DE102018120217A1 - Device and method for the simultaneous biological purification of waste water, in particular waste water with a biodegradable load, and provision of cooled air - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for the simultaneous biological purification of waste water, in particular waste water with a biodegradable load, and the provision of cooled air comprising a housing K with an opening for air supply and an opening for air discharge; a biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM arranged in the housing K; at least one blower B provided at one of the openings for air supply and air discharge, in particular at the opening for air discharge, of the housing K for generating an air flow through the housing along the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM; and at least one sprinkler system S provided above the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM for applying the waste water to the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM. The invention also relates to a method for the simultaneous, simultaneous biological purification of waste water, in particular gray water, and the provision of cooled air.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for the biological purification of wastewater, in particular wastewater with a biodegradable load, and the provision of cooled air, its use and a method for biological purification of wastewater, in particular wastewater with a biodegradable load, and the provision of cooled air.

description

Protecting the environment and natural resources is becoming increasingly important internationally. Water supply and sanitation will face enormous challenges in the near future. Climate change is expected to increase both the frequency and duration of extreme weather conditions such as Increase high temperatures and prolonged drought. This particularly affects regions that are already suffering from water shortages. Accordingly, it is necessary to develop new approaches for ecological water use. In addition, there is also a great need for building cooling in many climatic regions where the need for water is great.

Various approaches for sensible building cooling are already known. For example, the process of evaporative cooling is already used to cool buildings and usable areas. It is based on the fact that a liquid (e.g. water) cools down during evaporation (evaporation) and is also able to cool the surrounding air.

Such methods (Direct / Indirect Evaporative Cooling) are suitable for climatically very dry and hot regions, since the air can be cooled by simply humidifying the current outside air along a line of the same enthalpy. Since dry warm air can absorb more water, large temperature differences are possible due to the pure humidification.

Such systems are already on the market. One example of this is the system from the US company Coolerado, which is based on the so-called patented M-cycle. This is a more complex variant of the indirect evaporative cooling process, in which drinking water is sprayed into air, cooling is generated in this way and transferred to a second air stream via a heat exchanger using a heat exchanger. This procedure is similar in terms of air conditioning, since the air that is fed into the building is not humidified. The cooling capacity possible with this approach depends on the relative humidity of the environment in the case of an existing system size.

There are also more complex building air conditioning processes such as Dessicant Evaporative Cooling (DEC), which initially lowers the relative humidity of the supply air to a maximum by using a dessicator material. The air heated by the dehumidification is pre-cooled by the already cooled exhaust air from the building. Thus it reaches the humidification part with almost ambient temperature, but minimal relative humidity. This enables a much lower air temperature after humidification than with simple evaporative cooling, which makes it possible to control the entire cooling load of a building via the cold air flow regardless of the rel. Dissipate the atmospheric humidity.

The basis of most air conditioning systems is the compression refrigeration cycle. These include the conventional split-unit air conditioning systems with a compressor outside and an evaporator inside the rooms to be cooled. Due to their simplicity and the lack of alternatives on the market, such systems are mostly used in warm arid areas, although their energy efficiency there is far below that of evaporative cooling systems.

The disadvantages of the known evaporative air conditioning systems are the increase in the relative air humidity by lowering the temperature, which contributes to the formation of moisture and thus nucleation, sometimes only lowering the temperature without changing the absolute humidity, either high water consumption or high energy consumption and no further use of the technical effort; the latter applies to conventional air conditioning systems as well as to decentralized water purification systems. Many systems for converting contaminated water into usable water are inevitably complex and specialized, which are neither readily available nor able to produce water economically.

Evaporative systems or air conditioning systems are not designed to be operated with waste water. In the case of indirect evaporative cooling systems, such as the company's M-cycle system Coolerado, dust contamination quickly clogs the evaporation compartment. From the state of the art, this compartment is designed too finely to be able to be operated with water outside of drinking water quality. Even in normal operation, the dust carried along with the supply air and the mineral contents in the drinking water lead to deposits, crust formation and limescale deposits on the pads of conventional evaporative cooling systems and also lead to higher water consumption. This is the reason why evaporation plants ultimately do not really prevail despite their great potential.

The use and utilization of waste water and / or gray water, ie weakly contaminated process water, is also increasingly being used. Biological cleaning processes are often used, such as. B. Activated sludge processes in combination with membrane filtration or immersed fixed bed biofilm carriers in combination with a sedimentation tank. In contrast to these process options, which require pressure ventilation and show a higher sludge production in the cleaning process, the present process represents an alternative. The water trickles through a surface-rich medium that is not flooded, but is only wetted by water. A biofilm is formed on these surfaces, which is able to break down the pollutants.

The publication “Addressing Water Consumption of Evaporative Coolers with greywater”, Sahai et al (2012) describes the possibility of using treated gray water for evaporative cooling; however, no further information is given on implementation options. The University of California publication "Annual report on cooling in the west 2011-2012" also deals with evaporative cooling systems and the use of upstream gray water purification systems. Furthermore, a US patent ( US3299651 ) from 1965 a process for water desalination and simultaneous air cooling.

In order to achieve the goal of ecological and efficient air conditioning, especially in warm and dry regions, there has so far been no technology that is suitable for energetically optimizing existing air conditioning systems.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method which supports air conditioning in an ecological manner or completely enables it in combination with a method combination such as the DEC method.

This object is achieved with a device with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of claim 15.

• - ein Gehäuse K mit eine Öffnung zur Luftzufuhr und einer Öffnung zur Luftabfuhr;
• - ein in dem Gehäuse K angeordnetes Biofilmträger- und Evaporationsmedium (BEM);
• - mindestens ein an einer der Öffnungen zur Luftzufuhr und Luftabfuhr, insbesondere an der Öffnung zur Luftabfuhr, des Gehäuses K vorgesehenen Gebläse B zur Erzeugung eines Luftstromes durch das Gehäuse entlang des Biofilmträger- und Evaporationsmedium (BEM); und
• - mindestens eine oberhalb des Biofilmträger- und Evaporationsmediums (BEM) vorgesehene Berieselungsanlage S zum Aufbringen des Abwassers auf das Biofilmträger- und Evaporationsmedium (BEM).

Accordingly, a device is provided for the simultaneous biological purification of waste water, in particular waste water with a biodegradable load, and provision of cooled air, the device comprising at least the following:

• - a housing K with an opening for air supply and an opening for air discharge;
• - one in the housing K arranged biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM );
• - At least one of the openings for air supply and air discharge, in particular at the opening for air discharge, of the housing K provided blower B to generate an air flow through the housing along the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ); and
• - at least one above the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) provided sprinkler system S for applying the waste water to the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ).

The present invention thus relates to a device (and a hybrid method) for providing cool air and biologically purified water. The biological water treatment uses a variant of a trickling filter (trickling filter) for the purification of the contaminated wastewater (especially gray water) and at the same time serves to air-condition the building by cooling the air. The invention sensibly combines water purification and air cooling by evaporation: both cooling and biologically purified water are provided in one process step. The same construction with which the wastewater treatment is carried out also enables the evaporation cooling to be used for air conditioning and, unlike conventional constructions, does not react to dust, dirt and / or hard water. The present device can therefore be operated not only with drinking water or salt water, but rather with waste water without having any negative effects on the product air flow. In addition, the product water will purify biologically significantly.

It is a process for the simultaneous provision of cooled air, eg for air conditioning in buildings, and biologically treated water. The integrated cleaning of contaminated water takes place through a variation of a trickling filter process, the process involving the biological conversion of the ingredients by means of a biofilm. The method preferably comprises the following steps: spraying or trickling the waste water to be treated with the aid of a spray device or outlet device over an evaporator packed with (biofilm) carrier material, (waste) water treatment taking place in the evaporator and subsequent part evaporation of the waste water by air supply or Forced ventilation with a fan (from pre-cooled or ambient air).

Drinking water up to wastewater, preferably wastewater with a biodegradable load, can be used as the operating medium, the latter being aerobically treated as described. The gray or waste water can be tapped from the house network or from industrial sub-streams and collected in a lower tank, from where the shaft is fed.

The fan for forced ventilation is preferably attached to the air outlet of the shaft and creates an underpressure in the shaft. This prevents air contaminated with wastewater from leaving the shaft before reaching the air outlet and causing olfactory disturbances to the surroundings. In the upper part, the cooled air is drawn in and can be used, e.g. B. for the cooling of the condensation side of a conventional compression refrigeration circuit.

It is possible that the water led through the shaft is collected in a receptacle and circulated with a pump. Various valves provided in the device, e.g. a controlled three-way valve, serves a sequential system operation in order to specifically collect clean water after the treatment by pre-clarification and biological treatment in the storage and clarification tank. The biosludge concentrating on the bottom of the tanks is periodically removed from the system via drain valves connected to the sewage system. The biologically cleaned wastewater is from a clarifier for further use, e.g. B. for watering plants.

The present device has a number of advantages. The device enables an increase in energy efficiency and the range of applications for building air conditioning by combining evaporative cooling and water purification, energy-efficient building air conditioning without drinking water consumption and biological wastewater treatment. The dissolved organic components in the water are biodegraded and largely converted into undissolved, removable substances. The plant is equipped with a conventional preliminary and final clarification as well as other cleaning processes such as B. a disinfection, expandable. There is no risk of clogging, since biofilm carrier materials designed for wastewater are used, which also prevents the known risk of clogging of evaporative cooling systems due to dust. The robust trickling filter technology used for wastewater treatment is already designed for particle management and therefore has no problems with dust or the risk of clogging, such as conventional evaporative cooling systems. The accumulated material is simply removed from the system with the excess sludge in the secondary clarifier without reducing the function.

The device also enables decentralized wastewater treatment, which can also be retrofitted to existing buildings. The system represents a particularly flexible decentralized wastewater treatment system, since no construction pits are necessary and the system can be installed along an existing house wall without major construction measures.

The biofilm carrier and evaporation medium located inside the housing shaft ( BEM ) is wetted with the waste water. The BEM is arranged along an air volume flow generated by the blower, which is cooled by the evaporation of the evaporation medium, while the biofilm simultaneously converts biodegradable substances within the waste water.

In one embodiment, the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) a plastic element, in particular made of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, PVDF or other suitable polymers.

The biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) consists in particular of plastic strips that are attached to a grid frame. The BEM can be clamped in the longitudinal direction in the shaft as thin, soft strips of film on a plastic or stainless steel retaining grid. In one embodiment, the plastic strips of the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) arranged on the lattice frame in an overlapping manner.

This clamping device is fastened within the shaft at the upper and lower ends of the shaft construction and ensures the defined positioning of the BEM parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Overlap, creation of niches or similar enable, on the one hand, an increase in the total area available for biofilm support vegetation in the shaft compared to the surface over which the flow flows. On the other hand, the formation of ecological niches takes place through a lower shear load on the biofilm and slower drying out due to water retention through surface tension between the layers. In these niches, other types of microorganisms responsible for the treatment process develop than on the outer surfaces, which therefore lead to a greater biodiversity and thus to a more stable treatment system. On the BEM living microorganisms carry out the biological degradation of the organic constituents dissolved in the wastewater and the nitrification of the ammonium. The microorganisms take from the above BEM trickling waste water the usable dissolved and finely dispersed ingredients and convert them into biomass that continuously from the BEM rinsed out and in a downstream separation process, e.g. B. a clarifier is separated.

The BEM film strips must have a slight ripple in order to enable a non-uniform overlap. This is important in order to ensure the exchange of substances with waste water components and oxygen. The distance between the holding strips and the construction of the entire holding frame is selected so that the lowest possible air flow resistance results in the shaft. The support frame at the lower end of the shaft has a technical option to slightly pretension the BEM film strips so that they do not get moved by the air flow and always allow unimpeded flow. The BEM strips are dimensioned so that they can withstand both the tensile force of the clamping and the biofilm weight as well as the stress caused by the air flow.

The volume-related cleaning performance of the BEM depends on the size of the biofilm surface. The BEM should have at least a specific surface area of approximately 200 m ² / m ³ . Due to the fixation of biomass, the plastic elements are suitable, among other things, for the elimination of difficult-to-decompose waste water constituents, which can only be broken down by slowly growing, specialized microorganisms.

In one embodiment, the housing or housing material of the device has no further openings for air supply. This is important so that an air flow can be formed in the housing. The housing material should also be opaque, otherwise it will form algae on or in the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) comes. The opening at the lower end of the shaft should be optimized so that the blower operation is as low in pressure loss as possible. In winter operation, while no cooling, but still water treatment is required, this opening should be reduced while the fan is also running at a minimum speed. This can counteract water loss due to evaporation as well as possible frost problems.

The dimensions of the housing are flexible and depend on the geometric situation at the installation site. Since the waste water flows of a building are usually combined on the ground floor / basement and air conditioning systems are usually installed on the roof, it makes sense to create the system over the entire height of the building. Depending on the requirements of the water treatment (the total surface of the biofilm carrier material depends on the dirt load to be treated), the shaft construction can be fully or only partially BEM be filled. The total length of the shaft is arbitrary, but must be optimized in view of the increasing flow resistance against which the blower has to work.

The fan extracts the air that is cooled in the shaft by evaporation isenthalpically at the upper opening. The cooled air can be used to cool the condensation side of a compression refrigeration circuit or cool a secondary circuit via a heat exchanger. The blower or fan speed is set by a variable speed using a suitable measurement and control technology. So there are humidity and temperature sensors at the air inlet and outlet. The air volume flow of the blower is controlled depending on the moisture saturation achieved and the outlet temperature. The fan is set to a higher air volume flow at a very high temperature of the ambient air entering the housing. If, on the other hand, the ambient air temperature is low and there is no need for cooling, then the blower switches to the minimum speed, which still ensures adequate ventilation for the cleaning effect. The device can be used in several modes. The existing cooling requirement is a suitable control variable. In the simplest version, the fan is at the same time the fan of an existing recooler for air conditioning in the building. Whenever this is running, the shaft is forced-ventilated, and the shaft and the recooler Air flowing through it is cooled and this leads to a reduced power consumption of the compressor of the recooler. Alternatively, a variable blower could always promote the air volume flow that is necessary to cool the air to the maximum isenthalpic. The blower output could be limited by the amount of waste water required or available. Other modes of operation, such as continuous operation, living operation of the microorganisms, etc. are easy to implement.

The performance of the blower B is preferably adjustable in temperature and humidity at the openings for air supply and air discharge. The blower contains an electric drive, which can be adjusted according to frequency. The frequency is automatically set based on the parameters described above. The measuring technology is the sensors, and the control is based on the frequency of the blower motor. The dependencies of the control parameters volume flow / air humidity / outlet temperature are regulated via this.

Humidity-controlled fan operation: In this case, a temperature / humidity sensor is provided at the inflow opening and another at the outflow opening. This optimizes the overflow of the biofilm carrier in such a way that the air is at a maximum humidity. However, the control must also have a second parameter that plays a role in the speed control: the desired air volume flow. Because if a lot of air is needed to cool an air conditioning system, the control should be adjustable so that it optimizes for the "largest possible amount with the greatest possible humidity". Case A: Small air volume flow required - fan runs slowly so that air humidity greater than 95% is reached. Case B: large air requirement required - fan runs as fast as possible to still at least z. B. 75% humidity and thus to achieve the greatest possible cooling for the large air volume flow.

The blower or fan speed can be optimized by an automatic driving style and a suitable measurement and control technology. So there are moisture and temperature sensors for the ambient air at the air supply opening, which are in direct contact with the product air. This controls the frequency and therefore the air volume flow of the fan. Thus, at a very high ambient temperature and / or low humidity of the ambient air entering the housing, the fan is set to a higher air volume flow. If, on the other hand, the ambient air temperature is low and there is no need for cooling, then the blower switches to the minimum speed, but so that drain water quality is still guaranteed by cleaning.

The present device is to be dimensioned such that the escaping air at the design point is at least 90% rel. Humidity is humidified. The design point is the time of the highest cooling capacity requirement (in kW), e.g. the warmest day, the day with the highest sunshine or the day with the highest internal loads, or the time of the highest clarified wastewater demand. The longer the shaft, the greater the amount of air delivered (i.e. the cooling capacity provided). The maximum size of the shaft depends on the maximum air volume flow (blower size) and the cooling capacity requirement. The cooling capacity is limited by the flow velocity of the air in the shaft. It must be ensured that the air flow does not lead to detachment of the biofilm carrier.

The cooling capacity is defined as follows: Cooling capacity = air volume flow * density * heat capacity of the air * maximum temperature difference at the time of design between air inlet (ambient air) and shaft air humidified to 90%

The length or the height of the housing device depends on how strong the biological treatment of the wastewater should be or how much wastewater should be evaporated. Both also depend on many other parameters, such as temperatures, wastewater constituents, cargo flow (fluctuations), air volume flow. The longer this part is, the higher the wastewater must be transported and on a vertical system BEM are trickled and thus more energy is used. For this reason, it is desirable to adjust the height of the BEM to be kept as low as possible, but at the same time to provide the necessary surface for the biofilm and to avoid clogging and unnecessary pressure loss. These are the decisive parameters for the design. If the available stand space in an urban context does not allow it, or because a combination with the function of an air shaft is possible, it can also be built higher.

In a further embodiment of the present device, the sprinkler system comprises a plurality of spray nozzles which distribute the waste water finely via the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) enable.

In another embodiment, the present device comprises at least one receptacle for the unpurified wastewater and through the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) trickling sewage. The receptacle has a connection for the waste water to be cleaned. The supply of the wastewater to be cleaned is controlled by at least one valve. The receptacle also serves to hold the through BEM trickling (now partially biologically cleaned) wastewater. Bio sludge accumulates at the bottom of the container and is removed from the container. The removal of the organic sludge from the receptacle is controlled by another valve.

In a further variant of the present device, at least one pump for guiding the waste water, in particular from the receptacle, is provided via at least one pressure line to the at least one sprinkler system.

The present device preferably comprises valves for sequential driving of the device. At least two valves are provided on the pressure line, with a valve at the lower end of the pressure line near the pump on the receptacle and a valve at the upper end of the pressure line near the sprinkler system for controlling the gray water flow from the receptacle to the sprinkler system or to the secondary clarifier. The latter valve is preferably designed as a three-way valve.

The present device can also have at least one secondary clarifier for receiving cleaned waste water. Further organic sludge settles in the clarifier and the cleaned wastewater is separated. The biologically cleaned waste water is removed from the secondary clarifier for further use e.g. dissipated for watering plants. The sludge which settles in the secondary clarifier is discharged from the secondary clarifier via a line with at least one further valve e.g. drained into the sewage system.

In a further preferred variant of the present device, the function of the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) combined with at least one heat transfer system. BEM and the heat transfer system can be provided together in a housing or separately in a separate housing.

The combination enables the supply of a secondary cooling circuit. One possibility is the use of an air-air heat exchanger to cool the supply air into a building using the device according to the invention or to embed it in a DEC (Dessicative and Evaporative Cooling) full air-conditioning system.

It is preferred if the at least one heat transfer system consists of heat exchange mats, in particular capillary tube mats. Capillary tube mats typically consist of plastic from at least one distributor tube, a collecting tube and flexible capillary tubes running between them. A coolant or coolant is led through the capillary tubes, for example from a heat exchange system. The coolant can be used to cool another liquid in the heat exchange system. Accordingly, the at least one heat transfer system is preferably coupled to a heat exchange system, in particular a coolant circuit. The adiabatically cooled air flows past the capillary tubes and cools down the cooling liquid that is carried inside the capillary tubes.

A simple combination of heat exchanger, which has sufficient corrosion resistance, and water treatment can be realized by the joint installation of capillary tube mats and biofilm carrier strips, whereby a closed fluid flow to be cooled can be cooled in the BEM area, which is cooled by evaporation.

A coolant or coolant is led through the capillary tubes, for example from a heat exchange system. The coolant can be used to cool another circuit via a heat exchanger. Capillary tube mats are just a special type of heat exchanger. Other heat exchangers can also be used. It is important that the heat exchangers used have a high resistance to wastewater (corrosion, abrasion, etc.) and a high surface area for water purification and evaporation.

Capillary tube mats are just a special type of heat exchanger. Other heat exchangers can also be used. It is important that the heat exchangers used have a high resistance to wastewater and a high surface for water purification and evaporation properties.

• - Durchführen eines Luftstromes durch das Gehäuse K von einer Luftzufuhröffnung durch entlang des im Gehäuse K vorgesehenen Biofilmträger- und Evaporationsmediums (BEM) zur oberen Luftabfuhröffnung und Einstellen des Luftstromes unter Verwendung des Gebläses B;
• - Zuführen von Abwasser, insbesondere von Abwasser mit biologisch abbaubarer Belastung Grauwasser, in die Berieselungsanlage S,
• - Aufbringen des Abwassers auf das Biofilmträger- und Evaporationsmedium (BEM) durch die Berieselungsanlage S; wobei das Abwasser entlang des Biofilmträger- und Evaporationsmediums (BEM) im Gegenstrom zum durch das Gehäuse geführten Luftstrom geführt wird und dabei zumindest teilweise den Luftstrom kühlt; und
• - Auffangen oder Abführen des entlang des Biofilmträger- und Evaporationsmediums (BEM) geführten Abwassers.

The present device makes it possible to carry out a method for the simultaneous biological purification of waste water, in particular waste water with a biodegradable load, and to provide cooled air using a (described above) comprising the steps:

• - Carrying an air flow through the housing K from an air supply opening through along in the housing K provided biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) to the upper air discharge opening and adjusting the air flow using the blower B ;
• - Feeding of wastewater, in particular wastewater with a biodegradable load of gray water, into the sprinkler system S .
• - application of the waste water to the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) through the sprinkler system S ; the waste water along the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) is conducted in counterflow to the airflow led through the housing and at least partially cools the airflow; and
• - Collection or discharge of the along the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) led sewage.

• - Durchführen eines Luftstromes durch das Gehäuse K von einer Luftzufuhröffnung durch entlang des im Gehäuse K vorgesehenen Biofilmträger- und Evaporationsmediums (BEM) zur oberen Luftabfuhröffnung und Einstellen des Luftstromes unter Verwendung des Gebläses B;
• - Zuführen von Abwasser, insbesondere von Abwasser mit biologisch abbaubarer Belastung Grauwasser, in die Berieselungsanlage S,
• - Aufbringen des Abwassers auf das Biofilmträger- und Evaporationsmedium (BEM) durch die Berieselungsanlage S; wobei das Abwasser entlang des Biofilmträger- und Evaporationsmediums (BEM) im Gegenstrom zum durch das Gehäuse geführten Luftstrom geführt wird und dabei zumindest teilweise den Luftstrom kühlt; und
• - Auffangen oder Abführen des entlang des Biofilmträger- und Evaporationsmediums (BEM) geführten Abwassers.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps:

• - Passing an air flow through the housing K from an air supply opening through along in the housing K provided biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) to the upper air discharge opening and adjusting the air flow using the blower B ;
• - Feeding of wastewater, in particular wastewater with a biodegradable load of gray water, into the sprinkler system S .
• - application of the waste water to the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) through the sprinkler system S ; the wastewater along the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) is conducted in counterflow to the airflow led through the housing and at least partially cools the airflow; and
• - Collection or discharge of the along the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium ( BEM ) led sewage.

In a variant of the present method, the cooled air stream leaving the housing is used to cool the condensation side of a compression refrigeration cycle or, after passing through an air filter, to remove odor-causing gases directly for cooling rooms.

In a further variant of the present method, a coolant of a heat exchange system is passed through the at least one heat transfer system, the coolant in the heat transfer system being cooled by the air flow guided through the housing.

In a preferred variant 1 In the present method, the cooled air flow leaving the housing is used to cool the condensation side of a compression refrigeration circuit, after passing it through a cross-flow through an air-air heat exchanger, to remove odor-causing gases or through an air filter directly to cool rooms.

In a further preferred variant 2 In the present method, a coolant of a heat exchange system is passed through a heat transfer system / heat exchange system, the coolant in the heat transfer system being cooled by the air flow passed through the housing.

As yet another preferred variant 3 if the supply air for the BEM shaft is a drier and possibly pre-cooled supply air (e.g. the exhaust air from a building). Due to the additionally reduced moisture content or pre-cooling, significantly lower air temperatures in the shaft can be achieved with this variant and complete building cooling loads can be dissipated.

• 1 eine erste Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• 2 eine zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• 3 eine dritte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung; und
• 4 eine vierte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

The invention is explained in more detail below using examples with reference to the figures. Show it:

• 1 a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;
• 2 a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;
• 3 a third embodiment of the device according to the invention; and
• 4 a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention.

1 shows a basic version of the device according to the invention. They are the basic components (housing K , Sprinkler system S , Biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM , Blower B ) are available to effect cooling of air and at the same time an aerobic biological water purification in the same construction. The plant can be operated with waste water.

2 shows a second embodiment of the device according to the invention. The device is used for the simultaneous provision of cooled air (e.g. for supporting the building air conditioning) and biologically and physically treated water. The integrated cleaning of contaminated water is carried out by a trickling filter process in a housing K , The ingredients of the wastewater through the microorganisms of the on the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM formed biofilm are degraded. This is the wastewater A first in the receptacle T1 introduced, from there via the pressure line to the pump P1 to the spraying device S pumped and over the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM sprayed. The oxygen supply to the microorganisms is provided by the blower B in the housing K generated air flow guaranteed, with a partial vapourization of the wastewater by air supply (from pre-cooled or ambient air). As equipment ( A ) drinking water up to waste water can be used, the latter being aerobically treated as described. In the case of waste water A The supply from the lower tank is from the house network T1 ,

The shaft construction of the housing K is attached in such a way that a draft is created by a vacuum, without air from the evaporator or biofilm carrier and evaporation medium part BEM from the shaft or the opening in the lower part of the housing K exit. The isenthalpically cooled air is in the upper part D subtracted and can be used e.g. B. for cooling the condensation side of a compression cooling circuit of a recooler (see table 1 of possible energy savings) or to pre-carbonate the building supply air with a cross-flow heat exchanger. In the lower part of the system, this is due to the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM trickling water in the receptacle T1 collected and with the pump P1 reintroduced into the circle.

The valves ( V1 . V2 . V3 . V4 . V5 ) in the 2 serve a sequential plant procedure to selectively clean water after the treatment in the secondary clarifier T2 by pre- and post-clarification and on concentrated sludge R from the system, e.g. B. in the sewer to remove.

In 3 is an extension of the device of the 2 shown. Here is parallel to the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM a heat transfer system N , e.g. B. in the form of a capillary tube mat. The heat transfer system N also serves as a surface for the degradable biomass, and at the same time one is created by the system N flowing liquid cooled. Synergy effects are thus used. The heat transfer system N can BEM make redundant if N in addition the properties of BEM contains, i.e. that of the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium.

In the method according to the invention, the water to be treated trickles over large surfaces on which the dirty water is cleaned. Due to the large surface, large amounts of water evaporate, which results in significant isenthalpic air cooling, especially in hot, dry outside air. By using capillary tube mats N as a biofilm carrier through which a cooling medium with the pump P2 is promoted, the water purification process for heat dissipation H can be used for cooling buildings.

The process section of isenthalpic cooling with building air conditioning uses the evaporation cold that arises when the wastewater is trickled to cool the cooling water circulating in the capillaries of the capillary tube mats. This process is to be accelerated by a targeted air flow using an additional fan along the capillary tube mat system in order to intensify the evaporation performance and the biological wastewater treatment.

4 shows a schematic arrangement of a DEC (Dessicative and Evaporative Cooling) system. An air dehumidified by a dessicator material is used as supply air for the device according to the invention. Due to the additional reduced moisture content and the use of the cool exhaust air of the Building via a heat exchanger, the device can achieve significantly lower air temperatures in the shaft, thereby dissipating complete building cooling loads. The actual supply air to the building can be cooled using a suitable heat exchanger. In the system example shown, this is an air-to-air heat exchanger. Alternatively, the supply air volume flow can be cooled with a cooling medium via a secondary circuit. Table 1 below shows the influence of different ambient temperatures on the energy requirements of a split-unit air conditioning system (based on a conventional compression refrigeration circuit) with different refrigerants.

To determine the possible reduction in energy requirements for the compressor system with cooled air intake, the results of (Motta, S.Yana, Domanski, Piotr A., 2001, Impact of elevated ambient temperatures on capacity and energy input to a vapor compression system - literature review ). They compare the performance coefficient of split unit air conditioners operated with the two refrigerants R-22 and R-410A. Since the refrigerants have different temperature optima, the effect of the cooler intake air for the compressors leads to different energy savings. In general, the hotter the ambient temperature, the lower the energy efficiency. In particular, the present invention can cool very warm, dry air very efficiently.

With the device according to the invention (similar to the embodiment of FIG 2 ) Temperature differences of up to 15 ° C were observed. If the condensation side of a split unit air conditioning system now receives this cooled air instead of the warm ambient air, the compressor consumes less energy (see red numbers in table 1 below): a compressor with the R-410A process requires approximately 31.4% less Energy at 28 ° C supply air instead of 40 ° C supply air for the same amount of heat energy transferred. Compared to operation at 35 ° C, the system requires 27% less energy at 25 ° C supply air. From these figures it can be deduced that by using the device according to the invention at the entrance of a conventional AC system, a total energy saving of at least 20% can be expected.

Embodiment according to variant 1:

The following example was in a device of 2 carried out. The mode of operation of the device is sequential in order to ensure the highest possible effectiveness and to achieve a better quality of the wastewater discharge, since there are particulate substances in the secondary clarifier T2 can settle. The capacity of the system is around 110 I / h. With this capacity and an air volume flow of 1500 m ³ / h, an evaporation cooling effectiveness of up to 99% could be achieved. The cooling capacity of the system can be regulated continuously between 0-100% by means of a variable air volume in the shaft (by means of a controllable fan).

With the highest COD (chemical oxygen demand) load (17.5 g / h) in the test operation, 70% COD and 60% ammonium nitrogen could be removed by the system.

phases:

1. 1. Filling the receptacle T1 with waste water A: valve V1 is on, three-way valve V3 is only left to the shaft, sewage A runs into receptacle T1 ; pump P1 starts automatically as soon as there is enough water in the receptacle T1 is present or if a preliminary clarification (sedimentation of the settable substances from A in T1 ) is completed; Valve V2 can be a float of the pump P1 his; drain valves V4 . V5 . V6 are closed; sprayer S is without electricity, the water is distributed via pressure;
2. 2nd valve V1 closes as soon as the receptacle T1 with sewage A filled or a maximum time has been reached (about 10 min); if there is a high proportion of primary sludge, is in the receptacle T1 made a preliminary clarification;
3. 3. Recirculation: The wastewater is recirculated for 40 minutes A via the biofilm carrier medium BEM (and / or the heat transfer system N ). Valves as before: V3 left on, V2 on. V5 goes up for a few minutes during recirculation to remove mud from the receptacle T1 drain;
4. 4. Clarifier T2 : after recirculation for 30-40 min, be for 5-10 min or until the receptacle T1 is empty (i.e. float valve V2 closes) the valves V5 . V4 . V1 . V6 closed; Three way valve V3 is opened to the right so that the water in the clarifier T2 enters;
5. 5. Clarification: Clarification time or residence time (eg 10 min) depends largely on the quality of the wastewater and the volume flow (see DWA recommendations); all valves are now closed; pump P1 is out; the blower B should be reduced or shutdown if there is a high evaporation rate and little water flow so that the shaft does not dry out (which was the case during the phase 4 would occur); meanwhile the valve V4 automatically open for a few minutes to remove sludge from the clarifier T2 drain. The clarification creates a "clear water zone" in the clarifier T2 ;
6. 6. Process: Biologically-physically purified water F from the clear water zone is now equipped with a valve V6 from the clarifier T2 drained;
7. 7. Repeat with phase 1

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• US 3299651 [0011]

Claims (18)

Device for simultaneous biological purification of waste water, in particular waste water with a biodegradable load, and provision of cooled air comprising - A housing K with an opening for air supply and an opening for air discharge; a biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM arranged in the housing K; at least one blower B provided at one of the openings for air supply and air discharge, in particular at the opening for air discharge, of the housing K for generating an air flow through the housing along the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM; and - At least one sprinkler system S provided above the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium (BEM) for applying the waste water to the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM. Device after Claim 1 , characterized in that the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM comprises a plastic element, in particular polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene or polyethylene. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM consists of plastic strips which are attached to a lattice frame. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the performance of the blower B is adjustable as a function of the temperature and humidity at the openings for air supply and air removal. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sprinkler system S comprises a plurality of spray nozzles which enable fine distribution of the waste water via the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one receptacle T1 for the unpurified wastewater and the wastewater trickling over the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one pump P1 for guiding the waste water, in particular from the receptacle T1, via at least one pressure line to the at least one sprinkler system S. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one secondary clarification tank T2 for receiving cleaned waste water. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by valves (V1, V2, V3, V4) for sequential driving of the device. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM are combined with at least one heat transfer system N. Device after Claim 10 , characterized in that the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM and the at least one heat transfer system N are provided together in the at least one housing K or separately in a separate housing. Device after Claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the at least one heat transfer system N consists of heat exchange mats, in particular capillary tube mats. Device according to one of the Claims 10 to 12 , characterized in that the at least one heat transfer system N is coupled to a heat exchange system, in particular a coolant circuit H. Use of a device according to one of the preceding claims for the simultaneous biological purification of waste water with a biodegradable load and provision of cooled air to support the air conditioning in the building. Process for the simultaneous biological purification of waste water, in particular waste water with a biodegradable load, and provision of cooled air using a device according to one of the Claims 1 to 13 comprising the steps: - passing an air flow through the housing K from an air supply opening through along the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM provided in the housing K to the upper air discharge opening and adjusting the air flow using the fan B; - supplying wastewater, in particular wastewater with a biodegradable load of gray water, to the sprinkler system S, - applying the wastewater to the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM by the sprinkler system S; wherein the wastewater is guided along the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM in countercurrent to the air flow passed through the housing and thereby at least partially cools the air flow; and collecting or discharging the waste water carried along the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM. Procedure according to Claim 15 , characterized by the steps: - passing an air flow through the housing K from an air supply opening through along the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM provided in the housing K to the upper air discharge opening and adjusting the air flow using the blower B; - Introducing waste water, in particular waste water with a biodegradable load, into the at least one receptacle T1; - guiding the waste water from the receptacle T1 via a pressure line into the sprinkler system S, the feed into the secondary clarifier T2 being closed; - Application of the waste water to the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM by the sprinkler system S; wherein the wastewater is guided along the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM in countercurrent to the air flow passed through the housing and thereby at least partially cools the air flow; and - collecting the wastewater guided along the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM in the at least one receiving container T1 and re-introducing and applying the wastewater from the receiving container T1 onto the biofilm carrier and evaporation medium BEM; - Introducing the cleaned wastewater into the clarifier T2 (by switching the valve V3), clarifying for a predetermined period and draining the biologically cleaned water from the clarifier T2. Procedure according to one of the Claims 15 to 16 , characterized in that the cooled air flow leaving the housing is used to cool the condensation side of a compression refrigeration circuit or after passing through an air filter to remove odor-causing gases directly for cooling rooms. Procedure according to one of the Claims 15 to 17 , characterized in that a coolant of a heat exchange system H is passed through the at least one heat transfer system N, the coolant in the heat transfer system N being cooled by the air flow guided through the housing.

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