that convert nitrate to nitrogen gas through biochemical reactions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical filtration components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental mechanism from physical separation to biological transformation, altering the chemical state of nitrate from dissolved ion to gaseous nitrogen, thereby simplifying the system while maintaining high removal efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If large-scale industrial denitrification systems are used, then nitrate removal capacity is improved, but upfront capital costs and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenitrate removal capacityVSAvoidupfront capital costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the denitrification system into modular, stackable units that can be configured for different treatment capacities, allowing small-scale implementations without requiring expensive industrial-scale infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs inexpensive, easily replaceable biofilm carriers and anaerobic sludge as the active treatment medium, eliminating the need for expensive durable industrial reactors and reducing capital costs while maintaining effective nitrate removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If fixed, permanent denitrification systems are used, then treatment reliability is improved, but adaptability to fluctuating water flows and nitrate loads decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to fluctuating flows

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a flexible system where the anaerobic sludge and biofilm carriers can dynamically adapt to varying flow rates and nitrate concentrations, allowing the treatment process to self-regulate based on actual loading conditions rather than requiring fixed industrial infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If external carbon sources are added to denitrification systems, then denitrification efficiency is improved, but operational complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedenitrification efficiencyVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs anaerobic sludge that contains its own internal carbon sources and metabolic pathways, allowing the system to self-sustain the denitrification process without requiring external carbon additions, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 system effectively reduces nitrate levels by 95-99% in a compact footprint, is cost-effective, and adaptable to fluctuating water flows, making it suitable for small-scale agricultural and rural applications.

Implementation Method 1

Removal of nitrogen from waste water by the use of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria generally involves conversion of organic nitrogen and ammonia into nitrates, followed by removal of the nitrates by denitrifying microorganisms to yield nitrogen gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological denitrification: Anaerobic Digestion

Implementation Method 2

Nitrate can be used by plants for growth. In many watersheds, nitrate can also be reduced to nitrogen gas and carbon dioxide by a number of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological reduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentUS11124437B2System and apparatus for a mobile, modular agricultural bioreactor, and methods related thereto

Publication Date: 2021.09.21 TAILWATER SYST INC

AI summary

A modular and mobile unpressurized bioreactor for removing nitrate from water, and methods and systems thereof.