Disinfectant Supply Control for Reverse Osmosis Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reverse osmosis systems face challenges in ensuring safety and efficiency during disinfection processes, particularly in medical applications, where manual intervention is required due to the risk of uncontrolled disinfectant supply and potential biofilm formation, which complicates automated disinfection.
Innovation Solution
An automated disinfection system is implemented, where a disinfectant is supplied through a controlled device connected between the concentrate return line and the feed tank, utilizing a pump and level sensors to ensure safe and controlled distribution, preventing unintentional disinfectant entry and allowing for monitoring and alarm triggering, with a rinsing mechanism to minimize residual disinfectant concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual disinfection procedures are used to ensure safety, then disinfectant supply safety is improved, but operational complexity and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors its own operation through level sensors that detect when disinfectant levels are low and trigger appropriate responses. The control unit automatically manages the disinfection process, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining safety through automated self-monitoring and self-correction mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Level sensors continuously monitor the disinfectant level in the storage tank and provide feedback to the control unit. When the level drops below a threshold, the system receives feedback signals and automatically activates the pump to replenish disinfectant, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains safety without manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If automated disinfection is implemented to reduce manual labor, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of uncontrolled disinfectant supply increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the level sensors and control logic to detect and respond to low disinfectant levels before uncontrolled supply can occur. The control unit is pre-programmed with safety protocols that automatically activate when specific conditions are met, preventing potential hazards before they arise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates safety margins and buffer zones in its design. Level sensors are positioned to trigger replenishment actions before the disinfectant level becomes critically low, providing a cushion of safety time. The control unit maintains reserved disinfectant levels as a buffer to prevent uncontrolled supply conditions.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring is added to prevent uncontrolled disinfectant entry, then disinfectant supply safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses level sensors that detect disinfectant levels through hydraulic principles, monitoring the physical level of liquid in the storage tank. This hydraulic-based detection method provides reliable continuous monitoring without requiring complex electronic or mechanical intervention systems, maintaining simplicity while ensuring safety.
4Reliability
If manual disconnection and monitoring procedures are required, then disinfectant supply safety is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-correction through automated level detection and control. The control unit automatically manages the disinfection process without requiring manual disconnection or monitoring, maintaining safety while significantly improving productivity by eliminating time-consuming manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Continuous feedback from level sensors enables the system to automatically adjust its operation, triggering replenishment actions when needed. This closed-loop control eliminates the need for manual monitoring cycles, allowing the disinfection process to proceed continuously and efficiently while maintaining safety through automated oversight.
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 enhances safety and enables largely automated disinfection of reverse osmosis systems, preventing disinfectant leakage and ensuring consistent water quality by controlling disinfectant supply and distribution, reducing manual labor and operational risks.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (30), the suction connection of which is connected via the pump valve (31) and the line (32) to the upper part of a suction chamber (33)... By switching on the pump 30, the air is sucked out of the suction chamber, and the resulting negative pressure causes disinfectant to flow out of the reservoir 35
Implementation Method 2
There is a level sensor 37 on the suction chamber 33, which provides information about whether the liquid level in the suction chamber falls below or exceeds a certain level
Implementation Method 3
their functional principle is that the water to be treated is guided under high pressure in a filter module along the surface of a semi-permeable membrane, with part of the water, the so-called permeate, passing through the membrane
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The device for disinfecting reverse osmosis plant for the production of pure, germ-free water from tap water for medical and food-technical applications, comprises a water-jet pump (30), a suction chamber (33), a storage container and a shut off-valve (31). The water-jet pump promotes chemical disinfectants obtained from an atmospherically ventilated storage container via suction line into the suction system of reverse osmosis plant. The suction chamber is equipped with a level sensor (37). The device for disinfecting reverse osmosis plant for the production of pure, germ-free water from tap water for medical and food-technical applications, comprises a water-jet pump (30), a suction chamber (33), a storage container and a shut off-valve (31). The water-jet pump promotes chemical disinfectants obtained from an atmospherically ventilated storage container via suction line into the suction system of reverse osmosis plant. The suction chamber is equipped with a level sensor (37). The suction chamber is inserted into the suction line that has an upper connection to the pump, a lower connection to the storage container and a ventilation line. The ventilation line is provided with a shutoff valve, which is opened in the operating condition of the disinfectant supply and closed during the remaining operating conditions of the reverse osmosis plant. The level sensor is connected with a control device, which releases an alarm signal and/or which switches off the reverse osmosis plant, when the level sensor detects an ascending of disinfectant into the suction chamber during the remaining operating conditions. The control device releases furthermore an alarm signal, when the level sensor detects the supply of disinfectant during the operating condition. The level of the disinfectant does not reach the position of the level sensor or declines under this position. The shutoff valve is arranged between the water-jet pump and the suction chamber. The pump and the valve are connected with the control device. The pump is switched on into the concentrate-recirculating line (27a, 27b).