Shell-Tube Microbubble Inlet for Efficient Solids Flotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wastewater treatment methods face inefficiencies in separating solids from liquids due to inadequate bubble formation and distribution, leading to reduced flotation efficiency and purity of treated water.
Innovation Solution
A water treatment system incorporating a shell-tube inlet conduit with a microbubble forming means that supplies gas and untreated water separately, forming microbubbles of specific sizes and distributions to enhance flotation efficiency, and includes a treated water outlet for efficient separation and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional bubble formation methods are used, then gas supply is simple, but bubble size distribution is inadequate and flotation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet conduit is segmented into a shell and multiple tubes, with the tube positioned inside the shell to create separate flow paths. This segmentation allows independent control of gas and water flow, enabling optimized bubble formation while maintaining structural organization and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube is nested inside the shell, with the tube positioned coaxially within the shell's interior space. This nested configuration allows the gas flowing through the shell to interact with the water flowing through the tube, creating effective bubble formation zones without requiring additional external components.
2Productivity
If bubbles rise quickly, then separation process is faster, but turbulent flow increases and adsorption rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system controls bubble parameters (size, rise velocity) by adjusting the gas flow rate through the shell and water flow rate through the tube. By optimizing the ratio of gas to water flow, the system generates bubbles with controlled rise velocities that balance separation speed with sufficient residence time for adsorption, achieving both productivity and purity requirements.
3Productivity
If gas and water are supplied together, then inlet structure is simple, but bubble distribution is inadequate and flotation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet conduit is segmented into a shell and multiple tubes, with the tube positioned inside the shell to create separate flow paths. This segmentation allows independent control of gas and water flow, enabling optimized bubble formation while maintaining structural organization and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the gas supply (through the shell) and the water supply. By positioning the tube inside the shell, the system creates an intermediate zone where gas and water can interact effectively, improving bubble distribution and flotation efficiency.
4Productivity
If microbubble forming means is added, then bubble size and distribution are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microbubble forming function is merged with the inlet conduit structure itself. The shell-tube configuration acts as an integrated microbubble generator, combining the functions of gas supply, water supply, and bubble formation into a single unified structure, thereby improving flotation efficiency without adding separate complex components.
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 system achieves improved flotation efficiency and purity of treated water by promoting slow-rising microbubbles with long lifespans, reducing turbulent flow, and enhancing adsorption rates between particles and bubbles.
Implementation Method 1
forming microbubbles by passing the gas through the microbubble forming means
Implementation Method 2
enhancing adsorption rates between particles and bubbles
Implementation Method 3
separating solids from liquids due to inadequate bubble formation and distribution, leading to reduced flotation efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of this disclosure are related to a water treatment system comprising a flotation tank, a shell-tube inlet conduit connected to the flotation tank and comprising a shell configured to supply a gas and at least one tube configured to supply untreated water, wherein each of the shell and the tube has a first part exposed to an outside of the flotation tank and a second part extending into the flotation tank, a microbubble forming means positioned on or adjacent to the second part of the shell, and a treated water outlet connected to the flotation tank and configured to allow treated water separated from solids in the flotation tank to be discharged therethrough.