Multi-Layer Offset Grid Filtration for Hazardous Liquid Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for hazardous liquid and waste water collection and containment are inadequate in separating contaminants from water, leading to environmental pollution and inefficiencies in water reuse, particularly in vehicle washing and plant growing facilities, where contaminated water cannot be disposed of in municipal systems.
Innovation Solution
A modular cleaning system featuring a mat with a non-porous lower layer and multiple layers of offset grid-patterned plate layers that filter and separate contaminants from water, allowing for the reuse of cleaned water in plant growth and vehicle washing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional single-layer containment systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but separation precision of contaminants from water deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The containment system is divided into multiple functional layers including a geotextile layer for initial filtration, a geogrid layer for structural support and secondary filtration, and a non-porous barrier layer for complete containment. Each layer performs a specific separation function, progressively removing different types of contaminants from the water to achieve high separation precision without requiring a single complex component
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal filtration to vertical multi-layer filtration by stacking different material layers with complementary functions. This dimensional approach allows simultaneous performance of multiple separation tasks (filtration, support, containment) in a compact vertical profile, improving separation precision while managing device complexity through functional decomposition across layers
2Loss of time
If water is disposed in municipal waste water systems, then loss of time for water treatment is reduced, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful contaminated water into a beneficial resource by implementing on-site treatment through the multi-layer containment system. The geotextile and geogrid layers filter and separate contaminants, transforming the waste stream into reusable clean water that can be recirculated for irrigation and cleaning purposes, eliminating environmental pollution while reducing water treatment time
Solution Approach 2:
The containment system separates and recovers clean water from contaminated runoff by filtering out oils, chemicals, and particulates through the geotextile and geogrid layers. The recovered clean water is stored and reused for plant irrigation and facility cleaning, while only the concentrated contaminants are disposed of, thereby reducing both treatment time and environmental harm
3Productivity
If contaminated water is reused without treatment, then productivity is improved by reducing water consumption, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to recontamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary treatment of contaminated water through the geotextile and geogrid filtration layers before the water is reused. This pre-filtration removes oils, chemicals, and particulates in advance, ensuring that the water reused for irrigation and cleaning meets quality standards, thereby maintaining high productivity while preventing recontamination of plants and facilities
Solution Approach 2:
The geotextile and geogrid layers act as intermediary filtration media between the contaminated water source and the reuse application. These intermediate layers selectively remove harmful contaminants while allowing clean water to pass through, enabling safe water reuse that maintains productivity without introducing recontamination risks
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
Effectively captures and separates contaminants from water, enabling the reuse of cleaned water for irrigation and cleaning in plant growing facilities and vehicle washing, reducing environmental pollution and water waste.
Implementation Method 1
a plate layer comprising at least two layers of runners arranged in a grid, the grid of each successive layer of the at least two layers is offset at an angle with respect to the grid of a previous layer of the at least two layers
Implementation Method 2
contaminants within the liquid collects within the grids of the at least two layers
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid cleaning and watering system for living plants rests on a surface covered by a non-porous material. A plate layer covering the non-porous layer has two or more layers, each layer having runners arranged in a grid. The grid of each successive layer is offset at an angle with respect to the grid of a previous layer. An upper layer covers the plate layer and has a plurality of holes for the passage of liquids into the liquid cleaning system. As the living plants are watered or cleaned, excess liquids containing water and oils that were excreted by the living plants enter the liquid cleaning system through the holes, the liquid traverses the grid layers, flowing towards a drain. Contaminants within the liquid collect within the grid of the layers of the plate layer for later disposal.