Sand-Manure Separation Tank With Surface-Tension Breaking Inlet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sand-manure liquid separation plants face efficiency issues when processing fine sand due to surface tension delaying the settling process, leading to reduced operational efficiency and wear on equipment.
Innovation Solution
A sand-manure liquid separation plant with a tank design featuring a mixture inlet above the maximum filling level, fluid outlets to break the surface tension, and a stirrer to facilitate settling, combined with a cyclone for pre-separation and screw conveyors for sand reuse, ensuring efficient separation and minimal organic matter content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a sand-manure liquid separation plant processes fine sand, then the sand can be reused as bedding material to save money and improve animal welfare, but the surface tension at the mixture surface delays the sand settling process and reduces operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The mixture inlet is positioned above the maximum filling level to create a preliminary breaking effect when mixture enters the tank. This preliminary action disrupts the surface tension before fine sand settling begins, preventing the formation of a stretched elastic membrane effect that would otherwise delay settling
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid outlet connected to a fluid source (pneumatic or hydraulic action) is positioned above the maximum filling level to jet fluid towards the mixture surface. This pneumatic/hydraulic jet breaks up the surface tension, eliminating the elastic membrane effect and accelerating fine sand settling
2Ease of operation
If fine sand is used as bedding material, then animal welfare is improved and wound formation is reduced, but the surface tension effect becomes more pronounced and severely restricts settling
Solution Approach 1:
Positioning the mixture inlet above the maximum filling level creates a preliminary breaking effect that specifically addresses the surface tension problem associated with fine sand, allowing fine sand to settle efficiently while maintaining the welfare benefits of using fine sand bedding
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid outlet positioned above the maximum filling level delivers pneumatic or hydraulic jets that specifically break up the surface tension caused by fine sand, enabling the plant to process fine sand efficiently while maintaining the animal welfare benefits
3Device complexity
If the mixture inlet is positioned at the maximum filling level, then the plant structure is simpler, but fine sand builds up on the surface due to surface tension and settling is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The mixture inlet is positioned in the vertical dimension above the maximum filling level rather than at the same level. This dimensional change allows the inlet to break the surface tension effect without requiring complex internal tank structures, simply by utilizing the vertical space above the maximum filling level
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid outlet positioned above the maximum filling level uses pneumatic or hydraulic jets to break up the surface tension. This approach avoids complex internal tank structures by using fluid dynamics from a elevated position to achieve the same effect that would otherwise require complex mechanical breakers
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 plant achieves high sand reuse rates, with over 95% of fine sand being reusable as bedding material, while maintaining low organic matter content and minimizing bacterial growth, thus optimizing operational efficiency and reducing wear on equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a ready settling of the fine sand has been found to be restricted by the surface tension at the surface of the mixture already contained in the tank
Implementation Method 2
any impurities, in the form of solid organic matter, remaining on the surface of the grains of sand will raise to the surface of the mixture in the tank, driven by an upward flow of water supplied at the bottom of the tank
Implementation Method 3
sand of the mixture contained in the tank normally will gradually settle under the action of gravity at the bottom of the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A sand-manure liquid separation plant including a tank for the processing of a mixture of sand and manure liquid. The tank including a top portion having a mixture inlet for filling the mixture to be processed into the tank and a bottom portion having a sand discharge for discharging sand settled in the tank. A maximum level (ML) of filling of the mixture is defined within the tank, wherein the mixture inlet is arranged at a position at a level above the maximum level (ML) of filling. The plant further includes a number of fluid outlet(s) connectable to a source of a fluid and arranged above the maximum level (ML) of filling. The fluid outlets being configured to provide a flow of the fluid directed towards the maximum level (ML), below the position of the mixture inlet.