Pressure Sensor Switching for Wastewater Level Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small sewage treatment plants face complexity in determining the fill level in reactor vessels due to superimposed pressures from water and compressed air, requiring additional monitoring devices and complex calculations.
Innovation Solution
A single pressure sensor is used for both hydrostatic height measurement and compressed air source functionality check, connected via a switching device to either path, allowing for simplified threshold-based evaluations without complex calculations, eliminating the need for additional monitoring devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor is used to determine fill level in the reactor vessel, then fill level measurement is achieved, but complex calculations are required due to superimposed pressures from water and compressed air
Solution Approach 1:
The air path is segmented into two separate paths: a first air path for compressed air supply to ventilation devices and pumps, and a second air path for hydrostatic pressure measurement. This segmentation allows the pressure sensor to measure only water pressure without interference from compressed air, eliminating complex calculations while maintaining accurate fill level measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
A switching device acts as an intermediary to connect the pressure sensor to either the first air path or the second air path. This intermediary mechanism enables the pressure sensor to be selectively connected to the hydrostatic pressure measurement path when fill level determination is needed, avoiding the influence of compressed air pressure and simplifying the measurement evaluation.
2Reliability
If a pressure sensor is arranged in the first air path from the compressed air source, then compressed air source functionality can be checked, but additional monitoring devices are required to verify system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is designed with multi-functionality through the switching device, enabling it to serve dual purposes: checking compressed air source functionality when connected to the first air path, and measuring hydrostatic pressure for fill level determination when connected to the second air path. This eliminates the need for additional monitoring devices while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of compressed air source monitoring and fill level measurement are merged into a single pressure sensor system. By combining these functions through the switching device and shared pressure sensor, the system reduces the number of components while ensuring reliable operation of both the compressed air source and the sewage treatment plant.
3Ease of operation
If the pressure sensor is connected to the first air path for compressed air source monitoring, then simple threshold-based evaluation is sufficient, but exact fill level determination cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches the pressure sensor connection between the first air path and the second air path based on the operational requirement. When compressed air source monitoring is needed, the sensor connects to the first air path for simple threshold-based evaluation. When fill level measurement is required, the sensor connects to the second air path for accurate hydrostatic pressure measurement, thus adapting the measurement approach to the specific task.
Solution Approach 2:
The air path is segmented into two separate paths with distinct functions: the first air path for compressed air supply and monitoring, and the second air path for hydrostatic pressure measurement. This segmentation allows the pressure sensor to be selectively connected to the appropriate path, enabling both simple threshold-based evaluation for compressed air monitoring and accurate fill level measurement without interference between the two functions.
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
Simplifies the design and manufacturing of sewage treatment plants by reducing the need for complex circuits and calculations, while ensuring reliable operation of the compressed air source and accurate fill level measurement.
Implementation Method 1
the filling level in the reactor vessel is determined by means of a pressure sensor which carries out a hydrostatic pressure measurement
Implementation Method 2
the measured pressure can be used to determine in a simple manner whether the compressed air source is working or one of the components controlled by the compressed air sources is defective
Implementation Method 3
The pressure sensor can be connected to either the second air path or the first air path between the compressed air source and the components to be supplied with compressed air via a switching device
Data Source
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Figure 2~3
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a wastewater treatment plant with at least one buffer tank (16) to which wastewater can be fed, and at least one reactor vessel (18) to which compressed air can be supplied via an aeration device (32), with a filling pump (24) designed as a compressed air pump, which pumps the water from the buffer tank (16) into the reactor vessel (18), with a discharge pump (36) designed as a compressed air pump, which pumps the water from the reactor vessel (18) into an outlet (22), with a compressed air source, and with a control (58) for the cyclically controlled supply of compressed air from the compressed air source (50) to the filling pump (24), to the aeration device (32), or to the discharge pump (36) via a first air path (52), wherein a switching device is provided.which connects a pressure sensor (56) either via a second air path (62) to the buffer basin (16) or the reactor vessel (18) for the purpose of performing a hydrostatic height measurement of the water level, or which connects the pressure sensor (56) to the compressed air source (50) via the first air path (52) for the purpose of testing the function of the compressed air source (50).