Multi-zone Wastewater Reactor with Integrated Clarification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wastewater treatment technologies face challenges in efficiently removing organic and inorganic contaminants, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, from wastewater and contaminated groundwater, often resulting in complex systems with high maintenance requirements, large footprints, and limited capacity for treating high organic loads and hazardous chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A wastewater treatment system comprising two interlinked tanks with aerobic, microaerophilic, anoxic, and anaerobic zones, along with clarification and filtration units, that recirculates wastewater between these zones to create a homogeneous environment for microbial treatment, reducing sludge production and enhancing contaminant removal rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wastewater treatment technologies are used to remove organic and inorganic contaminants, then contaminant removal is achieved, but the system complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple treatment functions (aerobic degradation, anoxic denitrification, anaerobic phosphorus removal, and clarification) into a single integrated reactor system. The reactor is divided into four zones that work together in sequence, eliminating the need for separate treatment units and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective contaminant removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The single reactor system performs multiple functions simultaneously: organic matter degradation, nitrogen removal through denitrification, phosphorus removal through anaerobic processes, and solids-liquid separation. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate devices needed and simplifies the overall treatment train.
2Reliability
If conventional treatment systems are used to remove nitrogen and phosphorus, then nutrient removal is achieved, but the footprint and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal arrangement of separate treatment units to a vertical zoned structure within a single reactor. The four functional zones (aerobic, anoxic, anaerobic, and clarification) are stacked vertically, allowing multiple treatment processes to occur in three-dimensional space within a compact footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple nutrient removal mechanisms (nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus uptake) are combined in one reactor system, eliminating the need for separate nitrification tanks, denitrification vessels, and chemical phosphorus removal units, thereby reducing the overall facility footprint.
3Reliability
If fixed-film treatment systems are used, then biomass retention is improved, but the rate of contaminant removal decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different biomass retention strategies in different zones of the reactor. The aerobic and anoxic zones utilize suspended growth systems with high biomass concentrations for rapid contaminant removal, while the anaerobic zone employs settled sludge for phosphorus removal. This localized approach optimizes both biomass retention and removal rates in respective zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactor is segmented into four distinct functional zones, each optimized for specific processes. This segmentation allows suspended-growth systems to operate at high productivity in aerobic/anoxic zones while dedicated anaerobic zones handle phosphorus removal with settled sludge, avoiding the trade-off present in uniform fixed-film systems.
4Productivity
If suspended-growth biological treatment systems are used, then contaminant removal rate is improved, but sludge separation and biomass concentration become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor is divided into treatment zones and a separate clarification zone. Suspended-growth processes occur in the aerobic and anoxic zones where high biomass concentrations enable rapid contaminant removal. The clarified zone provides dedicated space for solids-liquid separation, with settled sludge recycled to the anaerobic zone. This spatial segmentation resolves the conflict between high removal rates and easy separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clarification function is extracted as a separate zone within the reactor system, distinct from the active treatment zones. This dedicated clarification zone allows suspended solids to settle and be separated from the treated effluent, while the treatment zones maintain high biomass concentrations for rapid contaminant removal without interference from separation requirements.
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 removal of organic and inorganic contaminants, including nitrogen and phosphorus, with reduced sludge generation and operational costs, while maintaining a compact footprint and improving microbial adaptation and contaminant biodegradation rates.
Implementation Method 1
the aerobic zone comprises aeration means for supplying air or oxygen to the aeration zone and disposed so that operation of the aeration means causes recycling of wastewater between the aeration zone and the at least one oxygen depleted zone
Implementation Method 2
operation of the aeration means causes recycling of wastewater between the aeration zone and the at least one oxygen depleted zone
Implementation Method 3
Biological treatment processes use a variety of microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa and metazoa for an efficient and complete biodegradation of contaminating compounds in wastewater
Implementation Method 4
excess amounts of nitrogenous compounds is removed during dissimilatory microbial nitrogen metabolism where they are transformed to molecular nitrogen and released into the atmosphere
Implementation Method 5
The remaining phosphorus may be removed by the 'luxury phosphorus uptake' process where special groups of microorganisms accumulate phosphorus and store it as poly-phosphorus compounds, thus removing it from the system during sludge disposal
Implementation Method 6
a first clarification zone in fluid communication with the at least one oxygen-depleted zone
Data Source
AI summary
A wastewater treatment system has two separate but interlinked tanks containing four different zones, namely aerobic, microaerophilic, anoxic and anaerobic, for the biological treatment of the wastewater, as well as two clarification zones and a filtration unit for separation of solids from liquid. The first tank contains the aerobic, microaerophilic and anoxic zone as well as a clarification zone, while the second dank includes the anaerobic zone, a solid-liquid separation zone and a filtration unit. The aerobic zone is an airlift reactor that contains air diffusers at the bottom of the zone to introduce air into the zone. The air bubbles mix the liquid and its content of microorganisms, and provide oxygen for the aerobic biological processes that take place in this zone. Aeration also produces circulation of liquid between the aerobic zone and its adjacent microaerophilic and anoxic zones that are located at the sides and under the aerobic zone, respectively. The aerobic zone contains suspended microorganisms of heterotrophic and autotrophic groups that grow inside the circulating liquid, known as mixed liquor. Within the volume of the aerobic zone, loose carrier material or stationary objects are disposed to support the attachment of microbial biomass and the formation of microbial biofilm.