Vented Baffle Clarifier Tank Gas Pressure Relief

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vented baffle systems in clarifier tanks face issues with trapped gases causing pressure buildup, leading to potential damage and reduced effectiveness due to inadequate venting, especially when dealing with high solid concentrations and water flow rates, which result in hydraulic short circuits and increased Total Suspended Solids (TSS) concentrations.

Innovation Solution

A vented baffle system featuring inter-engaged individual panel members with unitarily integrated relief conduits directed inwardly from the vertical side wall, preventing pressure buildup and redirecting gas and solids away from the tank's periphery, thereby enhancing structural integrity and clarifier performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If holes are drilled in the baffle panel member to vent gas, then pressure buildup is alleviated, but small holes become clogged with sludge and larger holes allow continual up-flow of waste solids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventing effectivenessVSAvoidsludge clogging and solids up-flow

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The venting function is extracted from the baffle panel member itself and placed in a separate dedicated vent pipe that extends through the panel. This allows the panel to remain solid and sludge-resistant while the separate vent pipe handles gas evacuation, avoiding the problem of holes becoming clogged or allowing solids up-flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A separate vent pipe acts as an intermediary element between the trapped gas space and the tank atmosphere. This intermediary structure provides a dedicated pathway for gas venting that is independent of the baffle panel, thereby preventing sludge clogging and solids up-flow issues that would occur with direct holes in the panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the baffle is constructed to withstand gas forces, then structural integrity is maintained, but pressure buildup can still be extreme causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebaffle structural integrityVSAvoidgas pressure buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The vent pipe is installed as a preliminary structural element that proactively provides pressure relief before extreme pressure buildup occurs. By establishing the venting pathway in advance, the system prevents pressure from reaching damaging levels rather than relying solely on the baffle's strength to withstand extreme forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The trapped gas, which initially represents a harmful pressure buildup, is converted into a manageable flow through the vent pipe system. The vent pipe transforms the potentially damaging static pressure into a controlled gas flow that exits safely, converting the harmful pressure accumulation into a beneficial pressure relief mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If larger vent holes are used, then pressure relief is improved, but waste solids up-flow is increased creating negative impact on performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure relief effectivenessVSAvoidclarifier performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The venting function is extracted from the baffle panel member itself and placed in a separate dedicated vent pipe that extends through the panel. This allows the panel to remain solid and sludge-resistant while the separate vent pipe handles gas evacuation, avoiding the problem of holes becoming clogged or allowing solids up-flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A separate vent pipe acts as an intermediary element between the trapped gas space and the tank atmosphere. This intermediary structure provides a dedicated pathway for gas venting that is independent of the baffle panel, thereby preventing sludge clogging and solids up-flow issues that would occur with direct holes in the panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system effectively alleviates pressure buildup and redirects solids and gases inwardly, improving the clarifier's efficiency by reducing TSS concentrations in the effluent water, thus enhancing the overall performance and preventing hydraulic short circuits.

Implementation Method 1

A relief conduit is provided in the panel member in fluid communication with said space and directed toward the center of the tank away from said vertical side wall for venting gas trapped in said space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a clarifier tank for gravitationally separating solids suspended in a liquid contained in the tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10722823B2Vented baffle for clarifier tank

Publication Date: 2020.07.28 NORTH AMERICAN FILTRATION ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

A vented baffle system is formed of a plurality of individual panel members, for use in a clarifier tank. The vented baffle system includes a plurality of inter-engaged individual panel members with each baffle having a unitarily integrated design. The panel members each may have one or more relief conduits directed to the center of the tank away from the vertical side wall.