High Pressure Pump Control for Desalination Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of high-pressure pumps in desalination apparatuses is reduced due to variations in water temperature and salt concentration, leading to unstable discharge pressure and inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A desalination apparatus design that includes a first and second module with reverse osmosis membranes, a high-pressure pump, and additional flow paths for recycling concentrated water to adjust the salt concentration and pressure, utilizing an energy recovery device and flow controllers to maintain optimal operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the high pressure pump operates with fixed discharge pressure settings, then the pump structure is simple, but the pump efficiency decreases when water temperature or salt concentration varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a pressure detector monitors the discharge pressure of the high pressure pump, and a controller adjusts the pump's discharge pressure based on this feedback. When salt concentration or temperature varies, the system automatically adjusts the discharge pressure to maintain optimal pump efficiency, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and efficient operation under varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the discharge pressure of the high pressure pump dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The controller modifies the discharge pressure according to detected salt concentration and temperature conditions, allowing the pump to adapt to varying operating conditions and maintain high efficiency without requiring an overly complex fixed-structure control system.
2Reliability
If the discharge pressure of the high pressure pump is increased to handle high salt concentration water, then the desalination effectiveness is improved, but the pump energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the discharge pressure parameter of the high pressure pump based on detected salt concentration and temperature conditions. When salt concentration is high, the system increases discharge pressure to maintain desalination effectiveness. When salt concentration is low or temperature is high, the system reduces discharge pressure to minimize energy consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between desalination effectiveness and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure detector and controller form a feedback loop that monitors operating conditions and adjusts discharge pressure accordingly. This ensures the pump operates at the minimum necessary pressure to achieve effective desalination under current conditions, preventing excessive energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
3Loss of energy
If the discharge pressure of the high pressure pump is decreased to save energy, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the desalination effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the discharge pressure parameter based on real-time detection of salt concentration and temperature. The controller ensures the discharge pressure is never reduced below the threshold needed for effective desalination, while allowing it to be reduced as much as possible under current conditions to minimize energy consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between energy savings and desalination effectiveness.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the high pressure pump operates at variable discharge pressure to adapt to changing conditions, then the pump efficiency is maintained, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a feedback control system with a pressure detector and controller that automatically adjusts discharge pressure based on monitored conditions. This automated feedback mechanism maintains pump efficiency under varying conditions without requiring complex manual control systems, resolving the contradiction between efficiency maintenance and control system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system monitors its own operating conditions through the pressure detector and automatically adjusts discharge pressure to maintain efficiency. This self-service capability allows the system to adapt to changing conditions without external intervention, maintaining high efficiency while keeping the control system relatively simple through automated decision-making.
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 configuration allows the high-pressure pump to operate at a high-efficient point despite variations in water temperature and salt concentration, ensuring consistent discharge pressure and improved efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first module for separating raw water into first permeate water and first concentrated water by a reverse osmosis membrane
Implementation Method 2
The reverse osmotic pressure is generated by a high pressure pump
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a desalination apparatus in which a high pressure pump can be operated at a high efficient operation point even when temperature, salt concentration or the like of water to be treated vary. The desalination apparatus includes a high pressure pump which is provided in a first flow path and supplies raw water to a first module at high pressure to apply reverse osmotic pressure to a first module and a second module, a third flow path for supplying second concentrated water after separation in the second module to upstream of the high pressure pump in the first flow path, and a fourth flow path for supplying a portion of the first concentrated water after separation in the first module to upstream of the high pressure pump in the first flow path.