Advanced Oxidation of Treated Sewage Effluent for Industrial Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing water scarcity in the Middle East and North Africa region due to high demand from industrial and agricultural sectors, exacerbated by climate change and depletion of freshwater resources, necessitates a sustainable and reliable water source beyond groundwater and desalination.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for advanced oxidation of treated sewage effluent (TSE) using ozone and hydrogen peroxide to improve its quality for reuse in industrial and agricultural applications, involving steps such as oxidation, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and ultrafiltration to remove contaminants and pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If treated sewage effluent is reused directly after conventional treatment, then water demand is reduced, but water quality is insufficient for industrial and agricultural applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies advanced oxidation processes using ozone and hydrogen peroxide to rapidly degrade organic contaminants and pathogens in treated sewage effluent. This strong oxidation approach achieves high-quality water suitable for industrial and agricultural reuse without requiring excessively complex treatment trains, resolving the contradiction between water quality reliability and treatment process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces coagulants and flocculants as intermediary substances to bridge the gap between conventional treatment and high-quality reuse water. These chemicals facilitate the aggregation and removal of remaining suspended particles and colloids, enabling effective contaminant removal while maintaining a manageable treatment process complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If groundwater resources are depleted to meet water demand, then immediate water needs are satisfied, but long-term water sustainability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms treated sewage effluent from a low-quality discharge stream into a high-quality reusable water resource through advanced oxidation and filtration processes. By changing the quality parameters of the effluent through chemical and physical treatment, the system creates a sustainable water supply that can replace groundwater extraction, ensuring both immediate water needs are met and long-term sustainability is maintained.
3Quantity of substance
If desalinated water is used to meet increasing water demand, then water supply is secured, but production cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service approach where treated sewage effluent is processed and purified to meet reuse requirements, eliminating the need for expensive desalination. The system uses the effluent itself as the feedstock and applies cost-effective oxidation and filtration processes to produce high-quality reusable water, significantly reducing production costs compared to desalination while securing adequate water supply.
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 significantly enhances the quality of TSE, making it a viable alternative to desalinated water for industrial and agricultural use, reducing the demand on desalinated water sources and providing a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for water reuse.
Implementation Method 1
exposing treated sewage effluent to ozone and hydrogen peroxide to oxidize contaminants therein
Implementation Method 2
coagulating remaining waste in the treated sewage effluent
Implementation Method 3
flocculating the coagulated treated sewage effluent
Implementation Method 4
holding the flocculated treated sewage effluent in a settling tank for sedimentation to occur
Implementation Method 5
removing coarse suspended particles from the flocculated treated sewage effluent by filtration after sedimentation
Implementation Method 6
removing fine suspended particles by ultrafiltration of the treated sewage effluent after removing the coarse suspended particles
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for advanced oxidation (10) of treated sewage effluent provide additional treatment to treated sewage effluent (TSE) for reuse thereof. The method includes exposing TSE to ozone and hydrogen peroxide to oxidize contaminants; coagulating remaining waste in the TSE; flocculating the coagulated TSE; holding the flocculated treated sewage effluent in a settling tank for sedimentation; removing coarse suspended particles from the flocculated TSE by filtration after sedimentation; and removing fine suspended particles by ultrafiltration of the TSE after removing the coarse suspended particles. The system includes a chemical mixing tank (16); a homogenizing tank (22); an advanced oxidation process system (24); a rapid mixer; a flocculation tank (28); a sedimentation tank (32); a sand filter (34); and at least one ultrafiltration system (38), (36).