Chlorine Dosing via Total-Free Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industry recommendations for maintaining recreational water bodies, such as pools and hot tubs, are inadequate as they rely on the difference between total and free chlorine levels, ignoring potential synergistic chemical combinations like hydantoin, which can lead to incorrect shocking or chlorination practices and adverse health effects due to over-chlorination.
Innovation Solution
A comparative method that measures total and free chlorine levels in recreational water bodies to determine when to add chlorine or shock the water, taking into account the presence of hydantoin, allowing for adjusted chlorine levels that are at least 50% lower than conventional recommendations, thereby avoiding over-chlorination and its associated health issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If industry recommendations based on the difference between total and free chlorine levels are followed, then water sanitation is maintained, but over-chlorination occurs leading to adverse health effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter basis for chlorine dosing from the difference between total and free chlorine (combined chlorine) to a direct comparison of total chlorine versus free chlorine levels. This parameter change allows for more accurate determination of actual chlorine needs, preventing over-chlorination while maintaining effective sanitation. The method compares measured total chlorine and free chlorine levels to determine if shock treatment is needed, rather than relying on the traditional combined chlorine threshold approach.
2Reliability
If conventional shocking protocols are applied, then chloramines are removed, but unnecessary high chlorine levels are created when synergist chemicals are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously comparing total chlorine and free chlorine levels to determine when shock treatment is actually needed. Rather than following fixed scheduling or combined chlorine thresholds, the system uses real-time measurement and comparison of chlorine parameters to trigger shock treatment only when necessary. This feedback approach prevents unnecessary chlorine application while ensuring chloramines are removed when present, optimizing chlorine dosage based on actual water conditions.
3Ease of operation
If one size fits all industry guidelines are used, then simplicity is maintained, but accuracy in determining chlorine needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the chlorine maintenance process into distinct measurement and comparison steps: measuring total chlorine, measuring free chlorine, comparing the two values, and determining shock needs based on the comparison. This segmentation transforms a complex chemical analysis problem into a series of simple, sequential operations that maintain ease of use while significantly improving accuracy. The method breaks down the decision-making process into manageable steps that can be followed by pool owners without requiring deep chemical expertise.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of maintaining a body of water in a usable condition through a comparative measurements of total chlorine and free chlorine in the body of water to determine if a synergistic chemical combination exists within the body of water that can effect the amount of chlorine to add to the body of water.