Nylon Mesh Clarifier Cover for UV Blocking and Rainwater Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large outdoor basins for water, wastewater, and process water treatment are vulnerable to algae growth, debris, and wildlife, and existing covers are heavy, costly, and inefficient, leading to maintenance challenges and water management issues during heavy rain.
Innovation Solution
A water treatment system featuring a nylon mesh cover assembly with a lightweight frame and cover, supported by buoyant members, which allows water flow while blocking UV and preventing algae growth, and includes a clarifier with inclined sheets tensioned between vertically-oriented supports for efficient clarification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If metal or fiberglass covers are used to protect the basin, then protection from algae growth and debris is improved, but weight increases and maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a mesh cover structure with porous characteristics that allows water to pass through while blocking UV rays and preventing algae growth. The mesh design provides protection against debris and wildlife while maintaining weight reduction compared to solid metal or fiberglass covers.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover assembly combines a mesh screen material with a frame structure to create a composite system that achieves both protection and weight reduction. The mesh provides UV blocking and debris filtration, while the frame provides structural support, replacing the need for heavy solid materials.
2Weight of moving object
If metal grate covers are used to reduce weight and allow water passage, then water flow is improved, but UV protection is lost and algae growth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh cover utilizes porous material properties to selectively allow water passage while blocking UV radiation. The mesh structure's pore size and material composition enable water flow while preventing UV penetration, thus stopping algae growth without requiring heavy solid covers.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh cover acts as an intermediary element between the water and the environment, providing UV blocking and debris filtration while maintaining water flow. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for heavy protective covers that would compromise water passage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If heavy covers are used to protect the basin, then protection performance is improved, but inspection and maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lightweight mesh cover reduces the time required for inspection and maintenance operations. Operators can easily access the basin by removing or opening the lightweight mesh cover compared to heavy metal or fiberglass covers, while still maintaining adequate protection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite mesh and frame structure provides sufficient protection performance while significantly reducing the weight that affects maintenance operations. The lightweight design enables faster inspection and maintenance cycles without compromising the protective function against algae, debris, and wildlife.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If solid covers are used to block UV and prevent algae growth, then algae prevention is improved, but water flow during heavy rain is restricted causing floods
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh cover's porous structure allows water to pass through during heavy rain events, preventing flooding while still blocking UV rays to prevent algae growth. The mesh pores are sized to filter debris and wildlife while permitting adequate water flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh cover serves as an intermediary that simultaneously achieves UV blocking for algae prevention and water flow capacity for flood management. The mesh structure mediates between these conflicting requirements by allowing water passage while blocking UV radiation.
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 prevents algae growth, reduces maintenance effort, and manages water flow, ensuring efficient operation and safety with a significant weight reduction, allowing single-operator inspections and cost-effective advertising opportunities.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of buoyant members that are configured to support each collection trough of the pair of collection troughs
Implementation Method 2
a cover coupled to the frame, the cover being made of a nylon mesh material
Implementation Method 3
a clarifier disposed in the basin
Implementation Method 4
collecting clarified water and/or waste material separated from the water by the clarifier
Data Source
AI summary
A water treatment system for treating water is provided. The water treatment system includes a basin; a pair of clarifiers disposed in the basin; a pair of collection troughs each arranged at least partially above a corresponding one of the pair of clarifiers; and at least one cover assembly comprising: a frame coupled to the pair of collection troughs, and a cover coupled to the frame, the cover being made of a nylon mesh material.