Wastewater Separator with Sensor-Controlled Reactant Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wastewater treatment systems for food processing plants are costly to purchase and operate due to high consumption of precipitating and flocculant agents, and require additional flotation systems.
Innovation Solution
A separator device with a grease separator, removal tank, return line, and dosing device, equipped with sensors and a control unit to measure and control the volume flow and pH value of wastewater, allowing for precise metering of reactants for precipitation and flocculation, reducing the need for excessive chemical use and operating costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flotation system with high consumption of precipitating and flocculant is used, then the pre-cleaning efficiency is improved, but the operating costs and procurement costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing sensor-based detection of wastewater characteristics (turbidity, flow rate, pH) and dynamically adjusting the dosing rate of precipitating and flocculant agents. This transforms the system from high-consumption fixed dosing to optimized variable dosing, reducing chemical consumption while maintaining pre-cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor wastewater parameters and feed this information to a control unit that adjusts the dosing device accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures optimal chemical dosing based on real-time conditions, preventing both over-dosing (waste) and under-dosing (inefficiency).
2Reliability
If a flotation system is added to achieve high pre-cleaning efficiency, then the treatment performance is improved, but the procurement costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing grease separator perform multiple functions by adding sensor-based control and automated dosing capabilities. Instead of adding a separate flotation system, the control unit enables the grease separator to adapt its operation based on detected wastewater parameters, achieving enhanced pre-cleaning efficiency without increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the dosing device, sensors, and control unit with the existing grease separator system into an integrated controlled metering device. This merging of components creates a unified system that achieves advanced pre-cleaning performance without the need for separate flotation equipment, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
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 effectively reduces chemical consumption and operating costs by optimizing the use of reactants based on real-time wastewater parameters, enhancing the pre-cleaning efficiency of wastewater before discharge into public sewer systems.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor, by means of which a volume flow of the waste water flowing from the fat separator into the extraction basin and/or a pH value of the waste water can be determined
Implementation Method 2
a reactant for precipitation and/or flocculation can be supplied to the recirculated waste water
Implementation Method 3
a reactant for precipitation and/or flocculation can be supplied to the recirculated waste water
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a separator device (1) for the on-site pre-treatment of wastewater (6) before its discharge into a public sewer system, comprising a grease separator (2), a sampling basin (3) downstream of the grease separator (2) in the flow direction of the wastewater (6), from which the treated wastewater (7) can be extracted for discharge into the public sewer system, a return line (9) through which a portion of the wastewater (7) can be returned to the grease separator (2) from the sampling basin (3), and a metering device (12) by means of which a reaction agent (11) for precipitation and/or flocculation can be added to the returned wastewater (6).The invention is characterized in that the separator device (1) comprises at least one sensor (13) by means of which a volume flow rate (V) of the wastewater (6) flowing from the grease separator (2) into the sampling basin (3) and/or a pH value of the wastewater (6) can be determined, and in that the separator device (1) comprises a control unit (14) which is configured to control a dosage quantity of the reagent (11) dispensed by the dosing device (12) depending on the determined volume flow rate (V) and/or pH value. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a separator device (1) for the on-site pretreatment of wastewater (6) before its discharge into a public sewer system.