Multi-Zone Settler with Inclined Plates for Compact Particle Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing settlers face inefficiencies in separating settleable particles from particle-laden fluids due to cross-flow issues and the need for larger areas to accommodate high flow rates, which hinders rapid settling and increases the length of the settler required.
Innovation Solution
A multi-zone configuration with a relatively-still low-angle sludge collection zone and a transversely-movable pusher that captures and removes settled particles without crossing the fluid flow path, allowing for efficient separation and reduced settler length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a long basin is used to allow particles to settle through gravity, then settling efficiency is improved, but the required area becomes unacceptably great
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal settling basins to vertically-oriented inclined plate settlers. By arranging multiple parallel plates at an angle, particles settle vertically onto the plates while the overall structure maintains a compact horizontal footprint, effectively utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce required basin area.
Solution Approach 2:
The settling basin is divided into multiple inclined plates arranged in parallel. Each plate acts as an independent settling surface, allowing particles to settle onto multiple distributed surfaces simultaneously. This segmentation increases the total settling area within a compact volume and improves overall settling capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If the settler length is increased to accommodate high flow rates, then flow capacity is improved, but the settling time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined plate configuration allows flow to move horizontally along the plates while particles settle vertically. This separates the flow path length from the settling distance, enabling high flow rates through a compact structure without increasing the time particles need to settle.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined plates serve as intermediary surfaces that intercept particles from the flowing fluid. Instead of relying solely on long horizontal settling distances, the plates provide intermediate collection surfaces that capture particles at multiple points along the flow path, improving both flow capacity and settling efficiency.
3Speed
If a horizontal plate configuration is used to shorten settling distance, then settling speed is improved, but cross-flow causes particles to be carried back into the flow channel
Solution Approach 1:
The plates are inclined at an angle rather than being perfectly horizontal, creating an asymmetric configuration. This inclination allows settled particles to remain on the plate surface while being separated from the main flow path, preventing re-entrainment by cross-flows while maintaining short settling distances.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple inclined plates create multiple separated flow channels and settling zones. The flow is divided into discrete paths between plates, and particles settling on each plate are isolated from adjacent flow channels, preventing cross-contamination and re-entrainment.
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 configuration promotes rapid settling, reduces the likelihood of particles being carried back into the flow channel, and enables practical removal of settled particles, thereby enhancing settling efficiency and reducing the required settler area.
Implementation Method 1
The force of gravity (FG) acts downwardly on the settleable-particles, which move toward and to the bottom of the basin through a settling distance
Implementation Method 2
the sludge rapidly settles into the relatively-still low-angle sludge collection zone
Data Source
AI summary
Settleable-particles are separated from a dirty flow of settleable-particles and fluid by trays having a planar section configured with opposed ends and opposed sides, and an entrance edge and an exit edge on opposed ends. The section has opposed side edges, and an upturned entrance lip at each of the entrance and exits edges, with downturned lips at each side edge. A settler unit has one tray as an upper tray and another tray as a lower tray, the two trays being mounted parallel and at a low-angle to define a dirty flow entrance, a clean flow exit, and a pocket between the upturned entrance lip and the upturned exit lip for receiving and capturing settled-particles from the dirty flow while cleaner flow flows from the entrance to the exit. A sludge exit is at each side of the trays for permitting the captured settled-particles to exit the pocket.