Wastewater Reactor with Separator for Sludge Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biological wastewater treatment systems face challenges with high suspended solid concentrations and excess aerobic sludge production, leading to increased operational costs, energy consumption, and environmental pollution, as they require separate sludge management and post-treatment processes.
Innovation Solution
A single reactor design with a lower anoxic/anaerobic reaction zone and an upper aerobic reaction zone, partially separated by a separator structure that allows fluid passage from the anaerobic zone to the aerobic zone while preventing oxygen diffusion, allowing sludge to settle and be processed in the anaerobic zone, reducing sludge production and energy requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional activated sludge reactors are used for biological wastewater treatment, then organic contaminants can be degraded, but high suspended solid concentrations and excess aerobic sludge production occur requiring separate sludge management units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the aerobic treatment zone and anaerobic sludge digestion zone into a single integrated reactor system. The aerobic zone treats wastewater while generating sludge, and the anaerobic zone simultaneously digests this sludge, eliminating the need for separate sludge management units and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single reactor performs multiple functions: aerobic degradation of organic contaminants, anaerobic digestion of produced sludge, and suspended solid separation. This multi-functionality reduces the quantity of suspended solids in effluent while avoiding the need for additional dedicated sludge management equipment
2Quantity of substance
If separate sludge separation units are added to conventional systems, then suspended solids can be removed, but capital cost and operational energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging sludge digestion with the treatment reactor, the system eliminates separate sludge separation units that would require additional energy for operation. The anaerobic digestion process occurs in-situ within the same reactor, reducing both capital costs and ongoing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful excess sludge produced during aerobic treatment into a beneficial anaerobic digestion process that generates biogas and reduces suspended solids in effluent. This transforms a waste management problem into an energy recovery opportunity, reducing both energy consumption and treatment costs
3Productivity
If aerobic biological reactors are used for wastewater treatment, then organic matter can be degraded, but excess sludge is produced requiring additional disposal costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges aerobic treatment and anaerobic sludge digestion in one reactor, allowing excess sludge produced during organic matter degradation to be immediately digested anaerobically. This continuous in-situ digestion reduces net sludge production and eliminates the need for separate sludge disposal systems
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding excess sludge as waste requiring costly disposal, the system recovers value through anaerobic digestion that produces biogas for energy and reduces sludge volume. This transforms a loss into a recoverable resource, reducing both sludge production concerns and disposal costs
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional sludge dewatering and stabilizer processes are used, then sludge can be disposed of, but chemical use and environmental pollution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The anaerobic digestion process converts harmful excess sludge into beneficial biogas and stabilized digestate, eliminating the need for chemical stabilizers and disinfectants. This biological transformation reduces chemical pollution while providing a useful energy source and reduced-volume sludge product
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own produced sludge as substrate for anaerobic digestion, creating a self-sufficient sludge management process. The digested sludge can be reused as fertilizer or further processed, reducing dependence on external chemical treatments and disposal facilities
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 design effectively reduces suspended solids and excess sludge, minimizing the need for post-treatment processes, lowering energy consumption, and improving water quality while reducing capital and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a separator structure that allows fluid passage from the anaerobic zone to the aerobic zone while preventing oxygen diffusion
Implementation Method 2
allowing sludge to settle and be processed in the anaerobic zone
Implementation Method 3
an upper aerobic reaction zone provided with aerated biofilm media for forming substrates for growth and release of biological matter
Implementation Method 4
biological degradation of organic or inorganic substances
Implementation Method 5
The organic compounds of the wastewater may be converted by anaerobic/ anoxic micro organisms and produce gas containing a large proportion of methane and some carbon dioxide, known as biogas
Implementation Method 6
a bubble diffusor arranged to periodically provide a larger amount of bubbles
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a reactor for treatment of waste water for being subject to both anoxic/anaerobic and aerobic treatment within one single reactor volume. The anoxic/anaerobic reaction zone is separated from the aerobic reaction zone by a separator which also works as a hydrodynamic separator between the two reaction zones. The reactor makes it possible that the effluent water has a lower proportion of suspended solids and also that it produces less sludge than reactors of comparison. The reactor is further more energy efficient than prior art reactors. Several reactors according to the invention may be arranged in parallel so as for the inlet waste water may be treated in a modular way, and thus allowing the maintenance of the units to be facilitated.