Wastewater Sulfate Crystallization Using Low-Affinity Hydrophilic Solvent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wastewater treatment methods for semiconductor manufacturing processes consume significant energy and struggle to effectively reduce sulfate ion concentrations, particularly when using heat energy or calcium-based chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing a hydrophilic solvent with low sulfate ion affinity to crystallize sulfate ions in a stirring tank, followed by separation in a precision filter-equipped separation tank, effectively separating sulfuric acid crystals from treated water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If heat energy is used to treat wastewater, then sulfate ions can be removed, but a huge amount of energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition by cooling the wastewater to freeze water into ice crystals, thereby separating sulfate ions that remain in the liquid phase. This avoids energy-intensive heating processes while achieving effective sulfate removal through the physical phase change of water from liquid to solid state.
2Quantity of substance
If calcium-based chemicals are added to treat wastewater, then treatment can proceed, but it is difficult to lower the concentration of sulfate ions sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts sulfate ions from wastewater by freezing water into ice crystals, which physically separate and leave sulfate ions behind in the liquid phase. This extraction method achieves sufficient sulfate concentration reduction without requiring additional chemical additives like calcium-based treatments.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional treatment methods are used, then wastewater can be treated, but energy consumption is high and sulfate ion concentration cannot be sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to solid through freezing, which naturally concentrates and separates sulfate ions in the liquid phase. This physical separation method eliminates the need for energy-intensive heating processes while achieving effective sulfate removal.
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 approach reduces energy consumption and achieves high-purity sodium sulfate crystal precipitation, efficiently lowering sulfate ion concentrations while allowing for recycling and improving economic feasibility.
Implementation Method 1
forming sulfuric acid crystals by stirring the wastewater and the solvent supplied to the stirring tank
Implementation Method 2
forming sodium sulfate crystals by stirring the wastewater and the solvent supplied to the stirring tank
Implementation Method 3
separating the sulfuric acid crystals and the treated water from each other in the separation tank
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating wastewater includes supplying, to a stirring tank, wastewater which includes sulfate ions and is stored in a collecting tank, supplying a solvent to the stirring tank into which the wastewater is supplied, forming sulfuric acid crystals by stirring the wastewater and the solvent supplied to the stirring tank, and supplying, to a separation tank, a mixture solution of the sulfuric acid crystals and treated water which is the wastewater from which the sulfuric acid crystals have been precipitated, and separating the sulfuric acid crystals and the treated water from each other in the separation tank, wherein the solvent is hydrophilic but has low affinity for the sulfate ions.