CONTROL SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT

• US 20080047903A1
• Filed: 08/21/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: World Water Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: World Water Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Morse, Dwain E.
• Application Number:
  US11/842,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20080047903A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/704
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/232 using flow-mixing means for introducing the gases, e.g. baffles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/10 Mixing by creating a vortex flow, e.g. by tangential introduction of flow components
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/3131 with additional mixing means other than injector mixers, e.g. screens, baffles or rotating elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/81 Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/811 in two or more consecutive, i.e. successive, mixing receptacles or being consecutively arranged
• CPC Class Codes: B03D 1/082 of the froth product, e.g. washing
• CPC Class Codes: B03D 1/1431 Dissolved air flotation machines
• CPC Class Codes: B03D 1/1462 Discharge mechanisms for the froth
• CPC Class Codes: B03D 1/247 Mixing gas and slurry in a device separate from the flotation tank, i.e. reactor-separator type
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/24 by flotation C02F1/465 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/5209 Regulation methods for flocculation or precipitation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/56 Macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/06 pH
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/11 Turbidity
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/40 Liquid flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/024 Turbulent
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/026 Spiral, helicoidal, radial
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/066 Overpressure, high pressure

Abstract

A system and process is provided for optimizing chemical additions, mixing energy, mixing time, and other variables while treating a contaminated liquid stream. Samples from the contaminated liquid stream are tested to determine the optimal parameter for each variable, including type and amount of the chemicals to be added, chemical sequence, mixing energy, mixing time, temperature, and pressurization. A system of mixers, a flotation chamber, and a dewatering subsystem are designed to achieve optimal turbidity of the wastewater stream. The system can be modified in real-time in response to a continually changing contaminated liquid stream via a controller and set of sensors, valves, and ports.

Claims

1. A process for treating wastewater, comprising the steps of:

adding a chemical to a wastewater treatment input fluid;

vigorously mixing the chemical and the fluid within a chamber;

measuring turbidity of the fluid exiting the chamber; and

adjusting the amount of chemical added, mixing duration or mixing energy applied to the fluid to lower the turbidity of the fluid.

2. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of performing a bench test on the fluid to determine the chemicals to be added to the fluid at rates that minimize the turbidity.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the mixing step includes the step of injecting the fluid and the chemical into the chamber to form a spinning vortex.

4. The process of claim 3, including the step of injecting a gas into the chamber to form an evacuated area within the vortex and increase the mixing energy.

5. The process of claim 4, including the step of visually, sonically or electronically monitoring the length of the evacuated area.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein the adjusting step includes the step of adjusting injection of fluid into the chamber.

7. The process of claim 6, wherein the injection adjusting step includes the step of rotating a sleeve relative to the chamber.

8. The process of claim 1, including the step of regulating chemical flow rate by means of a pump.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein the adjusting step includes the step of utilizing a plurality of mixing chambers.

10. The process of claim 9, wherein the utilizing step includes the step of managing the liquid flow rate by means of a controller.

11. The process of claim 10, including the step of programming each chamber to receive a distinct combination of chemicals, mixing time, and mixing energy.

12. The process of claim 1, including the step of pressurizing the wastewater treatment fluid within a plenum disposed between the chamber and a reactor head.

13. The process of claim 1, including the steps of adjusting the fluid temperature, pH, flocculant quantity, or coagulant quantity.

14. The process of claim 13, including the step of rereading the turbidity and making further adjustments to chemical amounts added, mixing duration or mixing energy applied to the fluid.

15. The process of claim 14, including the step of maintaining the adjusted fluid temperature, pH, flocculant quantity, or coagulant quantity when the desired turbidity is achieved.

16. The process of claim 1, including the step of measuring the turbidity in real-time and using such measurements to periodically adjust the chemical quantity, mixing energy or mixing time to achieve the desired fluid turbidity.

17. The process of claim 1, including the step of bubbling the fluid through a cavitation plate located within a nucleation chamber in fluid communication with a flotation tank, whereby bubbling flocculates waste within the liquid.

18. The process of claim 17, wherein the bubbling step further includes the step of removing a froth formed on the surface of the flotation tank.

19. The process of claim 18, further including the step of dewatering the froth by means of a removal tank.

20. A process for treating wastewater, comprising the steps of:

adding a chemical to a wastewater treatment input fluid;

vigorously mixing the chemical and the fluid within a chamber;

measuring real-time turbidity of the fluid exiting the chamber;

periodically adjusting the amount of chemical quantity, mixing duration or mixing energy applied to the fluid in view of the turbidity measurements;

rereading the turbidity; and

readjusting the chemical amounts added, mixing duration or mixing energy applied to the fluid.

21. The process of claim 20, including the steps of adjusting the fluid temperature, pH, flocculant quantity, or coagulant quantity.

22. The process of claim 21, including the step of maintaining the adjusted fluid temperature, pH, flocculant quantity, or coagulant quantity when the desired turbidity is achieved.

23. The process of claim 20, including the steps of:

bubbling the fluid through a cavitation plate located within a nucleation chamber in fluid communication with a flotation tank;

flocculating waste within the liquid; and

removing a resulting froth formed on the surface of the flotation tank.

24. The process of claim 23, further including the step of dewatering the froth by means of a removal tank.

25. The process of claim 20, wherein the mixing step includes the step of injecting the fluid, the chemical, and a gas into the chamber to form a spinning vortex having an evacuated area within, to increase mixing energy.

26. The process of claim 25, including the step of visually, sonically or electronically monitoring the length of the evacuated area.

27. The process of claim 20, wherein the adjusting step includes the step of adjusting injection of the fluid into the chamber by rotating a sleeve relative to the chamber.

28. The process of claim 20, including the step of regulating chemical flow rate by means of a pump.

29. The process of claim 20, wherein the adjusting step includes the step of utilizing a plurality of mixing chambers.

30. The process of claim 29, including the step of programming each chamber to receive a distinct combination of chemicals, mixing time, and mixing energy.

31. The process of claim 30, wherein the programming step includes the step of managing the liquid flow rate by means of a controller.

32. The process of claim 20, including the step of pressurizing the wastewater treatment fluid within a plenum disposed between the chamber and a reactor head.

33. The process of claim 20, further comprising the step of performing a bench test on the fluid to determine the chemicals to be added to the fluid at rates that minimize the turbidity.

34. A control system for treating wastewater, comprising:

a mixer for blending an additive with wastewater;

a flotation tank fluidly coupled to the mixer;

a meter disposed in the flotation tank for measuring turbidity of the wastewater; and

a controller electrically coupled to the mixer and the meter, wherein the controller determines the additive quantity, mixing time and mixing energy applied to the wastewater to achieve the desired turbidity.

35. The control system of claim 34, including a pump for managing wastewater flow rate entering the mixer.

36. The control system of claim 34, wherein the mixer includes a port formed in a mixer housing.

37. The control system of claim 36, including a rotatable sleeve disposed around the exterior of the housing.

38. The control system of claim 36, wherein the port is configured such that wastewater entering the mixer forms a vortex therein.

39. The control system of claim 38, wherein the vortex includes an evacuated area.

40. The control system of claim 39, including a sensor for sonically, visually, or electrically measuring the evacuated area.

41. The control system of claim 34, wherein the meter is disposed at an exit of a nucleation chamber disposed within the flotation tank.

42. The control system of claim 41, including a cavitation plate disposed within the nucleation chamber for forming wastewater bubbles.

43. The control system of claim 42, wherein the bubbles flocculate with solid waste and float to a surface of the flotation tank to form a froth.

44. The control system of claim 43, wherein a skimmer transfers the froth to a dewatering system.

45. The control system of claim 44, wherein the dewatering system includes a holding chamber for separating the froth from water.

46. The control system of claim 34, including a plurality of mixers interconnected by a plurality of corresponding valves.

47. The control system of claim 34, including a valve disposed between the mixer and the nucleation chamber for regulating wastewater flow rate therebetween.