Aqueous Ozone Utility Cart with Onsite Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water treatment methods face challenges in effectively controlling pathogens and disinfection byproducts, as traditional disinfectants like chlorine are ineffectual against resistant organisms and can form harmful byproducts.
Innovation Solution
A transportable system that generates an aqueous ozone solution onsite using ozone generators and a fluid mixer, producing an aqueous ozone solution with an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of 600-1000 mV for effective disinfection and pathogen control, reducing surface tension for enhanced cleaning and degreasing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional disinfectants like chlorine are used to disinfect water, then disinfection capability is improved, but harmful byproducts are formed and pathogen control becomes ineffectual against resistant organisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the disinfectant from chlorine to ozone, which fundamentally alters the disinfection mechanism. Ozone (O3) is a stronger oxidizing agent that effectively kills resistant pathogens like Cryptosporidium without forming harmful byproducts. The system generates ozone on-site and dissolves it in water to create aqueous ozone solution for disinfection applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ozone, a strong oxidant, to accelerate the disinfection process. Ozone has higher oxidation potential than chlorine and can rapidly destroy pathogen cell walls and genetic material. The ozone generator produces ozone gas that is then dissolved in water through a fluid mixer, creating a potent disinfecting solution that eliminates both bacteria and viruses without leaving harmful residues.
2Reliability
If ozone is injected into water to increase ORP for disinfection, then pathogen control is improved, but system complexity increases due to onsite generation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to generate its own ozone supply through an integrated ozone generator, eliminating the need for external ozone sources or storage tanks. The generator produces ozone on-demand, which is immediately dissolved in water through a fluid mixer. This self-service approach simplifies installation and operation while maintaining reliable pathogen control through consistent ORP levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic and hydraulic principles to efficiently transfer and mix ozone with water. The ozone generator produces ozone gas that is delivered through tubing to a fluid mixer, where it is dissolved in water under controlled pressure and flow conditions. This pneumatic-hydraulic integration enables effective ozone dissolution without complex equipment, maintaining simplicity while achieving reliable disinfection.
3Productivity
If aqueous ozone solution is used for cleaning and degreasing, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but surface tension reduction may affect solution stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the parameter change in surface tension caused by ozone dissolution to enhance cleaning effectiveness. Aqueous ozone solution has reduced surface tension compared to pure water, allowing it to penetrate and lift grease and dirt more effectively. The system controls ozone concentration to optimize the balance between surface tension reduction for cleaning and solution stability for practical application.
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 system provides a safe and effective disinfection method that destroys pathogens quickly while minimizing health risks from disinfection byproducts, offering improved cleaning and degreasing capabilities without the need for harsh chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
The AOS supply unit further includes one or more ozone generators and a fluid mixer disposed within the enclosure. The fluid mixer is fluidically coupled to the one or more ozone generators and configured to inject ozone generated by the one or more ozone generators into water
Implementation Method 2
The ORP of water can be increased by injecting ozone into the water to create an ozone and water solution. This aqueous ozone solution can be used to disinfect/degrease surfaces.
Implementation Method 3
producing an aqueous ozone solution with an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of 600-1000 mV for effective disinfection and pathogen control, reducing surface tension for enhanced cleaning and degreasing
Data Source
AI summary
A transportable system includes a utility cart with an aqueous ozone solution (AOS) supply unit mounted to the utility cart. The utility cart includes a base with wheels, vertical support members extending from the base, and an upper shelf supported by the vertical support members. The AOS supply unit includes an enclosure coupled to the utility cart between the base and the upper shelf, the enclosure including openings for a water inlet and an aqueous ozone solution outlet. The AOS supply unit further includes one or more ozone generators and a fluid mixer disposed within the enclosure. The fluid mixer is fluidically coupled to the one or more ozone generators and configured to inject ozone generated by the one or more ozone generators into water received from a water source via the water inlet to produce an aqueous ozone solution that is output via the aqueous ozone solution outlet.