E×B Desal Probe System Mitigates RO Membrane Scaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reverse osmosis desalination plants face challenges in maintaining high water recovery rates due to mineral scaling and fouling, which reduces membrane performance and shortens membrane life, leading to increased operational costs and limitations in portable water recovery.

Innovation Solution

The Electric field—Magnetic field Desalination Probe System (E×B Desal Probe System) uses a Broadband Electromagnetic Generator and impedance matching circuitry to propagate radio frequency power, targeting scaling ions and changing their morphology from hard to soft scales, reducing precipitation and fouling on RO membranes, and facilitating effective cleaning through osmotic backwashing and feed water flow reversal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the RO permeate recovery level is increased, then the water recovery rate is improved, but the solute concentration at the membrane surface rises and mineral scaling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater recovery rateVSAvoidmineral scaling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical antiscalant treatment with an electromagnetic field-based system. The E×B desal probe generates electric and magnetic fields that interact with scaling ions through the Lorentz force, altering their trajectory and preventing them from reaching and depositing on the membrane surface. This substitutes chemical mechanisms with electromagnetic field mechanisms to control mineral scaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic field acts as an intermediary between the feed water and the RO membrane. By introducing the E×B desal probe into the feed water stream, the system creates an intermediate zone where scaling ions are subjected to electromagnetic forces that modify their behavior before they can interact with the membrane, thereby preventing scaling without direct chemical addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If antiscalant chemical treatment is applied, then mineral scale formation is mitigated, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane performanceVSAvoidoperational costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses inexpensive, readily available components to generate electromagnetic fields - standard electromagnetic coils and power sources that can be easily replaced or adjusted. This replaces expensive, continuously consumed chemical antiscalants with a more economical electromagnetic field generation approach that has lower operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic field system continuously and automatically prevents scaling without requiring external chemical dosing, monitoring, or adjustment. Once the E×B desal probe is installed and activated, it self-regulates the scaling prevention process through the inherent interaction of electromagnetic fields with charged ions, eliminating the need for chemical treatment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the RO membranes are kept clean, then water recovery rate is improved, but the complexity of cleaning operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater recovery rateVSAvoidcleaning operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The E×B desal probe performs preliminary action by preventing scaling formation before it occurs on the membrane surface. By continuously applying electromagnetic fields to the feed water, the system stops scaling ions from reaching the membrane, thereby preventing fouling in advance and eliminating or reducing the need for complex cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful scaling tendency into a beneficial effect by using the electromagnetic interaction to modify ion behavior. The same ions that would normally cause scaling are instead utilized as charged particles that respond to electromagnetic fields, transforming the scaling problem into a controllable electromagnetic phenomenon that protects the membrane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 effectively mitigates mineral scaling, maintaining high membrane performance, extending membrane life, and reducing operational costs by minimizing the use of antiscalant chemicals and improving water recovery rates in desalination plants.

Implementation Method 1

The applied electric and magnetic fields exert a Lorentz type force on the scaling ions in the feed water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

The Broadband Electromagnetic Generator and impedance matching circuitry are operable to propagate radio frequency power through the feed water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11661358B2Systems and methods for desalinating water

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 REVERSE IONIZER SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

Plasma discharges and electromagnetic fields may be applied to a liquid, such as water, for desalinization purposes and to treat unwanted material in the liquid.