ENERGY RECOVERY DURING WASTEWATER TREATMENT

• US 20130088190A1
• Filed: 10/08/2012
• Published: 04/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Seoungil Kang, Thomas E. Frankel, Todd D. Ritter
• Original Assignee: Seoungil Kang, Thomas E. Frankel, Todd D. Ritter
• Inventors: Kang, Seoungil, Frankel, Thomas E., Ritter, Todd D.
• Application Number:
  US13/646,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20130088190A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/231 by bubbling mixers with gas or liquid agitation, e.g. with air supply tubes B01F33/40
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/55 with stirrers driven by the moving material
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/10 Energy recovery
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/20 using diffusers
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 11/002 Injecting air or other fluid F03D80/40, F03B11/04, F03B15/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/10 Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/10 Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/30 Wastewater or sewage treatment systems using renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/494 Fluidic or fluid actuated device making

Abstract

A system for recovering energy while treating a body of wastewater comprises a tank, a plurality of diffusers, a propeller, and a generator. The tank contains the body of wastewater. The plurality of diffusers is immersed in the body of wastewater and is operative to create motion therein by the discharge of bubbles. The propeller is immersed in the body of wastewater and is operative to spin in response to the motion in the body of wastewater. The generator is linked to the propeller and is operative to generate electrical energy in response to the spinning of the propeller.

Claims

1. A system for recovering energy while treating a body of wastewater, the system comprising:

a tank, the tank containing the body of wastewater;

a plurality of diffusers, the plurality of diffusers immersed in the body of wastewater and operative to create motion therein by a discharge of bubbles;

a propeller, the propeller immersed in the body of wastewater and operative to spin in response to the motion in the body of wastewater; and

a generator, the generator linked to the propeller and operative to generate electrical energy in response to the spinning of the propeller.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the propeller is positioned higher in the tank than the plurality of diffusers.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the propeller is positioned at least about three feet higher in the tank than a nearest diffuser in the plurality of diffusers.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the propeller has an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to an upper surface of the body of wastewater.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the propeller has an axis of rotation substantially parallel to an upper surface of the body of wastewater.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a linkage rod, the linkage rod spanning between the propeller and the generator.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the linkage rod substantially runs along an axis of rotation of the propeller.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the linkage rod is operative to transmit a spinning motion of the propeller to the generator.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cylindrical shroud, the cylindrical shroud encircling the propeller.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical shroud describes a hollow cylinder.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the hollow cylinder defines a longitudinal axis that is substantially coaxial with an axis of rotation of the propeller.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical shroud is positioned below an upper surface of the body of wastewater.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery, the battery electrically connected to the generator and operative to store at least some of the electrical energy generated by the generator.

14. A method for recovering energy while treating a body of wastewater, the method comprising the steps of:

placing the body of wastewater in a tank;

immersing a plurality of diffusers in the body of wastewater and causing the plurality of diffusers to create motion in the body of wastewater by a discharge of bubbles;

immersing a propeller in the body of wastewater and causing the propeller to spin in response to the motion in the body of wastewater; and

linking a generator to the propeller and causing the generator to generate electrical energy in response to the spinning of the propeller.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the propeller has an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to an upper surface of the body of wastewater.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the propeller has an axis of rotation substantially parallel to an upper surface of the body of wastewater.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of encircling the propeller with a cylindrical shroud.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the cylindrical shroud describes a hollow cylinder.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the hollow cylinder defines a longitudinal axis that is substantially coaxial with an axis of rotation of the propeller.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the cylindrical shroud is positioned below an upper surface of the body of wastewater.