Supercritical Wastewater Solids Separation via Batch Receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supercritical water oxidation processes are hindered by the presence of waste solids in the reactor effluent, which can corrode and clog downstream components, reducing efficiency and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a supercritical reactor, a separator, and a batch receiver is used to separate waste solids from the supercritical wastewater feed, employing a hydro-cyclone separator and a duty cycle valve mechanism to precipitate and collect waste solids, thereby preventing their entry into downstream recovery systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If supercritical water oxidation is used to treat wastewater, then waste destruction efficiency is improved, but waste solids cause clogging and corrosion of downstream components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts waste solids from the supercritical reactor effluent using a solids separation system comprising a separator and batch receiver. This removes the harmful solids before they can enter downstream components, preventing clogging and corrosion while maintaining the benefits of supercritical water oxidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary separation of waste solids from the effluent stream before the material reaches downstream recovery systems. By implementing this preliminary action, the system prevents potential damage to downstream equipment while enabling efficient energy and heat recovery from the treated effluent.
2Reliability
If waste solids are removed from supercritical reactor effluent, then downstream component reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a batch receiver as an intermediary component between the separator and downstream systems. This intermediary device simplifies the overall system by providing a buffer that decouples the separation process from downstream operations, reducing complexity while maintaining component reliability.
3Productivity
If continuous operation is maintained, then productivity is improved, but waste solids accumulation causes operational problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic purging of the batch receiver to remove accumulated waste solids. This periodic action allows the system to maintain continuous operation for extended periods while periodically clearing solids buildup, thereby maintaining both productivity and operational reliability without requiring complete system shutdowns.
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
This approach enhances the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of supercritical water oxidation by preventing clogging and corrosion, allowing for the recovery of energy and heat from the effluent, and reducing the amount of waste solids requiring disposal.
Implementation Method 1
Supercritical water oxidation can provide destruction of waste without the problems of land application, landfill, and incineration
Implementation Method 2
The separator may be a hydro-cyclone
Implementation Method 3
The collection region may be configured to collect the output therein
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatuses configured to separate waste solids material from a supercritical wastewater feed may separate waste solids material from supercritical reactor effluent in a first region such that the waste solids material collects in a second region fluidically interposed between a first valve in an open state and a second valve in a closed state, the first valve being fluidically interposed between the first region and the second region. In addition, the first and second valves may be toggled between open and closed states according to a defined duty cycle such that the waste solids material is caused, at least in part, to be discharged from the second region via the second valve in response to the first valve being in a closed state and the second valve being in an open state.