Ballast Water Treatment Back-Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ballast water treatment systems face challenges in maintaining back-pressure during filter washing operations, leading to inefficient washing and potential contamination, especially in ships where spatial restrictions and low water head complicate the formation of necessary back-pressure.
Innovation Solution
A ballast water treatment system with a back-pressure formation unit that includes a pressure sensor, first and second control valves, and an automatic washing unit to check and form back-pressure in the filtering unit during washing operations, ensuring smooth washing and integrating ultraviolet treatment to prevent secondary contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional filtering system is used without back-pressure formation, then the system structure is simple, but the back washing operation cannot be performed smoothly and filter cleaning efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering unit is divided into distinct functional sections: a filtering section with the filter element for normal operation, and a separate back washing section with washing nozzles for cleaning. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function and enables efficient back washing without compromising the simplicity of the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The back washing operation uses reverse flow through the filter element. During back washing, water flows in the opposite direction through the filter, carrying away accumulated debris. This inversion of flow direction enables effective cleaning without requiring complex disassembly or manual intervention.
2Reliability
If the filter is washed frequently to maintain performance, then the filtering efficiency is maintained, but the loss of time for washing operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates an automatic control mechanism that monitors filter performance and initiates back washing operations autonomously. The control unit detects when the filter requires cleaning and activates the back washing section, eliminating the need for manual intervention and minimizing time loss while maintaining consistent filtering performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The back washing operation is designed to be quick and efficient, minimizing the interruption to normal filtering operations. The system maintains continuous operation by rapidly switching between filtering and back washing modes, ensuring that the filter remains effective with minimal downtime.
3Productivity
If manual washing of the filter is used, then the device complexity is low, but the washing efficiency and uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical washing with an automated hydraulic back washing mechanism. Water under pressure is directed through washing nozzles that automatically clean the filter element, eliminating the need for manual labor while providing uniform and thorough cleaning across the entire filter surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The back washing section acts as an intermediary mechanism between the water supply and the filter element. It uses strategically positioned washing nozzles to deliver water precisely where needed on the filter, ensuring uniform cleaning without requiring direct manual contact or complex mechanical disassembly.
4Ease of operation
If back-pressure is not formed during back washing, then the system operation is simple, but the back washing operation cannot be performed smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts flow conditions during back washing to maintain optimal back-pressure. The control unit monitors and regulates water flow rates and pressures, adapting conditions in real-time to ensure smooth operation of the back washing process while preventing excessive pressure that could damage components.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor back-pressure levels during back washing operations. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts water flow and pressure to maintain optimal conditions for smooth back washing, ensuring consistent performance without requiring complex manual intervention.
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 enables efficient back washing and maintains uniform performance by controlling back-pressure and flow rates, preventing contamination and ensuring effective treatment of ballast water while allowing for automatic maintenance of both filtering and ultraviolet units.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor for checking back-pressure in the body
Implementation Method 2
an ultraviolet lamp radiating ultraviolet rays to the ballast water
Implementation Method 3
a wiper attached to an outer circumference of the sleeve... removing foreign substances from the sleeve
Implementation Method 4
a second control valve provided on the duct in which ballast water treated by the ultraviolet treatment unit flows, and controlling a flow rate of the ballast water flowing in the duct
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a ballast water treatment system having a back-pressure formation unit and a control method thereof. Back pressure in a filtering unit is checked and formed during a back washing operation for a filter of a filtering unit, thus enabling efficient back washing operation. Both a method of physically filtering ballast water using the filter and a method of sterilizing ballast water using ultraviolet rays are used to treat ballast water, thus preventing secondary contamination due to byproducts, and preventing the contamination of a ballast tank. A flow rate of ballast water introduced into an ultraviolet treatment unit is controlled such that the efficiency of the ultraviolet treatment unit is not reduced, while back pressure is formed in the filtering unit, thus increasing the overall treatment efficiency of the ballast water treatment system. Further, the filtering unit or the ultraviolet treatment unit may be automatically washed.