Underdrain Lateral Segmentation for Uniform Washing Fluid Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current underdrain systems in water and wastewater filter systems often suffer from uneven distribution of washing fluids, leading to incomplete cleaning of filter media, shorter filtration cycles, and increased washing cycles, and are prone to uplift forces that can cause mal-distribution and operational failures.

Innovation Solution

The development of a novel underdrain lateral design with mal-distribution members and a support assembly that ensures uniform distribution of washing fluids, incorporates a fluid pressure tap member for monitoring fluid pressure, and includes anchoring mechanisms to prevent relative movement between inner and outer liners, thereby preventing uplift and ensuring effective fluid distribution and system stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conventional lateral underdrain is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the washing fluid distribution is uneven causing mal-distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidfluid distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The underdrain lateral is divided into multiple compartments separated by internal partitions. Each compartment has its own outlet opening, which segments the fluid flow path and ensures more uniform distribution of washing fluid across the filter bed, preventing mal-distribution while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the underdrain lateral are designed with different outlet configurations. The first and second outlet openings are positioned at different locations with specific orientations relative to the filter bed, creating locally optimized flow patterns that ensure uniform overall distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the underdrain lateral is made with large openings for fluid flow, then the fluid distribution is improved, but the underdrain becomes susceptible to uplift forces causing separation from filter floor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid distribution uniformityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Anchoring members are integrated into the underdrain lateral structure at the bottom to preemptively counteract uplift forces. These anchoring members engage with the filter floor to prevent separation, addressing the reliability issue before it occurs during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The underdrain lateral combines different materials or structural compositions - the main body is made of corrosion-resistant material while incorporating anchoring members with different mechanical properties to provide both fluid flow capability and structural stability against uplift forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the underdrain lateral is separated from the filter floor due to uplift forces, then the structural integrity is compromised, but the fluid distribution becomes uneven

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidfluid distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring members are designed to engage with the filter floor to prevent uplift separation before it occurs. This preliminary action ensures both structural stability and uniform fluid distribution by maintaining the underdrain lateral in its correct position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Reliability

If washing cycles are performed frequently due to incomplete cleaning, then the filter media is maintained, but the filtration cycle duration is reduced and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter media cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidfiltration cycle duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented compartment structure ensures comprehensive coverage of the filter bed during washing cycles. Each compartment's outlet ensures washing fluid reaches all areas of the filter media, improving cleaning effectiveness and allowing longer filtration cycles between washes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Pressure taps are installed to monitor washing fluid pressure and flow distribution. This feedback mechanism allows optimization of washing cycle parameters to ensure effective cleaning with minimal frequency, thereby extending filtration cycle duration and improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10960326B2Underdrain for a filter system for filtering water or wastewater and a method of washing a filter system

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 ROBERTS MARKETING DE

AI summary

An apparatus for use in a filter system for filtering water or wastewater. The apparatus preferably includes at least one underdrain lateral having at least an inner chamber, a first outer chamber and a second outer chamber. The first outer chamber and the second outer chamber are preferably in fluid communication with the inner chamber. The inner chamber, the first outer chamber and the second outer chamber are preferably formed by an inner liner and an outer liner. The outer liner is a separate piece from the inner liner and surrounds the inner liner. The inner chamber is preferably configured to simultaneously receive a liquid and a gas during a washing procedure including simultaneous use of a liquid and gas to clean a filter bed to create a liquid and gas interface in the inner chamber.