Pressurized Sludge Digester for FOG Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water and wastewater treatment technologies are inadequate for effectively removing fats, oils, and greases (FOG) from commercial and residential wastewater, particularly in environments where water quality is deficient, and lack a compact, cost-effective solution for installation under sinks or dishwashers.
Innovation Solution
A sealed pressurized enclosure made of stainless steel with a sludge digester component that uses high-velocity impact and ozone injection to break down FOG molecules, preventing reformation and settlement, and incorporating a pressurized aeration chamber with internal divider walls and concentric ridges to enhance oxygen transfer and particle breakdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wastewater treatment methods are used, then basic treatment can be achieved, but fats, oils, and greases (FOG) cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ozone (O3) as a strong oxidant to chemically break down FOG molecules. The ozone generator produces ozone gas that is injected into the aeration chamber, where it oxidizes and decomposes fats, oils, and greases into simpler compounds, thereby achieving effective FOG removal that conventional methods cannot accomplish.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical FOG removal systems (such as grease traps and manual pumping) with a chemical-physical process combining ozone oxidation and high-velocity air impact. The air blowern creates high-velocity streams that physically break FOG into smaller particles while ozone simultaneously chemically degrades them, eliminating the need for mechanical separation systems.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact treatment unit is installed under the sink, then space is saved, but the treatment capacity may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by employing a blower to generate high-velocity air streams that flow through the aeration chamber. The air flow creates turbulent mixing and high-impact zones that enhance FOG breakdown efficiency. This pneumatic approach allows compact treatment capacity within a small volume by intensifying the treatment process rather than expanding the physical size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by using high-velocity air flow and concentrated ozone to intensify the treatment process. By increasing the energy density and chemical concentration within the compact chamber, the system achieves enhanced treatment capacity without proportionally increasing volume. The high-velocity air and ozone create intense localized treatment zones that maximize efficiency in a compact footprint.
3Reliability
If ozone is injected into the aeration chamber, then FOG breakdown is enhanced, but oxygen consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ozone as a strong oxidant that breaks down FOG molecules through oxidation reactions. Ozone (O3) decomposes into oxygen (O2) during the oxidation process, so while initial oxygen consumption occurs to form ozone, the net effect is FOG removal with oxygen being regenerated. This accelerated oxidation process is more efficient than conventional aeration methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The ozone injection system serves itself by using the decomposition of ozone to provide oxygen for the oxidation process. As ozone breaks down during FOG degradation, it releases oxygen that continues the oxidation cycle. This self-sustaining mechanism reduces the need for continuous external oxygen supply, making the system more energy-efficient compared to conventional methods that require continuous aeration.
4Productivity
If high-velocity air flow is used to break down FOG, then treatment speed increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using a blower to generate high-velocity air streams that flow through the aeration chamber. The air flow creates turbulent mixing and high-impact zones that enhance FOG breakdown efficiency. This pneumatic approach allows compact treatment capacity within a small volume by intensifying the treatment process rather than expanding the physical size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water and air during the aeration process. As air bubbles rise through the water, they create turbulence and impact forces that break FOG into smaller particles. The phase interaction between gas (air) and liquid (wastewater) generates mechanical energy for FOG breakdown without requiring continuous high-energy input, as the natural buoyancy and turbulence of rising bubbles provide sufficient shear forces.
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 effectively oxidizes and removes FOG, improving water quality by converting them into carbon dioxide and water, reducing the need for grease trap pumping and enhancing drinking water safety by eliminating pathogens in underdeveloped countries.
Implementation Method 1
The high velocity impact force provided by the sludge digester component breaks down the fats, oil and greases as they impacts against the stationary ridges or blades disposed on the digester component
Implementation Method 2
Atmospheric oxygen is then injected into the microparticulates created by the shearing action of the digester
Implementation Method 3
As the structure of the fats, oil and greases are mechanically broken down, highly concentrated oxygen in the form of the allotrope ozone is introduced through the air intake of the digester. The combination of the shearing action provided by the digester along with the additional concentrated oxygen results in the breakdown of the fats, oil and grease molecular structure
Implementation Method 4
highly concentrated oxygen in the form of the allotrope ozone is introduced through the air intake of the digester
Implementation Method 5
The actual sludge digester component of the present invention further discloses a method and apparatus for aerating liquid which includes a pressurized aeration chamber having an inlet port at its lower and an outlet port at its upper end
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for sealed pressurized enclosure containing a sludge digester designed to receive wastewater from commercial establishments for the purpose of removing fats, oils and greases using the high velocity impact provided by the sludge digester. Air containing ozone is pumped through the sludge digester causing a flow of material so that the stream of material is directed onto a series of stationary concentric ridges wherein the solids in the liquid material are forcefully impacted against the stationary concentric ridges so as to break the solid particles up into smaller particles.