Orimulsion Wastewater Extraction Using Solvent and Density Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating wastewater containing Orimulsion oil are complex, costly, and inefficient, with high chemical usage, reduced filtering ability, and low biodegradability, leading to environmental pollution and high operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A physicochemical treatment method involving an extractive equipment where wastewater is spirally raised and mixed with an extracting solvent, such as kerosene or diesel oil, allowing natural separation into distinct phases, with the oil phase being recycled as auxiliary fuel, simplifying operation and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air flotation and chemical dosing method are used, then wastewater treatment is achieved, but the amount of chemical substance is difficult to be controlled, scum is difficult to be removed, treatment operation is complicated, maintenance workload is heavy, and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful orimulsion oil from wastewater using a specialized extraction tank and floating filter system. The oil is separated from water through density differences and captured by the floating filter, then removed from the system. This extraction approach avoids the complex chemical dosing and scum removal issues of conventional methods while achieving effective treatment.
2Reliability
If macromolecule super filter is used, then filtering is achieved, but the filtering ability is reduced quickly when wastewater contains high amount of oil, investment is high, and operation cost is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a floating filter as an intermediary substance that accumulates on the water surface to capture oil droplets. This floating filter acts as a mediator between the oil-contaminated water and the underlying filtration system, preventing direct clogging of the filter media while maintaining effective oil removal. The floating filter can be easily replaced when saturated, solving the problem of rapid filtering ability reduction.
3Reliability
If biochemical treatment method is used, then treatment is attempted, but the wastewater is dissoluble and low biodegradable, treatment cannot reach designed amount, and sludge concentration is difficult to be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the biochemical treatment system with a physicochemical extraction system. Instead of relying on biological degradation of the dissoluble orimulsion oil, the system uses mechanical extraction through the floating filter and density-based separation to remove oil from water. This substitution eliminates the problems of low biodegradability and sludge concentration maintenance while achieving effective treatment.
4Productivity
If extracting solvent is used, then oil removal efficiency is improved to 95-97%, but the process requires proper phase separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the natural density difference between oil and water phases to achieve separation without complex external forces. The extractive equipment creates a system where the heavier water phase naturally settles at the bottom and the lighter oil-solvent extraction phase rises to the top, allowing simple gravitational separation. This equipotential approach based on density differences achieves high oil removal efficiency while minimizing separation process complexity.
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
Achieves a high oil removal ratio of 95-97%, reducing secondary pollutants and operational costs, while meeting environmental discharge standards with a simple and efficient process.
Implementation Method 1
the wastewater is then mixed with extracting solvent adequately that is pre-placed in the extractive equipment; the mixture is separated naturally such that orimulsion oil is kept in the extracting solvent forming an extraction phase above a water phase
Implementation Method 2
For the difference in density, the extraction phase is above the water phase
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A method of physicochemical treatment of wastewater of orimulsion oil comprises the following steps: wastewater of orimulsion oil is entered the bottom of an extractive equipment (4) intermittently and is raised spirally in it; is mixed with extracting solvent adequately that is pre-placed in it and the mixture is separated naturally; orimulsion oil is kept in the extracting solvent forming an extraction phase (6) above a water phase (7) which is discharged from the bottom of extractive equipment (4).