Water Treatment System with Atomizing Evaporator and Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water treatment systems, particularly those aiming for zero liquid discharge (ZLD), face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively managing concentrated industrial wastewater due to high energy consumption and economic costs associated with evaporator systems, which are also environmentally impactful.
Innovation Solution
A water treatment system incorporating a blower motor, primary and secondary evaporators, and a heat exchanger configuration that atomizes and recirculates water, utilizing a concentrate recirculation circuit and injection water circuit to optimize evaporation and condensation processes, reducing the need for large capital and operating expenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If evaporator systems are used to treat concentrated industrial wastewater for zero liquid discharge, then water recovery and reuse are achieved, but energy consumption and operating costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple evaporator units into a integrated system where concentrate from one evaporator is recirculated to another, merging treatment stages to achieve zero liquid discharge while optimizing energy utilization across the combined system
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous operation with recirculation loops that continuously pump and re-process concentrate streams through the evaporators, ensuring uninterrupted water recovery and minimizing downtime while maintaining steady energy consumption
2Productivity
If conventional evaporator systems are deployed for zero liquid discharge, then concentrated wastewater is treated, but capital expenses and logistical requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into discrete modular evaporator units that can be independently operated or combined, with each unit handling specific streams. This segmentation allows flexible configuration and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high treatment capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Concentrate streams are continuously monitored and recirculated back to appropriate evaporator stages based on concentration levels, creating feedback loops that automatically optimize treatment efficiency and reduce the need for complex external control systems
3Reliability
If high concentration wastewater streams are processed through traditional treatment methods, then solutes are removed, but environmental impact and disposal costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful concentrated brine waste stream into a valuable resource by recirculating it through evaporators for further water recovery, transforming an environmental liability into additional potable water while minimizing waste discharge
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding concentrated brine streams to landfills or discharge points, the system recovers additional water from these streams through continued evaporation processes, maximizing water reuse and eliminating harmful environmental disposal
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 achieves a zero liquid discharge process by concentrating highly contaminated wastewater streams with reduced logistical and economic burdens, enhancing water reuse and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an atomizer configured and arranged to impart rotational velocity and radial velocity to the mixture to atomize it
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger that is configured to receive the mixture from the primary evaporator and to act as both a secondary evaporator
Implementation Method 3
is further configured to act as and a primary condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A water treatment system includes a primary evaporator and a secondary evaporator that is also a primary condenser. The primary evaporator relies on imparting rotational motion to the fluid to atomize it. The secondary evaporator may be a tube and shell heat exchanger. Embodiments include heat exchangers for using waste heat of various components. In an embodiment, concentrated effluent is recirculated and combined with influent to improve efficiency of the system to achieve zero liquid discharge and aid in continuous cleaning of the system.