Pressurized Electro-separation Apparatus with Autowash
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electro-separation technologies face challenges in effectively removing contaminants from high-pressure liquids under 50 psi or greater, as existing systems struggle to maintain pressure and efficiently destabilize contaminants within the liquid under elevated conditions.
Innovation Solution
A pressurized electro-separation apparatus with a housing capable of withstanding pressures of 50 psi or greater, featuring a sealable lid, electrode assembly with parallel-spaced electrode plates, and an autowash assembly, which introduces liquid under pressure and applies voltage to destabilize contaminants through electrocoagulation and electroflotation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If existing electro-separation systems are used, then they can operate at atmospheric pressure, but they cannot effectively maintain pressure of 50 psi or greater to destabilize contaminants in high-pressure liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pressure parameter from atmospheric to 50 psi or greater to improve contaminant destabilization. The housing and lid are designed to withstand and maintain this elevated pressure, transforming the operating conditions to achieve better treatment effectiveness while reliably maintaining the required pressure level.
2Reliability
If pressure is increased to 50 psi or greater, then contaminant destabilization is enhanced, but the housing and sealing components must be significantly strengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the pressure-containing structure into a housing and a separate lid assembly. This segmentation allows the lid to be designed with specific sealing features (gland packing, seals) that can handle high pressure independently, while the housing provides the main structural containment. The segmented design distributes the strength requirements across multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary sealing components (gland packing, seals, gaskets) between the lid and housing to mediate the high-pressure interface. These intermediary elements create effective seals without requiring the entire housing structure to be excessively strong, allowing pressure containment while maintaining reasonable overall system strength.
3Productivity
If electrode plates are closely spaced to increase treatment efficiency, then contaminant destabilization improves, but sediment buildup on electrodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through the autowash assembly that automatically cleans the electrode plates during or between treatment cycles. This self-cleaning mechanism removes sediment buildup without requiring manual intervention, allowing the electrode plates to maintain close spacing for high treatment efficiency while automatically managing the maintenance issue through hydraulic flushing.
4Productivity
If autowash assembly is added to remove sediment, then continuous operation is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autowash assembly is merged with the existing housing and liquid circulation system. The wash water is introduced through the same housing structure, and the cleaned liquid can be returned to the treatment process. This merging approach integrates the cleaning function into the existing system architecture rather than adding completely separate infrastructure, thereby enabling continuous operation while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
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 effectively destabilizes and removes contaminants from high-pressure liquids by maintaining elevated pressure and applying electrical fields, enhancing contamin separation and coagulation, while the autowash assembly ensures continuous operation by removing sediment buildup, thereby improving treatment efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
supplying the voltage for a period of time while maintaining the pressure in the liquid above 50 psi to allow the contaminants in the liquid to destablize
Implementation Method 2
applying voltage to destabilize contaminants through electrocoagulation and electroflotation processes
Implementation Method 3
a housing capable of withstanding pressures of 50 psi or greater and defining an interior space; a sealable lid operative to maintain a pressure of 50 psi or greater in the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A treatment system for treating a liquid containing contaminants is provided. The system can include a separation apparatus, an oxidation reactor and a power supply. The separation apparatus can include: a housing capable of maintaining a pressure of 50 psi or greater in an interior space; an inlet; an outlet; and an electrode assembly provided in the housing. The oxidation reactor can include: a housing defining an interior space; an inlet oriented to induce swirling in an incoming flow of liquid in the interior space of the housing, the inlet connected to the outlet of the separation apparatus; an ozone port leading into the housing; an outlet; and a conduit connected at a bottom end to the outlet and extending vertically in the housing to an opening at a top end. The power supply operative to supply a voltage to the first and second electrical conductors of the separation apparatus.