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 utilizing vertically distributed wastewater and backwash water, combined with filter media of different sizes, which allows for buoyancy-driven separation and efficient removal of solids and organics, minimizing head loss and enabling stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single filter medium is used, then the structure is simple, but the filtration duration is shortened because solids are stocked at the filter media located on the inlet side
Solution Approach 1:
The filter medium is divided into multiple sections with different pore sizes arranged in sequence from inlet to outlet. The first section has larger pore sizes to capture coarse solids, while subsequent sections have progressively smaller pore sizes for fine filtration. This segmentation prevents solids accumulation at a single location and extends filtration duration by distributing the filtration load across multiple zones.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional biofiltration processes using packed media are used, then solids can be removed, but additional energy is consumed since a large-capacity backwash water supply pump is required to expand the filter medium
Solution Approach 1:
The filter medium sections are designed to expand and contract automatically based on the flow conditions. During backwashing, the accumulated solids are removed through the natural expansion of the filter medium sections without requiring a large-capacity pump. The system uses its own flow dynamics to facilitate the backwashing process, significantly reducing energy consumption.
3Productivity
If settling process with coagulant and flocculant is used, then suspended solid matter can be removed quickly, but it is challenging to maintain proper coagulation conditions when flow rate and water quality change rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from chemical coagulation to physical filtration by changing the operating parameters. Instead of relying on coagulant dosage and mixing conditions that are difficult to maintain during flow fluctuations, the system uses a multi-section filter medium with varying pore sizes that maintains effective filtration across a wide range of flow rates and water quality conditions.
4Quantity of substance
If filtration process is used to remove solids, then solids can be effectively removed, but the backwash cycle increases when the solids load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter medium is segmented into multiple sections that can be backwashed independently or in sequence. When solids load increases, the system can perform targeted backwashing of specific sections rather than backwashing the entire filter bed, reducing the overall backwash cycle time while maintaining effective solids removal.
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 device achieves stable and efficient removal of organics and solids with minimized head loss, achieving high solids removal rates of 84% and BOD reduction of over 80%, outperforming conventional systems by 10 times in BOD removal efficiency.
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
Data Source
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.