Polymer Dispersion for Effluent Tallow Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current effluent treatment systems are inefficient in recovering tallow from effluent, as they fail to effectively separate solids, water, and fats, oils, and greases, leading to suboptimal tallow quality and prolonged processing times.
Innovation Solution
A dispersion of polymer uniformly dispersed in an aqueous solvent is combined with effluent in a dissolved air flotation system, generating a float comprising solids, water, and a mixture of fats, oils, and greases, which is then heated and separated to recover tallow, utilizing a portable treatment system with multiple mixing chambers and centrifugation systems for efficient separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional effluent treatment systems are used, then the separation of solids, water, and fats/oils/greases is insufficient, but the processing time is prolonged and tallow quality is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-dispersing polymer into fine particles using high-shear mixing before the flotation process. This pre-preparation of the polymer dispersion ensures optimal coagulation and separation conditions are established beforehand, enabling rapid and efficient separation of solids, water, and fats/oils/greases without prolonging processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by controlling the polymer concentration, particle size distribution, and dispersion characteristics to optimize separation efficiency. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves rapid separation of effluent components while maintaining high tallow quality, resolving the contradiction between separation precision and processing time
2Reliability
If polymer is not uniformly dispersed in aqueous solvent, then the flotation process is less effective, but the dispersion preparation is simpler
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes hydraulics by employing high-shear mixing equipment that creates intense fluid motion and turbulence to uniformly disperse polymer particles throughout the aqueous solvent. This hydraulic action ensures reliable and effective polymer dispersion without requiring complex preparation systems, as the high-shear mixing process efficiently achieves uniform distribution through mechanical fluid dynamics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through high-shear mixing that generates intense local vibrations and shear forces within the dispersion medium. This mechanical energy input breaks up polymer aggregates and ensures uniform particle distribution throughout the aqueous solvent, enhancing flotation effectiveness while keeping the dispersion preparation process manageable through conventional mixing equipment
3Productivity
If the float is not heated, then energy consumption is lower, but the tallow fluidity and separation quality are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transitions by heating the separated float to melt and fluidize the fats/oils/greases mixture. This thermal energy input causes the fats to transition from a semi-solid to a liquid phase, improving tallow fluidity and enabling efficient separation and recovery. The controlled phase transition ensures high productivity while minimizing excessive energy consumption by stopping heating once the desired fluidity is achieved
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 method enables rapid and efficient recovery of high-quality tallow, meeting American Fats and Oils Association specifications, with reduced processing time and improved tallow fluidity, compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
combining an amount of gas with the amount of polymer and the aqueous solvent, the amount of gas effective to substantially uniformly disperse the amount of polymer within the aqueous solvent
Implementation Method 2
combining the dispersion with the effluent within a dissolved air flotation system to generate a float comprising solids, water, and a mixture of fats, oils, and greases
Implementation Method 3
a heater in fluidic communication with the dissolved air flotation system; wherein in the heater, the float is heated to provide heated float
Implementation Method 4
a separation system in fluidic communication with the heater; wherein in the separation system, the solids and the water are separated from the mixture of fats, oils, and greases to provide the tallow
Data Source
AI summary
A dispersion for use with an effluent treatment system, and methods of making and using such a dispersion, whereby the dispersion includes an amount of polymer substantially uniformly dispersed within an aqueous solvent; wherein the dispersion is generated by combining an amount of gas with the amount of polymer and the aqueous solvent, the amount of gas effective to substantially uniformly disperse the amount of polymer within the aqueous solvent.