Modular Vertical Bioreactor for Aquaponic Wastewater Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wastewater treatment systems are costly and inefficient, particularly in managing large volumes of wastewater from industrial and agricultural activities, and existing aquaponic systems are not modular or scalable for efficient water reuse and plant growth.
Innovation Solution
A modular, vertical bioreactor system with interconnectable chambers and a fluid delivery assembly that allows for independent fluid flow to each chamber, enabling effective removal of nitrogenous waste and other contaminants, and allowing for reconfiguration and reuse of treated water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional aquaponic techniques are used with large cultivated plots, then nitrogenous waste can be converted to nutrients for plant growth, but a large amount of space is consumed which could be utilized more efficiently for aquaculture protein production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal planter beds to vertical bioreactor chambers, utilizing the vertical dimension for plant cultivation. This allows multiple chambers to be stacked vertically, dramatically increasing plant growth capacity per unit floor area while maintaining efficient aquaculture space below.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the plant cultivation function into multiple separate vertical bioreactor chambers that can be independently configured. Each chamber serves as an independent module for treating wastewater and growing plants, allowing flexible arrangement to optimize both aquaculture and agriculture space utilization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional aquaponic systems are implemented, then nitrogenous waste treatment is achieved, but the systems are not modular or scalable for efficient water reuse and plant growth
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular vertical bioreactor chambers that can be independently assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured. Each chamber functions as a self-contained unit for wastewater treatment and plant growth, enabling scalable deployment from small to large systems without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold system allows dynamic reconfiguration of fluid flow paths to serve different chamber configurations. The system can adapt its operational structure to match the physical arrangement of chambers, whether in series, parallel, or combination patterns, providing versatility without mechanical complexity.
3Ease of operation
If conventional planter beds are used in aquaponic systems, then plant growth is supported, but the systems are difficult to transport and utilize, and separation of individual plants or plant units without damaging root systems is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Individual vertical bioreactor chambers serve as separate containers for each plant or small group of plants. Each chamber can be independently removed from the system without affecting other plants, allowing easy transport and maintenance while keeping root systems intact within their respective chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical bioreactor chambers appear to use flexible or removable chamber structures that can be easily detached from the manifold system. This allows entire plant-containing chambers to be lifted out as complete units, protecting root systems during separation and enabling easy system reconfiguration or transport.
4Loss of energy
If wastewater treatment systems are implemented away from the source, then treatment can be performed, but costs associated with transporting fluid waste are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The wastewater treatment system is integrated directly into the aquaculture system, with vertical bioreactor chambers positioned to receive effluent directly from fish tanks via gravity or simple pumping. This merging of treatment and production functions eliminates the need for separate treatment facilities and long-distance waste transport infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the aquaculture wastewater itself as the growth medium for plants, eliminating the need for external water sources or complex treatment infrastructure. The manifold system automatically distributes effluent to appropriate chambers based on plant needs and system configuration, requiring minimal external control.
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 achieves significant reductions in contaminants like ammonia, nitrate, and heavy metals, making treated water suitable for reuse in aquaculture systems or other applications, while being modular and scalable for efficient water management.
Implementation Method 1
bioreactor systems for treatment of wastewater by phytoremediation processes involving rhizofiltration, aerobic degradation, microbial breakdown, substrate mediated catalysis, and catalytic degradation reactions
Implementation Method 2
bioreactor systems for treatment of wastewater by phytoremediation processes involving rhizofiltration, aerobic degradation, microbial breakdown
Implementation Method 3
bioreactor systems for treatment of wastewater by phytoremediation processes involving rhizofiltration
Implementation Method 4
bioreactor systems for treatment of wastewater by phytoremediation processes involving substrate mediated catalysis, and catalytic degradation reactions
Data Source
AI summary
A modular, vertical bioreactor system includes a plurality of vertical bioreactor chambers each of which encloses an interior volume and has a height dimension which is greater than its width dimension; a drain manifold which maintains the bioreactor chambers in a spaced apart relationship and defines a fluid channel which is in fluid communication with each of the vertical bioreactor chambers; and, a fluid delivery assembly which delivers a fluid to each of the bioreactors. The system may be reconfigured so as to accommodate varying applications. The system may be integrated with an aquaculture system.