Plate Settler Cover System for Algae Control and Worker Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plate settlers in water treatment facilities face issues such as algae growth, freezing, contamination from waterfowl, and organic matter, leading to increased maintenance costs and safety hazards due to their exposure to sunlight and environment.
Innovation Solution
A cover system for plate settlers that blocks sunlight, prevents freezing, and protects against contamination, featuring floating and retractable designs with structural support for maintenance workers, made from materials resistant to algae and rust, allowing for easy installation and retrofitting with features like closed-cell foam and adjustable geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If plate settlers are left open to the environment, then water treatment can proceed, but algae growth and contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible cover system made of thin film material that can be deployed over the plate settler surface. This cover acts as a physical barrier preventing sunlight from reaching the water, thereby eliminating algae growth while allowing the water treatment process to continue underneath. The flexible nature of the cover allows it to conform to the plate settler geometry and be easily installed or removed.
2Strength
If plate settlers are completely submerged, then structural support is provided, but freezing occurs in winter months
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cover creates an insulated environment over the plate settlers by trapping a layer of air between the cover and the water surface. This air layer acts as thermal insulation, preventing heat loss from the water to the cold winter air, thereby preventing freezing while maintaining the submerged configuration of the plate settlers for structural support.
3Productivity
If plate settlers are exposed to sunlight, then water treatment is efficient, but algae growth and sun floc formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an inert environment by covering the plate settlers, effectively removing sunlight (the harmful factor) from the water treatment environment. The cover blocks solar radiation, preventing photosynthesis in algae and formation of sun floc, while the water treatment process continues in the shaded environment underneath the cover.
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
Reduces algae growth, prevents freezing, minimizes contamination, decreases maintenance and chemical costs, enhances worker safety by providing a stable walking surface, and extends the lifespan of water treatment systems.
Implementation Method 1
a cover system for plate settlers that blocks sunlight
Implementation Method 2
a cover which is insulated and prevents freezing of the water by eliminating the surface to air interface of below freezing temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a plate settler cover that prevents algae growth, prevents contamination from organic material, and provides structural support for a user who is standing or walking on the plate settler system. The plate settler covers can either float directly on standing water present in the system or may be structurally supported such that the plate cover is positioned above the surface of the water.