Pressure Exchange Chamber Flowmeter for Desalination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In seawater desalination systems with energy recovery devices lacking pistons, accurate flow measurement is challenging due to corrosion risks, high costs associated with increased processing flow rates, and complex piping designs, which affect the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the desalination process.
Innovation Solution
A pressure exchange chamber with flow resistors and a single flowmeter is used to measure the flow rates of both supply and discharge, eliminating the need for separate high-pressure and low-pressure flowmeters, and allowing for compact design and accurate flow regulation without the need for extensive piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate high-pressure and low-pressure flowmeters are used to measure supply and discharge flow rates, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the measurement functions for both high-pressure supply flow and low-pressure discharge flow into a single flowmeter device. The flowmeter is positioned to measure the flow rate of seawater passing through the pressure exchange chamber, and by measuring the same fluid at different points in the pressure exchange process, it eliminates the need for separate flowmeters while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The single flowmeter serves multiple functions: it measures both the supply flow rate and discharge flow rate of seawater through the pressure exchange chamber. This multi-functional approach allows one device to perform what traditionally required two separate devices, reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If flowmeters are placed in high-pressure lines for accurate measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but corrosion risk and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the pressure exchange chamber itself as an intermediary structure that allows flow measurement without direct exposure to corrosive high-pressure seawater. The flowmeter measures flow through the chamber in a controlled manner, and the chamber design protects the measurement system from direct corrosion while enabling accurate flow rate detection.
3Measurement precision
If extensive piping and multiple flowmeters are used for flow measurement, then measurement completeness is improved, but system complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measurement of supply and discharge flows into a single measurement point within the pressure exchange chamber. This eliminates the need for extensive piping connections to multiple flowmeters, reducing installation space and system complexity while maintaining complete flow measurement capability.
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 solution reduces corrosion risks, minimizes cost increases associated with higher processing flow rates, and simplifies the system design, enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the seawater desalination process by allowing for precise flow control and measurement with a single flowmeter.
Implementation Method 1
pressure energy possessed by the high-pressure concentrated seawater with the high salt content which has been discharged from the reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus is utilized for pressurizing part of the seawater
Implementation Method 2
seawater passes through a reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus to remove salinity from the seawater
Implementation Method 3
Part of the high-pressure seawater in the reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus passes through a reverse-osmosis membrane against the osmotic pressure and is desalinated
Data Source
AI summary
An energy recovery device is provided in a seawater desalination system for desalinating seawater by removing salinity from the seawater. A pressure exchange chamber for pressurizing seawater by a pressure of concentrated seawater discharged from a reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus includes a first supply and discharge port connected to a switching valve for performing supply and discharge of liquid, a second supply and discharge port connected to a directional control valve for performing supply and discharge of liquid, a flow resistor provided at the first supply and discharge port side in the chamber and configured to regulate the flow, and a flow resistor provided at the second supply and discharge port side in the chamber and configured to regulate the flow, and a flowmeter provided between the two flow resistors and configured to measure a flow rate of the liquid in the chamber.