Asynchronous Chlorine Dioxide Dosing for Microbial Adaptation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling biological fouling in industrial water systems, particularly those using oxidizing biocides, are ineffective in waters with high chlorine demand and can lead to microbial adaptation, necessitating new approaches to prevent bacterial growth and maintain system efficiency and safety.
Innovation Solution
A method involving asynchronous feeding of acid and chlorate salt into a diluent stream or tank to create a fluctuating chlorine dioxide concentration, which is then injected into process water, utilizing a 'slug dose' strategy and potentially including hydrogen peroxide, to effectively kill organisms and prevent adaptation, while avoiding 'runaway' reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional oxidizing biocides are used to control biological fouling, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but microbial adaptation occurs and system reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pulse dosing of chlorine dioxide instead of continuous dosing, creating fluctuating concentration cycles that prevent microbial adaptation while maintaining disinfection effectiveness. The pulse generator creates periodic spikes in biocide concentration that disrupt biofilm formation and kill adapted organisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements dynamic concentration control where the chlorine dioxide concentration varies over time rather than remaining constant. This dynamic approach, through automated pulse dosing based on flow rate and contact time calculations, prevents microbes from adapting to a steady-state biocide level.
2Reliability
If high doses of biocides are applied to kill microorganisms, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but harmful side effects increase due to chemical accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
Periodic pulse dosing delivers high biocide concentrations in short bursts followed by lower concentration periods, achieving effective disinfection while allowing chemical levels to回落 between pulses, preventing harmful accumulation in the water system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies excessive biocide dosage temporarily during pulse events to ensure complete microbial kill, then reduces dosage during inter-pulse periods, achieving effective disinfection with lower overall chemical accumulation than continuous high-dose application.
3Reliability
If continuous biocide dosing is used to maintain disinfection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to constant monitoring and adjustment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses flow rate sensors and automated calculations to self-determine appropriate pulse dosing parameters based on real-time water flow conditions, eliminating the need for complex continuous monitoring and manual adjustment mechanisms while maintaining reliable disinfection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates flow rate sensing and automated feedback control where the pulse dosing frequency and magnitude are automatically adjusted based on measured water flow characteristics, simplifying the control system compared to continuous dosing while maintaining effective disinfection.
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 provides a dynamic chlorine dioxide concentration that effectively kills microorganisms and creates an environment resistant to bacterial growth, enhancing system efficiency and safety by preventing microbial adaptation and maintaining a stable operational state.
Implementation Method 1
The reaction of the alkali salts of chlorite and chlorate and acid produces chlorine dioxide in-situ in the water of the industrial water system
Implementation Method 2
The chlorine dioxide kills microorganisms
Implementation Method 3
a water flow-proportional, fluid proportioning device having three or more fluid transferring devices
Data Source
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AI summary
The methods disclosed generally relate to treatment of process water using chlorine dioxide. Specifically, reactants may be fed asynchronously into a diluent line or a tank where the reactants may mix and react to form chlorine dioxide. The chlorine dioxide levels may fluctuate in the diluent line or the tank thereby inhibiting or reducing the growth of microbes.