Disinfectant Dissolution via Flow Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dissolving soluble disinfectants in solid form in water streams face challenges such as variations in operating conditions, inconsistent concentration, and storage hazards, particularly in misting applications where low flow velocity leads to slow dissolution and potential clogging of nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that modify the flow characteristics of water before it contacts the disinfectant by using a flow modification zone with a flow modifying component, such as a flared conical body, to increase or decrease velocity and direct water radially, ensuring consistent dissolution and preventing clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water stream directly contacts the disinfectant tablet without flow modification, then the dissolution process is simple, but the dissolution rate becomes inconsistent and slow under varying operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The flow modifying component is positioned upstream in the flow path to pre-modify water flow characteristics (velocity, direction, turbulence) before the water contacts the disinfectant tablet. This preliminary action ensures optimal dissolution conditions are established in advance, resolving the contradiction by enhancing dissolution rate without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow modifying component acts as an intermediary element between the water source and the disinfectant tablet. It mediates the interaction by adjusting flow parameters, thereby improving dissolution consistency and rate without directly contacting the disinfectant, thus adding minimal complexity while significantly enhancing performance.
2Duration of action of moving object
If high flow velocity is used to increase dissolution rate, then complete consumption is achieved faster, but nozzle clogging occurs due to insufficient settling time
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into distinct zones: a first zone with high velocity for rapid dissolution, and a second zone with reduced velocity for particle settling. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both fast tablet consumption and reliable nozzle operation by spatially separating the dissolution and settling processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts flow velocity along the flow path, transitioning from high velocity near the tablet to lower velocity toward the nozzle. This dynamic velocity profile enables rapid dissolution initially, then gradually reduces speed to allow particulate matter to settle, preventing nozzle clogging while maintaining short consumption time.
3Manufacturing precision
If axial end surface contact is used for dissolution, then even erosion is achieved, but dissolution efficiency drops under low flow velocity conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the flow path are given different flow characteristics: the region near the tablet maintains directed flow for even erosion, while downstream regions introduce turbulence and reduced velocity for enhanced dissolution efficiency. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by preserving erosion uniformity while boosting overall dissolution rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow modifying component introduces controlled turbulence and rotational flow patterns in the water stream as it passes the tablet. This mechanical agitation enhances mass transfer and dissolution efficiency without compromising the even erosion achieved by axial contact, thereby resolving the productivity-precision contradiction.
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 approach ensures rapid and complete dissolution of disinfectants, maintaining consistent concentration and preventing nozzle clogging, even under varying conditions, and allows for stable storage and use of chlorine-based disinfectants.
Implementation Method 1
artificially modifying one or more flow characteristics of water of the stream of water, for modified impact of water of the stream of water onto the disinfectant
Implementation Method 2
water of the stream of water contacts the disinfectant, thereby dissolving of the disinfectant, thereby forming a disinfectant solution
Data Source
AI summary
A method of dissolving a soluble disinfectant in solid format in a stream of water flowing in flow path, to provide an aqueous disinfectant solution in the flow path, includes directing a stream of water along the flow path toward a disinfectant dissolution zone in a disinfectant dispensing device located in the flow path. In the disinfectant dissolution zone, soluble disinfectant in solid format is located. Water of the stream of water contacts the disinfectant in the dissolution zone and thus dissolves of the disinfectant, thereby forming a disinfectant solution in the flow path in the dispensing device. Prior to water of the stream of water contacting the disinfectant, in a flow modification zone that is in the flow path in the dispensing device at an effective distance upstream of the disinfectant dissolution zone, at constant volumetric flow rate of the stream of water, one or more flow characteristics of water of the stream of water are artificially modified, for modified impact of water of the stream of water onto the disinfectant, by means of a flow modifying component that is located in the flow modification zone.