Composite Water Purification Apparatus with Sacrificial Anode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional water treatment methods involve separate containers for photocatalyst and electrolytic purification units, limiting the degradation process to once and reducing the effectiveness of strong oxidants due to recombination of separated charges in the photocatalyst unit without a power supply.
Innovation Solution
A composite water purification apparatus and method where a sacrificial anode, photocatalyst anode, and cathode are immersed in the same container, enabling multiple degradation stages and maintaining strong oxidant production through electrical coupling and photocatalytic reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the photocatalyst purification unit and electrolytic purification unit are placed in separate containers, then each unit can operate independently, but the liquid can only be degraded once and purification efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the photocatalyst purification unit and electrolytic purification unit into a single container, allowing the liquid to undergo multiple degradation stages (photocatalytic degradation followed by electrolytic degradation) in sequence. This merging enables enhanced purification efficiency while maintaining operational independence through separate electrode assemblies within the same container.
2Quantity of substance
If the photocatalyst is not electrically coupled to a power supply, then the structure is simpler, but the strong oxidants and excited electrons recombine, significantly reducing the amount of strong oxidants produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional electrical power supply coupling with a chemical coupling mechanism. The photocatalyst is chemically coupled to the sacrificial anode through the liquid medium, enabling electron transfer without direct electrical connection. This substitution maintains simple structure while preventing recombination and enhancing strong oxidant production through the sacrificial anode's electron donation.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the sacrificial anode is used continuously, then purification continues, but the sacrificial anode consumes energy and its life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recovery mechanism where the cathode reduces higher oxidation state ions back to lower oxidation state, allowing the sacrificial anode to be regenerated. This discarding and recovering cycle extends the service life of the sacrificial anode and reduces energy consumption by reusing the reduced ions in subsequent purification cycles.
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
Enhances water purification by allowing multiple degradation stages and prolongs the life of the sacrificial anode by reducing higher oxidation state ions back to lower oxidation state at the cathode, improving overall purification efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one photocatalyst anode including a photocatalyst for conducting a photocatalytic reaction to purify the liquid
Implementation Method 2
the cathode produces hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by using the liquid and the gas
Implementation Method 3
interacting sacrificial ions in a lower oxidation state with hydrogen peroxide to form sacrificial ions in a higher oxidation state, a strong oxidizing agent (.OH), and hydroxide ions (OH−), the strong oxidizing agent purifying the liquid
Implementation Method 4
the present invention allows the sacrificial ions in a higher oxidation state to be reduced back to a lower oxidation state at the cathode, thus prolonging the life of the sacrificial anode
Data Source
AI summary
A composite water purification apparatus and method thereof are provided. The composite water purification apparatus includes a container, a sacrificial anode, a photocatalyst anode and a cathode. The container is employed for receiving liquid including water and gas. The photocatalyst anode includes a photocatalyst for conducting a photocatalytic reaction. The cathode is electrolyzed with the sacrificial anode and the photocatalyst anode. The cathode, the sacrificial anode, and the photocatalyst anode are immersed in the container to contact the liquid. The present invention enhances the purity of the water, while prolonging the service life of the sacrificial anode.