Sludge Purification Apparatus with Vertical Stacked Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for urban sludge and mine tailing purification are energy-intensive, land-consuming, costly, and emit methane, leading to secondary pollution and high carbon emissions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method incorporating a sedimentation unit, centrifugal unit, thermal hydrolysis unit, digesting unit, and nutrient removal unit for sludge and tailing purification, utilizing density separation, vortex creation, coagulation, digestion, and disinfection to reduce impurities and odor, with a focus on energy-saving and automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If current urban sludge treatment methods are used, then sludge purification is achieved, but energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system is divided into multiple functional units operating in sequence: sedimentation unit for initial separation, centrifugal unit for vortex-based impurity removal, thermal hydrolysis unit for coagulation, digesting unit for macromolecule breakdown, nutrient removal unit for filtering, and reservoir unit for disinfection. This segmentation allows each unit to perform a specific function efficiently, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining purification effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional high-energy mechanical mixing and aeration systems with natural convection currents and vortex formation. The centrifugal unit creates vortices through geometric design rather than high-power motors, and the sedimentation unit utilizes density-based natural separation, eliminating the need for energy-intensive mechanical agitation while achieving effective purification.
2Area of stationary object
If current sludge treatment tanks are distributed in parallel-type, then treatment capacity is maintained, but land area occupied is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal parallel-type tank arrangement to a vertical stacked configuration. Multiple treatment units (sedimentation, centrifugal, thermal hydrolysis, digesting, nutrient removal, and reservoir units) are arranged vertically one above another, utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate all treatment stages. This dimensional change dramatically reduces the horizontal land footprint while maintaining or enhancing treatment capacity through sequential processing.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If current treatment methods are used, then sludge is treated, but carbon emissions are high
Solution Approach 1:
The digesting unit captures methane gas produced during anaerobic digestion of sludge, which would otherwise be released as a harmful greenhouse gas. This captured methane is then utilized to provide thermal energy for the thermal hydrolysis unit's coagulation process, converting a harmful emission into a useful energy source. This circular approach reduces carbon emissions while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses energy within the treatment process. Heat generated during digestion and thermal hydrolysis is captured and reused in subsequent treatment stages, reducing the need for external energy input and associated carbon emissions. Nutrients removed from sludge are also recovered for potential agricultural reuse, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers and reducing overall carbon footprint.
4Ease of manufacture
If current treatment methods are used, then purification is achieved, but operation cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system is designed to be largely self-sufficient. The digesting unit generates methane that automatically fuels the thermal hydrolysis unit, creating an internal energy cycle that reduces external energy purchases. The system also captures and reuses heat internally across different units. These self-service features significantly reduce operational costs while maintaining consistent purification quality through automated sequential processing.
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 significantly reduces energy consumption, land use, and carbon emissions while effectively purifying sludge and tailing, minimizing secondary pollution and odor emissions, and enabling efficient reuse of treated sludge for agricultural purposes.
Implementation Method 1
the sedimentation unit may be configured for separating wastewater from at least one of the sludge and the tailing based on density separation
Implementation Method 2
the centrifugal unit may be configured for creating a vortex in the wastewater based on the transferring of the wastewater from the first tank to the second tank
Implementation Method 3
The transferring may include dispensing of the wastewater from a plurality of outlets associated with the first tank corresponding to a plurality of flow pressures for creating a centrifugal effect in wastewater in the primary compartment
Implementation Method 4
the thermal hydrolysis unit may be configured for coagulating at least one second impurity of the wastewater using a plurality of coagulants
Implementation Method 5
the digesting unit may be configured for digesting at least one macromolecule of the wastewater into at least one compound
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for facilitating purification of sludge and tailing, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, a sedimentation unit receives sludge and tailing in a first tank, separates wastewater from the sludge and the tailing, and transfers the wastewater from the first tank to a second tank. Further, a centrifugal unit creates a vortex in the wastewater. Further, a thermal hydrolysis unit coagulates a second impurity of the wastewater using coagulants and transfers the wastewater from the second tank to a third tank. Further, a digesting unit digests a macromolecule of the wastewater into a compound and transfers the wastewater from the third tank to a fourth tank. Further, a nutrient removal unit filters the wastewater from the compound and transfers the wastewater from the fourth tank to a fifth tank. Further, a reservoir unit disinfects the wastewater and stores the wastewater in the fifth tank.