Rhizosphere Flow-Through System for Contaminated Water Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for treating contaminated water and soil, such as constructed wetlands, face limitations in treating high concentrations of organic contaminants due to mechanical inefficiencies, high maintenance costs, and environmental impact, while soil-based reed bed systems require lengthy establishment phases and are restricted to less complex contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A soil-based rhizosphere flow-through system is developed, where microorganisms from the rhizosphere are extracted, concentrated, and applied as a soil conditioner to enhance microbial activity, allowing for the breakdown of organic contaminants in both water and soil, reducing treatment time and increasing treatment capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If constructed wetlands are used for treatment, then treatment of low contaminant loads is achieved, but treatment capacity for high contaminant concentrations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-acclimatizing microorganisms to contaminants before treatment begins. The system exposes microorganisms to contaminant-containing water in advance, allowing them to adapt and develop degradation capabilities, thereby enhancing the system's ability to handle high contaminant loads effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the microbial community composition and metabolic activity through controlled exposure to contaminants. This changes the biological parameters of the treatment system, enabling it to process higher contaminant concentrations that conventional systems cannot handle
2Reliability
If soil-based reed bed systems are established, then treatment of contaminated water is achieved, but lengthy establishment phases are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-acclimatizing microorganisms to contaminants before treatment begins. The system exposes microorganisms to contaminant-containing water in advance, allowing them to adapt and develop degradation capabilities, thereby enhancing the system's ability to handle high contaminant loads effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by creating a flow-through system that allows continuous introduction of new microorganisms and contaminants. This dynamic approach enables the system to adapt and evolve its microbial community in response to varying contaminant loads, reducing establishment time compared to static systems
3Productivity
If conventional mechanical treatment systems are used, then treatment of contaminated water is achieved, but high energy consumption and maintenance costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing mechanical treatment processes with biological degradation mechanisms. Instead of using mechanical systems that require energy input and maintenance, the system utilizes microorganisms to naturally degrade contaminants, eliminating the need for mechanical intervention and reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by creating a system where microorganisms automatically degrade contaminants without external intervention. The biological system serves itself by using the contaminants as food sources for microbial growth and metabolism, eliminating the need for external energy input and maintenance operations
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 achieves significant contaminant reduction, accelerating the establishment phase and increasing treatment capacity, enabling the breakdown of a wide array of contaminants, outperforming conventional bioremediation methods in efficiency and applicability.
Implementation Method 1
the breakdown of organic chemical contaminants (also known as 'recalcitrants') in wastewater and in soil
Implementation Method 2
The impenetrable nature of the gravel based media limits the positive effect that rhizome regeneration can have on the sediments and precipitates, preventing continual mixing and interaction of the soil with the plant matrix
Implementation Method 3
incorporation of forced aeration solutions within a constructed wetland design so as to increase the oxygenation of the effluent
Data Source
AI summary
A process for constructing a soil-based rhizosphere flow-through system to break down contaminants in contaminated water. The process includes the steps of: providing plants planted in soil in a test bioreactor, the plants providing a rhizosphere; exposing the rhizosphere to the contaminated water; extracting microorganisms from the rhizosphere following their exposure to the contaminated water; preparing a microbial suspension from the extract; subjecting the microbial suspension to growth conditions to increase the concentration of the microorganisms, thereby preparing a soil conditioner; adding the soil conditioner to soil in a contained area having a water flow inlet and outlet; and planting a plurality of plants in the soil, the plants being of the same species as the plants of the test bioreactor.