Apparatus and method for pasteurizing or sterilizing liquids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for simple, scalable, and inexpensive devices to treat pathogen-containing liquids, such as water, milk, and waste, as many developing countries lack infrastructure for safe water treatment and existing technologies are inadequate for small-scale pathogen removal.
Innovation Solution
A compact heat exchanger design with a container, tube, heating element, temperature sensor, and controller that controls fluid flow and temperature to pasteurize or sterilize liquids, using pumps and valves to manage fluid pressure and flow, and a method to operate the heat exchanger with a processor and memory to ensure effective pathogen destruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sophisticated water treatment plants are used, then pathogen removal effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system is divided into separate functional modules: a heating element for thermal treatment, a pump for fluid circulation, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall infrastructure requirements while maintaining pathogen removal effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic temperature sensing and control, where the temperature sensor continuously monitors the liquid temperature and the controller automatically adjusts the heating element and pump operation. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual control infrastructure while ensuring reliable pathogen destruction.
2Device complexity
If simple heating devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control precision and pathogen destruction reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a closed-loop feedback control mechanism where the temperature sensor continuously measures the liquid temperature and provides real-time data to the controller. The controller automatically adjusts the heating element power and pump operation to maintain the required temperature range, ensuring reliable pathogen destruction while keeping the device simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual temperature control and monitoring are replaced with an automated electronic control system comprising a temperature sensor, controller, and integrated circuitry. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical temperature regulation mechanisms while improving temperature control precision and pathogen destruction reliability.
3Productivity
If high flow rates are used, then treatment productivity is improved, but heating effectiveness and temperature uniformity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operation is dynamically controlled based on real-time temperature feedback from the sensor. The controller adjusts the pump flow rate to optimize the balance between treatment productivity and temperature uniformity, ensuring that the liquid remains in the heating zone long enough for effective pathogen destruction while maintaining high throughput capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous circulation of the liquid through the heating element, ensuring that all portions of the liquid receive adequate thermal treatment. The pump continuously moves the liquid through the heating zone, and the heating element continuously applies thermal energy, ensuring uniform temperature distribution and complete pathogen destruction throughout the entire volume.
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
The heat exchanger effectively pasteurizes or sterilizes liquids by controlling temperature and flow, providing a safe and cost-effective solution for treating contaminated water and other liquids, suitable for small-scale use in developing regions.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element disposed in the container
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of fluid within the tube or within the container
Implementation Method 3
a first pump to pressurize fluid entering the container at the fluid inlet
Implementation Method 4
a second pump to provide suction to at the fluid outlet
Implementation Method 5
The heat exchanger includes a container, a tube disposed within the container, a heating element disposed in the container
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger and method of operating a heat exchanger provides a compact and scalable device for pasteurizing or sterilization a liquid. The heat exchanger includes a container and a tube that extends from an opening in the container to the interior volume of the container. The Heat exchanger also includes a liquid level sensor, a temperature sensor, and one or more flow elements, such as a pump or a valve. A controller is programmed to operate the heat exchanger in a manner that provides pasteurized or sterilized liquids from the heat exchanger.