Movable Suction Duct for Settling Tank Blockage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biogas or biomethan production plants face efficiency losses and operational disruptions due to the accumulation of inorganic materials in settling tanks, which can cause suctioning means to block, necessitating tank emptying and increasing production costs and delays.

Innovation Solution

A settling tank with a vertically movable telescopic suction duct and level sensor system that adjusts the suction duct's position based on the settled inorganic material's height, ensuring maximum suction efficiency and preventing clogging, along with a second settling chamber and separating diaphragm for controlled fluidic connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed suction duct is used in the settling tank, then the structure is simple, but the suction efficiency decreases when inorganic material accumulates to a certain height causing blockage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction efficiencyVSAvoidsuction duct structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction duct is made movable along the vertical axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position according to the height of settled inorganic material. This dynamic adjustment maintains optimal suction efficiency while preventing blockage, resolving the contradiction between reliability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A level sensor detects the height of settled inorganic material and provides feedback to the control unit, which automatically adjusts the suction duct position. This closed-loop feedback system ensures continuous optimal suction efficiency without manual intervention, maintaining reliability while using automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the suction duct is positioned too low, then suction efficiency is high, but the duct blocks when inorganic material accumulates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiogas production continuityVSAvoidsuction operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction duct vertically moves to maintain optimal distance from the inorganic material surface, ensuring continuous high suction efficiency without blockage. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between productivity and reliability by adapting to varying material accumulation levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically adjusts the suction duct position based on level sensor feedback, enabling self-regulation of suction operation. This self-service mechanism prevents blockage while maintaining continuous productivity without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the tank is emptied frequently to prevent blockage, then suction reliability is maintained, but production time is delayed and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction operationVSAvoidproduction delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The movable suction duct continuously adapts its position to prevent blockage, eliminating the need for frequent tank emptying. This dynamic adjustment maintains suction reliability while allowing continuous biogas production, resolving the time loss contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic adjustment mechanism ensures continuous uninterrupted suction operation by preventing blockage before it occurs. This continuity of useful action eliminates production delays and maintains steady biogas production, resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

This solution ensures continuous biogas or biomethan production by effectively removing inorganic materials without blocking the suction duct, reducing operational costs and delays, and maintaining efficient plant operation.

Implementation Method 1

suctioning means to suction said settled inorganic portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

for settling the inorganic portion contained in said avicultural dejections

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSedimentation: Sedimentation

Implementation Method 3

by settling by gravity the latter on the tank bottom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3222336B1Tank for sedimentation of the inorganic part of poultry dejection and relative method for removing said inorganic part

Publication Date: 2019.02.27 GREEN SEED SRL

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Figure 5

AI summary

Settling tank (1) to settle the inorganic portion of the avicultural dejections, comprising at least one first chamber (2) for settling said inorganic portion contained in said avicultural dejections, at least one bottom surface (4) on which said inorganic portion deposits and suctioning means (3) to suction said settled inorganic portion, characterized in that said suctioning means (3) comprise at least one suction duct (3a) vertically movable depending on the height said settled inorganic portion reaches with respect to said bottom surface (4).