Wastewater Mixer and Control System for Energy Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wastewater treatment processes in aerobic and anoxic zones are inefficient due to high energy consumption and manual monitoring, leading to increased costs and potential errors from sludge clogging sensors and diffusers, and inadequate mixing that leaves some sludge unsettled.
Innovation Solution
A system with a tank having aerobic and anoxic zones, a blower for oxygen injection, a mixer generating large mixing bubbles, and a control system that monitors and adjusts blower and mixer outputs based on real-time process parameters, reducing energy consumption and manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual monitoring and adjustment of blower and mixer outputs is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but labor costs increase and errors occur from sludge clogging sensors and diffusers
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically monitors process parameters and adjusts blower and mixer outputs without manual intervention. The system serves itself by detecting sludge accumulation and autonomously adjusting operational parameters to prevent clogging, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and reduction operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors process parameters including dissolved oxygen levels, ammonia nitrogen concentrations, and sludge accumulation. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically adjusts blower and mixer outputs to maintain optimal treatment conditions while preventing operational issues.
2Productivity
If high energy consumption is used for mixing in aerobic and anoxic zones, then mixing efficiency improves, but energy costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts mixer speeds and blower outputs based on real-time monitoring of process parameters. Rather than operating at constant high energy levels, the equipment operates at variable speeds optimized for current treatment conditions, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adequate mixing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes operational parameters including mixer speed, blower output, and aeration intensity based on monitored conditions such as dissolved oxygen levels and sludge accumulation. This adaptive parameter adjustment optimizes mixing efficiency while minimizing energy consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If inadequate mixing is used to reduce energy consumption, then energy costs decrease, but sludge settling issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors sludge accumulation and treatment effectiveness in real-time. When inadequate mixing begins to cause settling issues, the feedback loop detects these conditions and automatically increases mixer output to restore proper mixing, preventing sludge settling problems while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system autonomously detects and corrects mixing deficiencies before they cause sludge settling issues. By continuously monitoring treatment parameters and automatically adjusting mixer speeds, the system self-corrects inadequate mixing conditions without manual intervention, maintaining reliable sludge settling performance.
4Measurement precision
If real-time automated monitoring and adjustment is implemented, then operational accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs multiple functions including monitoring dissolved oxygen, ammonia nitrogen, sludge accumulation, and automatically adjusting both blower and mixer operations. By consolidating these diverse monitoring and control functions into a single integrated system, the patent reduces overall complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.
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 efficiently promotes pollutant conversion with reduced energy costs, minimizes sludge settling issues, and ensures accurate monitoring and adjustment of oxygen levels, enhancing the wastewater treatment process by automating parameter adjustments and optimizing mixing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The blower provides air to the diffusers, and the diffusers generate and release tiny bubbles so that the oxygen in the bubbles will dissolve in the wastewater
Implementation Method 2
a mixer that generates large mixing bubbles, and promotes contact between the components
Implementation Method 3
In the presence of dissolved oxygen (O2), bacteria and other microorganisms convert the ammonium into nitrate (NO3) via nitrite (NO2)
Implementation Method 4
In the absence of dissolved oxygen, bacteria and other microorganisms convert the nitrate into nitrogen gas and the organic waste containing nitrogen into ammonium
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of wastewater treatment in a tank provides large mixing bubbles generated in the lower portion of the tank. In embodiments providing aerobic wastewater treatment, the system further provides oxygen to the wastewater by way of tiny aerating bubbles provided by diffusers. At least one sensor in the tank provides measurements of at least one wastewater treatment parameter such as total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, ammonium or nitrate. An automatic controller in the system, responsive to measurements provided by the sensor, adjusts the rate of mixing provided by the large mixing bubbles. In some aerobic embodiments, the controller, responsive to measurements from the sensor, further adjusts the rate of oxygenation supplied to the wastewater by the tiny aerating bubbles.