Streamlined Nozzle Reduces Friction in Belt Filter Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices for belt filters face inefficiencies and high energy consumption, particularly in municipal wastewater treatment, due to frictional and pressure losses in blow-off devices, and are prone to clogging.

Innovation Solution

A streamlined fluid outlet nozzle with an adjustable gap for a blow-off device, featuring a continuously curving internal surface and a teardrop or ogee arch cross-sectional shape, reduces frictional losses and hydraulic resistance, allowing for increased flow rate and exit velocity with lower inlet pressure, thus improving energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional blow-off devices are used for cleaning belt filters, then debris removal is achieved, but energy consumption is high due to frictional and pressure losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcleaning efficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blow-off device incorporates a streamlined housing with curved contours and rounded edges that guide fluid flow smoothly, reducing turbulence and frictional losses. The curved internal geometry minimizes pressure drops while maintaining effective debris removal capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes geometric parameters of the blow-off device housing, including streamlined cross-sectional shapes and curved surface profiles, to reduce hydraulic resistance and frictional losses, thereby lowering energy consumption while preserving cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high inlet fluid pressure is used to overcome frictional losses, then cleaning performance is maintained, but power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidpower requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The streamlined housing with curved contours reduces flow resistance, allowing effective cleaning performance to be achieved at lower inlet fluid pressures, thereby reducing power requirements for the fluid delivery system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of frictional losses into a benefit by using streamlined geometry that reduces turbulence and promotes smooth flow, transforming energy that would be lost into effective cleaning action at lower pressure requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional nozzle designs are used, then manufacturing is simple, but frictional losses and pressure drops are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpressure drops
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The streamlined housing with curved contours and rounded edges can be manufactured using standard fabrication techniques while significantly reducing frictional losses and pressure drops compared to conventional angular or flat-surfaced designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 streamlined design enhances cleaning efficacy and efficiency by reducing power requirements while maintaining or improving performance, and allows for effective debris removal without clogging, even in wastewater containing fat or similar compounds.

Implementation Method 1

The present inventors have developed a blow-off device with a streamlined interior surface to address the issue of frictional and pressure losses in blow-off devices known in the art

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The inner surfaces of the device or nozzle are constructed of a continuously curving surface. Advantages associated with the streamlined internal design include reduced hydraulic resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic resistance: Drag

Implementation Method 3

Reduced pressure drop over the length of the device, reduced frictional losses and increased outlet velocity are believed to result in increase efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP3180101B1Low energy consumption belt filter cleaning system
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 TROJAN TECH INC
  • EP3180101B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3180101B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3180101B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is described is a belt cleaning blow-off device having a streamlined inner surface. In one embodiment a fluid outlet nozzle is connectable to a conduit of a blow-off device for cleaning a belt filter. The nozzle comprises a housing having an inner surface and outer surface, wherein the inner surface defines a fluid entry zone to receive fluid into the nozzle and an elongated gap for directing fluid towards the belt. The inner surface is streamlined to facilitate flow of the fluid into the gap. In a second embodiment, the blow-off device comprises a housing connectable to a fluid source and having an inner and outer surface. The housing defines a conduit for transporting the fluid within a channel, wherein the inner surface defines a surface of the channel and an elongated gap for directing the fluid towards the belt. The inner surface is streamlined and typically teardrop-shaped to facilitate flow of the fluid into the gap.