Covered Bath Water Treatment for Volatile Compound Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating water in covered bathing establishments fail to effectively reduce the levels of volatile compounds like trichloramine and trihalomethanes, leading to atmospheric contamination and health issues for users and staff, with existing techniques only achieving partial reductions and requiring significant modifications or energy-intensive equipment.

Innovation Solution

A process involving heating and spraying water from a buffer zone into an enclosure with controlled pressure, followed by air extraction and filtration, which significantly reduces the concentration of volatile compounds, including trichloramine and trihalomethanes, by volatilizing and removing them from the water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional water treatment methods (buffer tank with filtration and disinfectant injection) are used, then water sanitation is achieved, but volatile compounds (trichloramine and trihalomethanes) are not effectively reduced, causing atmospheric contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatmospheric contamination by volatile compoundsVSAvoidreduction efficiency of volatile compounds
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes phase transition from liquid to gas (volatilization) to remove volatile compounds from water. By heating the water and spraying it into an enclosure with controlled pressure, the volatile compounds (trichloramine and trihalomethanes) transition from dissolved state in liquid phase to gas phase, where they can be extracted and removed from the system, achieving 85-97% reduction in trichloramine and 70% reduction in trihalomethanes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes physical parameters (temperature and pressure) to enhance the removal of volatile compounds. Water is heated to elevated temperatures and sprayed into an enclosure with controlled pressure conditions, which alters the volatility and mass transfer characteristics of the compounds, significantly improving their removal efficiency from the water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If stripping towers are used to reduce volatile compounds, then compound reduction is achieved, but the equipment becomes bulky and energy-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereduction of trichloramine and trihalomethanesVSAvoidequipment size and energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the water flow by directing only a portion of the basin water through the treatment system (spraying heated water into the enclosure), while the remaining water stays in the basin. This partial treatment approach achieves effective volatile compound reduction without requiring treatment of the entire water volume, thereby reducing equipment size and energy consumption compared to conventional stripping towers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary enclosure with controlled pressure conditions as a medium between the water source and the final discharge. This enclosure acts as a transfer chamber where volatile compounds are efficiently removed through phase transition, replacing the need for large, energy-intensive stripping towers while achieving comparable or superior removal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If air bubbles are injected into buffer zone to emit volatile compounds, then some reduction is achieved, but powerful and bulky pumps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolatile compound emissionVSAvoidpump power requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical bubble injection system (requiring powerful pumps) with a thermal and pressure-based spray system. Instead of forcing air bubbles through water mechanically, the system heats water and sprays it into a controlled-pressure enclosure, allowing volatile compounds to naturally volatilize and be extracted, thereby eliminating the need for high-power pumping equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 achieves a reduction of 85-97% in trichloramine and associated chloramines, and 70% in trihalomethanes, effectively minimizing atmospheric pollution and discomfort in covered bathing establishments without requiring substantial modifications to existing water intake circuits or energy-intensive equipment.

Implementation Method 1

heating to a temperature T, between 28° C. and 50° C., a portion of water extracted from said buffer zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

spraying said heated water inside an enclosure within which a pressure P is maintained, the value of which is between 1 mbar and 1 bar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVolatilization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a step of continuously extracting the air contained in said enclosure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir extraction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2203389B1Method of treating the basin water of a covered bath establishment, and corresponding facility
Publication Date: 2017.05.03 ECOLE DES HAUTES ETUD & SANTE PUBLIQUE EHESP
  • EP2203389B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2203389B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2203389B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of treating the basin water (51) of a covered bath establishment, for abatement of the volatile compounds contained therein, said method comprising: a step of injecting at least a portion of said water from said basin (51) into a buffer zone (52); a step of conveying said water from said buffer zone (52) to a filtration zone (53); and a step of injecting the filtered water into said basin (51). According to the invention, such a method includes: a heating step (54), in which a portion of water extracted from said buffer zone (52) is heated to a temperature T between 28°C and 50°C; a spraying step (60), in which said heated water is sprayed into a chamber (55) within which a pressure P is maintained, said pressure being between 1 mbar and 1 bar; - a continuous extraction step for extracting the air contained in said chamber (55); and an injection step, for injecting the water coming from said chamber (55) upstream of said filtration zone (53).