Sequencing Batch Reactor with Membrane Filtration for Solids Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wastewater treatment systems face inefficiencies in reducing biological oxygen demand (BOD) and separating solids from liquids, often requiring separate basins for anaerobic and anoxic conditions and high energy consumption, which increases operational costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A wastewater treatment system combining a sequencing batch reactor with continuous membrane filtration and a solids-reducing biological system, where wastewater is aerated to convert undesirable components into biomass, settled to produce solids-rich and solids-lean liquor, and then filtered and treated further to reduce solids content, decoupling biological treatment from solids separation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wastewater treatment systems use separate basins for anaerobic and anoxic conditions, then biological treatment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic biological treatment stages into a single sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system. The SBR alternates between these treatment phases in a sequential manner, eliminating the need for separate basins while maintaining the biological treatment effectiveness through controlled environmental conditions in one integrated vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different treatment phases (anaerobic, anoxic, aerobic) and operational modes (fill, react, settle, decant, idle) in a sequential batch manner. This dynamic sequencing allows the single reactor to perform multiple treatment functions that would traditionally require separate static basins, reducing system complexity while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional systems separate biological treatment from solids separation, then treatment specificity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates biological treatment and solids separation into a single SBR system by utilizing the settling phase where biomass flocs separate from treated water. The membrane filtration system is integrated with the SBR to provide both biological treatment and solids removal in one unified process, eliminating the need for separate treatment basins and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The SBR system performs multiple functions including anaerobic digestion, anoxic denitrification, aerobic oxidation, and solids separation in a single reactor. The membrane filtration component provides both wastewater treatment and biomass waste removal, making the system multi-functional and reducing the number of separate devices needed.
3Reliability
If high energy consumption is used in conventional systems, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic batch operation with sequential phases (fill, react, settle, decant, idle) that alternates between aerobic and anaerobic/anoxic conditions. This periodic sequencing allows natural biological processes to occur without continuous aeration, reducing energy consumption while maintaining treatment effectiveness through time-based process control rather than continuous high-energy operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (aeration, mixing, temperature, residence time) between different treatment phases to optimize biological treatment effectiveness. By adjusting these parameters sequentially rather than maintaining constant high-energy conditions, the system achieves effective treatment with lower overall energy consumption, particularly during anaerobic and anoxic phases when aeration is minimized or eliminated.
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 effectively reduces BOD, minimizes solids discharge, and lowers operational costs by using lower-cost membranes and reducing energy requirements, while providing operational flexibility and increased reliability by filtering low-solids-content water, thus making the treatment process more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane filter system fluidly connectable to the sequencing batch reactor
Implementation Method 2
aerating at least a portion of the wastewater to promote conversion of at least a portion of undesirable components in the wastewater into a first biomass in the biological reactor
Implementation Method 3
allowing at least a portion of the first biomass to settle in the biological reactor thereby producing a solids-rich liquor and a solids-lean liquor
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of treating wastewater that can provide operating flexibility is disclosed. The system is operated with a sequencing batch reactor, which is typically cycling to any of fill, react, settle, decant, and idle stages, to treat the wastewater. The system can further utilize a membrane filtration system to further treat water from the sequencing batch reactor and produce suitable water. A solids-reducing system can be connected to the sequencing batch reactor and reduce an amount of biodegraded solids by converting the character or distribution of microorganisms population in the biomass.