Filter Backwash Control System for Water Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Water treatment plants face significant water wastage and increased operational costs due to excessive backwash water usage during filter backwash processes, which reduces plant efficiency and productivity.

Innovation Solution

A control system that utilizes filter media bed expansion and backwash turbidity data to optimize the backwash process by adjusting the backwash supply flow rate and terminating the backwash when predetermined turbidity levels are reached, employing variable output signals to control valves and pumps, and integrating with DCS, PLC, or SCADA systems for efficient water management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional filter backwash processes are used, then filter media is cleaned effectively, but excessive water is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidbackwash water waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors backwash turbidity and uses this feedback to automatically terminate the backwash process when predetermined turbidity levels are reached, preventing excessive water usage while ensuring effective filter cleaning. The control system adjusts backwash flow rate based on real-time turbidity measurements from sensors in the backwash water collection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the backwash flow rate parameter based on monitored turbidity levels and media bed expansion, optimizing water usage by reducing flow rate as cleaning effectiveness diminishes, thereby minimizing water waste while maintaining adequate filter media cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If backwash process is extended to ensure thorough cleaning, then filter performance is restored, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter performance restorationVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses real-time feedback from turbidity sensors and media level sensors to determine when the backwash process has achieved sufficient cleaning effectiveness, allowing premature termination of the backwash cycle to reduce water consumption while ensuring filter performance restoration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces traditional time-based or fixed-flow backwash control with an automated control system that uses sensor feedback (turbidity and level sensors) to dynamically adjust and terminate the backwash process, eliminating unnecessary water consumption associated with extended or fixed-duration backwash cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If high flow rate backwash is used, then media bed expansion is achieved, but water waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia bed expansionVSAvoidwater waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the backwash flow rate based on real-time monitoring of media bed expansion and turbidity levels, transitioning from high flow rate to maintain adequate media bed expansion to lower flow rate to minimize water waste as the backwash process progresses and cleaning effectiveness diminishes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the backwash flow rate parameter in response to monitored media bed expansion and turbidity conditions, optimizing the balance between achieving sufficient media bed expansion for effective cleaning and minimizing water consumption by reducing flow rate when expansion requirements are met.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reduces water wastage, increases plant production, and decreases wastewater treatment loads, resulting in substantial cost savings and improved operational efficiency by minimizing unnecessary backwash water usage.

Implementation Method 1

The flow of backwash water up through the media causing expansion of the media is called fluidization of the media bed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluidization: Fluidisation

Implementation Method 2

Backwash water turbidity sensor 121 installed in filter box 102 to monitor filter box turbidity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbidity measurement: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

Level sensor 107 installed in filter 102 to monitor water level in filter box 102

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLevel detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11247148B2Filter backwash control system for a water or wastewater treatment system to conserve water during the filter backwash process

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 IND TURNAROUND CORP

AI summary

A water treatment filter backwash process control system, comprising a control system that receives filter level data and filter backwash turbidity data. The control system having a filter level set point, wherein the filter level set point corresponds to a desired filter media bed expansion. The control system having a filter backwash turbidity set point, wherein the control system controls the filter backwash process by, while monitoring the filter backwash turbidity, sending one or more output signals that are used to control a backwash inlet liquid flow in order to maintain a desired media bed expansion, and stop the backwash inlet liquid flow when the filter backwash turbidity set point is reached.