Single-Basin Sequential Biological Reactor with Siphoid Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sequential biological reactors (SBR) require multiple basins to treat large volumes of liquid effluents efficiently, increasing footprint and costs, and often necessitate additional buffer basins to manage high volumes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A single-basin sequential biological reactor design with a siphoid wall and controlled admission and extraction systems allows for continuous treatment of large volumes, incorporating aeration, decantation, and sludge dehydration mechanisms to optimize effluent processing without disturbing settled sludge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple basins are used to treat large volumes of liquid effluents, then treatment efficiency is improved, but footprint and construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment process is segmented into distinct phases (aeration, decantation, discharge, idle) that occur sequentially within a single basin. The siphon system is segmented into multiple pipes with different functions (intake, decantation, air intake) operating at different stages of the cycle, enabling complex treatment processes in one basin rather than requiring multiple basins for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactor operates in periodic cycles alternating between aeration phase (with air injection and effluent intake) and decantation phase (with sludge settling and clarified effluent discharge). This periodic operation allows the same basin to serve multiple functions at different times, eliminating the need for separate basins for aeration and settling while maintaining treatment efficiency.
2Area of stationary object
If a single basin is used to reduce footprint, then space requirements are reduced, but treating large volumes efficiently becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The siphon system enables continuous operation by automatically transitioning between phases without interruption. During the aeration phase, effluent is continuously introduced and aerated; during decantation, the siphon automatically switches to draw off clarified effluent while sludge settles. This continuous cyclic operation maintains high treatment capacity in a single basin, eliminating idle time between treatments that would reduce productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic pressure from air injection during the aeration phase to drive the siphon mechanism, which then hydraulically controls the transition to decantation phase. The air pressure differential and hydraulic head differences automatically regulate flow between phases, enabling a single basin to handle large volumes through efficient fluid dynamics rather than requiring multiple basins for manual or mechanical phase transitions.
3Quantity of substance
If buffer tanks are added to manage large volumes, then volume management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single basin serves multiple functions: it acts as both the aeration tank and the settling tank, as well as the storage basin for both raw effluent and clarified effluent. The siphon system provides universal control for all phase transitions and flow directions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate buffer tanks while maintaining effective volume management through the cyclic operation that naturally accommodates variable inflow and treatment requirements.
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 design enables efficient, continuous treatment of large effluent volumes in a single basin, reducing footprint and costs while maintaining effective sludge settlement and effluent clarification, and includes mechanisms for sludge dehydration to manage waste efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
extraction means, arranged near the surface of the liquid effluents, for extracting, by siphoning, at least a portion of the clarified liquid effluents
Implementation Method 2
a means for aerating the liquid effluents to promote an aerobic reaction with said bacterial mass
Implementation Method 3
treating liquid effluents by sedimentation of the sludge and evacuation of a clarified layer
Implementation Method 4
The reactor comprises a means for dehydrating the sludge evacuated by the evacuation means
Implementation Method 5
The dehydration means is arranged downstream of the evacuation means in the direction of circulation of the sludge
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sequential biological reactor for treating, by settling, liquid effluent (0) containing sludge (25). This reactor comprises at least a first tank (1a) suitable for receiving liquid effluent (0) to be treated by settling, a means (2) for admitting the liquid effluent (0) into the first tank (1a), suitable for introducing the liquid effluent (0) at one or more points (3) located in the vicinity of the bottom of the first tank (1a), a collection means (4) suitable for extracting, in the vicinity of the surface (5) of the liquid effluent (0), at least one portion of the clarified liquid effluent in a layer (6) clarified by the settling of the sludge (25). The invention also relates to a method of using the reactor.