Method for Disinfecting and Cleaning Liquid Media and Method for Separating Solid and Liquid Constituents of a Solid-Liquid Mixture and Apparatus for Implementing the Method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for cleaning and/or disinfecting liquid and/or aqueous media, comprising the following method steps: cavitation treatment of the medium, in particular by means of jet cavitation, at a negative pressure <1 bar, preferably 0.3 to 0.7 bar; subsequent treatment of the medium in a hydrodynamic reactor having a a rotating magnetic field and magnetic and/or magnetisable elements, in particular having ferromagnetic needles or a rotating cutting mechanism at a negative pressure <1 bar, preferably 0.3 to 0.7 bar; subsequent separation, in particular sedimentation of the treated medium by means of sludge separation at a negative pressure of <1 bar, preferably 0.3 to 0.7 bar. The invention further relates to an apparatus having the following features: a cavitator formed in particular as a jet cavitator, which is equipped with a negative pressure generator, a hydrodynamic reactor having a rotating magnetic field and magnetic and/or magnetisable elements, in particular having ferromagnetic needles and/or a rotating cutting mechanism, a unit for separation, in particular for sedimentation, preferably combined with a sludge separation apparatus.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning and/or disinfecting a liquid and/or aqueous medium, comprising the following method steps: cavitation treatment of the medium, in particular with jet cavitation, at a vacuum of <1 bar; subsequent treatment of the medium in a hydrodynamic reactor with a magnetic rotary field and magnetic and/or magnetizable elements, in particular with ferromagnetic needles and/or with a rotating cutting mechanism with rotating cutting knives at a vacuum of <1 bar; subsequent separation, in particular sedimentation, of the treated medium with a sludge separation at a vacuum of <1 bar.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising performing the treatment with jet cavitation in the hydrodynamic reactor under formation of strong oxidation agents OH, H.sub.2O.sub.2, and O.sub.3.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising performing the treatment in the hydrodynamic reactor with dispersion of particles to submicron dimensions and enlargement of the phase boundary surface gas-liquid-solid.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising performing an equalization of the aqueous medium prior to the cavitation treatment.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising adding during the course of the treatment in the hydrodynamic reactor at least one reagent selected from the group consisting of: lime milk, aluminum sulfate, iron chloride, and combinations thereof.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising additionally treating the obtained medium in a rotating impulse device.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising additionally filtering the medium in a deep-bed filter.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising additionally ozone-treating the medium.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising additionally treating the medium with a UV radiation.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising performing a separation of solid and liquid components of a solid-liquid mixture to obtain the medium to be subjected to the cavitation treatment, wherein the separation comprises applying the solid-liquid mixture via an inlet (14) onto a vibration conveying device arranged in a substantially closed housing (2) and comprising a vibration screen (3), generating inside the housing, in a space above and below the vibration screen, a negative pressure (vacuum) relative to the ambient pressure of the housing, and applying, inside the housing (2), in the space (2.1) below the vibration screen (3), a negative pressure (vacuum) relative to the ambient pressure compared to the space (2.2) above the vibration screen.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein within the housing (2) in the space (2.1) below the vibration screen (3) and in the space (2.2) above the vibration screen (3) a negative pressure of <1 bar is applied.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein inside the housing (2) in the space (2.1) below the vibration screen (3) a negative pressure of 0.3 bar to 0.8 bar and in the space above the vibration screen (3) a negative pressure of 0.2 to 0.6 bar is applied.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising performing a pressure compensation between the space (2.1) below the vibration screen (3) and the space (2.2) above the vibration screen (3).

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising performing the pressure compensation automatically.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising carrying out the pressure compensation at the at an end region of the vibration screen (3) in the housing (2), said end region arranged oppositely positioned to a region of the vibration screen (3) where the solid-liquid mixture is supplied to the vibration screen (3).

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising adjusting the level of the solid-liquid mixture so high that the vibration screen (3) projects partially past said level in upward direction and that the pressure compensation is carried out in a region in which the vibration screen (3) projects past said level.

17. The method according to claim 10, further comprising conveying the solid-liquid mixture across the vibration screen (3) such that the solid-liquid mixture undergoes a turning process during the course of conveying across the vibration screen (3).

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the solid-liquid mixture performs an overhead turning movement in the turning process during the course of conveying across the vibration screen (3).

19. The method according to claim 10, further comprising adjusting a vibration of the vibration screen (3) such that the solid-liquid mixture during the separation is maintained in flotation state above the vibrating vibration screen (3).

20. The method according to claim 10, further comprising supplying the solid components separated from the solid-liquid mixture to a hydrothermal carbonization.

21. The method according to claim 10, further comprising subjecting the solid-liquid mixture and/or the separated solid proportions and/or the separated liquid to be discharged to a UV treatment and/or an ultrasound treatment.

22. The method according to claim 10, further comprising detecting the negative pressure prevailing in the housing (2) below and/or above the vibration screen (3) by pressure sensing devices and supplying the detected measured values to a measured value processing device and, as a function of the measured value result, controlling at least one pressure generator to adjust process-specific pressure parameters according to the process parameters.

23. An apparatus for performing the method according to claim 1, the apparatus comprising: a cavitation treatment device operating at a vacuum of <1 bar; a hydrodynamic reactor, arranged downstream of the cavitation treatment device, with a magnetic rotary field and magnetic and/or magnetizable elements, in particular with ferromagnetic needles and/or with a rotating cutting mechanism with rotating cutting knives, operating at a vacuum of <1 bar; a separation device, in particular sedimentation device, arranged downstream of the hydrodynamic reactor, with a sludge separation operating at a vacuum of <1 bar.

24. An apparatus for disinfecting and cleaning aqueous media for performing a method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises the following: a cavitator embodied in particular as a jet cavitator which is provided with elements for injecting air or oxygen-air mixture; a hydrodynamic reactor with magnetic rotary field and with magnetic and/or magnetizable elements, in particular with ferromagnetic needles; a unit for separating, in particular for sedimentation, preferably combined with a sludge separating apparatus.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising an equalization mixer which is installed in flow direction upstream of the jet cavitator.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising a device for metering reagents for the hydrodynamic reactor.

27. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the unit for sedimentation of the medium is provided with hydrocyclones.

28. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising a rotating impulse device which, in flow direction, is installed downstream of the unit for sedimentation.

29. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising deep-bed filters which, in flow direction, are installed downstream of the unit for sedimentation.

30. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising a unit for ozone treatment of the medium which, in flow direction, is installed downstream of the unit for sedimentation.

31. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising a unit for a UV irradiation of the medium which, in flow direction, is installed downstream of the unit for sedimentation.

32. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising an automatic control unit for controlling the processes.

33. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the hydrodynamic reactor is furnished with electric conductors configured to create the magnetic rotary field, wherein the electrical conductors comprise conductor loops in a 120 pattern (inlet/outlet).

Description

[0119] An embodiment of the invention will be explained with the aid of the purely schematic illustrations in the following in more detail. It is shown in:

[0120] FIG. 1 a perspective view of an apparatus for separating manure;

[0121] FIG. 2 a view of a housing of the apparatus of FIG. 1, together with the vibration screen located therein;

[0122] FIG. 3 a perspective view of an open screw press of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0123] FIG. 4 a view in a different perspective of the screw press of FIG. 3;

[0124] FIG. 5 a sectioned cross section illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the region of a stepped screen surface of a vibration screen and a pressure compensation between the space below the vibration screen and the space above the vibration screen;

[0125] FIG. 6 the detail A in enlarged illustration;

[0126] FIG. 7 in an individual illustration, a rotating cutting mechanism that can be driven by a motor, which is connectable about an inlet and an outlet in the liquid flow of the solid-liquid mixture as a second or only hydrodynamic reactor;

[0127] FIG. 8 in a side view (also perspective) an embodiment of a hydrodynamic reactor with cooling ribs and a magnetic rotary field as well as with ferromagnetic needles;

[0128] FIG. 9 a cross section illustration of the embodiment according to FIG. 8; and

[0129] FIG. 10 a partially broken-away embodiment according to FIG. 8 with the arrangement of conductor loops with a 120 winding offset.

[0130] In the drawings, an apparatus is referenced as a whole by 1 which serves for separating solid and liquid components of a solid-liquid mixture, in particular manure. The apparatus 1 comprises two housings 2 which are combined to a common component group in which a vibration screen 3 is arranged, respectively, that is positioned at a slant relative to the horizontal. In the housing 2 to the left or to the rear in FIG. 1 an end wall 4 is mounted which in the housing 2 to the right or facing the viewer has been removed. At the top side of this component group, i.e., of the two housings 2, a vibration drive 5 is mounted.

[0131] The apparatus 1 is embodied as a mobile apparatus in the form of truck trailer, with a frame 6, wheels 7, and a drawbar 8 that by means of a trailer coupling can be connected to a tractor vehicle. By vibration dampers in the form of elastomer bearings 40, the housings 2 are decoupled from the frame 6 with regard to vibrations.

[0132] This mobile apparatus 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1 in front of a manure tank 9. A corrugated pipe 10 supplies manure as solid-liquid mixture from the manure tank 9 to the apparatus 1, i.e., to a pump 11 provided thereat. From the pump 11, the solid-liquid mixture passes through a pipeline 12 to the two housings 2, wherein the pipeline 12 branches and extends to two inlets 14 of which each one opens into one of the housings 2.

[0133] The liquid components which pass through the vibration screens 3 exit through outlets 15 from the housing 2. At the bottom side of each housing 2, two outlets 15 are provided, respectively. The outlets 15 open into a collecting pipe 16 which is designed as a transversely positioned square pipe. From the collecting pipe 16, the liquid components are supplied through a suction line 17 to a suction pump 18. From the suction pump 18 they pass through a return line 19, which is designed as a hose, back into the manure tank 9.

[0134] The vibration screens 3 and, in the illustrated embodiment, the two housings 2 are arranged at a slant relative to the horizontal. The conveying direction of the vibration screens 3 extends in this context according to FIG. 1 from the left to the right so that the right end of a vibration screen 3 is arranged higher than the left lower end of the vibration screen 3. The level of the solid-liquid mixture within a housing 2 is adjusted in operation of the apparatus 1 such that the vibration screen 3 with its leading right end, viewed in the conveying direction, projects from the solid-liquid mixture in upward direction.

[0135] The solid components pass on the vibration screen 3 to the right end of the housing 2 and from there pass through an outlet opening into a hopper 20 which tapers in downward direction. In parallel operation of the two vibration screens 3, when namely the solid-liquid mixture is supplied through the pipeline 12 uniformly to both housings 2, the solid components pass from both housings 2 into the hopper 20 and from there in downward direction into a collecting chamber 21.

[0136] From the collecting chamber 21, the solid components are conveyed away by means of a screw conveyor 22. Due to the permissible maximum length which the apparatus 1 may have as a vehicle trailer, the screw conveyor 22 is configured in divided form and the end illustrated to the right in FIG. 1 represents a connecting region. An extension member 23 of the screw conveyor 22 can extend from there the screw conveyor 22 past the illustrated right end to a greater length and a greater height. In the illustrated embodiment, a foldable or collapsible configuration of the screw conveyor 22 is provided wherein the extension member 23 remains connected moveable by a hinge about an upright axis to the fixedly mounted part of the screw conveyor 22 and from an illustrated folded position can be pivoted into an extended position in which it extends in a straight line the fixedly mounted part of the screw conveyor 22. In FIG. 1, only the outer envelope pipe of the screw conveyor 22 including the extension member 23 is illustrated; the actual screw extends within this envelope pipe, as is generally known.

[0137] FIG. 2 shows a view of the right or front housing 2 of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 where the end wall 4 has been removed. The pipeline 12 extends in the region of the inlet 14 into the housing 2. A guide socket 24 is provided on the housing 2 though which pipeline 12 extends so that in this way the pipeline 12 is decoupled from the housing 2 with regard to vibrations and can remain comparatively rigid while the housing 2 together with the vibration screen 3 is caused to vibrate by the vibration drive 5.

[0138] Entry of air into the housing 2 is possible firstly as needed by an annular gap that is provided between the guide socket 24 and the pipeline 12 which is thinner here, inasmuch as this annular gap is not sealed which however can be advantageously provided in a generally known manner. Secondlyand optionally as a single locationentry of air is possible in the region of the outlet opening where namely the hopper 20 adjoins the housing 2. In other respects, the housing 2 is closed. The aforementioned entry of air is realized due to the suction action of the suction pump 18 which produces a vacuum in the housing 2.

[0139] The overflow edge 38 is provided in the conveying direction at the front on the vibration screen 3, in front of the discharge opening, so that the solid components are retained on the vibration screen 3 and must reach a corresponding height or layer thickness before they overcome the overflow edge 38 and can pass into the discharge opening.

[0140] Below the inlet 14, a distributor 25 is provided which is designed as a flat sheet metal which substantially extends transverse below the inlet 14 and which has several distribution ribs 26 which distribute the solid-liquid mixture, flowing via the inlet 14 into the housing 2, across the entire width of the vibration screen 3.

[0141] While in the housing 2 the end wall 4 facing the viewer is removed and allows a view of the vibration screen 3 and of the distributor 25, FIG. 2 shows an end wall 39 which is positioned opposite the removed end wall 4 and which, in comparison to the end wall 4, is arranged to lie more flat and above the hopper 20.

[0142] FIG. 3 shows a possibility of how the collecting space 21 in the illustrated embodiment can be configured. From the hopper 20, the solid components of the solid-liquid mixture pass from the housing 2 into the collecting space 21. The collecting space 21 is designed as a downwardly open housing in which a screw press 27 is operating. In this case also, the actual screw, i.e., the pressing screw, cannot be seen but instead a filter 28 can be seen.

[0143] FIG. 4 shows schematically the configuration of the screw press 27. The filter 28 is formed by a plurality of flat irons 35 which extend in longitudinal direction of the screw press 27 and which are combined to packages 29, respectively.

[0144] Each package 29 comprises in this context a plurality of upright oriented flat irons 35, for example, between two and ten pieces, wherein, purely as an example, in the illustrated embodiment four flat irons 35 form a package 29, respectively. The packages 29 are arranged such that with their radial inwardly positioned longitudinal edges they adjoin each other while between two neighboring packages 29, at the radial outer circumference of the filter 28, a gap extends in the longitudinal direction of the screw press 27 because the flat irons 35 within a package 29 are parallel to each other and contact each other across the entire surface. Spacers 36 are provided between the individual packages 29.

[0145] The packages 29 surround a pressing screw 37 similar to an envelope pipe which is slotted in longitudinal direction. In FIG. 4, the filter 28 adjoins almost the outer circumference of a pressing screw wherein however a small gap between the filter 28 and the pressing screw 37 is provided in order to enable a low-wear operation of the screw press 27. In deviation from this embodiment, a significantly larger gap between the filter 28 and the pressing screw 37 can be provided should this be advantageous for the treatment of the material to be processed, respectively.

[0146] The end of the screw press 27 which is leading in conveying direction and illustrated to the left in FIG. 3 is closed by a conical plug 30 which is guided by means of a bolt 31 in an abutment 32. A pressure spring 33 is supported at the abutment 32 which holds the conical plug 30 in its closed position in which it is contacting the leading end face of an envelope pipe 34 which surrounds, adjoining the filter 28, the pressing screw 37.

[0147] When operation of the screw press 27 is started, the conical plug 30 initially contacts the envelope pipe 34 and closes it off. By the pressing pressure which is built up in the interior of the screw press 27 by the rotation of the pressing screw 37, moisture is driven out of the solid components and pressed through the filter 28. Upon reaching a satisfactorily high pressing pressure the compressed solid components can push the conical plug 30 away from the envelope pipe 34 against the action of the pressure spring 33 so that now the separated material, i.e., the solid components, exit from the annular gap between the conical plug 30 and the envelope pipe 34 and can drop down. Here, they are caught by the screw conveyor 22.

[0148] As an alternative to the described embodiment, it can be provided to configure the collecting space 21 simply as a container, i.e., as an empty space without a screw press 27 mounted therein. The screw press 27 in this case can be operated as a separate unit, for example, only as needed when the solid components separated initially by means of the vibration screen 3 are supposed to have an even higher solid or dry proportion. For example, in this case the material can be conveyed by the screw conveyor 22 out of the collecting space 21 to the screw press 27. Depending on which type of further processing is provided for the separated solid components, an aftertreatment of the solid components coming from the vibration screen 3 by means of the screw press 27 can be realized or can be omitted.

[0149] In FIG. 5, in a cross section illustration the vibration screen 3 is illustrated in more detail in an embodiment with two vibration screen regions 3.1 and 3.2 in the conveying direction which are designed in a stepped configuration so that between the vibration screen regions 3.1 and 3.2 a break edge 3.3 is provided and the surface of the vibration screen region 3.2 extends at a height distance to the surface of the vibration screen region 3.1 and, as a whole, is positioned lower. In this way, it happens that, during conveying of the solid-liquid mixture in conveying direction in the region of the stepped configuration and thus in the region of the break edge, a turning process in the meaning of an overhead turning of the supplied liquid-solid material occurs so that the material that is initially at the top now comes to rest below the upper surface directly on the screen surface of the second screen surface region 3.2, whereby the degree of separation is further enhanced.

[0150] Moreover, between the lower housing space 2.1 and the upper housing space 2.2 a pressure compensation according to the direction of arrow P in FIG. 6 takes place because, by means of the rubber lip GL in FIG. 6, a pressure compensation between these two spaces can be automatically realized. Due to the elasticity of the rubber lip, this pressure compensation can be realized in that it lifts off and permits an air circulation due to the openings provided thereat. This prevents that the meshes of the screen surfaces of the vibration screens become clogged, and it is thus always ensured that a functional operation during the separation process is provided.

[0151] In FIG. 7, an embodiment of a hydrodynamic reactor is illustrated in the form of a cutting mechanism 40 that is driven by a motor 41 and comprises cutting knives 42 with a corresponding counter blade 43. The cutting knives 42 are driven in rotation by the motor 41. By means of the connector pipe 44 a liquid to be purified is supplied wherein solid particles can collect in the pipe region 45. After a corresponding deflection, the cutting knives 42 process the liquid to be cleaned which is then flowing out through the outlet 46 from this reactor 40, optionally for further treatment.

[0152] In FIG. 8, another hydrodynamic reactor is illustrated in the form of a reactor 50 to be provided with an electromagnetic rotary field that has inlet opening 51 and an outlet 52 and comprising an inner chamber 53 (FIGS. 9 and 10) in which the magnetizable needles 54 or blades 54 are arranged. This inner reaction chamber 53 is provided with a winding of electrical conductors 55 which are connected to a current source 56. Moreover, on the outer wall cooling ribs 57 are provided. Bypass lines 58 and 59 are also provided.

[0153] As can be seen in more detail in FIG. 10, the conductor loops of the winding of the conductors 55 are provided such that an angle a of 120 between inlet and outlet is present on the outer circumference of the reaction chamber 55. In this way, per 160 three inlets and three outlets are provided whereby it can be achieved that the magnetizable needles or blades 54 rotate in such an arrangement within the reaction chamber that they work in ordered orientation as rotating ring in the chamber 53, whereby very excellent results in the liquid can be obtained.