Acoustic Standing Waves for Water Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water purification methods, such as filter units, are inadequate in capturing smaller pathogens like bacterial spores and viruses, and often clog due to larger particles, failing to efficiently process large volumes of contaminated water effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of ultrasonically generated acoustic standing waves in conjunction with electrochemically produced ozone to trap, concentrate, and separate microorganisms and particles from water, employing piezoelectric transducers and reflectors to create acoustic fields that rupture cell walls and precipitate metals, while ozone enhances destruction of pathogens and reduces toxicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If filter cartridges and filter membranes are used for pathogen removal, then larger organisms over 10 microns can be captured, but smaller organisms including bacterial spores in the size range of 1 micron are not captured with sufficient efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical filtration system with an acoustic field-based separation system. Acoustic standing waves create acoustic radiation pressure that acts on particles based on their compressibility and density, enabling separation of pathogens from 1 micron to 1000 microns without mechanical filters. This acoustic field approach eliminates the size limitation of traditional filters while maintaining capture efficiency across different pathogen sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from physical filtration to acoustic field interaction. By adjusting acoustic parameters (frequency, intensity, and standing wave configuration), the system can selectively separate different sizes and types of pathogens based on their acoustic contrast factors, achieving broad spectrum pathogen removal without relying on filter pore sizes.
2Productivity
If filter units are used to remove contaminants, then pathogen capture is achieved, but the filters clog due to larger particles, failing to efficiently process large volumes of contaminated water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical filtration with acoustic field-based particle removal. Acoustic standing waves create nodes and antinodes that trap particles based on their acoustic properties rather than physical size. This eliminates the clogging problem inherent in mechanical filters while maintaining high processing capacity for large volumes of contaminated water.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic field acts as an intermediary between the contaminated water and the separation mechanism. Instead of particles directly blocking filter media, the acoustic radiation pressure mediates the separation process, allowing continuous processing of large volumes without clogging while effectively removing particles of various sizes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional filtration methods are used, then simple structure is maintained, but smaller pathogens like viruses and dissolved metals cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single acoustic field system: particle separation, pathogen destruction, and concentration are achieved simultaneously through acoustic standing waves. The system combines physical separation with acoustic radiation pressure effects, enabling removal of viruses and dissolved metals without requiring multiple separate treatment stages or complex filter assemblies.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method efficiently traps and separates microorganisms and particles of various sizes, including smaller pathogens, without clogging, and can process large volumes of water, achieving high concentration ratios and effective removal of contaminants, including viruses and dissolved metals, through acoustophoresis and ozone-induced precipitation.
Implementation Method 1
Ultrasound and acoustophoresis for water purification... use of ultrasonically generated acoustic standing waves to achieve trapping, concentration, and separation of suspended-phase components
Implementation Method 2
acoustic standing waves to achieve trapping, concentration, and separation of suspended-phase components
Implementation Method 3
Ultrasound waves can also rupture the cellular walls of microorganisms such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium and Trematodes
Implementation Method 4
can rupture the cell walls and cellular membranes of microorganisms
Implementation Method 5
electrochemical generation of ozone in conjunction with standing acoustic waves... Electrochemically generated ozone can induce precipitation of dissolved metals by formation of metal oxides
Implementation Method 6
induce precipitation of dissolved metals by formation of metal oxides
Implementation Method 7
ozone can destroy small organisms, such as for example viruses, bacteria spores... reactions of ozone with dissolved organic compounds can reduce or eliminate toxicity
Implementation Method 8
When used in conjunction with the elevated pressures created at nodes of an acoustic standing wave, ozone solubility in the fluid medium can be increased
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are systems and methods for separation of particulate from water using ultrasonically generated acoustic standing waves.