Coordinated Flushing Control for Drinking Water Riser Turbulence
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Large drinking water installations, including risers and distribution pipes, face stagnation issues leading to bacterial growth, particularly Legionella, due to insufficient water movement, which conventional flushing stations fail to address effectively in wider pipes.
Innovation Solution
A system with measuring devices in flushing stations connected to a central control unit that evaluates data on temperature changes and throughflow to determine which pipes need simultaneous flushing, promoting turbulent flow and ensuring reliable flushing of both branch and distribution pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single flushing station is actuated to flush branch pipes, then branch pipe flushing is achieved, but riser or distribution pipe flushing is insufficient due to laminar flow
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple flushing station operations into a coordinated group flushing operation. The control unit receives signals from multiple flushing stations and combines their effects to generate sufficient flow velocity in the riser or distribution pipe, transforming laminar flow into turbulent flow for effective flushing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple flushing station signals to trigger centralized control. When a predetermined number of flushing stations are actuated, the control unit detects this through signal aggregation and automatically initiates the group flushing operation, eliminating the need for manual coordination.
2Reliability
If multiple flushing stations are flushed simultaneously to achieve turbulent flow in risers, then reliable flushing is achieved, but water pressure drops and disturbs building users
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment by monitoring flushing station signals before initiating group flushing. The control unit evaluates the cumulative signal from multiple stations and only triggers the flushing operation when the predetermined threshold is met, ensuring turbulent flow is achieved while minimizing unnecessary operations that would disturb users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from individual station flushing to coordinated group flushing. By adjusting the number of simultaneously operating flushing stations, the system optimizes the flow velocity in risers to achieve turbulent flow while controlling the overall water pressure impact on the building's water supply system.
3Reliability
If flushing operations are performed frequently to prevent bacterial growth, then water quality is improved, but energy and water consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service flushing by allowing occupants to trigger flushing operations through normal toilet flushing actions. When multiple stations are actuated, the system automatically responds with group flushing, eliminating the need for dedicated energy-consuming flushing systems while maintaining water quality through on-demand operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic flushing based on actual usage patterns rather than continuous operation. By monitoring flushing station signals over time and triggering group flushing operations only when predetermined conditions are met, the system ensures water quality improvement while minimizing unnecessary energy and water consumption associated with frequent flushing.
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 reduces bacterial load in drinking water installations by ensuring turbulent flow in distribution pipes, adhering to health and safety regulations without requiring additional fixtures, and minimizing disruption to building users.
Implementation Method 1
The flushing stations have measuring devices for the temperature change in the branch pipe or the throughflow through the branch pipe
Implementation Method 2
the flow-rate of water in the riser or distribution pipe becomes high enough to become turbulent. This turbulent flow promotes reliable flushing of the riser or distribution pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for flushing a drinking water installation, comprises at least one riser or distribution pipe, branch pipes connected to the riser or distribution pipe, as well as consumer devices and flushing stations connected to the branch pipes. The flushing stations have measuring devices for the temperature change in the branch pipe or the throughflow through the branch pipe, and/or measuring devices for the temperature change or the throughflow. The system includes and the method uses a control unit which is connected to the measuring devices by means of data cables or by radio. The control unit has an evaluation module for the data transmitted by the measuring devices, and the evaluation module is set up to determine, on the basis of the transmitted data, which flushing stations need to be flushed simultaneously in order for the riser or distribution pipe to be flushed.