Stationary Filtration Dehydration Apparatus for Algae Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dewatering technologies, such as belt filter presses, face issues with high energy consumption, wear-and-tear of filter belts, and inefficiency in algae harvesting due to moving belts and the need for vacuum systems, limiting their suitability for algae cultivation and increasing operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A filtration dehydration apparatus with a fixed filter using a capillary principle, comprising a filtration layer and an absorption layer, where the filter is secured and the absorption layer is pressed to extract liquid without a vacuum or pump pressurization system, allowing for efficient solid-liquid separation and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a belt filter press is used for dewatering, then solid-liquid separation can be achieved, but energy consumption increases due to moving belts and heavy sludge load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the filter stationary instead of moving. The fixed filter eliminates the need to move heavy sludge loads with motors, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining dewatering capacity through the stationary filtration structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the moving belt component from the system entirely, replacing it with a stationary filter. This removes the energy-consuming element while preserving the essential dewatering function through alternative means (stationary filtration with liquid ejection).
2Reliability
If filter cloths are cleaned by water spray in belt filter press, then sludge buildup is prevented, but clean water consumption and energy usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary filter design allows the filter surface to be naturally cleaned by the filtration process itself and gravity-driven liquid flow, eliminating or reducing the need for additional water spray cleaning systems and associated energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical water spray cleaning system with a passive cleaning mechanism that relies on the filtration process and gravity, substituting active mechanical cleaning with a passive self-cleaning approach.
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 apparatus operates with reduced energy consumption and extended filter lifespan, achieving high processing capacity and efficient algae harvesting with minimal idle time, outperforming conventional methods in terms of energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A filtration dehydration apparatus with a fixed filter using a capillary principle
Implementation Method 2
an extrusion unit (40) for pressing the absorption layer so as to squeeze liquid containing in the absorption layer out of the same
Data Source
AI summary
A filtration dehydration apparatus, which comprises: a filter, composed of a filtration layer and an absorption layer while allowing the filtration layer that is orientated facing toward the absorption layer to be a first side, and allowing a surface of the absorption layer that is orientated facing toward the filtration layer to be a second side; a supporting structure, for supporting and fixedly securing the filter; a solid waste collector, for collecting solid object left on the first side; and an extrusion unit, for pressing the absorption layer to squeeze out water in the absorption layer; wherein the first side is provided for a solid-liquid mixture to be placed thereon so as to allow the liquid containing in the solid-liquid mixture to flow into the absorption layer through the filtration layer while enabling solid objects in the solid-liquid mixture to be filtered out and thus left on the first side.