Wastewater Purification Device Vertical Nitrification Denitrification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wastewater treatment systems for small and medium-sized communities require multiple stages and large installations to achieve effective nitrogen removal, leading to increased costs and complexity, especially due to the need for separate nitrification and denitrification processes in different environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A wastewater treatment device with a forced aeration system that supplies oxygen to both superimposed treatment stages, allowing for simultaneous nitrification and denitrification within a single structure, and promotes sludge mineralization by alternating aerobic and anoxic phases, thereby reducing the overall size of the treatment facility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate treatment stages are used for nitrification and denitrification, then nitrogen removal effectiveness is improved, but the land area and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenitrogen removal effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines nitrification and denitrification processes into a single treatment stage by superimposing aerobic zones (for nitrification) and anoxic zones (for denitrification) within the same filter structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate treatment facilities while maintaining effective nitrogen removal through vertical integration of different oxygen conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from horizontal separation of treatment stages to vertical superposition by stacking aerobic and anoxic zones in different elevation levels within the same footprint. This dimensional change allows multiple treatment functions to coexist in one location, reducing land area while preserving treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If multiple separate treatment stages are used for nitrification and denitrification, then nitrogen removal effectiveness is improved, but the installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenitrogen removal effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines nitrification and denitrification processes into a single treatment stage by superimposing aerobic zones (for nitrification) and anoxic zones (for denitrification) within the same filter structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate treatment facilities while maintaining effective nitrogen removal through vertical integration of different oxygen conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate facilities are used for nitrification and denitrification, then the treatment process reliability is improved, but the land area required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment process reliabilityVSAvoidland area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal separation of treatment stages to vertical superposition by stacking aerobic and anoxic zones in different elevation levels within the same footprint. This dimensional change allows multiple treatment functions to coexist in one location, reducing land area while preserving treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Productivity

If forced aeration is applied to accelerate sludge mineralization, then the treatment efficiency is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic or intermittent aeration instead of continuous forced aeration. This allows the system to alternate between aerobic conditions (for sludge mineralization and nitrification) and anoxic conditions (for denitrification), reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining treatment efficiency through rhythmic oxygen supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 configuration enables complete nitrogen treatment and sludge mineralization within a compact setup, reducing installation size and costs while maintaining effective pollution control, and also contributes to the elimination of pathogenic germs through horizontal flow and aeration.

Implementation Method 1

a forced aeration system, located at the bottom of the device, supplies oxygen to both superimposed treatment stages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced aeration: Aeration

Implementation Method 2

the oxygen rising to the surface promotes the mineralization of the sludge that accumulates on the surface of the planted filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMineralization: Aerobic Digestion

Implementation Method 3

the configuration of the treatment device according to the invention allows for alternating aerobic and anoxic phases in the second-stage filter(s), thus enabling the denitrification of nitrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDenitrification: Anaerobic Digestion

Implementation Method 4

the use of a forced aeration system in a wastewater treatment system comprising a horizontal flow stage contributes to at least the partial elimination of pathogens potentially present in the effluent to be treated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPathogen elimination:

Data Source

PatentEP3286147B1Wastewater purification device and water treatment process
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 NATURALLY WALLACE CONSULTING LLC
  • EP3286147B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3286147B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3286147B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a filtering-mass wastewater purification device (100) comprising a freely drained fixed culture first stage (101), placed directly above a water-saturated fixed-culture second stage (105), and a forced aeration system (110) extending under the second stage. The invention also relates to a wastewater treatment process, and also to a sludge mineralisation process, using such a purification device.