Vehicle Wash Filter Aeration for Odor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle washing systems experience anaerobic degradation and odor nuisances due to anaerobic conditions during downtimes, leading to unpleasant smells and the need for disinfectants that harm aerobic microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation device is connected to the filter device in vehicle washing systems, blowing air into the filter from below during pump pauses to increase oxygen concentration and prevent anaerobic degradation, which can be used alone or in conjunction with existing solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the washing water recycling circuit operates during downtimes, then oxygen is consumed and anaerobic conditions develop, but this leads to odor nuisances and biological degradation of pollutants
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation device is activated before pump operations during downtimes to pre-oxygenate the washing water in the filter device. This preliminary action ensures that aerobic conditions are established before any potential anaerobic degradation can occur, preventing odor formation proactively rather than reacting to it afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation device operates periodically during pump pauses rather than continuously. Air is supplied in cycles during downtime periods when the pump is not running, maintaining aerobic conditions without requiring constant energy input. This periodic ventilation prevents anaerobic degradation while being energy-efficient.
2Quantity of substance
If air is supplied to the collection tank to aerate the washing water, then oxygen concentration increases, but this stirs up digested sludge and blocks the filter device
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of aerating the entire collection tank which would disturb sludge, the ventilation device is strategically positioned to supply air locally to the washing water in the filter device only. This localized aeration approach increases oxygen concentration precisely where needed for preventing anaerobic degradation without affecting the sludge in the collection tank, thus avoiding filter blockage.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter device itself serves as an intermediary medium for aeration. Rather than directly aerating the collection tank water, air is supplied through the filter device where it mixes with the washing water in a controlled manner. This intermediary approach allows oxygen transfer without creating turbulent flow that would disturb sludge and block the filter.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If disinfectants are used to control odor, then odor nuisance is reduced, but this kills aerobic microorganisms needed for biodegradation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using disinfectants that kill all microorganisms, the invention converts the available oxygen during pump pauses into a beneficial resource. By supplying air during downtimes, the system transforms what would be anaerobic conditions into aerobic conditions, allowing beneficial aerobic microorganisms to thrive and naturally prevent odor formation through aerobic degradation of pollutants.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational characteristics (pump pauses) to provide the aeration it needs. During the natural downtime between pump operations, the ventilation device supplies air to maintain aerobic conditions without requiring external chemical inputs. The aerobic microorganisms then self-service by degrading pollutants and preventing odor formation naturally.
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
This approach effectively suppresses odor development, reduces the need for disinfectants, extends filter life, and improves biological degradation of pollutants, resulting in cost savings and environmental benefits.
Implementation Method 1
A ventilation device for introducing air into the filter device is connected to the filter device
Implementation Method 2
The washing water flows through the filter device from top to bottom during pumping phases
Implementation Method 3
aerobic biodegradation of the biomass in the washing water
Implementation Method 4
aerobic biodegradation
Implementation Method 5
anaerobic decomposition processes of the biomass in the washing water reprocessing cycle
Implementation Method 6
produce fermentation gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The vehicle washing plant (2) comprises a water recycling circuit (4) with a collecting basin in flow direction, a filtering device (18) having a discharge line, a reception container (24), in which recycled water is kept for vehicle washing, an aerating device connected with a supply line to the filtering device, a pump (14), which operation moderately pumps the wash water depending on wash water requirement by the filtering device and into the reception container, a non-return valve intended in the supply line, and a blow valve connected at highest end of the filtering device. The vehicle washing plant (2) comprises a water recycling circuit (4) with a collecting basin in flow direction, a filtering device (18) having a discharge line, a reception container (24), in which recycled water is kept for vehicle washing, an aerating device connected with a supply line to the filtering device, a pump (14), which operation moderately pumps the wash water depending on wash water requirement by the filtering device and into the reception container, a non-return valve intended in the supply line, and a blow valve connected at highest end of the filtering device. The filtering device is a gravel bed filter or sand bed filter. Pumping phases and pumping recesses alternate to each other. The aerating device is formed for injecting of air into the filtering device during pumping recesses and is connected to the discharge line. The aerating device is laid out, so that it operation moderately produces an excess air pressure, which is smaller than the excess water pressure in the filtering device produced by the pump. The non-return valve closes with a water pump pressure in the discharge line and is prevented an injection of air into the filtering device. The blow valve is formed, so that it leaks out air from the filtering device, but prevents discharging of water. An independent claim is included for a procedure for recycling wash water from a vehicle washing plant.