Drinking Water Treatment Control for Temperature-Triggered Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for drinking water treatment plants fail to account for rising water temperatures from the public supply network and high ambient temperatures, leading to potential microbial contamination and quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A control device with temperature sensors that initiate cleaning modes to maintain water quality by disinfection or flushing when water temperatures exceed specified limits, adjusting parameters based on detected temperatures and stagnation conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the water treatment system operates continuously without cleaning modes, then productivity is improved, but microbial contamination increases due to rising water temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically initiates cleaning modes at predetermined time intervals or after a specified volume of water has been treated. This periodic cleaning action prevents microbial proliferation while minimizing disruption to continuous operation, resolving the contradiction between productivity and contamination prevention
2Reliability
If cleaning modes are initiated frequently to prevent contamination, then water quality is improved, but productivity decreases due to treatment interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The control device monitors operating parameters such as treatment volume and time intervals, and automatically initiates cleaning modes when predetermined criteria are met. This feedback-based approach ensures cleaning occurs only when necessary to maintain water quality, minimizing unnecessary interruptions to productivity
3Reliability
If temperature monitoring is implemented to detect rising water temperatures, then water quality control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device uses readily available operating parameters such as treatment volume and time intervals to determine when cleaning is necessary, rather than requiring complex continuous temperature monitoring. This self-service approach maintains water quality control while avoiding unnecessary increases in device complexity
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
Ensures high-quality drinking water by preventing microbial proliferation and maintaining water quality under elevated temperatures and stagnation, adhering to DIN and DVGW standards.
Implementation Method 1
A control device with temperature sensors that initiate cleaning modes to maintain water quality
Implementation Method 2
initiate the cleaning mode determined by a predetermined cleaning parameter... Disinfection or flushing when water temperatures exceed specified limits
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a control device (S) for controlling a drinking water treatment plant (1) with a water treatment device (2), an inlet (3) for introducing water into the water treatment device (2) and an outlet (4) for discharging treated water from the drinking water treatment plant (1), wherein the drinking water treatment plant (1) can be operated in a water treatment mode and a cleaning mode and wherein the control device (S) is set up for a regular initiation of the cleaning mode determined by a predetermined cleaning parameter.The invention achieves the object of providing a control device configured to provide high-quality drinking water even at higher temperatures of the provided water or high ambient temperatures in that the drinking water treatment system (1) has a temperature sensor (5, 6) for detecting the water temperature upstream of or in the water treatment device (2), and the control device (S) is configured to change the cleaning parameter or immediately initiate the cleaning mode if the detected water temperature exceeds a specified limit temperature. Furthermore, a method for controlling a drinking water treatment system is the subject of the invention.