A postpartum flushing device for concentrated water recovery and leakage monitoring of reverse osmosis water purifiers

Abstract

A device for monitoring and recovering concentrated water and leaking after delivery of a reverse osmosis water purifier is characterized in that: a water source ball valve, a pretreatment unit, a water inlet solenoid valve, and a booster pump are connected in series in the order of inlet and outlet, a low-pressure switch is connected in parallel with the water source ball valve, the booster pump outlet is connected to the water inlet of the reverse osmosis device, the concentrated water outlet is connected to the inlet of the flushing solenoid valve, the flushing solenoid valve outlet is connected to a concentrated water pipe with a double-core conductive water level probe and inserted into a recovery barrel, the double-core conductive leakage probe is connected in parallel with the double-core conductive water level probe; the water outlet water pipe of the reverse osmosis device is inserted into the bottom of the water tank, a double-float water level switch is installed on the water tank, and a fully electric control mode is adopted instead of a pressure control mode, thereby realizing the automation of water production startup, water full shutdown, postpartum flushing, concentrated water recovery, water outage shutdown, and leakage shutdown, thereby increasing production capacity, reducing costs, eliminating wastewater discharge, and extending the service life of the reverse osmosis membrane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention discloses a drinking water quality processor, in particular to a concentrated water recovery and leakage monitoring postpartum flushing device of a reverse osmosis water purifier. Background Art

[0002] Reverse osmosis (RO) utilizes a nano-scale membrane separation technology. During the water production process, it is highly susceptible to contamination and clogging due to suspended solids, colloids, biological slime, insoluble salts, and metal oxides. Its structure features a concentrate outlet in addition to a raw water inlet and a product water outlet. During water production, a large amount of concentrate continuously flows across the membrane surface, flushing impurities trapped on the membrane surface before being discharged through the concentrate outlet to ensure water quality and proper operation of the equipment. The product technical manual stipulates that the water recovery rate for a single RO membrane (referred to as "membrane") is 15% to 18%. Home water purifiers typically use a single membrane configuration, and according to international practice, the product water to concentrate ratio is 1:3 to 1:4 (recovery rate 20% to 25%).

[0003] In 2017, three national ministries issued the "Water Efficiency Labeling Management Measures," which included reverse osmosis water purifiers as a key high-water-consuming product for regulation. The water purification industry's first mandatory national standard, GB 34914, "Limited Values and Grades of Water Efficiency for Reverse Osmosis Water Purifiers" (hereinafter referred to as the "Water Efficiency Standard"), was implemented in 2018. Water efficiency is divided into five levels based on water recovery rate: Level 1 ≥ 60%, Level 2 ≥ 55%, Level 3 ≥ 50%, Level 4 ≥ 45%, and Level 5 ≥ 35%. Level 5 is considered acceptable, and Level 2 is considered a water-saving rating.

[0004] For many years, it has been common in the water purifier industry to focus on purification effects and ignore water-saving efficiency. Some manufacturers have even included the discharge of concentrated water into the sewer as wastewater in the "Product Instructions".

[0005] In recent years, with the rise of public awareness of water conservation and the implementation of water efficiency standards, water purifier water-saving technology has made progress. Currently, methods for utilizing brine can be roughly divided into three categories: First, adding a brine storage tank with overflow discharge or installing a constantly open faucet on the sink to the existing water purifier can only recover a small amount, with the majority discharged. Second, partially recirculating the brine for utilization is effective, but even if the recovery rate reaches the first-level water efficiency standard, there is still room for recycling brine, which accounts for 40% of total water consumption and should not be underestimated. Third, using full-water shutdown and overflow prevention devices such as water level relays, float switches, and solenoid valves can fully recover the brine, but this method has limited applications, high costs, and is difficult to promote.

[0006] Due to their complex structure, long water lines, and numerous connections, reverse osmosis water purifiers have a higher probability of leakage than other water purifiers, a significant pain point in the industry. Currently, there are two main types of leak protection devices: one is mechanical control, using paper tape or expansion agents. When exposed to water, the tape breaks or the expansion agent expands, shutting off the power or water supply. The other uses secondary circuits such as conductivity meters and water level relays to shut off the power or water supply when exposed to water. These methods were once somewhat effective in leak monitoring, but most have since been phased out due to poor reliability, complexity, and high cost.

[0007] Flushing is a must-have feature for reverse osmosis water purifiers, and an 18-second automatic pre-flush is standard. However, this pre-flush fails to promptly remove scale-forming substances trapped during the water production process, resulting in poor results. Fixed flushing times prevent adjustments for varying water qualities. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem is:

[0009] 1. A fully electronic control system replaces the conventional pressure control system consisting of a pre-production flushing timing solenoid valve, a pressure water storage tank, a high-pressure switch, and post-activated carbon. The fully electronic control system comprises a power relay, an intermediate relay, a main control relay, a time relay, a float water level switch, a low-pressure switch, and a brine recovery and leak monitoring device. It features automatic functions such as water production startup, full water shutdown, post-production flushing, brine recovery, leak monitoring, and power and water outage automation.

[0010] 2. Concentrated water recovery. The water purifier's power supply is controlled by a power relay. During flushing, concentrated water discharged from the reverse osmosis device flows into the recovery barrel. When the water is full and contacts the water level conductivity probe at the barrel mouth, the power relay coil circuit is connected to the electrolyte in the water body and the normally closed contact of the power relay is disconnected, shutting down the controlled water supply to prevent overflow. The concentrated water is completely recovered and can be used in any container.

[0011] 3. Water leakage monitoring: One or more sets of water leakage conductivity probes are connected in parallel to the inlet and outlet lines of the water level conductivity probes of the concentrated water recovery device. The water leakage conductivity probes are placed at the bottom of the water purifier or at a leaking point. When the conductivity probes are wetted by water, they conduct, activating the power relay. The water supply controlled by the power relay is shut down, cutting off the water supply.

[0012] 4. Concentrated water recovery and water leakage monitoring. A DC24V power supply activates a DC9V power relay. This disconnects the normally closed contacts of the power relay and simultaneously cuts off power to the coil, resulting in a rapid response and effectively addressing electrochemical corrosion and scaling issues on the conductivity probe. This combined concentrated water recovery and water leakage monitoring device is simple and reliable.

[0013] 5. Post-production flushing. After the system shuts down due to full water, the main control relay activates the time relay, which in turn activates the water inlet solenoid valve, booster pump, and flushing solenoid valve, beginning the post-production flushing process. This removes impurities from the concentrated water while they are still floating and settling, not yet firmly attached to the membrane surface. Comparative testing has shown that post-production flushing is over 50% more effective than pre-production flushing, based on conductivity, effectively extending the membrane's service life. The flushing time is set based on the quality of the raw water.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention include replacing the conventional pressure control system consisting of a high-pressure switch, a pressure water storage tank, post-activated carbon, and a pre-production flushing timer solenoid valve with a fully electronic control system, creating a new system for concentrated water recovery, leak monitoring, and post-production flushing. This system automates water production startup, full water shutdown, post-production flushing, concentrated water recovery, leak monitoring, and water shut-down. This overcomes the back pressure, production capacity consumption, and secondary contamination risks inherent in the pressure control system, as well as the poor pre-production flushing effect and the lack or inadequacy of concentrated water recovery and leak control functions. Furthermore, it increases production capacity by 30%, reduces costs by 25%, eliminates wastewater discharge, and effectively extends the service life of reverse osmosis membranes.

[0015] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the process flow of the present invention. In the figure, 1, water source ball valve, 2, low-pressure switch, 3, pretreatment unit, 4, water inlet solenoid valve, 5, booster pump, 6, reverse osmosis device, 7, concentrate pipe, 8, flushing solenoid valve, 9, wastewater ratio, 10, water leakage conductive probe, 11, recovery bucket, 12, clamp, 13, water level conductive probe, 14, double float water level switch, 15, clean water pipe, and 16, water tank.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit of the present invention. The diagram shows a transformer T, a low-voltage switch P, a CD9V power relay KA1, an intermediate relay KA2, a first diode D1, a second diode D3, a third diode D4, a freewheeling diode D2, a lower water level float switch SQ2, an upper water level float switch SQ1, a main control relay KA3, a time relay H3Y, a flushing solenoid valve Y2, a booster pump M, a water inlet solenoid valve Y1, a start button SB, a water level conductive probe inlet line A, a water level conductive probe outlet line B, a water leakage conductive probe inlet line A.1, and a water leakage conductive probe outlet line B.1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] 1. In Figure 1Middle: The water source ball valve 1, the low-pressure switch 2, the pretreatment unit 3, the water inlet solenoid valve 4, and the booster pump 5 are connected in series with pipes in the order of inlet and outlet. The low-pressure switch 2 is connected in parallel with the water source ball valve. The booster pump outlet is connected to the water inlet of the reverse osmosis device 6 with a pipe. The concentrated water outlet of the reverse osmosis device is connected to the inlet of the flushing solenoid valve 8 with a pipe, and the outlet is connected to the concentrated water pipe 7 with a water level conductive probe 13 and inserted into the recovery barrel 11, fixed on the barrel mouth with a clip 12, the water leakage conductive probe 10 is connected in parallel with the water level conductive probe; the wastewater ratio 9 is connected in parallel with the flushing solenoid valve; the clean water outlet of the reverse osmosis device is connected to the clean water pipe 15 and inserted into the bottom of the water tank 16, and the double float water level switch 14 is installed on the water tank and extends into the bottom of the tank.

[0019] exist Figure 2Middle: The DC24V positive output of transformer T is divided into 2 paths: 1 path is connected to the starting button SB input line, and 2 path is connected to the low-voltage switch P input line; the starting button output line is divided into 2 paths: 1 path is connected to the main control relay KA3 coil, and 2 path is further divided into 2 paths, 1 path is connected to the CD9V power supply relay KA1 coil, and the first diode D1 of path 2 is connected to the intermediate relay KA2 coil; the normally open contact output line of the low-voltage switch is connected to the normally closed contact input line of the CD9V power supply relay, and its normally closed contact output line is connected to the normally open contact of the intermediate relay; the normally open contact output line of the intermediate relay is divided into 2 paths: 1 path is connected to the intermediate relay coil to form the intermediate relay self-locking circuit, and 2 path is connected to the neutral line of the main control relay, The incoming wire of the lower water level float switch SQ2 is connected in parallel, while the outgoing wires of the lower water level float switch and the upper water level float switch SQ1 are combined to form the common neutral line of the dual float water level switches, which is then connected to the starter relay coil. The normally open contact KA3.2 of the main control relay is connected to the upper water level float switch via the common neutral line of the dual float water level switches and the starter relay coil, forming a self-locking circuit for the main control relay. The freewheeling diode D2 circuit is connected in parallel with the main control relay coil. The normally open contact KA3.1 of the main control relay is connected in parallel with the water inlet solenoid valve Y1 and the booster pump M via a second diode D3, forming a water control circuit. The normally closed contact KA3.3 of the main control relay is connected to the coil and neutral line of the time relay H3Y. The normally closed contact H3Y.1 of the time relay is connected in parallel with the booster pump and the water inlet solenoid valve via a third diode D4, and its normally closed contact H3Y. 2 is connected to the flushing solenoid valve Y2 to form the post-flush circuit. The negative terminal of the DC24V power transformer is connected to the main control relay coil, intermediate relay coil, time relay coil, water inlet solenoid valve, booster pump, and the negative terminal of the flushing solenoid valve. The negative terminal of the DC24V is connected to the water level conductive probe input line A, and the water level conductive probe output line B is connected to the negative terminal of the CD9V power relay coil. The water level conductive probe is placed in the recovery tank to form the concentrated water recovery circuit. The leakage conductive probe input line A.1 is connected in parallel with the water level conductive probe input line, and the leakage conductive probe output line B.2 is connected in parallel with the water level probe output line. The leakage conductive probe is fixed to the bottom of the water purifier or at the leak detection point. The water level conductive probe and the leakage conductive probe are modified from two-core plastic-sheathed wire. The plastic sheath on one end of the two-core wire is stripped 15 mm and tinned to form the conductive probe. The two conductive probes are parallel and separated by 1 to 2 mm and fixed with insulating plastic sheets to form the leakage monitoring circuit.

[0020] The implementation method is further explained below in conjunction with the operation of the device.

[0021] When making water, there is no water in the water tank. Open the water source ball valve and power supply, energize the transformer, and the water pressure closes the normally open contact of the low-voltage switch. The 24V positive output current is divided into two paths: one path from the normally open contact of the low-voltage switch through the normally closed contact of the CD9V power relay to the normally open contact of the intermediate relay, and the other path to the start button. When the start button is pressed, the current is divided into three paths: one path to the main control relay coil to close its normally open contact, and the other path to the CD9V The power relay coil, because the negative pole of the CD9V power relay coil is not connected, its normally closed contact closes the current to the normally open contact of the intermediate relay. 3 paths pass through the first diode D1 to the intermediate relay coil, and the normally open contact of the intermediate relay closes the current in 2 paths: 1 path to the intermediate relay coil and its self-locking circuit is connected, and 2 paths to the center line of the main control relay contact and the lower water level float switch input line through the common center line of the double float water level switches to the main control relay coil; the current passes through the main control relay normally open contact - the upper water level float switch - the double float water level switches and the common center line to the main control relay coil, and its self-locking circuit is connected; the current passes through the main control relay normally open contact through diode D3 to start the booster pump and water inlet solenoid valve; release the start button, the current continues to be connected through the self-locking circuit of the main control relay, and the water production program begins; the clean water of the reverse osmosis device enters the water tank, and the concentrated water flows into the recovery barrel through the wastewater ratio, and enters the concentrated water recovery program.

[0022] When the water level in the tank rises, the lower water level float switch opens, while the upper water level float switch and the self-locking circuit of the main control relay coil remain connected, allowing water production to continue. When the water level rises, the upper water level float switch opens, de-energizing the self-locking circuit of the main control relay controlled by it, shutting down the booster pump and water inlet solenoid valve. Simultaneously, the normally closed contacts of the starter relay close, starting the time relay. Its energized time-delayed normally closed contact H3Y.1 closes, allowing current to flow through the third diode D4, restarting the booster pump and water inlet solenoid valve. Simultaneously, another energized time-delayed normally closed contact H3Y.2 closes, activating the flushing solenoid valve. Flushing water flows into the recovery tank, entering the postpartum flushing process. The flushing timer expires, and the normally closed contacts open. The booster pump, water inlet solenoid valve, and flushing solenoid valve are all shut down. The flushing timer lasts 10 to 60 seconds.

[0023] After the postpartum flushing is completed, the normally open contact of the low-pressure switch is still closed under the push of the water inlet pressure, and the CD9V power supply relay and intermediate relay circuit controlled by it are still energized, but the normally closed contact of the main control relay is still closed because the self-locking circuit power-off coil loses power, and the time relay coil controlled by it is still energized, and its normally closed contact remains in the disconnected state at the end of the postpartum flushing, and the water purifier enters the standby water use program; when water level drops to the upper water level float switch, the main control relay self-locking circuit is also connected, and at this time the lower water level float switch is still disconnected, and the main control relay self-locking circuit has no current and is still in the standby water use state; when the water level drops to the lower water level float switch, the main control relay coil is energized and started, its normally closed contact is disconnected and the normally open contact is closed, and water production is restarted.

[0024] When the recovery bucket is full of water and the water level rises to touch the water level conductive probe, the water level conductive probe input line A and output line B are connected through the water body electrolyte, the DC24V negative pole output by the transformer is connected to the negative pole of the DC9V power supply relay coil, and the power supply relay starts its normally closed contact to disconnect, and the water production circuit controlled by it is de-energized, realizing concentrated water recovery and preventing overflow.

[0025] When the water purifier leaks, the conductive probe becomes wetted by the water. Conductive conduction occurs between the probe's incoming wire A.1 and outgoing wire B.1 through the electrolyte in the water. The DC 24V negative terminal of the transformer's output connects to the negative terminal of the DC 9V power relay coil. The power relay activates, its normally closed contacts open, and the water supply circuit controlled by it loses power, shutting down the machine and cutting off the water supply.

Claims

1. A postpartum flushing device for recovering concentrated water from a reverse osmosis water purifier and monitoring water leakage, characterized by: The system includes a water source ball valve, a pretreatment unit, a water inlet solenoid valve, and a booster pump, which are connected in series with pipes in the order of inlet and outlet. The low-pressure switch is connected in parallel with the water source ball valve. The outlet of the booster pump is connected to the water inlet of the reverse osmosis device with a pipe. The concentrated water outlet of the reverse osmosis device is connected to the inlet of the flushing solenoid valve with a pipe. The outlet of the flushing solenoid valve is connected to the concentrated water pipe with a water level conductive probe and inserted into the recovery barrel. The wastewater ratio is connected in parallel with the flushing solenoid valve. The clean water outlet of the reverse osmosis device is connected to the clean water pipe and inserted into the bottom of the water tank. The double float water level switch is installed on the water tank and extends into the bottom of the tank. The circuit system is that the DC24V positive output of the transformer T is divided into two paths: one path is connected to the starting button SB input line, and the other path is connected to the low-voltage switch P input line; The outgoing line of the start button is divided into two paths: path 1 is connected to the coil of the main control relay KA3, and path 2 is further divided into two paths. Path 1 is connected to the coil of the CD9V power relay KA1, and the first diode D1 of path 2 is connected to the coil of the intermediate relay KA2; The output line of the normally open contact of the intermediate relay is divided into two paths: path 1 is connected to the coil of the intermediate relay, and path 2 is connected in parallel with the neutral line of the main control relay and the input line of the lower water level float switch SQ2. The output line of the lower water level float switch and the output line of the upper water level float switch SQ1 are combined into a common neutral line of the double float water level switches and connected to the coil of the start relay; The normally open contact KA3.2 of the main control relay and the incoming line of the upper water level float switch are connected to the starting relay coil through the common neutral line of the double float water level switch. The freewheeling diode D2 circuit is connected in parallel with the main control relay coil; the normally open contact KA3.1 of the main control relay is connected in parallel with the water inlet solenoid valve Y1 and the booster pump M through the second diode D3.

2. The concentrated water recovery and leakage monitoring postpartum flushing device of the reverse osmosis water purifier according to claim 1 is characterized by: The outgoing wire of the normally open contact of the switch is connected to the incoming wire of the normally closed contact of the power relay, and the outgoing wire of the normally closed contact is connected to the normally open contact of the intermediate relay. The normally closed contact KA3.3 of the main control relay is connected to the coil and neutral line of the time relay H3Y. The normally closed contact H3Y.1 of the time relay is connected in parallel to the booster pump and the water inlet solenoid valve via the third diode D4. Its normally closed contact H3Y.2 is connected to the flushing solenoid valve Y2, forming the postpartum flushing circuit.

3. The concentrated water recovery and leakage monitoring postpartum flushing device for a reverse osmosis water purifier according to claim 1 is characterized by: The negative pole of the DC 24V power transformer is connected to the main control relay coil, intermediate relay coil, time relay coil, water inlet solenoid valve, booster pump, and flushing solenoid valve; the negative pole of the DC 24V is connected to the water level conductive probe input line A, and the water level conductive probe output line B is connected to the negative pole of the 9V power relay coil. The water level conductive probe is placed in the recovery barrel to form a concentrated water recovery circuit.

4. The concentrated water recovery and leakage monitoring postpartum flushing device for a reverse osmosis water purifier according to claim 1 is characterized by: The incoming line of the water leakage conductive probe is connected in parallel with the incoming line of the water level conductive probe, and the outgoing line of the water leakage conductive probe is connected in parallel with the outgoing line of the water level probe. The water leakage conductive probe is fixed at the bottom of the water purifier or the leak detection point. The water level conductive probe and the water leakage conductive probe are modified with double-core plastic sheathed wire. The plastic sheath at one end of the double-core wire is stripped off 15 mm and tinned as a conductive probe. The parallel distance between the two conductive probes is 1~2 mm, and they are fixed with insulating plastic sheets to form a water leakage monitoring circuit.

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