Integrated Sewage Treatment with Sludge-to-Energy Cycle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated sewage treatment equipment faces challenges such as high energy consumption, complex operation, and high maintenance costs, along with difficulties in decentralized sewage treatment, which hinder its widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
An integrated equipment with a compact, one-piece box-shaped design featuring anaerobic, sludge reduction and denitrification, aerobic, sedimentation, and disinfection tanks, utilizing a worm filler, multifunctional online detectors, and automatic aeration systems for efficient sludge reduction and denitrification, with a PLC control program for automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If conventional integrated sewage treatment equipment is used, then sewage treatment function is provided, but energy consumption is high and operation maintenance cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sludge treatment and sewage treatment into a single integrated system. The sludge from sewage treatment is fed into the anaerobic reactor where it is decomposed to generate biogas, which is then used to power the aeration process in the aerobic reactor. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate sludge treatment facilities and external energy sources, simultaneously reducing energy consumption and maintaining treatment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves self-service by using the sludge itself as the energy source for its own operation. The anaerobic decomposition of sludge produces biogas that automatically supplies oxygen for the aerobic degradation process, creating a self-sustaining cycle that reduces external energy input while maintaining high sewage treatment productivity.
2Ease of operation
If conventional integrated sewage treatment equipment is used, then sewage treatment function is provided, but operation and maintenance is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple treatment functions (sewage treatment, sludge treatment, energy generation) into a single compact device with integrated reaction chambers. The anaerobic reactor, aerobic reactor, and sedimentation tank are combined in one unit, eliminating the need for separate facilities and simplifying operation and maintenance while maintaining comprehensive treatment capability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional sewage treatment process is used, then sewage is treated, but large amount of sludge by-products is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful sludge by-product into a beneficial energy source. Instead of disposing of sludge as waste, the system feeds it into the anaerobic reactor where it is decomposed to produce biogas. This biogas is then utilized to power the aeration process, transforming the harmful sludge into a useful energy resource that drives the treatment system while minimizing sludge disposal needs.
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 achieves efficient sludge reduction and denitrification, reduces energy consumption, and simplifies maintenance, meeting first-level A standards for pollutant discharge while minimizing sludge quantity and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an anaerobic tank, a sludge reduction and denitrification tank, an aerobic tank
Implementation Method 2
aerobic degradation, synchronous ecological treatment
Implementation Method 3
a sedimentation tank and a disinfection tank
Implementation Method 4
disinfection tank equipped with an ultraviolet device
Implementation Method 5
the gas generated in the anaerobic tank is used for combustion to drive the aeration process
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated equipment and treatment method for synchronous ecological treatment of domestic sewage and sludge, the equipment includes a one-piece box-shaped main body divided into several tank compartments which includes an anaerobic tank, a sludge reduction and denitrification tank, an aerobic tank, a sedimentation tank, and a disinfection tank, an inlet pipe for sewage and sludge entrance and an outlet pipe for exit of effluent after treatment. The sludge reduction and denitrification tank is equipped with variable microporous aeration pipes, worm fillers and multi-functional water quality online detectors. The aerobic tank is equipped with aeration pipeline components and DO online detectors. The sewage and sludge are guided to passing through the different tank compartments in order for simultaneous sewage treatment and sludge reduction. The removal rate of total nitrogen is as high as 85%, and the simultaneous reduction effect of sludge can reach more than 60%.