Multi-Impeller Recirculation Duct for Biomass and Biofilm Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wastewater treatment systems face challenges in efficiently preserving multiple-density biomass and attached biofilm, leading to high energy consumption, potential washout of biomass, detachment of biofilm, and inadequate contact between organic loads and biomass.
Innovation Solution
A high-precision, high-efficiency recirculation system is introduced, featuring a central recirculation duct with a diffuser cone and upper guide cone, along with axial-type impellers and a hyperbolic mixer/impeller, to induce orderly flow and maximize contact between organic loads and biomass, while minimizing energy consumption and preventing biomass washout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional mixers use single agitators per unit area to promote contact between biomass and organic load, then contact factor is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single agitator into multiple impellers arranged vertically along a central shaft. Each impeller creates localized flow patterns that collectively provide thorough mixing throughout the reactor volume, reducing the energy required per unit of mixing effectiveness while maintaining high contact factors between biomass and organic load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal mixing (single agitator) to vertical multi-level mixing (multiple impellers at different heights). This dimensional change allows simultaneous mixing action at multiple levels, improving contact factor while distributing energy consumption more efficiently throughout the reactor volume.
2Productivity
If high turbulence and velocity are used to increase contact factor and mass transfer, then mass transfer capacity is improved, but biomass washout and biofilm detachment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates different flow conditions at different locations and heights within the reactor. Each impeller generates localized turbulence appropriate for its specific zone, ensuring sufficient mass transfer capacity while avoiding excessive turbulence that would cause biomass washout or biofilm detachment in other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple impellers rotating at potentially different speeds to create dynamic, variable flow patterns throughout the reactor. This allows optimization of turbulence intensity at each level, maintaining high mass transfer capacity while preventing biomass loss through controlled variation in mixing intensity.
3Productivity
If high mixing speeds are used to promote contact between biomass and organic load, then contact efficiency is improved, but biofilm detachment and washing away increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mixing function across multiple impellers, each operating at optimized speeds for their specific location. This allows high contact efficiency in the bulk liquid phase while maintaining gentler conditions near biofilm carriers, preventing biofilm detachment and washing away.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies mixing parameters (speed, direction, intensity) across different impellers to optimize contact efficiency while protecting biofilm. By changing operational parameters at different levels, the system achieves high contact efficiency without the uniform high-speed mixing that would cause biofilm loss.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of biomass are introduced to treat diverse pollutants, then treatment versatility is improved, but system complexity and difficulty of retention increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal multi-impeller mixing system that can effectively accommodate and mix multiple types of biomass (suspended, granular, and attached) simultaneously. The standardized impeller configuration provides versatile mixing action that works with diverse biomass types without requiring separate specialized systems for each biomass type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vertical stratification with multiple impellers at different heights to create distinct zones that can accommodate different biomass types. This dimensional organization simplifies the management of multiple biomass types by providing dedicated vertical spaces for each type while maintaining overall system integration.
5Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of biomass are introduced to treat diverse pollutants, then treatment versatility is improved, but retention and coexistence of different biomass types becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates localized flow conditions at different vertical levels that are optimized for retaining specific biomass types. This allows multiple biomass types to coexist and be retained effectively, each in its preferred environmental zone, while maintaining the treatment versatility provided by the diversity of biomass types.
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 efficient mass transfer and contaminant removal with reduced energy consumption, effectively preserving multiple types of biomass and biofilm, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of wastewater treatment.
Implementation Method 1
A high-precision, high-efficiency recirculation system is introduced, featuring a central recirculation duct with a diffuser cone and upper guide cone, along with axial-type impellers and a hyperbolic mixer/impeller, to induce orderly flow
Implementation Method 2
The system achieves efficient mass transfer and contaminant removal with reduced energy consumption
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a high-precision, high-efficiency recirculation system for preserving multiple-density biomass and attached biofilm in wastewater treatment bioreactors, which is characterized in that it consists of a bioreactor tank in which a central recirculation duct is centrally and vertically disposed, said duct comprising a diffuser cone at the bottom thereof, close to the bottom of a baffle of the bioreactor, and an upper guide cone at the upper end thereof, wherein the central recirculation duct is designed for an inductor/nozzle to be inserted there into up to the limit of the upper wall of the bioreactor baffle, said parts forming together a central assembly containing, in vertical attitude, a drive shaft which comprises, at the upper end thereof, above the inductor/nozzle, sealing means for hermetic sealing at the upper wall of the bioreactor baffle, wherein the upper end of the drive shaft is coupled to a low-revolution motor reducer for rotating the drive shaft, which comprises one or more axial-type impellers, and wherein the lower end of the drive shaft is coupled to a hyperbolic impeller/mixer close to the bottom of the bioreactor baffle.