Integrated Vacuum-Flocculation Apparatus for Waste Mud Dehydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating waste mud, such as vacuum filtration, centrifugal separation, and plate-and-frame filter press, are inefficient and costly, and the separate processes of flocculation, vacuum drainage, solidification, and discharge are time-consuming and resource-intensive, failing to meet the requirements for rapid dehydration and solidification of large volumes of waste mud.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum-flocculation-solidification integrated apparatus that combines multiple processes in a single apparatus, featuring a vacuum barrel with a flocculation stirring device and a rotary spraying solidification device, utilizing a vacuum pump, high-pressure solidification agent pump, and air compressor to facilitate continuous flocculation, vacuum drainage, and solidification, with a geotextile filtering structure and spiral blade for enhanced dehydration and mixing of solidification agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate processes of flocculation-precipitation, vacuum drainage, solidification, and discharging soil are performed sequentially, then each process can be completed with dedicated equipment, but the treatment time is excessive and material resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines flocculation-precipitation, vacuum drainage, solidification, and discharging soil processes into a single integrated apparatus. The vacuum barrel serves as both the reaction vessel for flocculation and the filtration chamber for vacuum drainage, while the spiral blade structure enables both mixing during solidification and conveyance during discharging. This merging of functions into one apparatus eliminates the need for sequential transfer between multiple pieces of equipment, thereby significantly reducing treatment time and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum barrel performs multiple functions: it serves as the reaction container for flocculation-precipitation, the filtration chamber for vacuum drainage, and the solidification reactor. The spiral blade structure simultaneously acts as a mixing device during solidification and a conveying mechanism during discharging. The geotextile filtering structure enables both filtration during vacuum drainage and filtering during solidification. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate processes and equipment needed, thereby reducing treatment time.
2Quantity of substance
If vacuum filtration or centrifugal separation is used for on-site waste mud treatment, then transportation cost is reduced, but the treatment efficiency is low and water content of treated waste mud remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges vacuum filtration with flocculation-precipitation and solidification processes. The vacuum barrel performs both filtration and solidification simultaneously, allowing for more effective water removal compared to standalone vacuum filtration. The spiral blade structure enhances both mixing during solidification and conveyance during discharging, improving overall treatment efficiency while achieving lower water content in the treated waste mud.
3Quantity of substance
If plate-and-frame filter press method is used to reduce water content of waste mud, then water content is greatly reduced, but treatment efficiency is low and treatment cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filtration function of plate-and-frame filter press with vacuum drainage and solidification processes. The geotextile filtering structure in the vacuum barrel provides effective filtration similar to filter press, while the vacuum application and spiral blade mixing enable simultaneous solidification and conveyance. This integration achieves comparable water content reduction to filter press but with improved treatment efficiency and reduced cost by eliminating the need for separate solidification and discharging steps.
4Quantity of substance
If vacuum preloading method is used for waste mud treatment, then it is suitable for large volume treatments, but the permeability coefficient after precipitation is small and drainage and solidification speeds are slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges vacuum drainage with active solidification using the spiral blade structure. While the vacuum barrel handles large volumes of waste mud during flocculation-precipitation, the spiral blade actively mixes and conveys the slurry, preventing settling and maintaining high permeability. This active mixing during the process maintains faster drainage and solidification speeds compared to passive vacuum preloading, while still accommodating large treatment volumes.
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 integrated apparatus significantly improves treatment efficiency and reduces costs by enabling continuous, pipelined processing of waste mud, achieving rapid dehydration and improved solidification with fully mixed solidification agents, meeting the demands for large-scale, efficient, and cost-effective waste mud treatment.
Implementation Method 1
Vacuum filtration and centrifugal separation can be used for treatment of the waste mud on the site. Solid-liquid separation is achieved by applying vacuum negative pressure
Implementation Method 2
Vacuum preloading method is suitable for a large number of treatments of waste mud with a high water content
Implementation Method 3
the flocculation-precipitation, vacuum drainage, solidification, discharging soil and other processes
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum-flocculation-solidification integrated apparatus for waste mud and a using method thereof are provided, and the apparatus includes an outer support truss, a vacuum barrel wall, a flocculation stirring device, and a rotary spraying solidification device. The using method of the apparatus includes: flattening a site and installing a support truss and a vacuum barrel wall; assembling a flocculation stirring device and then hoisting and installing to a top of the vacuum barrel wall; checking an air tightness; adding an APAM flocculant, starting the flocculation stirring device and a vacuum pump; starting an air compressor; and squeezing solidified soil from soil outlets. Beneficial effects of apparatus are that: multiple procedures of flocculation, vacuum drainage, solidification and discharging soil for the waste mud are continuously performed; a solidification agent is fully mixed with solidified soil through rotary spraying; and the apparatus is convenient to be disassembled, reassembled, and reused.