Booster Pump System with Crossover Pipe for Pathogen Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional booster pump systems experience pressure losses, leading to unpredictable water flow, stagnation in backflow preventers, and accumulation of pathogens, which can cause contamination and health issues.
Innovation Solution
A combination booster pump system with parallel branch circuits and crossover pipes to ensure balanced flow through multiple backflow preventers, using two or more booster pumps that alternate operation to maintain consistent water flow and prevent pathogen buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple backflow preventers are installed for redundancy, then reliability of water supply is improved, but water flow stagnation occurs in backflow preventers leading to pathogen accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two booster pumps (lead and lag positions) to actively circulate water through both backflow preventers. This dynamic operation prevents stagnant water conditions by ensuring continuous flow through all backflow preventers, thereby eliminating pathogen accumulation while maintaining redundant water supply capability
Solution Approach 2:
The booster pumps operate in periodic cycles, alternating between lead and lag positions. This periodic switching ensures that water flows through both backflow preventers at regular intervals, preventing stagnation and pathogen buildup while maintaining system reliability through redundant backflow preventer configuration
2Reliability
If multiple backflow preventers are installed for redundancy, then protection against water contamination is improved, but water flow becomes unpredictable causing stagnation
Solution Approach 1:
The control system monitors pump operation status and automatically switches between lead and lag pump positions based on operational feedback. This feedback mechanism ensures predictable and consistent water flow through both backflow preventers by actively managing the circulation pattern, preventing stagnation while maintaining redundant contamination protection
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages its own water circulation by switching between pump configurations without external intervention. The booster pumps self-regulate to ensure continuous flow through both backflow preventers, eliminating unpredictable flow patterns and stagnation while maintaining redundant protection capability
3Stress or pressure
If booster pumps operate continuously, then water pressure is maintained, but pump lifespan is reduced due to premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The booster pumps operate in periodic cycles rather than continuously, alternating between lead (active) and lag (standby) positions. This periodic operation reduces cumulative wear on individual pumps by allowing them to rest during lag periods, extending pump lifespan while maintaining continuous water pressure through coordinated switching
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two pump configurations, distributing operational stress across both pumps over time. This dynamic load distribution prevents premature wear of single pumps by ensuring each pump receives alternating periods of operation and rest, thereby extending overall system lifespan while maintaining pressure
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 maintains consistent water flow through all backflow preventers, reducing the risk of pathogen accumulation and contamination, while also extending the lifespan of the pumps by distributing the load and preventing premature wear.
Implementation Method 1
a booster pump system capable of maintaining a consistent water flow through each of the backflow preventers
Implementation Method 2
The first and second water pipe branch circuits are arranged in parallel with each other and each is disposed between the water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe. A crossover branch fluidly couples the first and second branch circuits at a position downstream of the first and second backflow preventers
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of providing domestic water service to a commercial/residential building via a water booster pump assembly are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the water booster pump assembly includes first and second water pipe branch circuits. In some embodiments, each water pipe branch circuit is configured with a backflow preventer and the water pipe branch circuits are fluidly coupled to one another in parallel. In some embodiments, the water pipe branch circuits are further coupled to one another via a crossover branch pipe configured to allow continuous flow through the two backflow preventers. Each water pipe branch circuit may include a pump. The crossover branch allows water to flow through both backflow preventers, even when one pump is inoperative.