Tank-Bottom Suction Filtration for Low-Volume Water Clarification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large ornamental and recreational water tanks face challenges with high investment and operating costs, and inefficient filtration due to the difficulty in homogeneously filtering entire volumes of water, leading to cloudy conditions caused by algae growth and suspended particles.
Innovation Solution
A filtration process using ultrasonic waves and a suctioning device to precipitate flocculated particles on the tank bottom, which are then filtered and returned to the tank, reducing the need to filter the entire tank volume and utilizing low concentrations of flocculants, thus lowering costs and improving water clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional filtration systems are used to filter entire tank volumes, then water clarity is improved, but investment and operating costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the filtration process into two distinct stages: (1) a suctioning device that collects suspended particles and flocculated matter from the tank bottom, and (2) a separate filtration system that processes only the collected effluent rather than the entire tank volume. This segmentation allows the filtration system to be much smaller and less complex while achieving the same water clarity results.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes suspended particles and flocculated matter from the water column using a suctioning device that travels along the tank bottom. By taking out these contaminants before filtration, the system only needs to filter a small fraction of the total water volume, significantly reducing the required filtration capacity and system complexity.
2Productivity
If flocculant concentration is increased to improve particle precipitation, then filtration efficiency improves, but chemical costs and water quality concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies flocculants in advance at low concentrations to promote natural flocculation of suspended particles before they reach the suctioning device. This preliminary action allows particles to aggregate into larger flocculated structures that are easier to collect, improving filtration efficiency without requiring high chemical doses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical/chemical intensive filtration with a primarily mechanical suctioning system that collects pre-flocculated particles. By substituting the need for high flocculant doses with a mechanical collection approach, the system achieves high filtration efficiency with minimal chemical usage.
3Manufacturing precision
If ultrasonic waves are emitted to precipitate particles, then particle settlement improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses periodic ultrasonic wave emission rather than continuous operation. Ultrasonic waves are emitted in cycles to promote particle flocculation and settlement, then turned off to allow natural precipitation to occur. This periodic action reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective particle precipitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses ultrasonic waves as an intermediary to enhance flocculation rather than directly precipitating particles. The ultrasonic energy promotes the formation of larger flocculated structures that then settle naturally under gravity, reducing the need for continuous high-energy ultrasonic input.
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 process achieves efficient filtration with significant cost savings and improved water clarity by filtering only a small percentage of the tank's volume, using a synergistic combination of ultrasonic waves and flocculants, and a specially designed suctioning device that covers large surfaces efficiently, reducing the need for extensive filtration systems.
Implementation Method 1
emitting ultrasonic waves in the tank
Implementation Method 2
adding a flocculant agent to the water
Implementation Method 3
a suctioning device which suctions a water flow with flocculated particles
Implementation Method 4
filtering the suctioning device effluent flow from said effluent collecting line to produce a filtered flow
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention comprises an efficient filtration process of water from a tank, where the filtration is performed over a small volume of water and not on the totality of the water from the tank; the process comprises the following steps: (a) emitting ultrasonic waves in the tank; (b) adding a flocculant agent to the water; (c) covering the tank bottom with a suctioning device which suctions a water flow with flocculated particles, discharging to a collecting effluent line; (d) filtering the effluent flow of the suctioning device from said collecting effluent line; and (e) returning the filtered flow to the tank. The present invention additionally comprises a suctioning device used in said efficient filtration process.