Wastewater Dissolved Oxygen Sensor with Automated Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wastewater treatment plants face inefficiencies in monitoring dissolved oxygen levels, leading to energy wastage and potential bacterial imbalances due to the maintenance challenges and calibration difficulties of traditional luminescence oxygen sensors.
Innovation Solution
A wastewater monitoring device with advanced calibration methods, including low and high point calibrations under controlled conditions, and a system for measuring oxygen uptake rates to determine optimal dissolved oxygen concentrations, along with sensors for various parameters like temperature, pH, and toxicity assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional luminescence oxygen sensors are used to monitor dissolved oxygen levels, then DO monitoring capability is provided, but maintenance difficulty increases and calibration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs automatic self-calibration by utilizing the known DO saturation concentration at measured temperature and pressure conditions. The system automatically adjusts calibration parameters without requiring manual intervention, external calibration solutions, or comparison with reference sensors, thereby eliminating maintenance difficulties associated with traditional calibration procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts calibration based on measured temperature and pressure parameters. By calculating DO saturation concentration as a function of these parameters, the system adapts calibration to current environmental conditions, maintaining accuracy without manual recalibration
2Reliability
If traditional luminescence oxygen sensors are used to monitor dissolved oxygen levels, then DO monitoring capability is provided, but calibration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs automatic self-calibration by utilizing the known DO saturation concentration at measured temperature and pressure conditions. The system automatically adjusts calibration parameters without requiring manual intervention, external calibration solutions, or comparison with reference sensors, thereby eliminating calibration complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual calibration procedures with an automated electronic calibration mechanism. The calibration process is substituted from a mechanical/manual operation to an automated computational process that calculates saturation DO based on measured temperature and pressure, eliminating the need for physical calibration standards and manual adjustment
3Reliability
If DO is maintained at higher levels to ensure complete biodegradation, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors dissolved oxygen levels, temperature, and pressure, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust aeration control. By maintaining DO within an optimal range rather than at fixed high levels, the system achieves effective biodegradation while minimizing energy consumption through responsive, data-driven control adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts DO setpoint based on measured temperature and pressure parameters. By calculating the appropriate saturation DO concentration for current conditions and maintaining DO at this optimized level rather than fixed high levels, the system achieves treatment effectiveness while reducing unnecessary energy consumption
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 device provides reliable and efficient monitoring of wastewater treatment processes, optimizing energy use, maintaining bacterial balance, and reducing maintenance efforts by automating calibration and data collection.
Implementation Method 1
luminescence oxygen sensors are often used
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a wastewater monitoring device comprising, a selectively sealable chamber; a first oxygen sensor, operable to measure the level of oxygen dissolved in a liquid; said first oxygen sensor being locatable inside of the sealed sealable chamber; and a second oxygen sensor, operable to measure the level of oxygen dissolved in the wastewater being tested. The selectively sealable chamber may be defined by a shell member and a piston member, the piston being locatable inside the shell member so as to define said chamber. At least one of the shell member and piston member may be actuatable linearly relative to the other so as to selectively seal the chamber.