Zeta Potential Sensor Coagulant Dosing Slurry Dewatering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for dewatering slurries with high solids content, such as those from drilling and potholing, are inefficient and costly, as they often require landfill disposal and cannot be treated in water treatment facilities, necessitating a system for automated removal of suspended solids with quick feedback.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a batch mix tank with an electroacoustic zeta potential sensor and a coagulant control system to monitor and adjust coagulant addition, allowing for precise control of zeta potential changes to agglomerate suspended solids and facilitate separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional landfill disposal is used for high solids content slurry, then disposal is simple, but disposal cost increases and water waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical-chemical parameters of the slurry by adjusting pH, temperature, and adding coagulants/flocculants to transform suspended solids into settleable flocs, enabling water separation and recycling
Solution Approach 2:
The system induces phase transition in the slurry from a stable suspended solid-liquid mixture to a separated state where solids settle out as flocs, allowing water to be decanted and recycled
2Productivity
If automated coagulant dosing with zeta potential monitoring is implemented, then suspended solids removal efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses zeta potential sensors to continuously monitor the charge characteristics of suspended solids and automatically adjusts coagulant dosing rates, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes solids removal
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical dosing control with automated sensor-based control, using electrical measurements (zeta potential) to guide chemical dosing decisions
3Productivity
If high pressure water systems are used for potholing, then trench cutting efficiency improves, but slurry volume and disposal burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and recycles the water portion of the slurry after solids removal, reducing the need for fresh water and minimizing disposal requirements
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 effectively reduces the water content and solids volume of slurries, enabling recycling of water and reducing disposal costs, while ensuring efficient removal of suspended solids, thus addressing the limitations of existing dewatering technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the zeta potential of the slurry is monitored by an electroacoustic zeta potential sensor to control coagulant addition
Implementation Method 2
coagulant addition, allowing for precise control of zeta potential changes to agglomerate suspended solids and facilitate separation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for dosing slurries to remove suspended solids from the slurry are disclosed. The systems and methods may be used to dewater slurries having relatively high solids content such as earthen slurries. In some embodiments, the zeta potential of the slurry is monitored by an electroacoustic zeta potential sensor to control coagulant addition.