Integrated Wastewater Plant with Swing Crane for Internal Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wastewater purification plants have separate structures for technological phases, making loading and maintenance of devices difficult, requiring external cranes and additional infrastructure, which complicates operations and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A circular, integrated structure with a swing crane and pre-assembled units, including a central column with cable-strands and a control cabinet, allows for simplified and cost-effective operation and maintenance by enabling internal crane operations and reducing the need for external cranes and infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate structures are used for technological phases, then operational flexibility is maintained, but space efficiency and cost-efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidspace efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple technological structures (reactor spaces, sedimentation tanks, storage tanks, mechanical devices) into a single integrated circular complex structure. This consolidation achieves space efficiency by eliminating the need for separate buildings and extensive pipeline connections, while maintaining operational flexibility through internal accessibility via the crane system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The circular complex structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses reactor spaces for biological treatment, sedimentation tanks for sludge separation, storage tanks for chemicals and sludge, and mechanical devices for aeration and mixing. The integrated design allows one structure to perform what previously required multiple separate facilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If integrated circular structure is used, then space efficiency and cost-efficiency improve, but loading and maintenance of devices becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidloading and maintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated structure provides self-service capabilities through an internal crane system that enables loading, unloading, and maintenance operations without requiring external vehicles or cranes. The crane can access all devices within the circular structure, allowing maintenance personnel to service pumps, thickeners, mixers, and other equipment directly from the structure's interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The crane acts as an intermediary mechanism between the external environment and the internal devices of the integrated structure. It mediates the transfer of materials (such as sludge and chemicals) and enables maintenance operations by reaching all positions within the circular complex structure, solving the accessibility problem created by the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If external cranes and service roads are added, then loading and sludge removal become possible, but operational complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading and sludge removal capabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crane is merged with the footboard bridge and scraper bridge into a single integrated lifting and scraping apparatus. This combination eliminates the need for separate external cranes and service roads, as the unified system performs both lifting operations for loading/unloading and scraping operations for sludge removal, thereby reducing infrastructure requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated lifting and scraping apparatus performs multiple functions: it serves as both a crane for loading and unloading materials and as a scraper bridge for sludge removal. This multi-functional device replaces what would traditionally require separate specialized equipment and infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2155349B1Integrated plant and method for the treatment of waste water
Publication Date: 2012.07.04 TOROCSIK FERENC
  • EP2155349B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2155349B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2155349B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an integrated waste water purification plant, wherein the clarifier and mechanical units are arranged in a common complex structure (1), the crane is a swing crane (4) having a fixed hollow central column (14) coaxial with the vertical geometrical axis of the complex structure (1), and further being provided with a support (43) having wheels (431) running on the structure and cable-strands (142) for the electrical equipments of the complex structure (1) accommodated in, and a control cabinet (141) of the whole system mounted on said central column (14). The method for preparing the plant comprises the steps of excavating a circular ground pit first, and, preparing a concrete base in the centre thereof, with anchor bolts for holding a column base, erecting an assembled column/control-cabinet/cable-strand unit on said base, arranging the electrical and hydraulic lines on the concrete base and covering them with a base body of reinforced concrete, mounting a swing crane track with a support provided with wheels on the column, and providing the support with temporary leg extensions so that the wheels at their ends run on the base body, and building the walls of the complex structure, removing the leg extensions of the support, and preparing the biological reactor, the clarifier and mechanical units inside the walls by means of the swing crane.