Offset Grid Plate Layers for Hazardous Liquid Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for hazardous liquid and waste water collection and containment are inadequate in separating and recycling contaminants from vehicle washing processes, leading to environmental pollution and inefficiencies in water reuse, particularly due to the lack of effective filtration and separation methods.
Innovation Solution
A modular and mobile cleaning system featuring a multi-layered structure with a non-porous lower layer, upper plate layers with offset grids, and a drainage system that uses Stokes' Law to separate oils from water, allowing for efficient collection and filtration of contaminants before they reach the drain, enabling proper disposal and recycling of the contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple collection system is used, then the system is easy to operate and low cost, but it fails to effectively separate and recycle contaminants from vehicle washing water
Solution Approach 1:
The collection system is divided into multiple functional layers: a non-porous lower layer for liquid collection, an intermediate layer with offset grid patterns for oil separation, and an upper layer with holes for fluid passage. Each layer performs a specific separation function, enabling effective contaminant removal while maintaining system simplicity and ease of operation.
2Productivity
If a multi-layered separation system is implemented, then contaminant separation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a vertical multi-layered structure with each layer serving a specific separation function. The offset grid patterns in horizontal dimensions create additional separation pathways. This dimensional approach enables complex separation functionality while maintaining relatively simple individual layer designs that are easy to manufacture and assemble.
3Device complexity
If contaminants are not effectively separated, then the system remains simple, but environmental pollution occurs and water reuse is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The system exploits differences in physical parameters between contaminants and water, specifically density and surface tension. The offset grid patterns create conditions where oils and heavier particles separate from water through gravitational settling and interfacial tension effects. This physical parameter-based separation achieves effective contaminant removal without complex chemical treatment systems.
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 captures and separates contaminants from vehicle washing water, preventing environmental pollution and allowing for the reuse of clean water, reducing the need for frequent nozzle replacements and water refilling, while ensuring safe disposal of pollutants.
Implementation Method 1
The two plate layers are set over a non-porous layer, thereby capturing oils suspended in the waste water within netting of the plate layers as per the nature of Stokes' Law
Implementation Method 2
passing the waste water through holes in an upper layer, thereby filtering out larger particles from the waste water
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid cleaning system rests on a surface having a non-porous material covering and a drain. A lower plate layer and an upper plate layer each have runners arranged in a grid. The lower plate layer rests upon the surface and the upper plate layer rests upon the lower plate layer offset at an angle with respect to the grid of the lower plate layer. An upper layer covers the upper plate layer and has a plurality of holes for the passage of fluids into the liquid cleaning system. As liquid enters the liquid cleaning system through the holes, the liquid traverses the grid of the lower plate layer and the grid of the upper plate layer flowing towards the drain, and contaminants within the liquid collect within the grid of the lower plate layer and the grid of the upper plate layer.