Modular Pyramid Underwater Structure for Biopurification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater water purification systems face limitations in purification capacity, structural complexity, and transportation difficulties due to heavy and complex designs, and often have limited coverage and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular, pyramid-shaped underwater structure composed of interconnected elements with angled surfaces and specific coatings for biopurification, utilizing artificial grass, porous layers, and containment structures to facilitate microorganism growth and water circulation, allowing for efficient purification and easy assembly and transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex load-bearing framework with containment bulkheads is used for water purification, then the purification structure can be installed at pipe outlets, but the structure becomes heavy and difficult to transport and assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the purification structure into multiple identical modular units, each comprising a frame with vertical and horizontal bars and infill panels. These modular units can be independently manufactured, transported, and assembled on the seabed, eliminating the need for complex heavy frameworks while maintaining purification effectiveness through standardized replication.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses infill panels made of flexible or semi-flexible materials such as geotextiles, mesh, or fabric stretched across the modular frame. These thin film structures replace heavy solid bulkheads, significantly reducing weight and complexity while still providing the necessary containment and surface area for microbial growth and water filtration.
2Reliability
If filtering systems are installed at pipe outlets using density differences, then effluent can be filtered, but the purification coverage is limited only to zones reached by discharge pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from linear pipe-based purification to two-dimensional modular units that can be arranged in extensive arrays across the seabed. Each modular unit provides a large surface area for water treatment, and multiple units can be deployed to cover extensive areas, dramatically expanding purification coverage beyond what single discharge pipes can achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design creates universal units that can serve multiple functions: they provide structural containment, create surface area for microbial growth, facilitate water circulation, and can be arranged in various configurations. These multi-functional units replace the need for separate pipe infrastructure, allowing purification to occur throughout the deployed area rather than being confined to pipe proximity.
3Reliability
If modular blocks of special materials are used for biopurification, then water purification can be promoted, but the structures require very special materials and become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses infill panels made from common, homogeneous materials such as geotextiles, mesh, or fabric that can be manufactured using standard industrial processes. These materials are readily available and do not require specialized production, yet they provide sufficient surface area and porosity to support microbial growth and enable effective biopurification when assembled into modular configurations.
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 modular structure achieves high water purification capacity with simplified transportation and assembly, reducing costs while providing extensive coverage and efficient biopurification through natural water circulation and microorganism growth.
Implementation Method 1
porous layers
Implementation Method 2
porous layers
Implementation Method 3
natural water circulation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An underwater structure for biopurification of waters (1) comprises modular elements (2) extending in such a way that they are substantially flat and preferably closed. These modular elements (2) are connected to each other in such a way as to obtain a pyramid-shaped structure with an upper central opening (3) and at least one lateral opening (4) between one modular element (2) and another and have means for biopurification of waters in their walls facing the inside of the underwater structure (1). The underwater structure (1) can be positioned on the seabed with a modular element (2) positioned in such a way that it is substantially orthogonal to the direction of the sea current, to generate a flow of water which enters the underwater structure (1) through the lateral opening (4) and exits through the upper central opening (3).