Organic Waste Digestion Recirculation System for Water Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic waste digestion and decomposition systems consume significant amounts of potable water to maintain a flowable effluent, which increases energy consumption and water usage, particularly due to the need for a trickle discharge to keep solids in suspension.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a digestion chamber with a recirculation spray head and a pump to recirculate liquid digestate, a drain tank to collect and re-circulate the digestate, and a discharge tank to manage the effluent, using sensors and pumps to optimize water usage and prevent settling of solids, allowing for reduced water consumption while maintaining efficient decomposition and discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If potable water is used to maintain trickle discharge flow, then effluent flowability is improved, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater consumptionVSAvoideffluent flowability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the flow rate parameter from high continuous flow (4 fps) to low intermittent flow, and changes the temperature parameter by heating water only during intermittent periods. This allows maintaining effluent flowability while dramatically reducing water consumption and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous trickle discharge, the system uses periodic discharge cycles where effluent is discharged intermittently. This periodic action maintains the necessary flow characteristics for sewer line discharge while using significantly less water overall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If potable water is heated to facilitate decomposition, then decomposition efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecomposition efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system heats water intermittently rather than continuously, aligning heating cycles with decomposition needs and discharge cycles. This periodic heating maintains decomposition efficiency while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system optimizes temperature parameters by heating water only to the extent necessary for effective decomposition during intermittent cycles, rather than maintaining constant elevated temperatures continuously, thereby reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If high flow rate is maintained to keep solids in suspension, then solids suspension is improved, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater consumptionVSAvoidsolids suspension

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic high-velocity discharge cycles to keep solids in suspension during discharge, rather than maintaining continuous high flow. During non-discharge periods, lower flow rates are used, significantly reducing overall water consumption while maintaining suspension when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the flow velocity parameter dynamically - using high velocity during discharge to maintain solids suspension and prevent settling, then reducing to low velocity during non-discharge periods to conserve water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach significantly reduces water consumption, enhances energy efficiency, and maintains effective decomposition and discharge processes, making the system more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

a recirculation spray head configured to spray a first portion of the liquid digestate into the digestion chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

a first pump configured to pump a second portion of the liquid digestate from the drain tank back to the digestion chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 3

a digestion chamber configured to digest an organic waste mixture disposed therein to produce a liquid digestate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS20230201895A1Organic waste digestion and decomposition systems and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2023.06.29 PATRIOT ORGANICS LLC

AI summary

An organic waste digestion and decomposition system includes a digestion chamber, a drain tank, and a discharge tank. The digestion chamber is configured to digest an organic waste mixture disposed therein to produce a liquid digestate. The digestion chamber includes a recirculation spray head configured to spray a first portion of the liquid digestate into the digestion chamber and a drain pan configured to enable the liquid digestate to exit the digestion chamber. The drain tank is configured to receive the liquid digestate from the digestion chamber and includes a first pump configured to pump a second portion of the liquid digestate from the drain tank back to the digestion chamber. The discharge tank is in fluid communication with the drain tank and is configured to receive the liquid digestate from the drain tank and enable the liquid digestate to be discharged from the organic waste digestion and decomposition system.