Scrubbing Backwash Filter Auger Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scrubbing backwash filters face challenges such as high complexity, cost, durability issues, and difficulty in cleaning due to the use of pump and piping systems, as well as contaminant buildup and corrosion in flat bottom screen systems, which limits their commercial viability and effectiveness in handling sticky/viscous contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A scrubbing backwash filter design featuring a vessel with a propeller-driven media slurry system, baffles for radial deflection, and a wedge wire screen for media retention and separation, allowing for efficient backwash and filtration processes while minimizing complexity and cost, and incorporating a heat exchanger for enhanced cleaning and energy exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pump and piping system is used for media scrubbing, then media cleaning capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the pump and external piping system from the media scrubbing process. Instead of using a separate pump to circulate slurry through external pipes, the system uses an internal auger mechanism directly within the filter vessel to achieve media scrubbing, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining cleaning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the media scrubbing function with the existing filter vessel structure. The auger is integrated inside the vessel, combining the scrubbing mechanism with the filtration system rather than using separate pump and piping components, thus reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If a flat bottom screen system is used for media retention, then media containment is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to contaminant buildup and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the flat bottom screen with a conical bottom screen. The conical shape prevents contaminant buildup by creating a self-draining surface where contaminants naturally slide down to the apex, eliminating the corrosion and cleaning difficulties associated with flat screens while maintaining effective media retention
3Reliability
If eastern black walnut shells are used as media, then media durability is improved, but cost increases due to high demand and low crop yield
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the media by using media fragments of controlled size (0.5mm to 5mm) rather than whole shells. This size reduction maintains the durability benefits of walnut shells while using less material per unit volume, thereby reducing cost while preserving mechanical strength and scrubbing effectiveness
4Reliability
If a slurry pump system is used for backwash, then media scrubbing is improved, but loss of substance increases due to media erosion and piping plug plugging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical slurry pump system with a non-mechanical internal auger system. The auger gently agitates and circulates the media without the high shear forces and erosion caused by pump impellers, thereby reducing media breakdown and loss while maintaining scrubbing effectiveness through controlled mechanical action
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 solution provides a durable, cost-effective, and efficient filtration system capable of handling industrial applications with reduced backwash volume, easy maintenance, and effective contaminant removal, addressing the limitations of previous technologies by simplifying the design and improving media handling and cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
the shear forces created in the 1970s centrifugal slurry backwash pumps
Implementation Method 2
A filter is provided, including: a vessel having an input for contaminated fluid; the vessel configured to contain media; a propeller rotatable on a drive shaft extending downwardly from the top of the vessel
Implementation Method 3
a deflector plate below the drain screen to impel media outwardly from the center of the vessel
Implementation Method 4
a wedge wire screen for media retention and separation
Implementation Method 5
incorporating a heat exchanger for enhanced cleaning and energy exchange
Data Source
AI summary
A filter is provided including a vessel having an input positioned near the top of the vessel for contaminated fluid; the vessel containing media; a drain screen; a propeller rotatable on a drive shaft extending downwardly from the top of the vessel; a deflector plate below the drain screen to impel media outwardly from the center of the vessel; a plurality of baffles positioned on side walls of the vessel; and a drain to remove fluid from the vessel.