Capacitive de-ionization mineral reduction system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid treatment systems for demineralizing water, such as those used in beverage brewing, face challenges in maintaining desired water quality due to varying influent conditions and are susceptible to microbial growth when stored, requiring additional monitoring sensors and mechanical control equipment, and are damaged by residual sanitizers like chlorine.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive deionization (CapDI) system with a conductivity sensor and controller in a closed feedback loop to adjust operations and maintain set point conductivity, combined with a pump and accumulator to manage pressure and storage, and incorporating residual sanitizers to prevent microbial growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If reverse osmosis membranes are used to demineralize water, then dissolved solids are removed from the fluid, but the membranes are damaged by residual sanitizer comprising chlorine and/or chloramine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful chlorine and chloramine sanitizers from the water stream before the water contacts the reverse osmosis membranes. This is achieved through chemical reduction processes that convert the harmful sanitizers into harmless substances, allowing the RO membranes to function without damage while still achieving demineralization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance or process (chemical reducing agent) that mediates between the chlorine-containing water and the RO membranes. This intermediary converts the harmful chlorine into harmless compounds, protecting the membranes while allowing the demineralization process to proceed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sanitizer is removed from fluid prior to passage through reverse osmosis membranes, then membrane damage is prevented, but microbial growth is permitted in stored purified water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selectively extracts only the harmful chlorine and chloramine sanitizers from the water while preserving other beneficial components. The chemical reduction process removes specific harmful substances without eliminating all sanitizing properties, allowing membrane protection while maintaining some level of microbial inhibition in stored water.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different treatment qualities to different aspects of water quality: complete removal of chlorine/chloramine to protect membranes, but preservation of other sanitizing properties to prevent microbial growth. This localized quality approach allows simultaneous achievement of membrane protection and microbial control.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional fluid treatment systems continuously maintain desired conductivity set point while untreated influent water conditions vary, then water quality is maintained, but expensive mechanical control equipment or manual adjustment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the fluid treatment system to automatically self-regulate and maintain desired conductivity levels without requiring expensive mechanical control equipment or manual adjustment. The system uses sensors and control algorithms to continuously monitor water quality and automatically adjust treatment parameters, making the system self-sufficient in maintaining water quality despite varying influent conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where sensors continuously monitor the conductivity of treated water and feed this information back to the control system. The controller automatically adjusts treatment parameters based on this feedback, maintaining the desired conductivity set point without requiring complex mechanical equipment or manual intervention.
4Measurement precision
If additional monitoring sensors are required for reverse osmosis system to provide information to user, then total dissolved solids removed can be monitored, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sensors and monitoring devices that serve multiple functions: they monitor total dissolved solids, track conductivity changes, provide feedback for control adjustments, and inform users about water quality. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each measurement, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
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 efficiently maintains desired water quality by automatically adjusting to varying conditions, reduces microbial growth through residual sanitizers, and operates with minimal power and water consumption, addressing the limitations of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive deionization (CapDI) system for removing dissolved solids from a fluid passing therethrough
Implementation Method 2
capacitive deionization (CapDI) system configured to remove dissolved solids from a fluid passing therethrough
Implementation Method 3
a conductivity sensor positioned downstream of the CapDI system for measuring conductivity of the fluid after passing through the CapDI system
Implementation Method 4
a pump fluidly connected to and provided upstream of the CapDI system, such that during the waste cycle, the fluid treatment system is maintained at a line pressure corresponding to pressure of the fluid upstream of the pump
Implementation Method 5
an accumulator fluidly connected to and provided downstream of the CapDI system to maintain purified fluid at a pressure greater than the line pressure and intermittently deliver purified fluid to the use device
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid treatment system is provided, comprising a capacitive deionization (CapDI) system for removing dissolved solids from a fluid. A controller is arranged in a closed feedback loop with the CapDI system to verify whether measured conductivity of the fluid corresponds to a set point conductivity value, and if the measured conductivity of the fluid does not correspond to the set point conductivity value, adjust the operation of the CapDI system to match the set point conductivity value. A pump selectively pressurizes the fluid such that purified fluid is at a pressure greater than line pressure of the fluid treatment system. An accumulator provided downstream of the CapDI system maintains the purified fluid at a pressure greater than the line pressure and intermittently delivers purified fluid to a use device. The purified fluid stored in the accumulator comprising chlorine and or chloramine so as to reduce microbial growth when stored in the accumulator.