Polyethylene Glycol Denitrification Tank Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current denitrification methods in wastewater treatment face challenges with traditional carbon sources, such as methanol and ethanol, which are toxic, flammable, and lead to explosive vapor mixtures, and result in inefficient nitrate conversion due to their volatile nature, while also producing harmful byproducts. Additionally, these sources can inhibit the denitrification process when present in excess.

Innovation Solution

The use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a non-toxic, unregulated carbon source in a denitrification tank, controlled by a monitoring system that regulates its introduction to maintain anoxic conditions, promoting heterotrophic bacteria to deplete dissolved oxygen and obtain oxygen from nitrate, thereby enhancing nitrate reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional carbon sources (methanol, ethanol) are used for denitrification, then nitrate conversion occurs, but toxicity and explosive risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenitrate conversion efficiencyVSAvoidtoxicity and explosive risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes traditional carbon sources (methanol, ethanol) with polyethylene glycol (PEG), which is non-toxic, unregulated, and does not form explosive mixtures. PEG serves as a disposable carbon source that can be continuously introduced into the denitrification tank without accumulating harmful effects, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining nitrate conversion productivity and eliminating toxicity/explosive hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the carbon source from volatile, toxic alcohols (methanol, ethanol) to non-volatile, non-toxic polyethylene glycol. This parameter change in the carbon source substance eliminates the harmful properties while maintaining the essential function of providing carbon for heterotrophic bacteria to reduce nitrate to nitrogen gas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If traditional carbon sources (methanol, ethanol) are used for denitrification, then nitrate conversion occurs, but harmful byproducts are produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenitrate conversion efficiencyVSAvoidharmful byproducts

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By using polyethylene glycol as a disposable carbon source that is fully biodegradable and non-toxic, the patent eliminates the generation of harmful byproducts. PEG is consumed by heterotrophic bacteria during denitrification without leaving persistent harmful residues, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving nitrate conversion and avoiding harmful byproduct generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If excess traditional carbon sources are present, then denitrification continues, but the process is inhibited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedenitrification rateVSAvoidprocess stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses polyethylene glycol as a carbon source that does not exhibit inhibition at excess concentrations, unlike traditional carbon sources. PEG can be continuously introduced without causing process instability or inhibition, allowing the denitrification process to maintain reliable and stable operation even with continuous carbon source addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

PEG provides an effective, safe, and efficient carbon source for denitrification, ensuring complete nitrate conversion to nitrogen gas without the drawbacks of traditional carbon sources, such as toxicity and explosive risks, and does not inhibit the denitrification process even when present in excess.

Implementation Method 1

Controlling an amount, duration and frequency of introduction of polyethylene glycol into the solution promotes indigenous heterotrophic bacteria depleting dissolved oxygen in the solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerobic respiration: Aerobic Digestion

Implementation Method 2

In an anoxic zone, denitrifying bacteria derive oxygen from the nitrate (NO3—) compounds... Denitrification is the conversion of nitrate (NO3—) to nitrogen gas (N2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDenitrification: Reduction

Data Source

PatentUS7666300B2Apparatus for denitrifying wastewater

Publication Date: 2010.02.23 CORMIER TROY L

AI summary

Disclosed is an apparatus for denitrifying a solution that includes a denitrification tank configured to receive a portion of the solution for a period of time. Controlling an amount, duration and frequency of introduction of polyethylene glycol into the solution promotes indigenous heterotrophic bacteria depleting dissolved oxygen in the solution and obtaining oxygen from nitrate in the solution.