Capillary Filter Segmentation for Compact Water Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water filtration systems are often large, bulky, and ineffective in removing bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms, posing safety risks for drinking water, especially in commercial and industrial settings, and struggle to meet stringent environmental discharge standards.
Innovation Solution
A capillary membrane-based filtration system with a backflushing mechanism, utilizing computer automation and UV/ozone sterilization, which includes multiple capillary filters connected in parallel for efficient filtration and sterilization, ensuring the removal of bacteria, viruses, and particles, and allowing for easy maintenance and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional filtration systems are used, then water filtration is provided, but the systems are extremely large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the filtration function into multiple capillary filter elements connected in parallel, each contributing to the overall filtration capacity. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high reliability through multiple filtration pathways while keeping individual components compact and manageable in size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs capillary membranes with specific porous structures that provide high filtration efficiency for bacteria and viruses. These porous capillary materials deliver effective pathogen removal in a compact form factor, resolving the contradiction between small size and high reliability.
2Reliability
If conventional filtration systems are used, then water filtration is provided, but they do not provide safety from bacteria and viruses in drinking water
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple identical capillary filter elements connected in parallel, which simplifies the overall structure while enhancing reliability. Each filter element is a simple, replicable unit, making the system both reliable and structurally straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary filter elements serve multiple functions: filtration of bacteria and viruses, and capability for backflushing to maintain performance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional complex components, achieving high reliability without increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If multiple capillary filters are used in parallel, then filtration efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the filtration capacity across multiple parallel filter elements, improving productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized connections and valve arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The backflushing operation uses periodic reversal of flow direction through the capillary filters. This periodic action allows cleaning of multiple filters in sequence using the same valve infrastructure, improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
4Ease of repair
If backflushing is implemented, then filter maintenance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backflushing system is segmented into modular valve groups that can independently control different filter elements. This segmentation allows for simplified maintenance procedures where individual filters can be backflushed without affecting the entire system, improving ease of repair while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The backflushing mechanism enables the filtration system to clean its own filters using the existing water flow and valve infrastructure. This self-service capability improves ease of repair by eliminating the need for external cleaning equipment or complex disassembly procedures.
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 effectively produces high-quality drinking water by physically filtering out bacteria, viruses, and particles, enhancing safety and reliability, while being compact and scalable for various applications, including industrial and domestic use.
Implementation Method 1
a first capillary filter having a first port at first capillary end and a second port at a second capillary end
Implementation Method 2
Embodiments of the invention comprise a system which physically filters bacteria, viruses, particles, and molecules from water, or other liquids or media
Implementation Method 3
a containment line for discharging backflush water
Data Source
AI summary
A water or liquid substance filtration device is disclosed which removes microorganisms and organic contamination and sterilizes the containers and water lines after the unit. The unit is portable, or can be mounted stationary. The unit has a five-stage filtration and sterilization system controlled by an independent onboard computer system that can link to a central computer system to keep track of all independent units. The unit will physically filter out of the water contaminants that can be reused, destroyed, or flushed down a safe drain. It can also be modified to filter for a certain size of particulate, making recovery of certain substances possible. The unit has a self-diagnostic system that can determine if the unit is operating properly and can shut down a part thereof if one of the capillary units fails. The unit uses ozone to disinfect containers and water lines.