Integrated Pump-Mixer Fluid Treatment System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid treatment processes are energy and footprint intensive, with sequential stages requiring multiple technologies and treating agents, leading to inefficiencies and undesired byproduct formation due to inadequate mixing.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system utilizing a pump-mixer that rapidly and vigorously mixes contaminated fluids with treating agents, including coagulants, adsorbents, and oxidants, allowing for simultaneous completion of treatment processes in parallel within a single processing tank, with optional ultrasonic, heating, or electromagnetic treatment mechanisms to enhance reaction kinetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sequential treatment stages are used with multiple technologies and treating agents, then treatment objectives can be achieved, but energy consumption and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple treatment stages (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection) into a single integrated treatment unit. Multiple treating agents are introduced simultaneously into one reactor rather than sequentially through multiple separate units, reducing the overall energy consumption and footprint while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated treatment unit performs multiple treatment functions simultaneously within a single system. The reactor can handle coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection processes in one unit, making the system multi-functional and reducing the need for separate dedicated units for each treatment stage.
2Reliability
If sequential treatment stages are used with multiple technologies and treating agents, then treatment objectives can be achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple treatment stages into a single integrated unit, reducing system complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate reactors, pumps, and mixing devices. The unified design simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining the ability to achieve multiple treatment objectives.
3Ease of operation
If treating agents are introduced separately in sequential manner, then treatment processes can be controlled, but mixing efficiency decreases leading to inadequate reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-mixes multiple treating agents with the contaminated fluid simultaneously in the integrated reactor before treatment processes begin. This preliminary mixing action ensures adequate contact between treating agents and contaminants, improving reaction efficiency while the integrated design maintains process control through unified management of all treatment stages.
4Reliability
If multiple sequential treatment stages are used, then treatment objectives can be achieved, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple treatment stages into a single integrated unit that processes all contaminants simultaneously in one reactor. This merging of stages eliminates the time required to move fluid between separate units and allows parallel processing of different treatment functions, significantly reducing total treatment time while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated treatment unit provides continuous treatment action without the interruptions and transfers required in sequential systems. The single-reactor design allows uninterrupted processing where treating agents continuously contact contaminants throughout the treatment cycle, improving efficiency and reducing overall treatment time.
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 approach enhances treatment efficiency by ensuring uniform dispersion of treating agents, reducing particle size, and improving reaction kinetics, thereby minimizing treatment time and agent usage while reducing byproduct formation and sludge production.
Implementation Method 1
said pump-mixer causes rapid and vigorous mixing of said contaminated fluid and said treating agents thereby forming a uniform dispersion of the treating agents in the contaminated fluid
Implementation Method 2
In coagulation and flocculation processes, aggregation of dispersed and colloidal material is promoted by adding polyvalent cations to form larger-sized floes
Implementation Method 3
adsorbent 121 is added to fluid 103 and then properly mixed in a rapid mix vessel 123
Implementation Method 4
Disinfection and advanced oxidation are further polishing steps entailing the use of physical or chemical oxidants to inactivate pathogens and/or to destroy persistent micropollutants
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention provides an integrated method and system for treating a contaminated fluid. The integrated system and method is configured to simultaneously perform multiple functions, for example, transportation, mixing, treatment and separation. The contaminated fluid and treating agents are pumped simultaneously into a processing tank and vigorously mixed by at least one pump-mixer. The at least one pump-mixer is configured to simultaneously perform combined functions such as fluid transportation, rapid and vigorous mixing and treatment. The rapid and vigorous mixing by at least one pump-mixer enhances the processing rates considerably. The contaminants and the disaggregated particles undergo treatment as a result of their reactions with the treating agents. The process residuals, usually in the form of sludge, are separated from the treated fluid. The separation system is also configured to simultaneously perform multiple functions.