Fluid Mixing System Resolving Water Stratification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current potable water distribution reservoirs suffer from stratification due to design, leading to water quality issues such as disinfectant loss, increased trihalomethanes, and bacteria regrowth, as colder water remains at the bottom, causing uneven disinfection and microbiological stratification.
Innovation Solution
A fluid mixing system utilizing a submersible pump, well screen, and diffusers in an inverted T configuration to circulate water from the top to the bottom of the reservoir, reducing thermal, chemical, and microbiological stratification without aeration, maintaining stable disinfectant levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is stored in a reservoir without mixing, then the reservoir design is simple and fill/draw operations are straightforward, but thermal stratification occurs causing water quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hydraulic mixing system where a pump circulates water through a draft tube that creates a hydraulic jump and turbulence. This hydraulic action mixes the water columns without requiring mechanical moving parts in the tank, resolving the contradiction by providing effective mixing through fluid dynamics rather than mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing system utilizes the water flow itself to create the mixing action through the draft tube design. The circulating water generates its own mixing force through hydraulic jump and turbulence, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex mechanical mixers while maintaining water quality
2Reliability
If mechanical mixers are used to prevent stratification, then water quality is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical mixers with a hydraulic mixing system that uses fluid flow and hydraulic jump to achieve mixing. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts, reducing manufacturing complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining effective water quality control
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles where water flow through the draft tube creates turbulence and mixing. This hydraulic approach replaces complex mechanical mixing equipment with a simpler system based on fluid dynamics, improving ease of manufacture
3Stability of the object's composition
If air bubbling is used for mixing, then thermal stratification is reduced, but disinfectant residual is lost through aeration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic mixing instead of air bubbling. The hydraulic jump and turbulence created by the draft tube mixing system achieve thermal mixing without introducing air into the water, thereby preventing disinfectant residual loss while still eliminating thermal stratification
4Reliability
If draft tubes are used for mixing, then water quality is improved, but the system becomes complex and difficult to install in existing tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The draft tube mixing system is designed to be universally applicable to various tank sizes and configurations. The modular design with adjustable components allows installation in both new and existing reservoirs, making the system adaptable to different applications while maintaining water quality improvement
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 ensures complete mixing and homogenous water quality throughout the tank, reducing trihalomethanes and bacteria growth, while maintaining effective disinfectant residual levels by circulating water and releasing volatile compounds into the air.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid mixing system may include an upper assembly, comprising a submersible pump housed therein
Implementation Method 2
the base assembly comprising one or more diffusers connected to opposing end portions of the base assembly; and a fluid path fluidly connecting the upper assembly and base assembly, wherein the fluid path extends from an outlet of the submersible pump to the one or more diffusers, and wherein the one or more diffusers are configured to provide a fluid outlet from the fluid path to create movement of fluid within a fluid reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid mixing system including, an upper assembly, comprising a submersible pump housed therein; a base assembly connected to the upper assembly, the base assembly comprising one or more diffusers connected to opposing end portions of the base assembly; and a fluid path fluidly connecting the upper assembly and base assembly, wherein the fluid path extends from an outlet of the submersible pump to the one or more diffusers, and wherein the one or more diffusers are configured to provide a fluid outlet from the fluid path to create movement of fluid within a fluid reservoir.