Spiral Sedimentation Filter for Underground Water Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water sedimentation systems in underground discharge systems face inefficiencies in filtering water due to turbulence and suboptimal retention times, leading to incomplete filtration during peak inflow rates, which can reintroduce contaminants into the water supply.
Innovation Solution
A compact sedimentation filter with a helical channel and bypass device that limits inflow rates, ensuring laminar water flow and extended retention times, utilizing a partitioned compartment design with a deflecting chute and adjustable overflow to manage excess water and maintain optimal filtration performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water flows through a conventional sedimentation filter at peak inflow rates, then the filter processes large volumes of water, but turbulence occurs and retention time is reduced leading to incomplete filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple compartments with internal partitions that create separate sedimentation zones. This segmentation allows water to be processed in stages, maintaining adequate retention time in each compartment while handling peak inflow volumes through parallel processing paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the sedimentation process by creating multi-level compartments and using vertical flow paths. This dimensional change increases the effective sedimentation length without increasing the horizontal footprint, allowing longer retention times while maintaining high processing capacity.
2Reliability
If the sedimentation channel is made longer to increase retention time, then filtration effectiveness improves, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal sedimentation channel to a vertical helical channel that winds around an inner shaft. This dimensional change allows the channel to achieve greater effective length within a compact cylindrical volume, increasing retention time without proportionally increasing the filter's horizontal footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical channel is nested around an inner shaft, creating a compact concentric structure. The channel utilizes the radial space between the shaft and chamber wall, efficiently packing the sedimentation path into a small volume while maintaining adequate length for effective sedimentation.
3Productivity
If inflow rate is increased to handle peak flows, then productivity improves, but turbulence increases and sedimentation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter chamber is divided into multiple compartments that can process flow simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to handle peak inflow rates by distributing water across multiple parallel sedimentation zones, maintaining laminar flow conditions in each compartment while increasing overall processing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bypass channel as an intermediary element that can divert excess flow. During peak inflow conditions, the bypass channel allows water to bypass the main sedimentation zone, preventing excessive turbulence and maintaining laminar flow in the primary filtration path while still processing the peak volume through the combined path.
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 separates contaminants from water, maintaining filtration quality even during peak inflow rates by ensuring laminar flow and controlled retention times, preventing re-contamination and enhancing the overall efficiency of the sedimentation process.
Implementation Method 1
a sedimentation channel (12) which is spiralled around the inner shaft (11) and communicates with the second compartment (16) and the second outlet opening (3)
Implementation Method 2
ensuring laminar water flow and extended retention times
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Inspection chamber for use in an underground water discharge system. The inspection chamber comprises a sedimentation channel that is spiralled around an inner shaft of the inspection chamber. The inner shaft communicates with a first compartment, a second compartment, and a first outlet opening of the inspection chamber. The sedimentation channel communicates with the second compartment and a second outlet opening. An inlet device may be provided between the inner shaft and the first outlet opening, arranged to separate floatables from water that passes the inlet device during use. Further, a bypass may be provided, allowing excess water to bypass the sedimentation channel. The bypass preferably features an adjustable flow rate and may further comprise an overflow provision.