Self-flushing Anaerobic Digester for Sand Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Anaerobic digester systems face challenges in removing settled solid contaminants, such as sand, without disrupting the digestion process, as conventional methods involve emptying and cleaning the tank, which can be inefficient and disruptive.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a digester system comprising a primary and secondary tank connected by conduits and a flow control valve, allowing for the controlled flow of feed material from the primary tank to the secondary tank, where solid contaminants are concentrated and then removed at a higher rate, maintaining the anaerobic digestion process's integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods of emptying and cleaning the tank are used to remove solid contaminants, then solid contaminants can be removed, but the anaerobic digestion process is disrupted and operational efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The digester system is divided into multiple tanks (primary digester tank, secondary digester tank, third digester tank) that can operate independently. This allows one tank to continue digestion while another is being cleaned or maintained, ensuring continuous operation without disrupting the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary separation of contaminants through settling tanks and filtration systems before the main digestion process. Solid contaminants are removed in advance through sedimentation and filtration, preventing them from interfering with the anaerobic digestion process and eliminating the need for disruptive emptying operations.
2Reliability
If the tank is emptied to remove settled solid contaminants, then contaminant removal is achieved, but operational time is lost and system disruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-tank configuration allows the digestion process to continue uninterrupted while one tank undergoes maintenance or cleaning. The system maintains continuous useful action (digestion) in at least one tank at all times, eliminating downtime losses associated with emptying and cleaning the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational flow to facilitate self-cleaning. The continuous movement of digestate through the tanks creates natural flow patterns that prevent contaminant accumulation and enable in-place cleaning without requiring complete emptying of the tanks.
3Reliability
If heavy solid contaminants are allowed to settle at the bottom of the tank, then they can be removed by conventional cleaning methods, but they interfere with proper functioning of the anaerobic digestion process
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes solid contaminants through dedicated settling tanks and filtration systems that separate contaminants from the digestate before the main digestion process. This continuous extraction prevents contaminants from accumulating in the digestion tanks, maintaining proper functionality without requiring complex periodic cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Settling tanks and filtration systems serve as intermediary components between the feed material introduction and the main digestion process. These intermediaries capture and remove solid contaminants, protecting the digestion process from interference while providing a relatively simple removal mechanism compared to complete tank emptying and cleaning.
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 method enables continuous and efficient removal of solid contaminants, particularly non-digestible solids like sand, from the primary digester tank, maintaining high operational efficiency by minimizing disruptions and ensuring the system's continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
The flow control valve is configured to allow or prevent flow of fluid through the first conduit
Implementation Method 2
The pump is configured to transfer at least a portion of the secondary feed material portion from the secondary digester tank to the separator
Implementation Method 3
The separator separates the secondary feed material portion pumped from the secondary digester tank into liquid and solid components
Implementation Method 4
Anaerobic digester systems and methods employ microorganisms to break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen
Implementation Method 5
Heavier solid contaminates within the digester tank, such as sand, thus settle to the bottom of the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A digester system comprising a primary digester tank containing a primary feed material portion, a secondary digester tank containing a secondary feed material portion, a first conduit connected between the primary digester tank and the secondary digester tank to define a primary tank lower opening within the primary digester tank and a secondary digester tank lower opening within the secondary digester tank, and a flow control valve configured to allow or prevent flow of fluid through the first conduit. When the flow control valve is configured to allow flow of fluid through the first conduit, a portion of the primary feed material portion flows from the primary digester tank to the secondary digester tank to form the secondary feed material portion.