Wave-Structured Suspended Carrier for Rapid Fluidization and Biofilm Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MBBR suspended carriers face issues with prolonged fluidization time during the start-up stage and uncontrolled biofilm growth, leading to reduced efficiency and stability due to clogging and dead zones, which affect oxygen and mass transfer.
Innovation Solution
A suspended carrier with wave-surface-shaped frameworks arranged in mirror symmetry and staggered manner, featuring recessed regions for biofilm growth and partition ribbed plates to control biofilm thickness, ensuring rapid fluidization and stable biofilm formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If flexible sponge carriers are used to increase protected surface area, then microbial growth area is improved, but carrier durability deteriorates due to severe wear from collision and shear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane structure with embedded rigid support framework. The flexible membrane provides large protected surface area for microbial attachment, while the rigid framework (made of corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel or titanium) prevents excessive deformation and wear during fluidization, thus resolving the contradiction between surface area and durability
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier combines flexible membrane material with rigid support framework to create a composite structure. This composite design allows the flexible portion to provide attachment surface while the rigid portion provides structural strength and wear resistance, simultaneously achieving both large protected area and long service life
2Strength
If rigid carriers are used to improve durability, then carrier strength is improved, but protected surface area deteriorates due to small area and clogging issues
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid support framework is divided into multiple segments or struts that are distributed throughout the carrier structure. This segmentation allows the framework to provide structural strength while creating multiple channels and surfaces for biofilm attachment, increasing the effective protected surface area without compromising strength
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the carrier are designed with different properties: the framework provides rigid structural support in regions requiring strength, while the flexible membrane provides attachment surface in regions requiring biofilm growth. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both strength and surface area
3Reliability
If conventional carriers are used for biofilm growth, then biofilm formation is achieved, but fluidization time deteriorates due to prolonged start-up period of 7-15 days
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is pre-designed with optimized pore size distribution, surface roughness, and framework configuration that are specifically tailored to facilitate rapid microbial attachment and biofilm formation. The flexible membrane surface is engineered to provide immediate attachment sites, eliminating the prolonged start-up period required by conventional carriers
4Quantity of substance
If carriers allow uncontrolled biofilm growth, then biofilm enrichment is achieved, but system stability deteriorates due to clogging and dead zone formation
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier design allows dynamic adjustment of biofilm thickness through the interaction between the flexible membrane and rigid framework. As biofilm grows, it fills the spaces between framework elements, but the flexible membrane can deform to maintain open channels, preventing clogging while allowing biofilm enrichment. This dynamic behavior maintains system stability throughout operation
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 carrier achieves rapid fluidization within 24 hours, maintains biofilm activity at over 95% ammonia nitrogen removal rate under varying substrate loads, and prevents clogging, ensuring operational stability.
Implementation Method 1
achieving fluidization of the suspended carriers and sufficient contact with the wastewater to be treated through aeration or flow pushing
Implementation Method 2
biofilms enriched and grown on the surface of the suspended carriers adsorb and degrade pollutants in the wastewater
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a suspended carrier for rapid fluidization and stable biofilm nitrification/denitrification. The structural composition of the suspended carrier includes wave-surface-shaped frameworks, and two adjacent rows of wave-surface-shaped frameworks are in mirror symmetry with each other and are arranged in a staggered manner. The growth thickness of the biofilm regulated by suspended carrier in the present disclosure is controlled within an effective range so as to maintain the biofilm activity. The results of continuously removing ammonia nitrogen show that, after varying stages of substrate loading impacts, the removal rate of ammonia nitrogen remains stable at over 95%. This ensures the operational stability of the biofilm system.