Multi-Deselection Sludge Separation for Better Settling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wastewater treatment systems lack an effective method for improving the selection and management of sludge particles, particularly in clarifiers, to enhance settling characteristics, thickening characteristics, reduce membrane fouling, and optimize the growth and resource allocation of microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
A wastewater treatment system comprising an influent, bioreactor, internal deselector, and outlet, with a particle deselector that uses density-based and particle size-compressibility to selectively retain or remove biological solids, and a return line to recycle deselected solids to the bioreactor, employing internal and external selection/deselection methods to uncouple solids residence times and optimize resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sludge collectors (hoppers, baffles, vacuum, airlift, or mechanical means) are used in clarifiers, then sludge can be moved to internal hopper or external sludge box, but the settling characteristics, thickening characteristics, and membrane fouling are not effectively improved
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sludge collection process into multiple zones within the clarifier: a first sludge collection zone for collecting a first portion of sludge particles, and a second sludge collection zone for collecting a second portion of sludge particles. This segmentation allows different sludge fractions to be collected and managed separately, improving both settling and thickening characteristics while reducing membrane fouling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct functional zones within the clarifier with different characteristics. The first sludge collection zone is positioned to collect sludge with specific settling properties, while the second zone collects sludge with different properties. This local differentiation enables optimized management of different sludge fractions, addressing both settling and thickening requirements simultaneously.
2Productivity
If sludge particles are collected using conventional methods, then sludge can be removed from the system, but the growth and resource allocation of microorganisms is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of sludge residence time by providing two different pathways: a first sludge fraction is retained in the system longer to support slow-growing microorganisms, while a second sludge fraction is removed more quickly to prevent resource depletion. This parameter differentiation optimizes microorganism growth and resource allocation by matching sludge retention with microbial growth rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic sludge management by continuously adjusting the proportion of sludge retained versus removed based on system conditions. The controlled sludge retention allows the system to dynamically respond to microbial growth requirements, optimizing resource allocation and enhancing productivity through adaptive sludge fraction management.
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 improves settling characteristics, reduces membrane fouling, enhances resource efficiency, and optimizes the growth of fast and slow-growing organisms by selectively managing sludge particles, achieving up to 20% improvement in electron donor and acceptor production and 20-50% volume reduction.
Implementation Method 1
the internal deselector is configured to deselect the second portion of the biological solids from the solid-liquid mixture based on at least one of pressure differential, flow velocity, flow rate, temperature differential, and electromagnetic energy exposure
Implementation Method 2
the internal deselector is configured to deselect the second portion of the biological solids from the solid-liquid mixture based on at least one of pressure differential, flow velocity, flow rate, temperature differential, and electromagnetic energy exposure
Implementation Method 3
the particle deselector comprises at least one of a density-based (DB) deselector and a particle size-compressibility (PSC) deselector
Implementation Method 4
the particle deselector comprises at least one of a density-based (DB) deselector and a particle size-compressibility (PSC) deselector
Implementation Method 5
the bioreactor is configured to disperse the contaminated water in a solid-liquid mixture, treat the solid-liquid mixture and form biological solids
Implementation Method 6
the system comprises at least one of a decanter, a clarifier, a separator, a membrane, and a filter configured to separate solid particles having predetermined characteristics from the solid-liquid mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for deselecting biological solids in an influent containing water. The method and system include supplying an influent to an inlet of a reactor comprising at least one of a bioreactor, an internal deselector, a particle deselector, and one or more return lines; dispersing the influent in the bioreactor to form a solid-liquid mixture containing biological solids; retaining, retarding, or providing a differential of, by the internal deselector, biological solids from the solid-liquid mixture to form a deselected solid-liquid mixture and returnable biological solids; feeding said deselected solid-liquid mixture to the particle deselector; deselecting, by the particle deselector, remainder biological solids from the deselected solid-liquid mixture; and supplying, by the one or more return lines, the returnable biological solids to the bioreactor.