Suspended Evaporation Elements for Wastewater Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Evaporation ponds used for wastewater treatment face challenges in increasing evaporation rates to reduce the number and size of ponds, thereby minimizing groundwater contamination and enhancing the production of solid products like salts and minerals, while existing methods are inefficient and costly due to stringent environmental regulations.
Innovation Solution
An evaporation assembly module comprising evaporation elements with a support structure and liquid distribution system designed to suspend evaporation members in a configuration that maximizes exposure to wind, using interconnected columns and beams to resist wind forces and prevent contamination, along with evaporation elements made from hydrophilic materials and sleeve portions to enhance evaporation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the number and size of evaporation ponds are reduced to minimize groundwater contamination, then environmental protection is improved, but the evaporation capacity must be increased which requires more efficient evaporation methods
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporation system is divided into multiple individual evaporation elements (206A, 206B) suspended in arrays over the pond surface. Each element consists of separate evaporation members (84, 86) that can be independently configured and positioned to optimize wind exposure and evaporation efficiency, thereby increasing overall evaporation capacity without requiring larger pond areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporation elements are suspended in a three-dimensional space above the pond surface at various heights using support structures (10) with columns (18) and beams (16). This vertical dimensionality allows the evaporation members to be positioned in zones of maximum wind flow and evaporation potential, significantly enhancing evaporation rates without expanding the horizontal pond footprint.
2Productivity
If spray nozzles are used to force pond water into the air to increase evaporation, then evaporation rate is improved, but the system becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporation members (84, 86) are designed with self-wetting capabilities through hydrophilic materials or capillary action structures that automatically draw water from the pond surface without requiring external spray mechanisms. The elements passively utilize wind flow and environmental conditions to maintain evaporation, eliminating the need for complex spray nozzle systems, pumps, and control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The active mechanical spray system is replaced with passive evaporation elements that rely on natural wind forces and material properties (hydrophilic surfaces) to achieve water distribution and evaporation. This substitution eliminates mechanical complexity while maintaining or enhancing evaporation effectiveness through natural physical processes.
3Productivity
If evaporation elements are held in W-shaped position to maximize surface area, then evaporation efficiency is improved, but trough-shaped portions accumulate minerals reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing evaporation members to form W-shaped configurations with downward-facing troughs that trap minerals, the elements are inverted or reconfigured to form upside-down V-shapes or arches with upward or outward-facing surfaces. This inversion prevents mineral accumulation in low points while maintaining maximum surface area exposure to wind and air flow for efficient evaporation.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporation members are designed with specific local surface properties and geometries that prevent mineral accumulation in critical evaporation zones. The surfaces are configured to shed water and minerals effectively while maintaining optimal evaporation areas, ensuring that mineral buildup does not occur in locations that would interfere with evaporation performance.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If stringent environmental regulations are implemented to protect groundwater quality, then environmental protection is improved, but the cost of pond lining and treatment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporation system extracts the evaporation function from the pond bottom lining and relocates it to suspended elements above the water surface. This separation allows the use of simpler, less expensive pond linings while achieving the required evaporation rates through the overhead element arrays, thereby reducing construction costs while meeting environmental standards.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on expensive engineered pond linings to achieve evaporation, the system uses multiple replicated evaporation elements that can be manufactured at low cost and deployed in arrays. The collective effect of many simple, inexpensive elements achieves the evaporation performance that would otherwise require costly specialized lining materials.
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 increases evaporation rates, reduces the area of contamination, and minimizes environmental hazards by effectively utilizing wind forces and preventing mineral accumulation, thus addressing the need for more efficient and cost-effective evaporation processes.
Implementation Method 1
a pipe configured for wetting the evaporation members
Implementation Method 2
evaporation elements with a support structure and liquid distribution system designed to suspend evaporation members in a configuration that maximizes exposure to wind
Implementation Method 3
maximizes exposure to wind, using interconnected columns and beams to resist wind forces
Implementation Method 4
evaporation elements made from hydrophilic materials
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assembly of an evaporation assembly module. The evaporation assembly module comprises an evaporation element, a pipe having at least one fluid outlet and configured for wetting at least a portion of the evaporation element by passing fluid through the fluid outlet, and a support structure configured for holding the evaporation element in a suspended position. The method includes connecting the pipe to the evaporation element and subsequently suspending the pipe and the connected evaporation element to the support structure, in a suspended position.