Multi-Size Filter Media for Stable High-Flow Wastewater Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wastewater filtration technologies face challenges in maintaining stable operation and efficient removal of both solids and organics, particularly in high-flow conditions, due to fluctuations in flow rate and pollutant concentration, and require additional energy for backwashing and separate pretreatment processes.

Innovation Solution

A filtration device and method utilizing vertically distributed wastewater and backwash water, combined with filter media of different sizes, to achieve stable and efficient removal of solids and organics, minimizing head loss and reducing the need for separate pretreatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single filter medium is used in the filtration process, then the structure is simple, but the filtration duration is shortened because solids are stocked at the filter media located on the inlet side

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter medium structureVSAvoidfiltration duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter medium is divided into multiple layers with different pore sizes arranged in sequence from the inlet side to the outlet side. The inlet side uses larger pore sizes to capture coarse solids, while subsequent layers use progressively smaller pore sizes to capture finer particles. This segmentation prevents solids accumulation at a single location and extends filtration duration by distributing the filtration load across multiple layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If backwashing is performed to remove solids trapped in the media, then solids are removed, but the backwash cycle increases when solids load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolids removal effectivenessVSAvoidbackwash cycle frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A solids extraction system is incorporated that actively removes accumulated solids from the filter medium during operation. This extraction mechanism prevents excessive solids buildup that would otherwise require frequent backwashing, thereby reducing the backwash cycle frequency while maintaining effective solids removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If conventional biofiltration uses sunken media with upward flow for backwashing, then media expansion occurs, but additional energy is consumed requiring a large-capacity backwash water supply pump

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidbackwash energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The backwashing direction is inverted from the conventional upward flow to downward flow. The filter medium is designed to expand and become loose during downward backwashing, allowing trapped solids to be effectively removed. This inversion eliminates the need for high-energy upward flow expansion, significantly reducing backwash energy consumption and eliminating the requirement for large-capacity backwash pumps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Device complexity

If settled water is discharged directly to the outside, then the process is simple, but dissolved pollutants such as SBOD cannot be removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment process structureVSAvoiddissolved pollutant removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration system is combined with a biological treatment function by incorporating a biological filter medium that simultaneously performs physical filtration and biological degradation of dissolved organic matter. This merging of filtration and biological treatment in a single system enables removal of both suspended solids and dissolved pollutants like SBOD without requiring separate treatment processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 removes 84% of solids and 74% of dissolved organics, with a BOD removal rate 10 times higher than conventional methods, while minimizing energy consumption and maintaining operational stability.

Implementation Method 1

filter media for raising due to a lower specific gravity than water when the wastewater is distributed vertically upward from the distribution channel to filter solids and organics in the wastewater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

filter media for raising due to a lower specific gravity than water when the wastewater is distributed vertically upward

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS20250333341A1Wastewater filtering method and apparatus comprising filter media of different sizes

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 TOMORROW WATER

AI summary

Disclosed are a wastewater filtering method and apparatus comprising filter media of different sizes. According to one aspect of the present embodiment, provided a wastewater filtering method and apparatus capable of stable and efficient operation by minimizing the head loss as well as simultaneously removing organic matter and solids in a large flow of wastewater.